Downhills :)

[Catrin]

I have finally graduated from my introductory parking lots and hit a local park (very large, with lots of places to ride) this afternoon with my trainer. Thankfully for him, he rode his bike to meet me there - I am sure that was the only way he could really get a workout on the bike - certainly not riding with a beginner.

I had a great time! We rode 11 miles, and some of that was in hills I had been a little nervous about the idea of riding downhill, but had a blast going down the hill. Of course one must go up to go down...and the park has a monster hill that I wound up walking. Twice

I had a great time, did I mention that? it was great to finally get on my bike and actually ride somewhere other than a series of parking lots Not bad for a beginner!

The main problem during the ride, other than getting used to shifting, was that my feet kept slipping off the pedals, a couple of times both did at the same time! I am looking forward to getting used to the clipless pedals that were installed on my bike right after the ride.

[Cataboo]

Catrin, that's awesome! It must have been sooo much fun to get out of that parking lot!

[Catrin]

Catrin, that's awesome! It must have been sooo much fun to get out of that parking lot!

Oh my yes! It was indeed awesome! It was also humbling to see how much more I was struggling in the headwind and uphill than my trainer (who ran in his hardest gear the entire time)

Did I mention that I loved the downhill part! We were even breaking the speed-limit...ok not by much but we were breaking it

[azfiddle]

Catrin, way to go. It sounds like you are really having a blast discovering your new relationship with the bike.

[Catrin]

Catrin, way to go. It sounds like you are really having a blast discovering your new relationship with the bike.

Oh my yes - though it was good that I wasn't alone on my first trek outside of the parking lots. I suspect that it may have been a different experience without my trainers shifting reminders and encouragement on the monster hill