One goal this year on The List was to buy a bike helmet. Coz I didn’t own one. I grew up in an era where road rash and goose eggs were symptoms of a childhood well explored.
A photo in case things went terribly wrong on the road. I could see the tragic newspaper story now …
But now, thanks to some rad sales and an REI coupon, I own a helmet. And knickers. And gloves. And a piecemeal bike given to me gratis last summer by a BFF’s boyfriend who couldn’t imagine the injustice of a life without a bike (I hadn’t own one since I was 10 when my dad sold my pink Huffy with banana seat to fund yet another move to somewhere supposedly greener). I rode this gifted bike last summer leisurely a few times around my neighborhood but didn’t want to do so in front of The Kid since I didn’t have (translation: couldn’t afford) a helmet. If she has to wear one, so should I.
Fast forward to this summer: I scored the gear. I embraced the opportunity. I asked my friends to teach me. Luckily here I have no shortage of teachers. Once again, Jenn and Jeremy invited me out with them, this time on a short road trip (even though they are not the kind of cyclists to do short trips).
They are so badass!
One day last week they showed up at my house after work, inspected and adjusted my bike as needed, gave me some tips and encouragement and we were off down one of the most well traveled roads in Boulder County for cyclists. You know, a road I can see from my couch.
Jenn looking like a pro, followed by me looking like a fuzzy noob.
More evidence of my noobiness: “geek mark” and possible VPL.
Dang! Initiation initiated.
I had never ridden on the road with traffic. Or with a helmet on my head. Or on a bike with gears to shift. Jenn and Jeremy coached me along the way. I felt wobbly. I struggled with the bike mechanics. Sometimes I was out of breath (But wait! I run, kickbox, hop in the lap pool, jump rope, what gives!). But I rode on and listened to their words:
- Be predictable.
- Behave like a car when you have to merge with traffic and claim your space.
- Even if a cyclist is right and a car is wrong, the cyclist will always lose.
- And as Jenn so aptly put it, “common sense and not being a jerk” will keep you alive.
Sounds like good advice in general.
Me a la Lance Armstrong. Or Jeremy flying past taking my photo.
I can’t quite recall the details …
WOOOHOOOOO!
I just started running on a trail that is primarily used by bikers, and I’m a little jealous. I can definitely envision a bike in my future. Be careful on the road!
Bravo!!!
[...] get on the road by myself as soon as possible. I could see that if I let too much time pass between my first road ride with them (what good teachers they are!) and any next ride, alone or with people, I would grow [...]
[...] summer she has invited me to join her on her adventures (rock climbing and my first bike ride since I was a kid). And then on this last one, a bike commute from Longmont to Boulder, she [...]
[...] summer I’ve done a lot of this Colorado-y kind of stuff and thankfully I have a lot of skilled + experienced people to guide me on my outdoorsy adventures. This time, these manly [...]