making the transition from pathways to the road

[stephyt]

is it easy to make the transition from riding on paths to the road quite easy?

im on a hardtail with knobbly tyres ATM looking to replace with slicks in the next couple weeks to start on the road then looking to get me first road bike in few months

I'm currently riding on paths and my avg speed is abt 8mph but only goin on the road occasionly when there's peds or cars parked up... when I have a long stretch I can reach 12mph in the right gears ( I know that's not fast for u lot but it is for me startin out )

 

[Rancid]

12mph is 12mph.
plenty fast enough if that's how fast you want to go.

not everyone is going to be tearing along like a nutter.
Some days when i'm cycling home i just like to cycle.
no trip computer, no racing anyone else.Nice and easy does it.

 

[Friz]

You'll be grand. I wouldn't worry about your speed. That will come on its own. The biggest challenge will be playing with traffic. I got slicks (Proper hardcore Kojak slicks) for my hardtail last year. I'd put them on Sunday Night and swap to the Nobby Nics come Friday so I could play on the weekends. The only downside was I'd have to skip the few miles of off-road near my commuting route. Now I just leave the Nics on all the time. It's worth the 20 miles on tarmac a day just for the 5 miles off-road. They just make ye pedal harder.

 

[ohnovino]

When I started on the roads I picked a lap that was on quiet roads and only had left turns. That way I got over the initial fear of "OMG the cars are right next to me" without having to worry about turning across the traffic.

And don't worry about speed. I take it very easy on my morning commute, freewheeling as much as possible, and my computer reckons today I only averaged 10.1mph. I'm working hard to get that down to single figures

 

[stephyt]

thanx guys I guess it's more if "omg im on the road next to fast passing cars away from the safety of the path" lol if I had done the 24 miles I did on tues mainly by road I prob would have done it quicker than 3.10hrs as followed paths stopped at lights ect... though the day here in crammy it's pretty quiet on the roads in part so just gunna try a few small routes get used to bein on the roads I want to b confidant enough by time I get me roadie later in the year

 

[biggs682]

paths serve a good training ground and are usefull to test bikes on , moving on to quiet roads first to gain confidence would be best , then when ready move on , must admit i avoid any out of town main roads ie ring roads

 

[MacB]

Apart from the more obvious stuff I'd say that it's well worth being comfortable looking properly over your shoulder. If you are already then apologies but I found this the part I was poorest at to begin with. I don't just mean a quick glance but a proper look back and able to make eye contact with a following/overtaking driver if need be. It's a bit of a co-ordination thing, not my long suit, and it took me a while to get comfy with this and still be confident of holding my line, not wobbling and operating the controls at the same time. Fortunately this is something that can be practiced offroad very effectively.

 

[buddha]

Don't Northumberland council do (free) adult cycle training?

 

[PpPete]

Apart from the more obvious stuff I'd say that it's well worth being comfortable looking properly over your shoulder. If you are already then apologies but I found this the part I was poorest at to begin with. I don't just mean a quick glance but a proper look back and able to make eye contact with a following/overtaking driver if need be. It's a bit of a co-ordination thing, not my long suit, and it took me a while to get comfy with this and still be confident of holding my line, not wobbling and operating the controls at the same time. Fortunately this is something that can be practiced offroad very effectively.

Or, to start with at least, get a mirror. I'm not nervous of riding in traffic but I still tend to use mine a lot, car coming up behind, gives me time to double check to see what obstacles ahead, often moving out slightly into a stronger primary position on the road, away from door zone of any parked cars, or to see where I might pull in to let car pass safely. IMO the Busch & Muller ones are best.

 

[PaulSecteur]

From my experience of going from tow paths to the road its not so much about speed but positioning.

You will probably feel drawn to the percieved safety of the kerb, dont go there, dont be a "gutter-rat".

Its counter intuitive, but staying out further usually gets you more space from passing cars, and if you feel you need more spece you can always pull towards the kerb, but if you are already in the kerb there is no-where to go for more space.

 

[Pauluk]

I've started riding on the road more recently and I found the Cyclecraft Book by John Franklin invaluable to say the least and I got my copy for about £8. Before I came to this forum I never new what the primary position was, I just wish more motorists understood this.

I also found johnny's pdf in the thread under the heading commuting very helpful too.
Thread heading "The essential guide for new commuters"


Apologies if you already know this stuff.

Good luck Steph it can be really good fun.

 

[stephyt]

Don't Northumberland council do (free) adult cycle training?

hmm not sure im gunna google it thanx

 

[Browser]

Pair of Schwalbe Marathon/Marathon Plus, well worth the cost for the puncture protection. Transiting to road riding should be easy, don't let yourself be intimidated/bullied into the kerb by motorists, start to look in plently of time on the approach to junctions and make your intentions plain. Look well ahead for potential problems and move to avoid them rather than arrive at them expecting them to have sorted themselves out. You'll pick up the rest as you go along. Oh, motorists and pedestrians will do the weirdest things, assume they're all nutters and you'll do OK.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Echoes of above.
Marathon plus are a great all-round tyre with excellent P*ncture protection and good all surface performance.
Venturing onto the road means, lots of observation especially rearwards, being assertive and not riding in the gutter. Reading 'Cycle-craft' by Franklin is probably one of the best investments of your time and money.
Don't fuss about speed or miles, bin the computer .... (for a while).
Get properly set-up:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
Find a riding buddy, set some goals.

Enjoy!

 

[stephyt]

great advice guys I'm gunna look out for that book too