GOT A NEW RIDE
For my ??th birthday, I received a brandnew 05 Cannondale F600 which I parked in my dressing room for a few weeks, while I gathered sufficient courage to ride with cleats for the first time. Having heard the horror stories about the spills my good friend Leaford had suffered, I wasn't sure I was at all ready much less capable. Never-the-less at the end of December my bike and I went for the inaugural ride, under the watchful eyes of my husband, whose help I had enlisted to catch me in the event of a fall.
On our arrival at the Airport training ride parking lot, I proudly unloaded my bike, straped on my new Specialized shoes and helmet, and after a few pointers, I was all set. Okay, .........lots of pointers. I tried the "clip in and clip out" routine for a few minutes, figured I had mastered it and was ready to ride. With words (more like a lecture) of motivation from hubby, I was off. Three (3) feet later I was on the ground in the most horrible splat, .............literally splat, I had ever experienced. Note, there was no catch. I jumped up quickly, dusted my butt off and checked for bruises. Having suffered none, I was more determined than ever to ride my Cannondale.
That was two weeks ago and since then I have completed several rides. I have improved my handling skills but I am far from mastering the bike. Still it is one of the most enjoyable and benefical activities I have ever engaged in. Apart from the known cardiovascular benefits, riding demands my full mental focus. No more thoughts of that business deal, the malfunctioning freezer and all the other things that occupy my head. Now I welcome thoughts of cadence, speed, time and distance. The mental clarity and freedom I get from cycling surpasses the classes at the gym. The gym is still important to my health and well being but now I have a new goal. I intend to build better legs so I can ride faster and further.
Paula
On our arrival at the Airport training ride parking lot, I proudly unloaded my bike, straped on my new Specialized shoes and helmet, and after a few pointers, I was all set. Okay, .........lots of pointers. I tried the "clip in and clip out" routine for a few minutes, figured I had mastered it and was ready to ride. With words (more like a lecture) of motivation from hubby, I was off. Three (3) feet later I was on the ground in the most horrible splat, .............literally splat, I had ever experienced. Note, there was no catch. I jumped up quickly, dusted my butt off and checked for bruises. Having suffered none, I was more determined than ever to ride my Cannondale.
That was two weeks ago and since then I have completed several rides. I have improved my handling skills but I am far from mastering the bike. Still it is one of the most enjoyable and benefical activities I have ever engaged in. Apart from the known cardiovascular benefits, riding demands my full mental focus. No more thoughts of that business deal, the malfunctioning freezer and all the other things that occupy my head. Now I welcome thoughts of cadence, speed, time and distance. The mental clarity and freedom I get from cycling surpasses the classes at the gym. The gym is still important to my health and well being but now I have a new goal. I intend to build better legs so I can ride faster and further.
Paula
