Bikeless in the Triangle

The Sears remains unfixed. I spent the daylight hours after work today going to look at a used bike--which I did not buy. But because I went to look, I also did not have any time to ride my one working bike, or to take in my one un-working bike. So yet again the repair has been put off. Yet again I'll put my hopes on tomorrow. And tonight I'm going to spend thinking about how nice it would be to have a new bike, a working bike, a bike that though not cheap does not require frequent trips to the bike doctor. And I'm going to look at such new bikes and drool excessively on my keyboard. And then I'll probably end up digging through closets and appraising every single thing in the apartment with an eagle eye and make elaborate schemes about selling each thing I see so I will have enough money to buy said new bike. And then I'm going to throw a mini-bikeless pity party and go to bed.

The Reign of the Bike

As I accomplished nothing towards getting my Sears fixed, nor had time to ride tonight, I thought I would share this neat old article that I found in my random searching today. Make sure you click the "Next Page" link at the top to be able to read the end of the article as well.


http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/moa/pageviewer?root=%2Fmoa%2Fcent%2Fcent0049%2F&tif=00314.TIF&cite=&coll=moa&frames=1&view=75

I love that the article calls the bicycle "the great leveler." Maybe we will one day be able to use bicycles for political persuasion. Maybe it will one day become a "necessity of life" to our country again! Here's hoping...

A Pleasant Surprise, Right in My Backyard

Today had a different focus for the ride. The point was to make time for a short ride after work and before the sun went down. Instead of distance this ride is about working on my balance which is often harder to focus on out on a paved multi-use mostly straight trail. I don't even know if anyone else would call it a ride. It's basically about a mile around the apartment complex. But even though I expected to feel really stupid and like it wasn't worth it, the value of this little jaunt was obvious before too long.

I had to utilize the Huffy today as there was no time to take the Sears in to the shop. So I made quick adjustments to the seat height and off we went. First off, this bike is a lot higher than the Sears. A lot. The seat is still leaning forward but for such a short ride it wasn't too distracting. It took more time to feel out the one speed backward-pedaling type brakes. So lest I make this boring by prattling on, here's the gist of today's ride. I had to actually take corners which I haven't really done since, oh, probably 7 or 8 years ago. So that was interesting and (I'm not ashamed to say it) very exhilarating. I realized how unbalanced I am and that if nothing else this ride is good for perfecting my balance and stability. That can only come in handy later.

Also, though there wasn't too much going on I had my first taste of being aware of cars and traffic. There were only a few, but I definitely had to spend more time swiveling my head about and paying attention to everything around me. Also there were speed bumps and I know how silly it is to even mention those, but you put a porky kid on a 3 inch wide frame and with the bulk of the weight a least 3 feet off the ground and that speed bump takes on a whole different life. It was fun going over them even slowly, and again made me think more about balance.

Though this was just a short little ride, I could definitely feel my thighs wearing out from the very mild grades. The ride ends going up a bit more of a hill too so there's a bit of a challenge for me at the end. There were actually a lot of interesting aspects of this ride that I had not anticipated even a little bit. And since it takes very little time and is a short distance, it doesn't feel the least bit overwhelming and I may actually be able to maintain the motivation to do it each evening while there is little light after work.

I would say overall this little insignificant ride was a pleasant surprise. My muscles got a workout (as practically any small bit of exercise requires a good bit of effort), it was fun, and it stimulates other parts of my riding brain than a plain old trail. Perfect for now.

An Upper Body Workout With a Bike

Another perfect day weather-wise and a new trail to explore. Today, we headed off for part of the local greenway system, which we have previously walked and know to be an easy trail. Our ride begins flawlessly and we are just zipping down the path. I decide to chance it with the gear system and to my astonishment and joy the Sears cooperates today and switches gears without a hitch. There a lovely warm breeze, the sun is out, the path is lightly shaded and I can't wait til we get down to the portion that passes the lake so I can snap some pictures. We slow down to pass some walkers and just as I get by my bike starts making a squealing noise and pedaling has become very difficult. I feel like I just shifted into 21st--except my bike has only 3 gears. Awesome.

