ride my bicycle

But I’m not giving up on the idea of going on bike rides around my area. I’m starting with building my stamina going for walks first (when I actually go on my walks).

I’m as slack as. But I’ll get there.

i live in the frozen north and have a hate on for the cold. Two choices: ride outside anyway, or buy a trainer and ride inside. With 3 small rugrats around, a distinct adversity towards any activity before work in the morning, and perpetual darkness after work, I choose the latter. I weigh 255 lbs at 5’7”, have not had regular activity in several years. I will not likely be mountain biking again anytime soon, but I have purchased an Electra Straight8 and would like to spend much more time tooling around the neighborhood with and without the kids this summer. It’s a start.

It was amazing, so much fun to be outside zipping along like a kid again.

I think I’ll need to get my daughter to help me with this one. She wants to exercise more – and her bike is just collecting dust too.

now that i am back to school i don’t have the time to ride everyday like during the summer. i used to ride for enjoyment but now i will be riding just to get out of my studio and away from school work.

minneapolis has a impassioned riding community, numerous bike shops, and a lengthy urban trail system. it is home to environmentalists, commuters, activists, artist, and college kids among other frequent riders. i appreciate such a strong voice for bicycling.

the midtown greenway runs a couple blocks from my school and it looks thrilling. there are no cars and it almost entirely runs without intersections. it links the town and can take me to practically any part of town. i know where it is and how to get on it, now i just need to get on my bike and ride.

earlier this summer i was determined to compete in my first bicycle race. i refused to use my car the entire summer and instead rode my bike everywhere i went. i practiced riding every morning in order to have a competitive advantage.

as the race loomed closer and closer i became apprehensive to the notion of competing in a bicycle race. may it be my physical ability, my lack race experience or the quality of my equipment; i felt intimidate by my self-imposed idea of what the race would be like and the outcome of such variables.

needless to say, i chickened out. i let registration pass me by and attempted to justify my lack of confidence; maybe if i trained harder, had a nice bicycle or if i rode in a non-competitive ride before attempting a race. all these consoling thoughts were moot to the disappointment i felt within myself.

truthfully, i know that i could have finished that race and that it matters not what place i finish; that is what makes it all the more disappointing. time after time i start a goal with the highest of aims, expecting perfection, and when the time comes to prove myself, i can’t do it; i get scared and run away from the adversity.

after all, i went to the race regardless. it was the most exciting and inspiring thing i have seen. the rider in first was doing their best and the rider in last was doing their best. no matter how the race ended, what mattered was that they were there, they did their best and they finished the race. for that i admire every one of those racers.

maybe next time.

rainy days = no riding.

they paved a new path, that happens to connect to the area i ride in everyday. it was fun to explore a new trail, instead of riding in the same circles all the time. the new trail runs along a quaint creek through a small forested area. it is nice to get away from the cars and ride in the peaceful nature.

the 95th le tour de france starts july 5th and rides until july 27th. the tour will be televised on the verses channel

the first stage is a ride from brest to plumelec; a 197.5 km hilly journey.