YogaKat

Yes, after watching the video I realized this is what I was doing lately and a dangerous habit to get into. It was pretty much a knee jerk response to having that fear going into the turns.

Learning which foot to have down while coasting through the turn has been beneficial through the rest of my ride. Rather just having one dominant leg it's helping use both more evenly it seems.

Probably sounds corny but I will say it anyway. Learning more of the mechanical and technical aspects I am feeling more 'one with my bike' while riding. I'm loving it!

sarals 

The two or three times I was almost taken out by other riders in criteriums was because they did exactly that. I was inside of them, they dove in, and then hit their brakes in the turn. DO NOT do that! Brake prior to the turn, and then turn in. It's a big arc, smooth and graceful. (Yes, I did "educate" one the offenders - loudly - during the race. And then I stayed away from her so she could try to kill someone else....)

sarals 

How fast can you corner and how far can you lean a bicycle over? Ex is the expert, but this picture tells quite a tale. Remember to have your inside pedal up on the stroke, and don't start to pedal until you're coming out of the turn....

YogaKat

Yikes @sarals ! I would think at that level cyclists would know that already. I would imagine it would be difficult not to "educate' them in that situation.

Here is the video that I found most helpful. It's from the same series as the videos that you posted on fixing flats and removing the rear wheel that you posted.



Yesterday, I did find myself going into a longer sharper turn at a speed a little faster than I was comfortable with but I was able to resist the urge to brake and rode it through according to what I learned. I'll admit that I tensed up but concentrated on going on through correctly and I made it through unscathed and with a smile on my face after. Hence still learning to evaluate my speed beforehand.

The technique of having the inside pedal up and distributing the weight properly has really been a game changer for me. It really does make a huge difference in control of the bike through a turn.

That is quite a picture that you posted. I will get there someday, but for now easy does it for me.

Now back to the handlebars.

Neither Mr. YogaKat nor I am able to get this loosened up to change the handlebar position. Any advice?

sarals 

Yikes! Penetrating oil? Let it soak a bit? Then try to loosen it. Heat works, too. If all else fails, take it to your LBS. It looks a bit corroded.

There's a lesson there! Do you know the #1 maintenance thing that your bike needs? Clean it. After a ride, just wipe it down, and that includes areas like the bottom of the stem and handlebars to prevent corrosion and other nasties from happening.

sarals 

The GCN videos are great! Those fellas present things very well, and they do it with humor as well as in ways that are easy to follow and understand. I just love watching them!

sarals 

As far as "riders at that level", well. Women's fields, as in the number of entries in specific categories, are generally small as compared to men's entries. So, to save time, the Race Directors often combine the different categories. Therefore you get different skill levels mixed together. Even in the higher categories (3 and up) there are people who do some sketchy things on their bike. Racing is close quarters, and rule number 1 is "protect your front wheel". Watch the people around you, make sure they know you're there, don't overlap wheels, stay towards the front (and I now stay on the outside of turns), and identify the less skilled riders. And race your bike!

chasm54

That looks ugly. Not just corroded, but from the looks of it it might be incorrectly installed. Are the bars centred properly?

I'd echo Sara's suggestions with regard to penetrating oil followed, if necessary, by a trip to the lbs. Worst case they might have to drill it out.

YogaKat

Ah that makes sense. I used to play Disc Golf years ago before there were more women playing and they did that a lot. Sometimes there would only be 3 to 5 female players at a tournament (if that many.)

Now I'm going to have to look for a CGN video about how tight a chain should be. On my way back in today my chain fell off within a mile from the house so I had stop and put it back on. Am I riding a deathtrap?

I'm pretty sure it was already corroded when I got it. I didn't even realize it looked that bad until I took a picture of it from that angle and I recently wiped her down and cleaned the whole thing. I will get a rag to keep ready to wipe down after each ride from now on though.

I've already had two LBS say that everything looked good. The first was were I bought it and the second I just asked him to check it out for me as a safety precaution. What the heck? Now I'm afraid to mess with them at all.

On a positive note, today I was able to get into the drops and actually use my brake levers from there. Lots of wind so I was pretty flat and found I actually can reach them. It's really amazing that I have been riding this bike and have had such little knowledge about how to ride propertly and the basic mechanics.

@chasm54 They seem centered but I'm not sure. Here's a pic from the top:

chasm54

It will have been corroded when you got it. Bear in mind that this bike is 30 years old and we have no idea how it has been maintained. And the fact that the bars are frozen in place doesn't in itself pose any safety hazard, it just makes it impossible to adjust. I can't really tell from your pic whether it is centred, you'd need to measure. But I'm guessing that it can't be significantly out or you'd have noticed steering problems.

There's some tolerance on chain length, because the rear derailleur jockeys are sprung and take up the slack. If you think about it, if that wasn't the case the gears couldn't work, because the length needed to go round the big ring/big sprocket is much greater than that needed for small ring/small sprocket. So I'm guessing there's no real problem there, everyone drops a chain now and again.

