gears
many an athlete has said that if you wish to remain active and healthy through old age, sticking with low-impact activities is the way to go. swimming versus basketball, for example.
Q: when is cycling worse on your knees than running?
A: when the rider is using clips for the first time and comes to a stop sign.
[...]
it's all over now. time to drain the checking accounts, call your parents, and prepare for the day of judgment: rich yavorsky has gotten himself a bike.
the frame and wheels are k's old bike (we're almost alike in stature). i had to plunk down coin for petals, shoes, helmet, saddlebag, pump, tools and seatpost (almost alike). the rain held off this morning, and we were outside by 830am.
my pre-sleep giddiness the night before was quickly replaced by the sobering reality of clipping into a bicycle. it terrified the hell out of me, being one with your machine. what if something runs out in front of me? what if i have to jump off quickly? i felt flush and weak with the thought of not being on terra firma and moving 10-20 mph.
i practiced (and fell over) dozens of times in my front yard before committing to the neighborhood streets. eventually i drummed up the courage to start the ride. i ate pavement at the second stop sign; surely this was the cycling gods' way of making me atone for all the nasty things i've ever said about the sport. we revised our initial plans to hit some highways (yikes!) and stick to the neighborhood.
after about 30 minutes, i got comfortable. from that point forward, it wasn't too bad. actually wound up riding for 12-15 miles, i estimate. we'll see how i feel the next time i clip in...
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