How can I build up confidence to ride a bike safely on a road.?

I live near to a canal, but its the roads to get there that scare me. I can ride a bike. I am scared of cars. Basically how do I build up stamina and confidence. Also my bike has gears, I don't understand what gear is good for what. Please help a new cyclist. I will be very grateful.

How can I build up confidence to ride a bike safely on a road.?
Have you got a friend who rides on the road regularly, ask if they will go for a ride with you, that would be a start to building confidence, you will only build stamina and confidence from actually riding your bike, avoid riding in the gutter, it's usually full of rubbish from the cars and you might pick up a puncture or hit a drain cover, it is also the most dangerous place on the road, ride just out into the road so that you miss all the drains, say about two feet, you are more visible to vehicle drivers there, don't 'weave' in and out, ride in as straight a line as possible, do not ride on the pavement, ever. (It's also a good idea to buy a copy of the Highway Code, and read the cyclist section)

The gear that you turn your legs the fastest in is called the 'lowest' gear, it would be used for the steepest hills, the gear when you turn your legs the slowest is called the 'highest' gear, it is used for going down hills, riding on flat roads with the wind behind you, anywhere that you can pedal it easily, the best gear for you to ride in is the one that you feel most comfortable with, probably one in the middle of those that you've got, if it is too high or too low you will not have proper control of your bicycle, although it is probably better to be in too low a gear than too high a gear, try all of the gears in a quiet street, or on the canal path where there are no cars, to get the 'feel' of them, just keep changing from one gear to the other, you'll soon get the 'hang' of it, but watch you don't end up in the water :o)

Good luck ! The roads are a lot safer than you might think, just stay alert at all times, and enjoy your bike !
Reply:Read the highway code for starters if you haven't already. Then find a quiet road that you know well and cycle close to the edge of the road (obviously) try to keep your path parallel to the kerb and only deviate for glass, pot-holes etc. Once you're happy with reading the road for hazards and are able to keep your bike under control move onto another road that is lightly used. When cars pass you just keep straight - try not to deviate from your path. If you see a hazard that you have to avoid (pot-holes etc...) check behind you, while keeping to the edge of the road, and if it is clear move out to avoid it. Do this gradually rather than at the last minute. Use signals where possible but don't signal and keep signaling as you carry out the maneuver - you need both hands on the handlebars for safety. Don't be pressured into emerging from junctions by other road users. If you don't think it's safe to emerge, don't.

As for the gears, use lower gears for acceleration at junctions and for hills. If you can't sustain a decent speed at a certain gear you should probably move down a gear. As you accelerate, change up the gears as you feel you're not turning the wheel (no resistance from the pedals).

As you approach a junction you should change down the gears well in advance so you can accelerate quicker.



As for the stamina just work up your pace along the canal and cycle regularly.
Reply:Select the gear which offers some resistance but you can still push quite easily. Play around with the gears and you will learn in no time.



As for on the road, you are right to be wary of cars but being scared is not a good thing. Confidence is your biggest safeguard and learning to be aware of what other road users are doing and going to do. One tip I can give you is look drivers right in the eye and you can determine quite easily if they know you are there and what there demeanour is.



It will help to wear a hi-viz jacket and a helmet.
Reply:If you can understand the gears simply by the pressure you have to use to turn them, only push yourself on the Canal, stay with the easy gears until then. I mainly ride the sidewalks, there aren't many walkers in my area so the law usually lets it go as long as you heed the right of way to walkers. Stay aware of sounds and also you can buy at Wal Mart a Handle Mirror extension that allows you to see behind you. When I started riding my 24-speed I simply only pushed my legs hard enough to get the blood flowing. Switch to hard gears downhills and easy gears uphill only push yourself as hard as you feel comfortable. But, on the road, stay as far to the right as possible and remember, YOU have the right of way on the road 99% of drivers are very aware of cyclists especially in town-type areas. Stamina comes from riding, I ride the C%26amp;O Canal every weekend, my first time i was only able to go 6 miles :( Yesterday, I rode 30:) The gears are your friends the longer you ride and switch gears the stronger your legs will become. If you are feeling a burning in your legs and you are breathing heavy you are doing just fine no matter your speed or distance remember that. Good luck and I hope this helps.
Reply:Learn the highway code, or at the least the important aspects of it - that way you won't end up doing something stupid, like cycling the wrong way down a one-way street.



But a mirror that fits onto your handlebar if that would help you.



Try and stay out of cars way so they don't have to perform any dangerous manouvers to get around you.



Wear something bright so people can easily see you.



The lower gears (the larger sized sprockets at the back) are better for accelerating from a stand-still and hill climbing, the mid range is the best for normal flat road cycling at a steady pace, and the smallest sprockets (high gears) are best for going downhill, or sprinting/really pushing the bike.
Reply:id start by riding in a quiet estate with few cars, the more you do this the more your confindence will grow. if you were to pick a busy street you would just panick way too much. when your pedling like hell and dont seem to be goin anywhere, those gears are more for climbing hills, and the tougher gears are more going faster. i cant remember which is the high gears and low gears though but im sure you know which one's im talking about. allways be aware of your surroundings when cycling on roads and dont forget to signal to let everyone know what you are doin. also it is good to wear some high-vis clothing or straps when cycling on roads as some people just cant see cyclists.
Reply:gear one is more for muscle build up you can peddle as fast as you want but u wont get no where very fast the last gear that u have depending on your bike is basically the hardest the pedals are hard to push where as the first gear they are very weasy the middle ones just range from easy to hard

the first time i rodr mine down a major road i was terrified but just listen attentivly and be aware of ur surroundings and u'll be fine if i could u can and im only 13