Monday, April 25, 2011

A rite of passage...

Yesterday, I took Bella out for her second time on the road. I decided I should have some photographic evidence of it, so I drafted my husband to come take a couple pictures. I rolled her onto the road and got onto her.

I've been doing pretty well with the clipless pedals. I know that everybody supposedly falls, but I can clip out pretty easily and pretty quickly. I avoided a fall on my first ride when I started tipping the wrong way by clipping out fast.

I told my husband that I wouldn't be falling for the sake of a picture, but he should take a few pictures while I rode off. I clipped in on one side, grinned at him as he made some smart alec comment...

...and promptly fell over.
I guess it had to happen.

The ride after that went well. I started on the pathways and quickly realized that it's not a good place for a road bike. I may not be fast compared to other road bikers, but I'm fast compared to all the pedestrians, casual cyclists and children that frequent the pathways. Plus, they just aren't predictable and don't follow any kind of rules. I rode on the roads through town after that. I think I'll head onto the highways soon. It'll be nice to avoid the constant starts and stops in town.


I'm loving the outdoor rides! I was starting to worry that I didn't like biking as much as I should, in order to do triathlons. I think I was just getting into a slump with the trainer rides. I feel the same way when I do too many runs at the track.

This week is full fledged Oly training now, so no more neglecting my bike. Not all of them will be outdoors on Bella. Some will be on Heidi (the hybrid) with the kids in the chariot. If need be, there will be some on the trainer too, but now that I've got the taste for outdoor riding, I'm going to do it as much as I can.

7 comments:

  1. Now THAT looks like a lovely day for a ride! I'm so happy to dream of summer soon approaching.

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  2. LOL! I love that your husband was there to get a picture! :)I've fallen over twice and felt really stupid both times. It happens. I love riding outside soooo much, glad that you are finally able to get out.

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  3. You are looking GREAT! Side photos tell the tale and that one is awesome!

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  4. I forgot to unclip at a stop sign once. I fell over the curb and it was one of those moments you just hope no one saw. Right then was when a family in an SUV pulled up and asked if I was ok. They were almost laughing as hard as I was.

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  5. This totally cracked me up and would totally be something I would do! I purchased clipless pedals over the winter, but haven't been out on the road with them yet, just the trainer. Wish me luck :)

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  6. Yay!! Congrats for getting outside for a ride! I still haven't attempted it yet... That's great that you are getting the hang of the pedals. It has probably helped that you used them on the trainer all winter.

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  7. Greta looking neighbrohood! Seems funny that there is snow on the ground and dead grass.....makes me wonder why I don't train outside during the winter here when it gets down to 60 degrees. Lame.

    Get out and ride!

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