Back to start over for the 3rd time.

[staceysue]

I store my bike in the wood shed. I tried the garage (aka DH's woodshop) but the chain got all full of sawdust. I tried the rabbit shed and realized rabbits can pee really far - they must get bored and aim at things. The chicken coop is out of the question. If DH ever takes the "temporary" greenhouse out of the dining room, I could store the bike there. . . .

I like the mesh backpack suggestion. Today I was riding down the road and thought "why am I suddenly having such clear memories of what it was like riding my bike back from swimming, as a kid?" It was the smell of the sunscreen I finally bought and the feel of wind blowing through my hair! I can't believe I actually forgot my helmet . . . . better put it in a backpack with the sunscreen.

[HermitGirl]

Stacey ~ That's crazy about the rabbits ! Hey, I rode again on Friday, very short, I was *very* sore from Thursday. Two days in a row. I think I'll rest on the weekends (just hike) and start up on the MtnBike again on Monday. My bike is perched on our deck, there everytime I look out, I won't forget about it !!!!!!

[HermitGirl]

Okay, so the weekend and Monday have passed. My saddle soreness almost nonexistant now.

I remember about 20 years ago, after I'd been off my bikes for a few years, right before I got into riding and got a job at a LBS. I was 32 and felt I'd let myself go so far out of shape, and truly believed I could never get in shape again. I recall some encouraging words from a friend who was a rider, said " It only takes a couple of weeks , like, to make a big difference and then it all comes back " Not long after than, I trained hard in the cycling crowd and got in tip top race shape, far, far better fitness than ever in my whole life. I was about 33 and held on to that for about 5 years.

Well, I'm 48 now, and I have no expectation as to where I could go with this, but I know I could surprise myself. I just got off my mtn bike for the third time since starting up again last week. Just little tiny rides around my house, with my dog running along... and today i feel much stronger. It only takes a little bit, baby steps indeed, then I remember how my bliss lies in riding hard. I know I'll get there again.

[staceysue]

I had forgotten I ever loved to ride, but when I was a kid I rode my bike everywhere. I remember at the beginning of the summer how my butt would be so sore and I could barely make it up the hills and then a couple of weeks later I'd be so happy because I "got used to it" again.

It's funny how, as adults, we tend to beat ourselves up when it hurts. As kids we just said "that's enough riding for today" and never pushed ourselves at all. We just kept doing more and more because it was so much fun.

[HermitGirl]

I had forgotten I ever loved to ride, but when I was a kid I rode my bike everywhere. I remember at the beginning of the summer how my butt would be so sore and I could barely make it up the hills and then a couple of weeks later I'd be so happy because I "got used to it" again.

It's funny how, as adults, we tend to beat ourselves up when it hurts. As kids we just said "that's enough riding for today" and never pushed ourselves at all. We just kept doing more and more because it was so much fun.

Kids are the wisest people !