Today I entered the world of cycling and rode for a mere 15 miles of what can be described simply as exhilarating pain. I quickly learned that somewhere down the road I need to buy a new seat as the stock one that comes with my bike is a real pain in the rear....literally! However, with some seat adjustments it will at least be manageable for the short term, but there is no way I am riding a century next summer on this seat. I know exactly what I will ask for this upcoming Christmas.
I also learned how exhilarating it is to ride down hills at 30+ miles an hour and how deadly focused I became while doing so as the thought crossed my mind that were I to crash at such speeds it would really, really hurt.
It also became blatantly obvious how important generating speed down a hill is (at least in Colorado) because you can pretty much guarantee that at the bottom of that hill is another hill you're going to have to climb back up! Any momentum you can generate prior to climbing makes the overall effort that much easier, which by the way wasn't easy for my out of shape body. I thought my legs were going to fall off!
Overall, it was an awesome experience! I loved seeing the sun rise over the Colorado cornfields. I liked the wind blowing in my face, but wished that it were a little bit warmer (the Fall weather is upon us and it's a little chilly until you get your body moving).
I wasn't that fast averaging a little over 15 miles and hour, but I also didn't push it that hard as I was learning the ins and outs of my bike and also didn't want to pay the price of not being able to move the next morning. Plus, I didn't adjust my seat until half way through which made a significant difference in my overall comfort level. Next time I will go faster! I feel good enough that I'll probably go back out tomorrow morning.
But I looked cool, at least I think I did. My wife on the other hand thinks I'm a dork which I by the way am not arguing.
I am a dork, a really cool dork!
17 comments:
I've always had a soft spot for really cool dorks. But riding a bike hardly qualifies you in that category!?
Now, if you played some wierd role playing game like Dungeons and Dragons, planned to attend Comicon or were a freakish fan of science fiction...then maybe you would be one of the elite few.
Yeah, I don't think bike riding places you in the dork category.
And besides, with that tough guy facial expression, who really cares?
Let me clarify... cycling doesn't make you a dork. Cycling is cool. Look at Lance Armstrong!
Having your wife take your picture so you can put it on blog, and actually thinking you look 'so cool' in your cycling get-up makes you a dork.
I'm sure that "really cool" is not the description for this picture. I think I would laugh if I saw you on the side of the road. In fact I know I would laugh. Maybe once you get in better shape from cycling you will look better. LOL
I still laugh at my Dad every time I see him in his cycling gear. Spandex is only cool on superheros and comic book characters.
But I don't think your a dork.
Tobi, did you not read my previous blog entry on 8.15.2008? I am a comic character!
Why do you think I always have these long periods of time between blog entries?
Mindelicious has a point. But since the picture led to a long blog post for his devoted readers, I dub the digital architect a sentimental dork.
You'll only truly be a dork when you start shaving your legs like your big hairless brother. I'm proud of you - get in shape and bond with said brother at the same time! I say go for it!
Matt,
Sam's comment should have read, "
You'll only be really really fast when you start shaving your legs like your big hairless brother." Time to get that bic razor out!
I don't know have you guys ever seen my legs? There isn't a lot of hair to begin with, plus if I shave my legs they will look just like my blog stalker.
As long as you think you are cool, that's all that matters, right? Glad you finally blogged again!
Sweet ride! I see Chris has another convert. And I like how you surreptitiously hid your virgin biker legs behind the cranks and water bottle.
Seriously though, biking is the best. Just be careful that you don't get so overzealous that you start a biking blog that you NEVER update! (cough, Chris, cough.)
You're COOL, you dork! I love you your new get up now you just have to get up and get going! Sore tushie, sorry!
It is nice to see that you have come over to the dark side of cycling.
I'm with Mindy.
This is one of the more interesting comment strings I've read in a long time.
Matt, welcome to cycling. It's cool, even the tight clothes are cool, that is when you can actually have some bike muscles that make you look like a real biker.
I'm with Chris, shave the legs. You'll be glad you did after your first wipe out.
You'll have an advantage on us VA folk with your high altitude training, I'm jealous.
Keep on the bike and your butt won't hurt...at least that much.
You no geek unless that is a good looking bike geek.
A
could you please do a new blog so I don't have to look at that picture every time I check to see if you have blogged. IT really scares me.
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