I have to keep reminding myself how new all this is to you. The videos on maintenance will help a lot. As far as the bike handling is concerned, keep working on the low-speed drills and on the cornering routines that shovel suggested. Kids get this quickly because they experiment and do what feels most natural without fear. So don't think too much, and embrace your inner child. It'll come.

IBOHUNT

No need, I'm OTB.

Can't... They gone

See above

For the 3rd time... they gone

Now I need a mirror on the bike looking back at me

That!

In all seriousness, pin a number on and jump in. Just stay safe since I doubt that a paycheck will await you nor would it cover the cost of a pair of gloves let alone a bike or trip in a box truck to the hospital.

YogaKat

The handlebars are working fine enough for me. The small adjustment I was going to make isn't really worth trying to tear it apart, especially since I've learned to use the front brake levers in the drops today (which is really a nice change.)

See, now that is what I had been thinking regarding the chain. I did have to tighten the one on the cruiser when I dropped that one but it's a different animal. At least getting the chain back on the mixte is so much easier. I was coming back from my ride with the wind at my back and had her in the highest gears when it happened.

Those skill drills you told me about are trickier than they seem. I started working on them before all the autumn winds kicked in and lately it's difficult to find somewhere that is void of high winds. I had to giggle while I was working on them because I think the neighbors on that street were thinking "wow, she sucks at riding a bike!"

@IBOHUNT You are cracking me up! Thank you for that.

sarals 

@YogaKat, you can try the skills in a grassy field. The smoother the surface, the better. It will ease your mind about falling down, because if you do, it won't hurt you or the bike. The first "contact drills" skills clinic I did was done just that way, and there was falling down. It was no big deal, and once everyone learned that, the clinic went very well!

Like Chas, I have to remind myself that you are very new. You're determined, though!

sarals 

By the way, IBO fibs. But he IS funny!

valygrl

Ok I'll be the one to say this. No, you are not ready to pin on a number and jump in. You need to learn how to ride alone, and then you need to learn how to ride in groups, and then how to ride in close groups pretty fast, before you are ready to pin on a number and jump in. Along the way you'll learn how to change your tires, other basic bike maintenance, what to wear in what weather conditions, how to ride safely in traffic, etc. etc. etc.

YogaCat, that isn't even really directed at you, I think you already know it.

It's awesome you are race-curious, hell yeah, work towards racing. But it takes some practice to be ready.

IBOHUNT

Yeah, my bad. What @valygrl said.
Get fast, then comfortable in groups, then close quarters fast if you want to crit or road race.

Apologies.

YogaKat

@sarals Grassy field... great tip. It really is like I'm a kid learning to ride just with the handicap of age and different equipment. I appreciate the comments on my being new. I see that as a compliment, thank you and chas for that.

@valygrl You are correct. I know this very well. I see a long journey ahead of me. I am looking at the long game here and I can't tell you how much appreciate you all taking the time to mentor me in the process. My short term goals (meaning in the next year) are getting through riding in the winter conditions, learning more about technique, maintenance/mechanics and taking part in endurance rides in the meantime. As I've already mentioned I have the HH100 as my short term main goal.

@IBOHUNT No apologies necessary. I thoroughly appreciate your sense of humor and I know better than to pin a number on yet.

sarals 

You can pin on a number, but do it upside down and get that part over with.

Yogakat, the journey may not be so long. Then again, it may be. There is no hurry, there is no standard, it's totally up to you. When you have the fitness, you're comfortable and confident, and you're itching to jump in is when you will - or you won't. It's totally, totally your call.

I got into my first bike race when I was 60. Don't worry about age or timelines. Do things at your pace.

Racer Ex 

I've got $50 on the under that there's a TT bike in a garage in OKC by Fall 2016.

YogaKat

@sarals So if I get the number 13 may I pin it on right side up? That's my lucky number.
Right now I'm just enjoying the ride and starting to progress a little faster than I had the first few months. Not only have you all helped a lot but that wind we have going lately has got to be doing me some good. I was able to get out again today before the forecasted dreaded possible ice storm this weekend. (and if we don't get sleet, I just picked up a rain jacket.)


Who knows, you might be right. Just don't tell Mr. YogaKat until I can build a bike garage in the backyard. hehe

sarals 

Happy Thanksgiving, @YogaKat!!

YogaKat

Happy Thanksgiving to you! @sarals

YogaKat

The kiddo is at with grandparents for the weekend and I'm off work. I have the entire day all to myself.

Last night I was planning out my cold weather wear and preparations for a good 4 to 5 hour ride in the cold rain or a 'personal mini tour' to test myself in the elements.

The bad news: The morning news is already reporting ice on the roads.
The good news: It may melt off a little later.

I guess I'll see what happens today. Worst case I end up spending some time on the stationary bike and binge watching some Netflix. Either way it will be a good day even if not what I was hoping for.

YogaKat

I've been really unsure of what I want for my next bike and had decided to stop worrying about it for awhile. Well today I decided to go the the LBS to look for some 20% off accessory goodies and this caught my eye as I walked in the shop.

Thoughts?

LAJ

I would be hesitant on that bike. The frame looks to be a lead weight, so upgrading the bits would be a losing proposition.