Road bike newbie... help!

[polexiaaphrodesia]

Hi all, would love to get some advice from any seasoned road cyclists out there.

I've always enjoyed cycling and pre DC used to go out on my hybrid a lot. Hybrid was very cheap and is very heavy and frankly I'd like to upgrade to a nice road bike. I'm a keen spin biker but now getting rather fed up with being in the garage with the spiders and the lawnmower! I also like the idea of a hobby for me that gives me a bit of a break from work/family for a couple of hours at the weekend especially as I came to realise recently that DH has tons of hobbies (guitar, warhammer, gym and running) whereas my hobby was Mumsnet

My question is, how on earth do you get into being on the road on a road bike, clipped in, with MAMILs and cars zooming past you? I'd say that my fitness is reasonable and we live in Berks which is fairly flat so good for beginners.

Writing this seems totally ridiculous and I can't imagine many men having the same worries so I'm sure the advice is to get myself to a bike shop to try some out but as cycling seems very male dominated I don't have friends I could go out on rides with to build up my confidence I'm calling on you ladies of Mumsnet for some ideas!

PS I should add we all want more bums on bikes as it means less cars on the road... also more drivers with an awareness of cyclist needs (most of us obviously drive too).

@noodlmcdoodl

PS I should add we all want more bums on bikes as it means less cars on the road... also more drivers with an awareness of cyclist needs (most of us obviously drive too).

Lots of truth in this - the more cyclists (and bikers) there are on the roads the safer each person is. Not sure why, but it has been demonstrated in the stats. Maybe motorists start to pay more attention?

I think noodlmcdoodl has hit the nail on the head by saying that most cyclists also drive. I think this is the key to the safety issue. The whole cyclist v motorist argument is a bit silly as so many of us are both. And the more people that become both, the better as the understanding of each other improves.
My driving is definitely influenced by the fact that I cycle, and vice versa. The more people who understand both sides the better it is for us all.

Hello. I've been directed to this thread by @noodlmcdoodl
I have a road bike but don't get out too much but keen to improve.