On bikes and such

[ericcoleman]

Last fall a group our friends pitched in and bought me a bike.

I didn't write much about it, mostly because there ended up being a bunch of problems with that bike that were only completely solved a couple of weeks ago. Yeah, it had some issues.

A week or so ago, I bought another bike, so Lizzie and I can do this together. Got it, and took it to one of the local bike shops to have it put it together. First of all, for all my local friends, I highly recommend Bicycles Plus. Great guy running it, very helpful, very affordable.

I am in, probably, the worst shape of my life. I put on weight over the winter, and I was too heavy before.

Last night, I rode that bike (trike actually) home. A bit under a half mile. That is the furthest I have ridden any sort of self-powered vehicle in longer than I can clearly remember.

It was wonderful. My legs are a bit rubbery today, but I feel marvelous. I intend to get on it every day that I can. Probably just around the block for a bit. If I get going, I am going to have gears put on it, to help on those non-flat areas.

This weekend, we're going to adjust the bike from last year to fit Lizzie. And we're going to start in the long ride to get us both back into shape.

It felt so good, that short ride. So good.

I used to spend hours on my bike back in my teens and twenties. I want to get back to that. I'm tired of being tired all the time. I'm tired of what that does to me (and I will post about that later today, or over the weekend). It's been a dark time for me. Time to head back to the light.

Comments

[tigertoy.livejournal.com]

I haven't been on a bicycle since the winter when I was in college and didn't bring the bike indoors. It was unrideable by spring, and since I had a car by then I never got around to fixing it. I really wonder if it's true you never forget how to ride -- it took me forever to learn to ride in the first place, but once I got it I was good at it. When I was in high school I could get across town without touching the handlebars.

This winter hasn't been great for my health -- I've hardly ever gotten out for more than my regular daily walk. Now that the season is changing I'm getting out more and with more exercise I'm feeling better.

Finding exercise that you enjoy is the secret to good health. It's very hard for most people to stick with an exercise program that's unpleasant, no matter how much benefit they'll get from it, even when they can feel the benefits.

[madfilkentist]

Good going. You know what they say about the journey of a thousand miles.

[jelas.livejournal.com]

I so not even own a bike - but I walk. A lot. Deteriorating health had taken that away from me for almost a year now and I am waiting impatiently for me to heal up enough to try again. Even now I shuffle anywhere I can... It is a bit of freedom regained and feels soooo good.
Outdoors activities combine a lot of good things.
Have fun being good to yourself!

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

Go you! I hope you and Lizzie enjoy your bicycles!

[filkferengi]

Yay! Finding an exercise y'all can do together [aside from the obvious, tee hee] is a great goodness. I hope it's a blessing for you both, strengthening your relationship as well as your bodies.