Finally

I finally rode my new bike today.

I walked it to a nearby park and put on my 'bike shoes.' I fastened my helmet, clipped in with one foot, said a prayer and was off. From the second I pushed off I realized my prayer was too short and decided that a constant dialogue between me and the Big Guy would be a good idea for this life threatening endeavor I was trying to embark upon. I got my second foot in the pedal without too much struggle and was riding the bike. So smooth, so fast, so quiet. Heavenly. Then I realized that sooner or later I'd have to stop. So I practiced taking my foot out of the clip and then putting it back in. After a couple of laps around the park (avoiding any person or animal or potential obstacle at all costs), I came to a dead end and realized the street was my only option (other than falling over sideways). I decided to ride to a path I'd found last summer. This involves the street and several stoplights. I tried to time the lights so I wouldn't have to stop (which requires taking my foot out of the clip and then putting it back in when the light is green). So I'd slow up when I saw a red light and pray that by the time I got there it'd be green and I could just proceed without any clipping business. Of course, that's not how it worked. At one stop light, the second I decided to take my foot out and succeeded in doing so, the light turned green. I got startled or something, but I wanted my other foot out, but couldn't get it out fast enough and then I was just standing still barely balancing on the skinny little tires of this fancy steed. Then I felt it-- gravity. Such a powerful force that I was unable to over come. My steady stream of prayer intensified as I called out God by name as I became one with concrete. I got up, rode on the sidewalk for a few blocks, and figured it out. I got to the trail and within five minutes was at the end of it. I'm telling you-- this thing is SO stinking fast. So I decided to continue on to the never ending trail that I trained on last summer. I got to it and really embraced the beauty of this bike. Until now I'd been uber cautious and been focused on my stupid feet being STUCK to the pedals. With stoplights and cars out of the equation, I could enjoy going fast and what not.

All in all a good first ride. I am glad because I don't feel like I wasted a significant amount of money on a bike I'll never ride. And I got a tan. All in a day.

One small obstacle-- I can't figure out how to shift down! I shifted all the way up, but it's beyond me how to get it back down. That will be my next challenge...