Saturday, May 3, 2008

It's like ....

They say it's like riding a bicycle or is it that like falling off a log. Either way I did both today.
Last year was my 25th anniversary at my job. I know 25 years is a really long time but that's not the point. The point is for putting up wtih them for 25 years you get a present. Mine was a mountain bike. It's a nice Trek and I really love it. Anyway, when it first showed up it was broken so I had to send it back and get a new one. That took awhile. Then, they sent me a new part and I couldn't figure out how to put it on right. That took awhile. So I finally took the parts to the bicycle shop and had them put it together. Then there was training for the half marathon (yes I trudged 2 last year) and it was cold and I work to much and on and on and on. Anyway, bottom line is today was the first day that I rode my new bike. Yes, I know I'm sad but hey I did ride it.
This bike has clip-in pedals. I have only used these kinds of pedals in spin class. You don't move or have to worry about balance and falling down in spin class. So I figured out how to clip-in and move to get myself started. Woo Hoo!!!! I'm all excited cuz I'm moving down the street. Then I get to the stop sign. I manage to unclip my left foot in time to stop. I'm feeling really good now, I know what I'm doing and then I pick up my left foot and proceed to fall completely over to my right. It all happened so fast, I picked up my foot and boom I was on the ground. I forgot that I needed to be moving in oder to clip in my foot. I wasn't moving and balance wasn't my friend.
I'm on the ground, I mostly hit grass but the side of my knee hit the curb and got scrapped up pretty good. I keep looking around to see if anybody saw me. If they did they turned around and ran the other way. Once I figured out how to unclip my right foot I was able to get off the ground, dust myself off and try again.
After that I got the hang of it and yes it was like riding a bike. And falling off a log.

2 comments:

thomas h aylesworth said...

Awesome! I got out on my bike this weekend too. Did 10 miles on Saturday and 20 on Sunday. I assume the weather in Austin is almost always better than Fairfax, but the weather here's been great lately.

It sounds like you like the Trek. I'm looking for a touring bike for taking on longer rides (100K) than is comfortable on my hybrid. I'm trying to decide between a Trek 520 and a Surly LHT. I'll let you know what I end up getting.

Good luck with your contest! Sounds like you both win either way!

Tom

Colleen said...

Ride like the wind, baby! So proud of you.

You guys need to recommend a basic bike for me (short girl.) I want to do a sprint-Tri next year for my 40th, and I am totally intimidated by the process ... not the Tri, buying the bike. And it's not like there are 400 bike shops in Austin. Oh, wait - it is.