Pedaling and Paddling....NEW BIKE!

August 19, 2012 - In my never ending challenge to find new ways to motivate myself to get up and moving I decided to get a bike. I am a firm believer that when you stop moving you are done.  I also have a little panic inside me that something may happen that will sideline me and take me out of the game.  I have seen so many friends with knee, hip, shoulder issues where they say…”can’t paddle for 3 months, dealing with knee issues”, or “fell in my own shower, broke my leg!”  And, I speak from my own experience.  My own fears are realistic as several years ago I was sidelined myself for almost 8 years…yes 8 years, battling the dreaded big C.  I was on the couch or in a bed for a good part of that time.  So today, I am always aware and grateful for the good health of mind, body and soul that I enjoy.  I don’t take as many chances as I once did.  I walk more on the trail than off, skip the gorge scrambles some of my friends enjoy, and take a little more cautious approach.  I miss a little of the excitement…but not all that much.  I am very aware that when I fall, I don’t bounce up like I used to. 

So many of my paddling friends are also bikers and we have such great local trails I decided to take the plunge.  I can justify almost any new expense in the name of fitness!

So I researched, asked my friends, talked to the sales guys, talked some more to friends, and test drove a couple of bikes.  I ended up with a Giant Hybrid.  This bike may not be the fastest on the road (like my Yak is not the fastest on the water either) but it is comfortable and functional for what I want to do.  I wanted to make sure I had no excuse for not riding.  Oh yeah…just as important, it is very good looking, white and black, and I got a cool helmet to match.  Yes, those funny winged helmet things I have made fun of all these years…I got one, and will use it!

So here is what I learned my first morning on my bike.

1.       My neighborhood streets are not as flat as I thought.

2.       It is much more fun to go downhill than uphill.

3.       So many gears!!..must figure them out.

4.       That horrible screeching noise was not a broken bike, it was my little emergency kit bag that sits behind the seat rubbing on the tire.  Yes, I am short and my seat is low…so raised a smidge and all is good.

5.       Must learn what all is in that little emergency kit…it’s so small, I can only hope it is emergency chocolate!

6.       What a heck of a workout.  Once around the neighborhood and I was breathing hard!

So I will keep on Pedaling in addition to Paddling and work up my strength and endurance.  (my kids have bets on how often I am going to ride, I am out to prove them wrong!)

Pedaling on…