Last Thursday, I went on my first outdoor bike ride of the year. In fact, it was my first real ride on my new bike that Israel so generously bought for me against my will. There are many different ways I could describe this ride, but as a novice, I figure the best way would be to list the plethora of knowledge that I gained from this 45 minute trip:

1.  The Trainer:
I rode on our trainer at home a few times before taking my first ride outside.  I’m sure it helped strengthen me in certain areas, but overall, I don’t think it prepared me much for real riding.  But it did give me insight to the fact that I had no idea about how to adjust my gears, and that I have a lot of work to do if I’m ever going to bike 56 miles in August.  Basically, my first ride outside felt like my first ride.

2. Proper Bike Attire:
In the early nineties, “biker shorts” were in.  They didn’t have the huge padding, but they were still called biker shorts.  In my school, to be considered one of the cool kids, you sported Reebok pumps or chunky BKs, layered double socks (different colors of course), a tie-dyed shirt (Hyper-color if you were super-cool) and tucked it in and fluffed it out of black biker shorts with a neon colored stripe down the sides. I never subscribed to this.  Twenty years later, I find myself wearing biker shorts…yes, the spandex kind. Even now, every time I put them on, I find myself muttering under my breath in disbelief.

Well, that’s how road-bikers roll.

On my first bike ride of the year, I found out how road-bikers don’t roll. It was chilly out and since I don’t know much about proper bikemanship ettiquette, I asked my trusty husband what I should wear. He seemed quite confident in his response, which was to wear my long johns and then put my biker shorts over them. At first, I thought it was a joke. But he continued to go on about how that’s what he does and that’s what bikers do. 

It’s a bit tricky because you’d think what you wear biking wouldn’t really matter, but you’d be amazed how that could affect your overall performance.  It wouldn’t bother me as much if I were riding, say, a banana bike.  But I have a triathlon bike.  Just by virtue of owning that bike, there are many expectations that accompany that.  Obviously, you need to dress for the weather.  But even beyond that, nobody wants to look like a wannabe or novice, even if they are one.  I wanted to look at least as though I had some sort of validation for owning that bike.  I trusted Israel.

I rocked my cotton long johns with my shiny spandex biking shorts over them.  I wore a cotton hoody.  I wore my helmet that I got from Walmart.  I wore my cut-off biking gloves.  I wore my mad-expensive Oakleys (that insurance did pay for).  Imagine me riding in aero position along our scenic country road.  After seeing other bikers on the road, the realization sunk in that I looked like an absolute fool.  I wouldn’t have even wanted to be seen with myself.  Not only that, I was freezing cold and ended up feeling sore from the saddle.  Every time a car passed by, I cringed.  

The moral of this part of the story:  You should feel confident about your overall look on a bike ride.  If unsure, consult a professional.

3.  It’s Snot What You’d Expect:
My nose began running like crazy.  At first, sniffing seemed to resolve the problem, but of course, that really didn’t.  In fact, it just got worse.  I searched my pockets to see if there was anything I could use to wipe my nose.  Absolutely nothing.  That.  Wa(s).  (s)Not.  Cool.

The moral of this part of the story:  Learn how to launch a clean snot-rocket (-that’s what my coach advised me to do).

4.  Learn Your Gears:
So, I had no idea how and when to change my gears.  In fact, I didn’t even know how many gears I had.  I had never touched my left gears and maybe stayed within 2-3 of the right gears.  That’s how I rode on my first bike ride (which may explain why it was so hard for me to go up hills).  A few days later, I went on my second ride with two really good bikers.  I was feeling pretty crunchy as I had to get edumacated on how to change my gears and when.  To top it off, some gears were ridiculously noisy.  (Imagine if I were wearing my outfit from the first ride!)  So, my bike is in the shop now getting a tune-up and I am still trying to gather my pride that was splattered on the road somewhere…most likely on that big hill. 

The moral of this part of the story:  Know your bike and your components.  Get regular tune-ups.  Train solo on your bike until you’re fast.  Then it is safe to go on a group ride.
 
5.  Bells & Whistles:
Some people have laughed at me because on my tri bike, I installed a little blue bell.  In fact, Manu picked it out for me last year and I had put it on my previous bike.  He told me to ring it whenever I am riding by him and he would cheer for me.  I also jokingly tell people that I’m going to ring my bell whenever I pass someone up in a race.  The other day, I bought myself a third-eye which is a little rear-view mirror that attaches to my sunglasses.  I’m still trying to figure out how and when to use them both, but I really like them and they make me happy.

The moral of this part of the story:  If there is anything in road biking that can/will make you happy, I say go for it.

6.  I Set Myself Up:
I talked a lot of smack about how I’m going to beat the guys’ bike time in the Koop, but looking at the current situation, (and I hate to admit this but) I’m pretty much setting myself up.  I’m realizing that my body is no longer in a place where I  can really compete with these guys.  Three pregnancies and three c-sections did some major damage.  It’s also kind of humbling to see how far I’ve let myself go.  But, I guess it never hurts to dream, right?  (And to preserve my pride, I think I could still take them in tennis.) 

* * * * * * *

Overall though, I am really enjoying my training experience.  I love reviewing my plans on my Training Peaks app.  I love going to the gym early in the morning when it is still a little dark, and then coming out and seeing the sun coming up and brightening the day.  I love saying “hi” and chatting with the card-swipers.  I love feeling free to think about whatever it is I feel like thinking…for over an hour straight.  And then I love coming home to my excited three boys who ask me what kind of work out I did and then give me a great big hug and kiss even though I’m all sweaty and gross.

While some days can be discouraging, like my first ride, I keep trying to tell myself, this is only the beginning.  (I’m hoping I’m in this for the long haul.)  And somehow, that’s enough to get me excited for the future.  I guess I gotta start somewhere.