I rode alone

[KkAllez]

I have to confess, I am the biggest scaredy cat in the world. I never ride alone. Well, Ben is gone to Denver for the week and I was feeling really, really sorry for myself that he missed my 40th birthday and our son, who is home from military school only said, "oh yeah, happy birthday" after Ben reminded him....and....sniff, sniff...I just hit emotional rock bottom.

So Sunday, I thought, I am going to ride just a little ways, not far. Just around the triangle (our road makes a triangle). I even thought, I am not going to put on bike shorts but just wear jeans. Well, that didn't work cause I couldn't find the little straps that keep my jeans free of the chain, so garb up I did. I rode all of 4 miles. Big deal, right?

Then yesterday, I was just depressed beyond words. I am sick and tired of being afraid of everything in life. So, I thought, "By gosh, I am going to ride my bike and if I have a flat I'll change it myself and if a car hits me, big deal!" I ended up riding 20 miles. I averaged 11.9 mph. Not a single car even drove down the access road of the interstate. I did have a darling of a teeny tiny dachshund chase me. But I am soooooo proud of myself! I was able to do it all by myself. It felt so good. This means that if I want to ride when Ben isn't here, either morning or midday, or whenever, I can just go do it. I don't have to wait for him. I don't have ride hard and keep up a 15 mph average, either!

I know a lot of you ride alone all the time. I didn't realize how nice it is to do that. I still want to ride mostly with Ben, but I enjoyed my alone time, too.

I have been under an incredible amount of stress lately, and have found myself polishing off a bottle of wine each evening, until Ben said, "no more" we are both getting healthy!

I found this book at Walmart this evening, "Body For Life For Women" and bought it. I used to do the Body For Life thing, and I have wanted to to finish the challenge for about six years now. So I am going to do that. I really need something to help my self confidence. And I really, really want to get super fit, muscular and acheive my life long goal of biking a century and even do a triathlon or biathlon.

Ben will be home Thursday and then on Friday I have to go to my yearly cancer checkup (EGD and colonoscopy; last year they removed four encapsulated polyps that were stage A contained, so I'm not overly worried about that...it is just a crappy thing to go through...PUN somewhat intended!)

As I tell my son, "pull yourself up by bootstraps and get on with it". I need practice what I preach. And I do thank God for Ben, who finally saw how desperately depressed I am/was and is willing to help me before I become a begging wino on the street corner.

And I am really, really grateful for the bike....and this forum! What a nice place to come, and learn. Why just yesterday I was reading a post about biking shorts, and I think it was Denise who mentioned PI Sugar Shorts so I ordered some from Team Estrogen, along with a cut sleeveless Peggy Sue jersy. Then I read about the Speedplay Frogs and am interested in them. HEY! Cycling AND shopping beat Prozac and Merlot any day in my book!

KiK (BTW, I am morphing, Kim is my wimpy name I am now Kik!)

[DeniseGoldberg]

Congrats on enjoying your first solo bike ride; I hope it is the first of many to come. It's great that you have Ben as a riding partner (and more!), but it's still good to know that you can head out on your bike whenever the desire hits.

And good luck with your checkup on Friday. Be sure to keep us posted.
--- Denise

[wabisabi]

Good for you--it sounds like overcoming the mental block of fear was important for you. Feeling competent--to change tires, make basic repairs--is a start, and then just tuning into the joy in riding (for me, utterly being in the moment is one of the things I love about riding) is so wonderful!

[SadieKate]

Bravo for you! Isn't it a wonderful exuberant feeling of power? Grab those bars and go!

[Technotart]

Im going next week to take a bike repair clinic at one of the local shops - maybe someone near you has one of those!I wouldnt know WHAT to do with a flat right now - except to pick up the cell phone - do you think roadside assistance would come out for that?

Doesn't it feel wonderful to just get on the bike and GO????

Going on a group ride really helped my confidence level in traffic too - 2 days after the first group ride I ever did, I was out riding major roads in the middle of the day - probably not the smartest thing but I came home feeling as though I had conquered something!

And retail therapy...well thats the best and ain't TE a grand place to shop??? New cycling gear and clothes beats anything else anyway! You can NEVER have too much of any of it!

<HIGH FIVE!>

[KSH]

WOW! Be proud of yourself! Instead of laying around, and eating your way through your depression... you got out and rode!

I read recently, that studies have shown that people who exercise are less likely to be depressed.

I personally do not ride alone on city streets... because I live near nothing buy major roads, and I figured safety in numbers. So, I have some groups that I ride with.

But, if I need/want to ride alone... and not on busy streets... I just go to the lake and ride around it... 25 miles.

