First ride on my new bike!

[MommyBird]

We spent the weekend at the Falluminum Airstream Rally in North Georgia. Had a great time.
We carried two bikes each up but only one got used. There was a lot of rain for the road bikes and we took our dog, Cooper, so we spent a lot of time walking him instead of riding the mountain bikes.
Dave did his planned 40 mile ride. He made it up Brass Town Bald. Wrecked twice going up hill. It was slick with wet fall leaves and he was on a very steep part and slipped and flipped over on his back, still hooked into the pedals. He was like a turtle.
I made apple crisp in the dutch oven for the pot luck brunch while he was riding. He pulled in just in time to eat with all the campers. What a treat after a ride.

Came home to bad weather. Had to settle for the elliptical. Wednesday was beautiful but I have a morning-to-night schedule. I was able to take my bike to the LBS to get my white parts...finally! The shop is next door to my church, which is where I spend the majority of Wednesday.
Cannondale sent the seat they use on a more expensive bike. That was a bonus.

Finally got to ride today. Same routine with the park meeting. Experienced a few milestones...rode 20 miles, went out on the real road, and got chased by a pair of country dogs (Jack Russell and a Pitt Bull:-0)
We were able to sneak by one of my husbands favorite "training partners"; he calls him Captain Jack. He was distracted by his owner putting him in the truck for a ride.

We met our UPS guy in the driveway when we got home. He knew Captain Jack too. He knows a lot of the same country dogs as Dave.

Next ride will be at least 25. So far everything is holding up well on my 49 year old body. This is much kinder than running.

[staceysue]

What makes me excited about starting cycling at 40 is that it really is kind on the body - I hope I'll still be doing it in my 80s! Makes me feel young to be staring out something new and knowing there's a possibility I'll still be doing it when I'm twice as old as I am now.

[Maxxxie]

MommyBird: PHOTOS, dammit!!!!!

Staceysue: Cycling is one of those sports you can do until the day you die. One old coot made the news here not long ago - 80-something and rode from Cairns (top end of Australia's East coast) to Brisbane.. or might've even been Sydney.. anyway.. it was 1000+Km. This dude has only been riding for 18 months or so! So there's nothing stopping you mate!

Max

[MommyBird]

Photos!

Rode 25 miles today with my hubby.
Tomorrow is our 23rd Anniversary!
My hubby says carbon is the proper gift for #23.
The bike was my early anniversary present.
I guess all the stuff I had to get to go with it counts too!
He's getting a Tribest Personal Blender with some extra accessories.
He will love it for his after ride recovery shakes.
To celebrate we plan to ride a loop at Fort Gordon.

Hope you enjoy the photos of my 2010 Cannondale Synapse 6, 54cm, with Speed Play pedals. It will be wearing a Vetta wireless next week.

[MommyBird]

More photos...

[Tuckervill]

Nice bike. Cute dog!

Karen

[skinimini]

Sweet! I also have a Cannondale Synapse--you'll love it!

[MommyBird]

Nice bike. Cute dog!

Karen

His name is Cooper.
He loves to chase a tennis ball or Frisbee for hours. We have to use a racquet so we don't hurt our arm! He runs to the pool to take a dip with his toy whenever he gets hot. Then he tosses his dripping toy at our feet for more. He is a master of dramatic catches.
He loves parties because it gives him a steady supply of willing play partners.

[Yemmi530]

So happy for you, welcome back and have fun with your ride again.

[arielmoon]

Lovely bike! Your DH sounds like a great guy! Many happy rides to you!

[annielynn]

Very nice!! What a great anniversary present. Enjoy your gift!

[MommyBird]

I did my first organized ride on the Synapse.
Riding Beckley in Cochran, GA.
I did 33mi and Dave did the metric century.
We camped at Little Ocmulgee State Park. A CCC project.
Nice man-made lake, golf course, and Lodge.
We took Cooper and he loved his walks around the campground.
Lots of squirrels to spy on.
He got to try out his new doggie car seat.
He enjoyed the view and coziness and we enjoyed having him properly restrained.
Our next ride will be the "Best Dam Ride" at Clarks Hill/Lake Thurmond in April.
This is our favorite bike shop's ride and KFA signed on as a sponsor this year. About time!

[MommyBird]

I did my second ride yesterday, 3/21/10.
The Dublin, GA, St Patrick's Day Century.
(My First was the Beckley 100 a few weeks ago. I did 33mi.)
This time I did 57! And in the rain!!
Beckley was my first sub 40 degree ride and Dublin was my first rain ride.
Both times I was watching the weather go into an area that I had been avoiding for regular rides.
Both times I had the fear that I would wimp out.
Both times I met or exceeded my goal!
I felt so good this time I just kept taking the longer route.

A bonus (for me anyway) was that my husband had bike trouble and had to take a short cut off the 100mi ride. We happened to meet up at the final rest stop and were able to ride the last 8mi together! He rode in the 85mi range. He has his bike in the shop for some repairs today.

My desire has been to get back to being able to run at least a 5k by my 50th birthday in June but maybe I will switch it to a full century. My plantar fasciitis is not going away. I don't think my foot will ever fully recover. Too much scar tissue.

[backinthesaddle]

Your bike is great looking. Love all the pink accesories. I just got my first road bike last Wednesday. I tricked out on accesories too. I got pedals as well and shoes, but I am too afraid to use them just yet. I want to get more comfortable with the gearing and shifting first. My pedals are dual sided, so I am able to ride in my sneakers until I am ready for the clipless day.

You are putting on some serious miles already. Keep up the good work.

[annielynn]

WTG MommyBird! You are rocking it. I think that your goal of doing a century is completely doable. You rode in the cold rain, that means you can do anything. I have a 50 degrees cutoff and I refuse to start out in the rain! LOL Florida girl at heart. My body doesn't like the cold weather.