I Heart My Bike! | Girl on the Run

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I Heart My Bike!

I love, love, love my road bike!

My bike was my big birthday present from my parents back in March, but since we had such a long, cold winter up here...we opted to keep it down in Miami, so I could ride with my mom one more time  when I came to visit for a friend's wedding and Mother's Day, before shipping the bike up to me.  It took a few weeks for it all to come together, but I was finally able to ride it Memorial Day weekend.
Mine is the black and white bike in the front!

You might recall, that my first few rides in Miami were a bit on the shaky side. My second ride did go better than the first, but I was definitely was no Lance Armstrong-in-the-making.  

Lucky enough for me -  I found an amazing bike club near me, the Sound Cyclists. The club is basically a large group of cyclists from all around Fairfield County.  Thy host rides at all distances, at all paces, seven days a week. For the slower rides, a "sweeper" is also appointed - basically a second person who rides in the back and makes sure no rider is left behind.

Literally less than 24 hours after I picked my bike up from the shop, the club was holding the first skills clinic, with a focus on how to properly use your gears. It was *exactly* what I needed, since I had no idea what I was doing.  We broke down into our pace groups, and then got a quick lecture from our ride leader, Shauna. We were then off to do a short ride around the area.  I was pretty clueless at first about my gears (I'm used to my childhood bike that actually had numbers on the handle bars!), but with Shauna's help and never-ending patience, I totally got the hang of it by the end of the ride, and felt ready to meet the club for another ride.

Since the clinic, I have ridden twice more - 20 miles last Thursday, and another 22 on Saturday. Thursday's ride was a (relatively) flat ride, but Saturday was a bit hillier. Sure, dragging the bike up those hills is not easy (I actually think it may be harder than running up the hills), but overall it's hard to believe the bike is a workout, because it's just so much fun, especially flying on the downhills.  I hope to be able to move up a pace group or two by the end of the season, but I really don't want to rush it....even under the watchful eyes of our trusty ride leaders, I'm still a bit nervous about falling!
My second ride we stopped by the beach in Darien..so pretty

But as much fun as I'm having with the bike, have no fear - I'm still logging those miles on my feet, too. After all,  I did commit to this little race called the New York City Marathon.
Lots of miles, lots of shoes!
PS - Don't forget about the giveaway going on! Temperatures are soaring...an extra water bottle is always handy.

11 comments:

  1. Yay! I love your bike too--very pretty! My bike is a Trek, too!! It's red and black and white. I was a total spaz when I first started riding my road bike, too. Not at all like riding my children's bike as a kid:).

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  2. What a pretty bike! I'm actually getting a new bike soon- to replace my road one! I live in the city and I need something without 20 gears just to easily get me to and from class! Haha. I love my bike, though!

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  3. yay awesome! What did you end up buying? I just bought a road bike too (and I'm still totally scared when I ride it haha). I'd love it if you post some of the cool stuff you learn bc I am so in the dark on how to ride my bike efficiently!

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  4. I love this post...it I am like convinced I need to go out and buy a bike RIGHT NOW. you make it sound so amazing!

    I really do want to get a bike some day but I think I would need a class as well...I am not always so coordinated on the bike!

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  5. What an awesome bike. Since you're a triathlete, are you excited about the Ironman coming to NYC in 2012?

    I'm not a triathlete in the least but I find it oddly exciting! Your bike post is inspiring me to get a bike. Hope to do a sprint triathlon someday.

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  6. There is a new bike lane being put in around Ottawa.....makes me want to get riding!! I'm so nervous about all the cars though - however the traffic in Ottawa can't compare to NYC!

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  7. I have no idea how to ride a bike and the idea of gears confounds me. I'm sort of jealous of your bike club!

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  8. That's an awesome bike! Flying downhill on a bike is the best!

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  9. AH i want a bike...When i move to Hoboken in 3 weeks I want to get one!!

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  10. Love your bike!

    That riding group sounds WONDERFUL. Wish they had onen like that in Richmond, Virginia. I'm going to have to look around for one.

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