Is it possible to go from 0 to road cycling?

[H2OConnoisseur]

A very close friend of mine has been very interested in road cycling since last Christmas (I think she's pretty much watched every single video put out by GCN). The problem though, is that it's been almost a decade since she last rode a bike, and that was on a bike where she could plant both feet firmly flat on the ground while sitting on her saddle. Is it possible to go from that straight to road cycling as an adult? I'm looking for a way to help her gain confidence, and am not quite sure if we should start with Dutch bikes or if we can go straight to road bikes. Thanks!

I've only just moved onto a road bike from a mountain bike, and wasn't keen on the idea of clipless pedals to start with so put some flat mountainbike style pedals on.
The bike feels very stable and I can confidently get my feet down in a hurry should I need to.
So I'd say yes she can but maybe look into a set of flat pedals just until she is confident in the riding position.

No reason why not! Those Dutch type bikes weighs a tonne and the handling is pants. They aren’t really aimed at eating up the miles, but pootling around flat towns. She’d be best off going for a hybrid perhaps initially - they are like a mountain bike but no suspension and narrower tyres. She could have the saddle lower than needed initially whilst she gets used to the handling/ balance, which won’t take long. There’d be no issue going straight to a road bike either. Whatever, it’ll be very important for her to test ride and ensure she gets something that fits. Then it’ll need to be correctly adjusted. Find some quiet roads or a big empty carpark or industrial estate on a Sunday. She’ll be whizzing a long confidently in no time.

I'd go for road bikes but put on flat normal pedals rather than use clipless.
If she's watched a lot of GCN, get her to set the bike up so it's comfortable especially the saddle being the right height. I'd start off in an empty car park or business estate ans just get used to riding round, stopping, starting, getting going, changing gears, testing the gears etc. A few of those sessions and then look up Breeze or similar in your area.
Have fun!

Thanks for the replies! Good point about the flat pedals. I was initially thinking of maybe letting her test ride my bike at this carpark near us to see how she likes it (we're basically the same size so it makes things a lot easier) but might be a bit of a challenge as I've only got mountain bike clip less ones on them and not flat pedals. Maybe a trip to the local bike shop is in order then!

I started on a road bike. I did have a mountain bike after a while but I sold it and got a cyclocross bike instead because I just prefer the road drop handlebars and gear/brake ergonomics. I started out with the MTB style clip pedals then moved to the larger platform road pedals which are much more comfortable over long distance. Being upright on a bike feels very alien to me compared to road/race geometry. I think it’s all about what you know as normal and there’s no reason not to just start out with a ‘road’ bike especially now with the increase in road oriented gravel bikes that can also make short work of towpaths and even bridleways whilst still being reasonably quick on the road with the right tyre choice.

Yes but give the clipped pedals a miss. I am a recreational cyclist and have never wanted to be clipped on to pedals and I still cycle up to 50 miles at a good pace.

After an hour of riding you will get the hang of the gears and it will be second nature.

Do it! road cycling is awesome.