Cycling Again III
What does tire Pressure, a 9 mph head wind and only one garage equal? An excellent and challenging bike ride! This morning I woke up with two things that must happen. Rewrite two chapters of my book was a must. It has to be done by July 7th to get it to my editor, and to ride my bike. I did do some editing and I did get on my bike. YAY! Win Win!
Priority number one was to edit my book so this set me back on my early ride time. I did head out at 9am and thought nothing of it. The temperature wasn’t bad yet, but when I rolled out of the gate at 9am, I looked down the road and saw a garage sale. My hand went to my head immediately. How could I forget that? It’s Saturday. But I talked myself down off the cliff. Maybe it would be ok. It didn’t look busy at this particular sale so I chose to take my chances.
After I took off my coffee shop caps from my shoes, and before I rolled out of the drive way, I noticed that one of my tires was a tiny bit squishy. I’m used to having my tires filled to the max for an easier ride, so to most people this wasn’t really squishy. I figured it would be ok, so I took off. Immediately I felt like a ton a lead. Recently I had gone to my doctor, and had to get up on the dreaded scale only to find out that I was heavier that I have been in over 12 years! WOW! I knew how this had happened, eating badly for a year and a half, but wow. It had been gradually creeping up on me, but now it was making me feel so heavy on my bike.
Normally the first mile makes you wonder, “Why am I doing this to myself again?” Then I remember, “Oh yeah, I’m over weight and I love riding my bike, but not really sure right now if I’m insane or not.” Mile two my legs are beginning to cry and I’m struggling up the inclines. But thankfully, there were no other garage sales on my four mile route. Not sure how I got so lucky, but I’ll take it. Don’t get me wrong. I love garage sales when I’m shopping, but not when I’m riding.
There’s a 9 mph headwind in my face, slowing me down the whole way making it a bit more challenging. I’ve always wondered about that. If you are going 15 mph on your bike, and there’s a 15 mph headwind in your face, how is it that you are making any progress? Are you actually riding faster than 15 mph? But my cycling computer says 15. I’m no engineer and I don’t think it’s really necessary. You just work harder. We rode on a bike ride called the Katy Flatland where this happened, and kept happening for 12 miles. But I’m not thinking about that right now, I tell myself. I’m super happy that the traffic isn’t too bad yet.
I finish my first four miles and pull into my drive way, both to rest and to think about if I want to do another 4. I really really do, but the first was such a struggle. The traffic still isn’t bad, but wow is it hot. My new cycle computer has a temperate reading on it that said 89 degrees. Already? It was only 9:30. I decide to pump up my tire and just do it. What the hell. I want to ride in the Lion’s Bike for Sight in September and it’s a 22 mile ride in the real hills, not the inclines I’m riding in. So suck it up. I just have to be careful with my foot.
What a difference adding that little bit of air to my tires made. I’m still reeling over it. I didn’t feel so heavy, even though I am, and was able to get through it with so much more ease than the first lap. I found my rhythm in the beginning of the fifth mile and remembered why I do this to myself. It’s fun! After the last hill incline I began to rejoice. My first eight miles a couple of weeks ago wasn’t a fluke. I’m making progress. And just then, right before the intersection I’m coming up on, I see a dog run across the street. Oh no. Will he keep running and not come for me? Please keeping going little doggie. Whew, he didn’t. Thank goodness.
What a wonderful ride. Only one garage sale, light traffic, a challenging head wind, a dog who didn’t see me and try to eat my wheels, and a foot that still feels great. I’m so excited. Maybe next weekend I can gut out 10.
Here’s a picture of my actual bike. I love this bike. She has taken me from Houston to Austin, over the Fred Hartman Bridge, the Lynchburg Ferry, all around Katy, through the hills of Columbus, through the beautiful landscape of the Sam Houston National Forest, and soon, hopefully over the hills of Belton. What a wonderful experience. I’m so happy I’m back in the saddle again.
