I rode alone

[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!

[Deanna]

Kiki--Congratulations on all your progress. I must say that I ride to and from work and after particularly stressful days I'll extend the ride home as long as needed to decompress before I get home. Riding alone really allows you to think things through.

AND BY THE WAY:

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?

There is bicycle roadside assistance: http://tinyurl.com/9drz5

I thought it was a little pricey and just learned to do basic repairs on my own. But if you think you need it, it could save you a long walk home.

[KkAllez]

You know, I carry a cell phone, but I don't carry any ID. I know better, I guess it just slipped my mind. I do keep a ten dollar bill in my bag.

I went out again today, had to try out my new biking shorts and jersey (I've got to say this for Team Estrogen, they ship fast and don't gig ya on the cost of shipping). I left at 2:30 and did 26 miles. It is getting too hot in Texas to leave midday, I also had a lovely crosswind to battle, I am just absolutely exhausted right now, but mentally I've never felt better. What a change from Sunday and Monday!

I doubt I'll get to bike tomorrow, as tomorrow is 'clean out the colon day'. Anyone care to join me for a mag citrate soda?


I'll look into the Topeak Road Morph and the cylinders. I think the reason we never tried the cyclinders is because the guys at our LBS, who are avid cyclist, don't really care for them.

I still can't believe how much I love cycling and how much it has helped the depression. It just feels so good to be out there and to be that close to nature, yet whiz along at my own pace. My biking buddy, Ben, will be back tomorrow and he is ready to get back on the bike, too.

[Bike Goddess]

Kk- That you love to be close to nature- that's one thing for me too. I love the outdoors and cycling is such a wonderful way to be outside and enjoy nature winds and all! I find that cycling in the early morning is the best regarding winds- I cycle before the sun comes up (on city streets with little or no traffic) and during the spring/summer months enjoy gorgeous sunrises! Hopefully you will too!

[nuthatch]

Kik, it's so wonderful to hear another one of us has discovered the delights of cycling! I, too, found it was a great help when I was really low - it made a difference on so many levels. The exercise, the outdoors, the meditation time! Ahhh!!!

[Biking Chick]

I've been enjoying this thread and join the rest of my TE Sisters in applauding KiK's venture into that scary (but only for the first time!) world of biking solo.

I have the world's best biking buddy who happens to be my DH and I have come to rely on my solo rides to help keep me centered. It's a wonderful and wonder full combination that I know y'all can relate to.

My contribution to this thread is to share that I carry a patch and extra tube; those are resident in each bike bag for each bike as are small ID cards that list our names and two emergency contact numbers. When I ride by myself I carry my cell phone and emergency money of at least $5.00.

DH is always concerned about my being out by myself - it's nice to know that someone is concerned! A couple of years ago I came up with the solution to ease his mind of what if something happens of riding a set route rather than making it up as I went along. This year I have four routes that I ride; I made 8.5X11 color copies of the routes from my handy dandy gazateer with the route highlighted. When I leave the house I put the map of the route I am going to ride on the dining room table (the location of messages to family members) along with a note of when I left the house. With two 'boys' who live in the area and stop in unannounced it helps answer the question of where is Mom. Even tho if something DID happen Al would be the first to know since his work # is on my emergency contact list he still worries about my being out by myself; knowing that I have left the map out for him is peace of mind for him.

I would also like to add that I think it is important, especially for women, to listen to that inner voice. Too many times we ignore that feeling that a situation is not 'right'. Right off the top of my head I can think of one (of two) instances when out biking on a stretch of road that is not heavily populated there were two cars parked on the side of the road - not an unusual circumstance given that the area is a magnet for people out trout fishing. But this time I had a very uncomfortable feeling - when I tried to shake it off telling myself that I was just being paranoid and 'silly' that feeling of being 'frightened' and the need to flee did not go away. I turned my bike around and did not continue. One of the things I love about being out on my bike is that it helps keep me in tune with myself; I'll never know what the outcome would have been had I continued but I've learned to listen to that inner voice ... she's usually right.

Kik, it's so wonderful to hear another one of us has discovered the delights of cycling! I, too, found it was a great help when I was really low - it made a difference on so many levels. The exercise, the outdoors, the meditation time! Ahhh!!!

Don't forget one of the rewards of biking ... ice cream. Which is why I have to keep replenishing my 'emergency money' ... we do have awesome ice cream here in Wisconsin