So I hop of and begin looking it over, wanting to assess and fix quickly to get back on my way. Except, um, that's not going to happen. Because now my rear tire as become skewed somehow and is rubbing directly on the metal support. It's actually worn a smooth spot around the tire in the few seconds it took for me to realize something is wrong and hop off. So defeated I turn it around to head back to the truck. Oh, but wait. The wheel is actually not turning at all now. So I can either drag the bike along, or... pick it up. I can't tell you exactly how wonderful these is feeling right now. So I'm lifting the back end and wheeling the front end down the path. Then I alternate with actually carrying the bike. Humiliation and embarrassment don't even enter my mind as people pass staring.

Tire is rubbing on the bike frame itself and doesn't even turn at all at this point.

We had passed several access trails leading into neighborhoods and decide I should walk my bike up to one of those and wait for Llama to make her way back to the truck to come and get me. And bonus! The neighbor is sitting on top of an Everest-like "hill". So I can lug my "beloved" antique hunk of metal up the damn hill. Oh and of course the road I come out on doesn't actually connect to the road the truck is parked on. And I'm back who-the-hell-knows-where in this neighborhood. After asking 3 people for directions back to the road the truck is parked on, Llama finally goes off to get the truck via the bike path and come rescue me. My plan is to start walking out of the neighborhood so I can at least get to a road that connects to a main road. I finally give up lugging the damn bike and plunk it down by the road. I stand there smoking and thinking all sorts of unpleasant type things about my "great find" of a bike. Which is probably going to end up costing at least half the price of a brand new bike to get fixed. Which was clearly not the point of buying an old inexpensive bike. Not to mention my opportunity to have so much fun has been a little more than ruined. Yesterday I was the problem. Today it's the bike. So for now the grand adventures of a fat kid and her bike are paused. Maybe tomorrow the bike can go back to the shop and I can see hope much it will cost to fix it...again.

Oh but hey, there is a really cool positive side to the story. Usually bicyclists don't get enough upper body workouts. After lugging the bike a couple of miles today, I can definitely check that off my list until at least next week! Sweet!

Expectations and Realizations

The beautiful Sears on it's first ride with me!

Finally, the weekend with it's wonderful and warm weather and loads of free time! We had both bikes ready to go and set off for the American Tobacco Trail (ATT) again. As we pulled into the parking area I saw dozens of bikers, most clad in their semi serious biking clothing, with snazzy looking bikes on their racks. I felt a moment's embarrassment when we roared through the parking lot with the old truck, our bicycles stacked on top of each other in the bed. We unloaded and spent a few minutes adjusting our helmets and checking to make sure we had out water and camera in the backpack. New items for the wishlist: saddlebags and handlebar bags and water bottle with cage.

We started out slowly, just sorta breezing down the trail, headed south. I was so excited to be riding the Sears! Before long the trail crosses a road and then another nice flat, straight stretch. We picked up speed and cruised along, yelling happy hellos to those we passed. Before too long another road crossing and just as we reach the other side, my pedals begin spinning with no resistance. I tried switching gears to no avail. I pulled it over and hopped off having absolutely no idea what was wrong. My first thought was that the chain popped. Nope. So I'm squatting on the edge of the trail spinning my pedal and thinking "um, nothing looks wrong." I tried switching the gears a few more times and sure enough there's suddenly resistance again. So I hop back on and we're off again. Since it was the first really nice day all week the trail had a lot of people on it walking, running, with dogs, with kids, bicycling, and horses. About 10 minutes later my pedals again have no resistance. By this point I had noticed the shifter looked a bit askance and that it was not exactly responding. I felt like it wouldn't shift down, and then a few minutes later would be stuck in the "down" position. Up until now the trail had been flat or even a very slight downhill grade. We crossed a bridge and suddenly it was not flat.

