Wanted: A rider. Teach LdnGrrl how to ride day

+1. LdnGrrl's being honest about her abilities, it's not ok to take the piss.

This was a genuine request for help, and the best you could do was to be an arsehole? WAC.

This is what I did - hadn't ridden for years and the few times I'd ridden in traffic in London I'd been petrified. Then bought a bike and rode it home and loved it, was absolutely fine and have been ever since. The leap of faith bit is really true, it's just making it happen.

I remember when I first got a bike in London, I had to ride it home from Oxford St. I was so terrified of cycling along all the big main roads on my way home, but as soon as I got on the bike I had a surge of adrenaline and all my fear went away and was replaced by a super awareness that I didn't know I was capable of. I've never been afraid of cycling in London after that first time.

I think that even if you are riding with other people, at some point you will have to take a leap of faith. I think that the sooner you ride down a "scary" road, the better (that is once you are comfortable on your bike). You will feel a lot better once you do.

And now you ride at like 70mph or something! Proof it can be done :)

I got my first one off a freecycler in Camden and rode back to Greenwich via the Highway, Tower Bridge and Jamaica Road at rush hour, having never ridden outside of a small village before. I was fucking TERRIFIED. I didn't get on it again for several months.

Is that on the beach at Brighton? How appropriate.

Lil, my mate, and also a compadre of Oliver, is a qualified cycling instructor. Her name is Denise, but better known as "Dinky".
I'll let her know about your needs, and see if she can help, or if she has any ideas.