Back to start over for the 3rd time.

[HermitGirl]

Congratulations! Enjoy the feeling, and give yourself a huge pat on the back.

Thank you. I actually do feel puffed up proud of myself, even though it is relatively a very small ride, it's huge in my recent outlook. Now I'm thinking about .... tomorrow, and the next chance to ride !

[staceysue]

Congrats on getting back on the bike! I'm looking forward to following how you do. Third time's a charm, you know.

[Miranda]

Yep, congrats on getting back in the saddle. Sometimes you just gotta do it.

Keeping the gear ready to rock helps too I think on making getting ready to ride minimal work.

I keep my bikes in the house w/the gear right next to it. The carbon roadie sleeps upstairs right at the foot of my bed. The mtb sleeps in my formal dining (looks lovely on the white carpet and next to the floral victorian drapes lol).

Anything I need to take with me where I will drive to ride w/a group etc. just stays in the back of my suv. My mini bike gear annex.

Oh course here on TE this is all normal behavior lol.

Happy riding tomorrow.

[OakLeaf]

Yay!

+1 on keeping the gear ready to go. Less of an issue when you're riding from home, but when you're driving to ride, it's harder to forget something when it's all in one place.

I keep all my gear in a mesh backpack, which is really nice, because I can throw my sweaty helmet, shoes, gloves, etc., right into it after a ride, and there's plenty of airflow through the mesh so they dry without getting gross. It lives in the house next to my bike, so I can pull my things out of it if I'm riding from home, or pick it up and take it with me when I drive to a ride, or transfer it into someone else's truck when we carpool to an organized ride.

Plus, if weather conditions change (or I just change my mind about them) between the time I get in my car and when the ride takes off, I have my clear glasses and sunglasses, my arm and knee warmers, FF and fingerless gloves, shoe covers, sunblock, whatever I need.

[HermitGirl]

Thanks everyone. I like the mesh bag idea. Hm... gotta make one. Miranda, you describe a life rooming with bikes as i had when i was single lived in a tiny little cabin in the woods. I had my road and mtn bike hanging from the cieling, swagged to the side, over my bed, (oh how the chains glittered in the candlelight) and my commuter hung and swagged in my kitchen. swagged because of low ceilings, and gear everywhere. I think I kept a big laundry basket full of my riding clothes, and well, there was just gear everywhere, and electric sockets charging lights in the kitchenette counter, etc. At the time I was working at a LBS, and it was just natural. Good old days. ::sigh:: Now I live in a real house (but in the same woods), with a DH, and I have to keep the horses out in the stable. lol. But right now, as I write, I have my jersey flung over a loft balcony railing, from yesterday's little ride, that is a little reminiscent of old days. I will soon start letting gear sprawl out, and then I will be reminded all the time about how my love affair with bicycles is still alive. I just have to fan the ever-so-faint embers, and there's going to soon be smoke .

[malkin]

Sounds like you are working it out.

Chop wood; carry water. Or in your case, ride your bike; walk the dog.
Breathe in and out; note the distraction and resume breathing.

[HermitGirl]

Sounds like you are working it out.

Chop wood; carry water. Or in your case, ride your bike; walk the dog.
Breathe in and out; note the distraction and resume breathing.

Actually, I just came in from restocking the woodpile.. so the wood chopping still is a part of life. Water, we have on tap . But yes, breath, and learn to ride all over again. It's like I had a big injury (emotional?) and I suppose in total my being off-kilter with cycling will have taken nearly 8 years to heal. Once I put it in that frame of thinking, I feel apart from *it-the injury* and more able to visualize Being A Cyclist again, very soon.

I love the saying "choose for friends, those you wish to emulate". That is precisely why I am going to make a pest of myself on TE.