With all this free time on my hands since graduation, I set out to find myself a hobby. Not just any hobby, but one in which I could keep fit and look good while doing it. The obvious choice based on this criteria was cycling. I haven't worn spandex since 6th grade and quite frankly I've missed the way it hugs my curves. But I digress.
Our first official cycling trip was a simple 2 mile ride over to where we normally go hiking. I was on a circa 2001 $120 Target mountain bike which hasn't been tuned up ever... I mean ever. In fact, I wasn't sure the chain would survive my shifting the gears... So I didn't.
Manda's bike was just over a year old and was thus categorized as the nice, "new" bike. Despite it's categorization, we were aware that her bike had a "slow leak" in one of it's tires. We were confident this wouldn't be a problem over a 2 mile ride, but we stuck our big ass bike pump in Manda's Camelbak just in case. Passing motorists must have thought we were totally newbs with the two foot bike pump towering above Manda's head. But it is a good thing we decided against looking cool. We had to pump the "slow leak" up every half mile.
Other than the continual inflation needs of Manda's bike, the ride was smooth until we hit our first and only hill. Quite frankly, I almost vomited due to exertion and I didn't even make it to the top. Once I caught my breath and my stomach settled, I deduced that I was not out of shape, but that my bike was entirely too heavy. Plus, it might be nice to be able to shift gears occasionally.
What happened next has been a blur.
Six bike purchases later (With one bike returned) we now each have 3 bicycles. This simple, fun cycling hobby has taken on a life of its own. The slinky spandex outfits control us and feed our egos. We now see no problem walking around in skin tight spandex because we feel they're slimming and all our cool cycling friends are doing it too. (which, I have to say, if you're going to gallivant around in spandex, make sure everyone else is wearing it too. People are less likely to spot you in a crowd).
Additionally, with all this time spent in shorts outside, I think I might have a tan.
Peace Out.
Our first official cycling trip was a simple 2 mile ride over to where we normally go hiking. I was on a circa 2001 $120 Target mountain bike which hasn't been tuned up ever... I mean ever. In fact, I wasn't sure the chain would survive my shifting the gears... So I didn't.
Manda's bike was just over a year old and was thus categorized as the nice, "new" bike. Despite it's categorization, we were aware that her bike had a "slow leak" in one of it's tires. We were confident this wouldn't be a problem over a 2 mile ride, but we stuck our big ass bike pump in Manda's Camelbak just in case. Passing motorists must have thought we were totally newbs with the two foot bike pump towering above Manda's head. But it is a good thing we decided against looking cool. We had to pump the "slow leak" up every half mile.
Other than the continual inflation needs of Manda's bike, the ride was smooth until we hit our first and only hill. Quite frankly, I almost vomited due to exertion and I didn't even make it to the top. Once I caught my breath and my stomach settled, I deduced that I was not out of shape, but that my bike was entirely too heavy. Plus, it might be nice to be able to shift gears occasionally.
What happened next has been a blur.
Six bike purchases later (With one bike returned) we now each have 3 bicycles. This simple, fun cycling hobby has taken on a life of its own. The slinky spandex outfits control us and feed our egos. We now see no problem walking around in skin tight spandex because we feel they're slimming and all our cool cycling friends are doing it too. (which, I have to say, if you're going to gallivant around in spandex, make sure everyone else is wearing it too. People are less likely to spot you in a crowd).
Additionally, with all this time spent in shorts outside, I think I might have a tan.
Peace Out.