I rode alone

[trayc]

Good for you Kk!!! I have felt the same way since my divorce. It was so thrilling when I finally went out on a ride alone and did my "own" ride and was not trying to keep up with someone else. It is a metaphor for life, ride your own ride, be happy with who you are and where you are going. Good for you.

Tracey

[loni0908k]

Awesome Kk!
And I know the feeling of exhilaration! For the first time last weekend I rode by myself too! Usually I ride with my boyfriend Tony who is then always available to fix flats. I was only going to do about 20 miles, but I ended up riding 41 miles alone!!! It was an incredible feeling, and Tony was really impressed too. Also, it is proven that exercise helps people cope with depression. Which is precisely why I choose to do something active each and every day - there is no better feeling than when you just finish a tough workout!
Great Job!

[nuthatch]

Congratulations, Kik - it's a leap of faith every time you go out the door by yourself but nothing beats the feeling you have when you roll back into your driveway, mission accomplished!

[anaphase]

That's great. Glad you got out there and did it. Sometimes it's hard when you're afraid, but you're right, if you want to change things, you just have to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and do it.

[archibella]

big congrats kik! sometimes riding by yourself is a great way to burn off some frustration and get out-- like cruising but healthier, lol.

Just wanted to chime in on the inflating tires topic-- I bought my road bike used, and with it came a cute little frame pump... which didn't get me past 30 psi!! I'm also supposed to ride @ 100/110psi. I invested in the Topeak Road Morph-- it's like a frame pump that turns into a mini floor pump. I can get my tires up to 110 in nothing flat! It's definitely heavier than CO2 of course... but I don't mind. I've read reviews that say the gauge can be innacurate.. but I haven't had any problems so far.

Cheers

[bikerchick68]

Kik- first of all HAPPY B-DAY!

You've gotten past the biggest hurdle! Really!!! The more your ride alone, the more comfortable you will become with it... the more you ride with traffic, the more used to it you become... which is not to say you take it for granted, but rather you learn how to ride safely with traffic around you...

Absolutely get CO2!!! The tool is cheap, and the refill cannisters are really cheap at WALMART! Like $.99 each... I carry BOTH... A CO2 and a pump... CO2 for ease but a handheld pump in case the CO2 fails or (and yes this has happened..sigh) I have more than 1 flat on the ride. Absolutely go in the garage/backyard or wherever and flat your tire, take it apart, put it back together... practicing in the comfort of your home sure makes it easier when it happens for real...

one more thing... I always put my tubes in a ziploc with some baby powder! Shake it all up (just a little powder to coat the tube) and then when you DO flat, the tube is MUCH easier to slide in as the rubber is coated and doesn't stick to the tire as you try to insert it!!!!!

way to go on tackling your demon... fear! that's a huge hurdle and YOU DID IT!

[Bike Goddess]

Hi Kk- Here's my opinion for what its worth- Some people love the cylinders, I am one of those who has had trouble with them so I stick to the old reliable bike pump.

However, I'm not strong enough either to get 87 lbs of air into my tires, so I bought a Topeak Road Morph bike pump. It fits on my frame, and when needed turns into a floor pump! It even has a gauge so I can at least get some idea of what pressure I have in my tire. Instead of pumping sideways, you pump like you would ordinarily- pushing downwards which gives you more strength.

The guys I ride with often use it when their pumps either don't work, or they get tired of pumping their way!

You can find these online for road bikes or mountain bikes if you want to see a picture.

One more two cents worth- always carry some kind of identification with you when you are out by yourself (an old driver's license with your address will suffice). A cell phone is also good.

Hope this helps!

[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

[nuthatch]

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.

What a fantastic idea! My husband always asks, "Where will you be?" and I do some hazy arm waving and mention a road name but this would really be helpful for him (and kids). I just knew you'd be this organized, BC!!!

[Biking Chick]

What a fantastic idea! My husband always asks, "Where will you be?" and I do some hazy arm waving and mention a road name but this would really be helpful for him (and kids). I just knew you'd be this organized, BC!!!

Don't you just hate it when you get that deer in the headlights look?? Cuts down on my aggravation - instead of my saying, "I'm going out towards 'B', take a left on Maple ride up to '54' right on 'B' down to Grant, over to West River Drive..." when I know that what dh is hearing is "blah blah blah blah ..."

A picture is worth a thousand words ...

P.S. Thanks for the compliement