Does anyone do any road cycling?

I've been doing some recently (training up to cycling to work) and I haven't yet managed to pluck up the courage to use the drop handlebars. It just feels very insecure when I'm down there at any speed and I've only very briefly used them on some flats. Down hills I haven't dared.

Does anyone have any experience? Any tips?

Cheers

What about some Aero Clip On Bars and Pads to cruise along with?

for example - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/token-tk9741-2- ... -and-pads/

If by road you mean anything bigger than the A10, no, but it's not fast moving traffic you want to beware of, it's claustrophobic slow traffic - which makes up for 99% of my C.London cycling.

I don't ride with racer handles though, I've a chopped-short flat bar that lets me eek between tight gaps - which is a necessity when you're getting flanked both sides by two bendy buses.

But all I can say is, don't force your confidence - it will come. The thing I've learned is that you have to "drive" your bike as if you were a bigger vehicle, not hug the kerb as a subordinate to cars, buses and other motor vehicles - as that only puts you in a state of constant fear.

Wear a helmet!

Don't worry I do.

Snowy, thanks for the tips. My riding is mainly on country roads and A roads at the moment and the confidence is definitely growing. My main problem is the high speeds at the moment. On my mountain bike I can bomb down the hills with no problems but even at half the speed on my road bike I don't have the confidence in it yet.

With more practise it will come.

+1

I have a spare "helmet" if you ever need one

When you learn to sail, they teach you that "might is right' i.e. a small dinghy has just as much right to be on the water as the cross-channel ferry, but in all honesty, if you're the small dinghy then stay the fcuk away from the big bastards. Cycling in a town/city is no different; you have as much right as any road user to be there, but you're 100% going to come off worse in the event of any collision, so stay sharp and don't take risks.

Drop handlebars may be a great idea on a racing bike where you're all there for the same purpose, and all travelling in the same direction at roughly the same speed, but for road cycling in a town or city with suicidal pedestrians, kamikaze messengers, cab drivers, bus drivers, white van men etc.. etc.. then drop bars = organ donor. No, just don't do it.

My £0.02.

Pete

I agree but I'm not commuting in a busy town. Most of the roads I'm on a wide country roads

The main reason for the drops is to get a sturdier control of the bike too so it becomes advantageous with time.

Around cars and traffic though I'll be using the tops.

judging from photos of fogmeister he doesn't actually need a helmet as that thick Afro? type hair will be more than sufficient to act as a helmet in any case of collision

When I think where I used to ride my racing bike in Watford - around the ring road, over some very busy bridges and junctions, I am surprised I never came a cropper there. I got shunted off my bike on a roundabout in the evening during a time when it was rather quiet and not very busy. Cycle helmets weren’t really around at the time.

My tips for riding with a drop-handle:

1. Fit an set of inline brake levers (like these) for use in the upright position. Heavy traffic + missile position = bag of hurt.
   
   
2. Pack a personal first-aid kit - you will get hurt sooner or later
   
   
3. Augment the first-aid kit with:
   • a razor - to quickly shave around a wound to keep hair out
   • a tube of superglue - if it's raining plasters won't stick so you might have to glue the wound instead
   • large tweezers - for picking out lumps of gravel/asphalt/glass
   • 2 rolls of dressing tape - I've had to ride myself to hospital before now and had to pretty much gaffer-tape the dressing on
4. Inspect brakes, gears and wheels frequently and thoroughly - at least every 3 journeys
   
   
5. Road bike parts are built for weight-saving, not for sturdiness. Parts to pay particular attention to are
   
   • Bottom bracket (where the pedal spindle goes through the frame) - looseness may indicate a bust bearing
   • Head set (where the front forks pivot) - same as above
   • Wheel rims - very easy to warp. Also, check for large cracks/scratches on the rim edge
   • Rear triangle - the seat stay/seat tube joints are especially vulnerable
6. Wear full-on proper industrial-grade safety glasses - I've had mates get lit cigarettes in their eyes.
   
   
7. Fit steady-mode front and rear lights as well as flashers - flashers on their own are pretty much not legal. I used to fit:
   
   • Front steady-mode light (for being seen)
   • High-intensity (halogen) front steady mode light (for seeing)
   • Rear steady-mode light
   • Rear flasher
   
   
8. If in doubt, walk

It's all country roads around my way. I used to cycle to work 6:30am ,3pm and 11pm depending on shifts so it was quiet, and often dark. I've never got on with drops because I just don't feel I have any control with them and I can't see jack with my nose on the floor. Never worn a helmet because they weren't invented yet, but I've just acquired a bike again so I guess I should get the necessary gear.

I'm terrified of the roads now, because I know what it's like as a driver. There's a blind bend every 100 yards, and if a car is coming the other way then every bike encountered is an emergency stop. I take blind corners at a sensible speed so I've never killed a cyclist yet, but a large number of driver just assume the road is going to be clear. Assume = death....


LMAO yes we know

And now the real reason I got my road bike...

I just entered my first triathlon!

LOL!

It's a sprint distance (400m swim, 22.5km bike, 5.4km run). Loads of my friends did it last year.

Should be a good laugh.