Riding Solo

Well, that was interesting first go-around.

Hitting on my post earlier today regarding my new-found interest in cycling, Kara and I set out this evening on our first two-wheel adventure! But it did not last long.

Three minutes into our journey, we realized the rear tire on Kara’s bike that we had just filled up…was flat. Not wanting to get in the way of my mission, she gracefully bowed out and encouraged me to take to the streets on my own. Braving the cold, breezy night, I completed my first of (hopefully) many peddling excursions.

Here are my stats for this first trip:

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t THAT cold, and yeah…Perhaps they’re not the most impressive stats in the world, but all that matters is I’m proud of it!

And exhausted.

As you can see by those graphics above, I started off slow, trying to get acclimated with my new old bike, and even with an elevation change in my favor, I still was a lot slower for the first mile than I was for the second mile and a half.

(Side Note: Stats are coming from a new App I downloaded today for my Blackberry Bold called BIM Active for free.)

I will continue this exercise as it was extremely uplifting and enjoyable…Even if I burn all over now. Hopefully I’ll show steady progression, and my cycling buddy will have her wheels ready to rock for the next time out!

Saddling up!

I’m lazy.

There, I said it. I got it off my chest, and it’s out there for the world to consume.

I am uncomfortable with the weight I’ve gained, and for years now, I’ve wanted to do something about it, but have never mustered up enough motivation aside from a few push-ups here and there that did nothing for me. Two days ago, however, I think that motivation came rolling into the front door.

Kara managed to get me a new old bike from her work. At the end of their season, the foreign employees go back home and cannot bring their bikes with them, so they get left for the savages. She clawed her way to this one, which she explained as being “the cream of the crop.”

Hello, motivation.

I went and purchased a gel seat cover from my place of work two nights ago, and now I have been reading up on how to get started. I wanted to bike to the closest grocery store to get laundry money, but realized five miles is a bit to far for me, considering I haven’t ridden a bike for at least 12 years. I really am excited to get this venture underway!

If anyone out there reading this who has more experience than I in the cycling world has any beginner’s tips for me, please do share. I can’t wait to hit the roads!