They never said it'd be easy....
Whoever coined the phrase "it's like riding a bike" never rode their bikes on the busy streets of New York City.
My morning started off at 6:30 AM yesterday, and i met my mentor, Tara, down on 72nd and 2nd. Riding down 2nd Avenue was disastrous - stop lights, busses, delivery trucks, homeless men... it was a mess, you can imagine. Tara said not to pull any "chinese delivery man" stunts on her... so i rode on the sidewalk for most of the time.
We arrived in Central Park at 7:30 or so, it was a BEAUTIFUL day out - clear skies, and 49 degrees. I was set - with my windbreaker, butt padded pants, helmet (that was too big - i bought another yesterday), ... but really, i didn't entirely know how to work the gears (central park is really hilly! go figure...), my peddles were all rusty, and i needed a little more air in my tires.
I went along the lower loop a few times, which isn't far, but i tried to get the hang of the bike, which i still think need some adjustments. And finally took a turn and made it up "cat hill" out of breath, my legs were killing me and my little fingers were frozen.
Lessons to be learned? do more squats, buy a better helmet (check!), windchill on a bike is about 10 degrees LESS than on the weather channel (wear thicker gloves!), never again ride down 2nd avenue, tune up tires the night before saturday morning rides.
... and i thought the running and swimming were going to be rough!
the good news? St. Anthony's triathlon is on a flat road, so gears probably won't be needed all that much, and it's April in Florida - no gloves needed! (let's hope)
DONATE!!! www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/snewmantnt
My morning started off at 6:30 AM yesterday, and i met my mentor, Tara, down on 72nd and 2nd. Riding down 2nd Avenue was disastrous - stop lights, busses, delivery trucks, homeless men... it was a mess, you can imagine. Tara said not to pull any "chinese delivery man" stunts on her... so i rode on the sidewalk for most of the time.
We arrived in Central Park at 7:30 or so, it was a BEAUTIFUL day out - clear skies, and 49 degrees. I was set - with my windbreaker, butt padded pants, helmet (that was too big - i bought another yesterday), ... but really, i didn't entirely know how to work the gears (central park is really hilly! go figure...), my peddles were all rusty, and i needed a little more air in my tires.
I went along the lower loop a few times, which isn't far, but i tried to get the hang of the bike, which i still think need some adjustments. And finally took a turn and made it up "cat hill" out of breath, my legs were killing me and my little fingers were frozen.
Lessons to be learned? do more squats, buy a better helmet (check!), windchill on a bike is about 10 degrees LESS than on the weather channel (wear thicker gloves!), never again ride down 2nd avenue, tune up tires the night before saturday morning rides.
... and i thought the running and swimming were going to be rough!
the good news? St. Anthony's triathlon is on a flat road, so gears probably won't be needed all that much, and it's April in Florida - no gloves needed! (let's hope)
DONATE!!! www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/snewmantnt
posted by Shari @ 9:23 AM
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