First Bike, First Ride, First Blood Drawn....
...my long intro:
Well I did it. I bought my first bike in years. Have been planning it for many months. It was supposed to be my reward for Halfway-To-Goal weightloss (65 pounds) but I caved at the 50-pound loss mark and went bike shopping. Just couldn't stand it any longer! Have been lurking around the boards for several weeks, taking notes and learning some of the lingo. I took alot of knowledge on my bike ride tests that I learned from this site. Thank you ladies!
I test rode many different bikes, but kept coming back to the Specialized Dolce. I'm 5'3 with short inseam and short torso. She just felt right to me. Had already decided to go clipless right out the gate. Haven't been on a bike in several years and just couldn't see re-learning one way, only to have to re-teach myself again when I ultimately knew what I wanted from cycling- just went for it. Spent many hours at LBS and they took really good care of me and set up my bike up perfectly, geared me out just as I wanted , spent time with me in the shop so I could practice changing tubes. Even threw in some freebies; guess they figured they were getting plenty of money out of me already. I also tried on many different shoes. Told my LBS guy I did not want to know what brand of shoe, I just wanted to pick the one that felt best on my foot. He'd take them out of the box and hand them to me. Being so new, I was not able to recognize logos. I ended up with a pair from specialized. The LBS told me to bring my bike back at 30 and 60 days for free check-over, tune up and fit 'tweakings'. Said it is not unusual for brand new bikes to work things loose and need some adjusting for tension. Is this normal?
Brought her home last night. First ride at noon today. First tumble right off the bat; clipped the right in and pushed off with the left - but failed to have the right pedal on top and could not get any power for take-off and over I went. Laughed at myself, got back in and took off - successfully I might add. Only rode for 3.35 miles though, my timing needs a little work. It was already 92 deg. with a heat index of 99. Yesterday, we were supposedly the hottest place in the county. Is it too masochistic to admit that I kinda/sorta enjoyed riding with blood running down my elbow, like it was a badge of my courage? Does that make me official now?
Note to self: place antibacterial wipes and bandaides in bike bag.
I turn 40 in December which was the catalyst behind finally tackling my weight and lack of physical fitness. I plan on being Forty, Fit, and Fabulous. Plan to celebrate it by completing a half century. Saying a century overwhelms me at this point and I am trying to keep everything realistic.
