The bicycle was finally ready for a ride on Sunday morning a week ago. Last time I rode my goal was 7 miles. I have been looking at trying to ride with a group and it seems the shortest distance was 12, so this time I set my heights on a 12 mile goal.
My original plan was to ride with a local group of women associated with Luna Bar. After some contemplation I decided not to ride with them this trip, but look forward to catching them on another ride. I have never ridden that distance, never ridden in a pack, and did not know any of the women associated with the group. (Three strikes and you're out.) Sunday CAM and I rode together. We rode to the west side of the large local university for breakfast. We then rode to a new local bicycle shop for a water cage. My bicycle does not have the pre-drilled holes for a water cage so I'm in search of one that will clip on to the frame. The bicycle shop is downtown. CAM and I were both surprised by the amount of traffic out that time of day. Often there were no bicycle lanes so we rode on the sidewalk. Sometimes the sidewalk ran out and I was forced to face my fear of riding in the lane of traffic.
I fell quite a few times. CAM offered to loosen the cleats before we started the ride. I thought the first fall was a lack of experience and I would eventually "get it." I said that after three falls I would let him loosen my cleats. I figured three was a good number to establish I needed more time for training. I fell numerous times!! The first couple of times it was rather humorous. I had an on bike first aid kit and kicked it up to "battle wounds."
The battle wounds were healing nicely until I decided to ride again the following Sunday. Early on in the ride I fell and opened up the largest and most significant wound from the previous ride. This time there was no humor!! We had hoped to take a dip in the local springs before they started charging, but by the time I got the wound somewhat cleaned up they started charging. We went to breakfast and I raided the restaurant's first aid kit. It's one thing to walk in to an eating establishment wanting food, but then another wanting food and oozing stuff that should not be oozing.
I know that eventually I will get the hang of this!! I think I can! I think I can! So this came to me in my sleep last night:
Bike Shoes: $50
Bike Pedals: $50
Doctor Bills: $30
Mastering the task: Priceless
I fell quite a few times. CAM offered to loosen the cleats before we started the ride. I thought the first fall was a lack of experience and I would eventually "get it." I said that after three falls I would let him loosen my cleats. I figured three was a good number to establish I needed more time for training. I fell numerous times!! The first couple of times it was rather humorous. I had an on bike first aid kit and kicked it up to "battle wounds."
The battle wounds were healing nicely until I decided to ride again the following Sunday. Early on in the ride I fell and opened up the largest and most significant wound from the previous ride. This time there was no humor!! We had hoped to take a dip in the local springs before they started charging, but by the time I got the wound somewhat cleaned up they started charging. We went to breakfast and I raided the restaurant's first aid kit. It's one thing to walk in to an eating establishment wanting food, but then another wanting food and oozing stuff that should not be oozing.
I know that eventually I will get the hang of this!! I think I can! I think I can! So this came to me in my sleep last night:
Bike Shoes: $50
Bike Pedals: $50
Doctor Bills: $30
Mastering the task: Priceless
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