I've found a new love - road cycling.

Now that may sound strange coming from me since I follow Pro-cycling racing on the TV and when it comes anywhere near San Francisco. It also may sound strange since I've ridden bicycles for years.

But I haven't had a road bike for years. I road as the stoker on the back of a mountain tandem that we eventually put skinnier tires on and used on the road. I road a mountain bike that I also ended up putting skinnier tires on to use on the road. But now I have a dedicated road bike. A bike that could even be used in racing if I were so inclined.

Then I bought this beauty last May.

I rode it at most once a week as a good cross-training exercise. In my heart I am a medium- to long-distance runner. Cycling was just a way to introduce more variation into my routine.

But then late last fall I decided to register for the AIDS/LifeCycle 2009 Ride. This is a 545 mile, 7-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I have thought about doing this in the past but finally decided that this year is the right year for it.

Part of my preparations for this ride have been to go on training rides. The AIDS/LifeCycle organization puts together several rides each week for people of varying levels. And every Saturday morning they have rides that increase in length and difficulty so that by the time the ride actually happens at the end of May, people will have a good feeling for what a day's ride will feel like.

I have been riding in these Saturday morning rides. And I have loved it! In spite of chilly temps and even some rain last week, I have found new joy in being on a bicycle. Last week as I was winding my way along the Nicassio Reservoir churning the pedals over I found I couldn't help but sing because I was so happy.

I'm glad to have this new love in my life. And I'm glad that registering for the AIDS/LifeCycle ride helped me to discover it.

Help me put this fun training to good use by supporting me on the ride to LA:
tinyurl.com/ride-that-bike.

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I've found a new love - road cycling.

Now that may sound strange coming from me since I follow Pro-cycling racing on the TV and when it comes anywhere near San Francisco. It also may sound strange since I've ridden bicycles for years.

But I haven't had a road bike for years. I road as the stoker on the back of a mountain tandem that we eventually put skinnier tires on and used on the road. I road a mountain bike that I also ended up putting skinnier tires on to use on the road. But now I have a dedicated road bike. A bike that could even be used in racing if I were so inclined.

Then I bought this beauty last May.

I rode it at most once a week as a good cross-training exercise. In my heart I am a medium- to long-distance runner. Cycling was just a way to introduce more variation into my routine.

But then late last fall I decided to register for the AIDS/LifeCycle 2009 Ride. This is a 545 mile, 7-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I have thought about doing this in the past but finally decided that this year is the right year for it.

Part of my preparations for this ride have been to go on training rides. The AIDS/LifeCycle organization puts together several rides each week for people of varying levels. And every Saturday morning they have rides that increase in length and difficulty so that by the time the ride actually happens at the end of May, people will have a good feeling for what a day's ride will feel like.

I have been riding in these Saturday morning rides. And I have loved it! In spite of chilly temps and even some rain last week, I have found new joy in being on a bicycle. Last week as I was winding my way along the Nicassio Reservoir churning the pedals over I found I couldn't help but sing because I was so happy.

I'm glad to have this new love in my life. And I'm glad that registering for the AIDS/LifeCycle ride helped me to discover it.

Help me put this fun training to good use by supporting me on the ride to LA:
tinyurl.com/ride-that-bike.

---

2 Comments  |  post a comment

Post a Comment

NOTE: All comments are reviewed before posting. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for your patience.

Name:

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URL:

Remember personal info?

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