I do have to say that riding with someone else is 100 times more fun... but it sure is liberating to know that you can do it on your own as well. Which is scary to do, when you are use to always riding with someone!

PS- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! It sounds like you are being healthy, and taking care of your body... good for you!

[Grog]

I'm glad for you Kik! Don't wait for Ben, for cycling or for other great aspects of life (besides maybe drinking - which is better and more healthy when sharing). But do take him on rides once in a while. Riding together is fun, riding with a large group is great, but riding alone has its charms... And in many situations I find it more safe, as it seems to me that I pay more attention to the road when I'm not chitchatting with someone....

Enjoy!!!!

[MomOnBike]

Flat repair is easier now than when my Dad showed me how back when we were dodging dinosaur droppings on the roads.

Not having my Dad on hand, however, I suggest you click on the yellow TE logo at the top of the page, -> community -> how-to guides. Print them out, go out into the back yard and practice. It's best if nobody is at home when you do this, they'll try to "help." (As though that will help later.)

Go for it, girl, what's the worst that can happen?

[KkAllez]

Thanks gals, so much, from the bottom of my heart!

As for flats, the problem for me is that I can't get them repressured up again much past 60psi and I ride at 110 psi. The tire says inflate to a minimum of 87 psi. I am thinking the weight lifting will help me get the upper body strength I need.

I think it is a good idea to practice flat changing here at home. Sounds like a fun project...NOT!

[LBTC]

Hey, Kik! How about a C02 inflater? you want to save that buff upper body for bike handling....let the gadgets do the work for you!

and CONGRATULATIONS!! you done good, girl! Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us. Made me smile out loud, my dear!

Namaste,
~T~

[KkAllez]

Thanks. Ya know, I've thought about the CO2 inflater. I've wondered how well they work. I'm itching for a new cycling gadget. It sounds like a good excuse to go to our LBS (50 miles away) and check out new bikes, too!

[KkAllez]

I suggest you click on the yellow TE logo at the top of the page, -> community -> how-to guides. Print them out, go out into the back yard and practice. It's best if nobody is at home when you do this, they'll try to "help." (As though that will help later.)

You know, as much as I've come to these forums I didn't know TE had the how to guides. I just clicked over there and was like "Wow"! I'm such a nerd!

[AutumnBreez]

Kik you did it!!! That is great!!
I am one of those that rides alone and find lots of things about myself during that ME time, building my confidence and body at the same time.
Once you change a tire in a relaxed enviroment(home) BEFORE getting a flat on the road and knowing how, will make you feel that much more self reliable and less scaredy cattish.....independence day of your own....
liberating even

Funny when us kids were ready to get drivers license, my dad showed us how to change a tire on the car and then in order for him to sign, we had to show him that we could change it ourselves after his example. My husband did the same kind of thing, showed me first then had me do it so that if my phone died or any other matter came up I would know how to do it. I have had to change one on my own since, but luckily it was here at home before a ride I always check/inflate and my last ride I had got a piece of glass that deflated it and had to change it right there.
I advise that you learn the back tire so that you have to also monkey with taking it from the chain and will know how to place it back on chain and frame.

For those single ladies out there, I am sure you could ask your LBS or another cycling buddy to show you how if you don't know already. Your tire advocate- AutumnBreez

You can do it! (from the movie- The Waterboy)

[CorsairMac]

and welcome to the world of solo-riding! your LBS is 50 miles away??...sounds like a Perfect excuse for a bike ride to me. Maybe ride there and have Ben come pick you up or vicie versie?? I have the opposite problem of most women, I do Everything alone so the first time I rode in a pack I was very nervous, afraid I would bring someone down or forget to signal something back. Tomorrow will be my first club ride and I'm a tad nervous about that too. I've been working really hard on holding my line(something you don't have to worry about when riding alone!). I was all set to try my first century self-supported last Sat until the winds defeated me.....but there will be other Sats and it will happen when it's right, kinda like your first solo ride! I'm so proud of you and all that you have worked so hard to accomplish in your life, your solo ride is the icing on your cake!!

[Grog]

Another great idea is to get into an "introduction to bike mechanics" class (I think someone else suggested this). I'm into the middle of one right now: last night and tonight, total of 7 hours. Dismounting and remounting both the front and back wheel, fixing a flat, adjusting the brakes, maintaining the chain and derailleur. Basic stuff, enough to be pretty autonomous on the road... And fun too! Also, you realize that not all guys know how to do these things (because obviously a couple of them are there too).

Plus, in Montreal, the pro-mechanics is a woman, Denise Belzile. How inspiring...

Enjoy!