When I first started riding in June of 2006, I didn't think I wanted a road bike. By July of that same year, I had a road bike. And I just paid a deposit on my own mid-life crisis custom Ti road bike with carbon fork (Jobob, it must be going around)!

I just remember being so scared and intimidated by everything. Where could I ride? Clipless pedals work how? How steep is that hill? You want me to ride how many miles? I still get a little freaked out by climbing and descending, but I've gained a lot more confidence in that department. The rest of it just seems like second nature.

I still haven't done a ride with the words agony, death or heartbreak in their title, but here's hoping! I also haven't embraced mountain biking yet.