My bike has been collecting dust in the garage for almost 2 years. I used to ride all the time - even commuting to the University back when I worked in the Faculty of Nursing. But, I’ve been succesfully avoiding riding it (or doing any other real physical activity, really) for far too long. 2 days of Easter-related binge eating pushed me over the edge, so I pumped up the tires and went for a ride around the community.
I took a somewhat leisurely ride - likely because my bike computer had stopped working in the 2 year stasis hanging in the garage - so I could just enjoy the ride rather than obsessing about metrics. Max. speed this trip? Average speed? Current speed dropping below 20 km/h? I also left the iPod at home so I could enjoy the sounds. That was a great idea for the first half of the ride, following the pathway system to the northwest of my house with birds chirping and creeks/ponds splashing. The latter half of the ride was mostly along streets, so the iPod would have been a Bad Idea™ anyway.
Lacking my bike computer’s micromanagement, I fired up Google Earth after I cooled off to see how far I went. Turns out it’s only about 7.6 km, but not a bad ride. I wound up going for 7.5 km, and only dismounted to go through a fence at one point. That’s a huge accomplishment, given my physical condition and the very hilly nature of the community.
It was a bit odd, as most of the landmarks I used to use in my pre-hiatus Tuscany circumnavigation rides have been obliterated. Fields now full of houses. Dirt paths now paved roads or paths. That last house before the field? Yeah, it’s not a field anymore.
It’s got a pretty good vertical climb, since the community is built on the side of a hill. Going south/west is basically a free ride, north/east is a huff-puff heartbuster.
I’m going to try to do this quasi-regularly. I’d originally intended to take up jogging, but I think biking is better suited to me. For one, I can do it. Less wear and tear, and I enjoy it. If I enjoy it, I’m more likely to do it. I’ll see if that’s still the story in the morning. I bet saddle soreness beats shin splints, though…
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Congrats on getting back on the wheels. I’m doing the same thing (my bike’s been in my unused dining room since late last summer).
This got me wondering, though. You mentioned that you didn’t wear an iPod when cycling around. I thought it was considered unsafe to wear an iPod at all while cycling? Or is this some attitude that only I have?
Unsafe? An overweight 30-something huffing up hills on a bike is hardly safe in the first place…
Yeah, it’s probably illegal or something, too. Either way, I was glad I left it at home.
woot! drive that turkey shape
heh. hadn’t noticed the shape until you mentioned it. now THERE’s an activity - drawing with waypoints! combine it with a GPS receiver to automate it…
love it!