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I rode too much, too much I say.
Sep. 22nd, 2010 03:44 pmAs promised, last night, after riding around during the day, I rode to the climbing gym after work and climbed some walls. I was pretty impressed with myself given I was climbing harder things and have been out of practice. Also given I got up to a really high point on one climb and rather than seeing the rafters and freaking out and falling I stopped to inspect the dust and cobwebs thinking it would make for a great photo. Of course it would have involved me climbing up there again which was not going to happen. Rode home the long way via Prestige Kebabs to pick up some dinner, so I am sure I rode more than I wrote down, but I still don't think it's nearly as much as anyone else is riding. I say this because this morning, my sitting bones were really sore. I could barely pedal comfortably up the little hill onto Barrack street and yesterday I was smashing much bigger hills sans gears. I think I peaked early.
At any rate, I am glad I had some strength left in my weary old lady bones to ride into work again today. I think it's becoming force of habit which is terrifying because it makes me think "Oh no! I am becoming one of them!". It's not that I don't like "them" it's that I don't want to belong. Actually it's just that I am being funny. I think that's the point that I have discovered in my many wobbles and learnings; cyclists get a cheesey grin when they see other people cycling and most of them are more than happy to help out with tips or to compliment you on your bike or riding style. Maybe it's that B is such a tiny bike, I don't know, that's just my experience of it. I mean, when I bought my bike I was firmly against the concept of riding. It freaked me out and, more than that, I had un-learned how to ride a bike (I know, I am capable of crazy things). The fact that she looked so cool and matched me well and Mark had found her made me want to buy it to give it a try. It was worth it for the grin it received. But having said that, I was HOPELESS. Like I cannot tell you how many times I was not able to pedal down a small side street or turn my bike around. I learned how to ride at night on a side street with Deanne running beside me screaming enthusiastic enthusiasm. Mark yelled at me (in a loving way) to learn to use my back pedal break when riding because it's safer, and I was terrified of skidding. I am sure the reason I haven't fallen off yet is my sheer will power and belief that falling off is the last thing in the world I want to do. I had Anneke trying to dink me on my bike and getting nowhere, I tried to dink her which was also a bad idea. I could never keep up with her or Mark most of the time. But I think in my head I was just amused when I was riding with someone else because I have that little Scrubs JD aside that thinks I am part of some sort of cycling gang when there are more than two of us rolling very unthreateningly down a side street together. I haven't been confident enough to ride on less busy roads til now and I still fail at some basic things. I choose when I am comfortable and when I am not. I am sure (well no, this is a lie, Mark probably wouldn't think this) that Mark must get sick of me slowing him down or not being able to get up hills or ride to a concert because the dress I am wearing doesn't have enough give to pedal. I think the fact that I am still riding is a boone because I actually never really wanted to, I'm still a bit scared and I still have plenty of reasons to not want to. But I have an unwitting and unconditional love for my bike and so I keep doing it.
Enough of my self reflective ramblings. In other news, Jana sent me some more of my Glamour Push pictures and asked me to remind you all to wear helmets when you ride. I know you all do, I've seen some of the cool ones you have, but for those who might not be aware there are some great ones out there, you just have to look hard or be internet saavy. At some stage I would like to take photos of people in their helmets specifically to make people think it might be cool. Maybe I am fighting a lost cause, but I like those, so why not? I am also going to upload a couple of the new Glamour Photos for ya'll to see. Maybe
And finally, today's Star Pin Up Girl is the ever lovely and classic Audrey Hepburn in black and white on a stylish old ladies bike. I love her cute little polka dot dress and I think if anyone ever made the cyclist stylish, it was probably this little miss. Photo is in the gallery and a couple of snaps from yesterday's adventure will be up later today or tomorrow.Potentially Until then, keep cycling.
At any rate, I am glad I had some strength left in my weary old lady bones to ride into work again today. I think it's becoming force of habit which is terrifying because it makes me think "Oh no! I am becoming one of them!". It's not that I don't like "them" it's that I don't want to belong. Actually it's just that I am being funny. I think that's the point that I have discovered in my many wobbles and learnings; cyclists get a cheesey grin when they see other people cycling and most of them are more than happy to help out with tips or to compliment you on your bike or riding style. Maybe it's that B is such a tiny bike, I don't know, that's just my experience of it. I mean, when I bought my bike I was firmly against the concept of riding. It freaked me out and, more than that, I had un-learned how to ride a bike (I know, I am capable of crazy things). The fact that she looked so cool and matched me well and Mark had found her made me want to buy it to give it a try. It was worth it for the grin it received. But having said that, I was HOPELESS. Like I cannot tell you how many times I was not able to pedal down a small side street or turn my bike around. I learned how to ride at night on a side street with Deanne running beside me screaming enthusiastic enthusiasm. Mark yelled at me (in a loving way) to learn to use my back pedal break when riding because it's safer, and I was terrified of skidding. I am sure the reason I haven't fallen off yet is my sheer will power and belief that falling off is the last thing in the world I want to do. I had Anneke trying to dink me on my bike and getting nowhere, I tried to dink her which was also a bad idea. I could never keep up with her or Mark most of the time. But I think in my head I was just amused when I was riding with someone else because I have that little Scrubs JD aside that thinks I am part of some sort of cycling gang when there are more than two of us rolling very unthreateningly down a side street together. I haven't been confident enough to ride on less busy roads til now and I still fail at some basic things. I choose when I am comfortable and when I am not. I am sure (well no, this is a lie, Mark probably wouldn't think this) that Mark must get sick of me slowing him down or not being able to get up hills or ride to a concert because the dress I am wearing doesn't have enough give to pedal. I think the fact that I am still riding is a boone because I actually never really wanted to, I'm still a bit scared and I still have plenty of reasons to not want to. But I have an unwitting and unconditional love for my bike and so I keep doing it.
Enough of my self reflective ramblings. In other news, Jana sent me some more of my Glamour Push pictures and asked me to remind you all to wear helmets when you ride. I know you all do, I've seen some of the cool ones you have, but for those who might not be aware there are some great ones out there, you just have to look hard or be internet saavy. At some stage I would like to take photos of people in their helmets specifically to make people think it might be cool. Maybe I am fighting a lost cause, but I like those, so why not? I am also going to upload a couple of the new Glamour Photos for ya'll to see. Maybe
And finally, today's Star Pin Up Girl is the ever lovely and classic Audrey Hepburn in black and white on a stylish old ladies bike. I love her cute little polka dot dress and I think if anyone ever made the cyclist stylish, it was probably this little miss. Photo is in the gallery and a couple of snaps from yesterday's adventure will be up later today or tomorrow.Potentially Until then, keep cycling.