We slowly passed a mother with two kids just as the pulled over for a break. Not far up the trail, I had to take my first time-out. Water and a minute or two and I was good to go again. Not even 5 minutes up the trail, which has been noticeably uphill since we passed the family, I spot a bench and ask if we can plop for a few minutes as my thigh muscles are screaming. So we pull over again and I play around taking pictures for a few minutes. My thighs are still pretty sore after resting so we agree to walk a little ways up the grade. When we get back on, the trail is still climbing. Now I use the word "climbing" relatively here. I mean, it's probably like a 1 or 2% grade. I tough it out for a few more minutes, we cross a road, and still my thighs are on fire. At this point, the end of the trail is only 2.5 more miles. I had really wanted to get to the end of the trail. But I realized I would have to go all the way back to the truck and my legs were tuckered out. So we wisely turned around.

The Sears looking good on the trail.

Now every 5-7 minutes, my gears are not working. And I don't mean I can't shift. I mean the pedals will abruptly lose resistance and I fly forward from the momentum and my legs are churning like I'm sitting in a spinning class. Each time require me to get crafty with the gear switch and push and pull until whatever is screwed up clunks into place and I can propel myself again. Also, my thighs are basically in a constant state of pain. Not like, oh wow, I can feel my muscles a bit. More like, oh god, can you do permanent damage by continuing if your muscles feel like they are pulled and on fire with each revolution? After another quick rest, via my complaining about the pain, we start back towards the truck. I'm noticing now that this direction is not as easy as on the way out. Apparently the slight grade is no longer in our favor. I end up off the bike and walking again when my legs actually stop responding to my "go" commands. Llama decides to keep going and come back to me. So as I'm watching her go, I start having myself a little pity/bashing party. I'm pissed that I couldn't go as far as I wanted, and that my muscles are hurting so badly. I angry that I ever go so fat and out of shape. I think about all the sports I played in high school and how I could always play through the pain. That makes me even more upset that I am not "strong" enough mentally to push through my physical weaknesses. I'm embarrassed that I couldn't do better, couldn't reach my goal. I'm embarrassed that I had to walk up a slight grade and that I'm walking now. I'm embarrassed that with such little exertion I had to huff and puff my fat ass up the hill. I feel stupid about making Llama wait for me, take a thousand breaks. I angry that something is wrong with my bike. I'm hot and thirsty and the truck is still more than a mile down the trail. Finally, I get enough anger built up I use it to get back on the bike. There was no way I was going to take an hour to walk back to the truck. I wobbled off, slowly and immediately the burning feeling returns to my thighs. I'm barely going fast enough to stay upright, but I am damned determined to at least ride to the road crossing. At one point, only the thought of how long it would take to walk keeps me on the bike. Finally the road crossing comes into view and I feel my spirits lift slightly. It's not too much further to the truck.

I'm still embarrassed and angry but realize these emotions aren't exactly helping and are sorta ruining the experience. I know I need to lower my expectations at least slightly. I'm not 17 anymore. I am carrying around about 80-90 pounds more than I was in high school. I am no longer an athlete. I'm a fat slob. And I guess that's ok but it's hard to admit that I did this to myself, that I let myself get to this point. It's hard facing the cruel facts. It's hard to admit I'm not quite who I want to be. It's irritating to think of the amount of work needed to get even minimally back into shape. To add insult to injury, all my little fantasies about riding for causes and commuting to work are looking a lot less immediately tangible. But then I'm thinking--well I'm out here now. And I'm not doing great, but I won't do great until I at least do something for awhile. So I guess a slow start sucks but at least I'm not sitting on my fat ass at home. At least I'm putting forth an effort. And really it's not the pain that is so bothersome, but my inability to drive through it. My willpower is no longer strong enough to be the only fuel for my mass. But I didn't give up and I think it's ok to say "you know, I need to walk for a minute". As long as I get back on, I think that's just part of the journey.

Me still smiling at the end of the ride.

Today, I rode nearly 6 miles. I don't even remember the last time I went that far when not riding in a car. It's not as good as I wanted. But a hell of a lot better than nothing. And I guess not a shabby start. And the joy of being outside, of the wind and the sun on my face, of riding my treasured old bike, these are things that cannot be measured in miles, but in smiles. And already I can't wait until tomorrow...