Today I’m introducing you to my third and final bike. Her name is Rosie and she’s the road bike my husband bought me for Christmas. She looks like this:

Rosie was my steed of choice for Day 13 of my 30 day challenge. I had a busy day planned, so wanted to just get up and go out on the bike this morning, with no faffery. So, out came Rosie, as well as Jim, my husband’s road bike. We rode a 19km loop from home, which included plenty of fairly steep climbing.

I’m not very good at riding Rosie. I’ve only taken her out a handful of times and really struggle with the vast difference between riding her and riding my mountain bike. She’s so very twitchy! I’ve had to have the brake and gear levers changed from the original spec, because I couldn’t reach them initially and I still find it more awkward than I would like to change gear. I’m sure this is just because I’m a lot more used to riding my mountain bike, rather than there being a problem with Rosie!

I am a little nervous on her still and would really like to break free from that. I definitely haven’t made it down onto the drops yet – it just seems a step too far at the moment. But I intend to persevere, because once I find my rhythm, I do quite enjoy chewing up the miles. I don’t think road cycling will ever be what mountain biking is to me, but I like the fact I can go straight out of my door and just start pedaling.

If you have any tips for getting used to riding a twitchy, skinny-tyred beastie, I’d love to hear from you. Especially if you can tell me how to get rid of the pain I seem to be getting in my palm, just below my thumb!

PS – yes, red is my favourite colour. I have a red car too!