Let me clarify something. Yes, at one point I did learn how to ride a bike. And it wasn't just any bike. It was a bike my dad & I painted. Base coat was purple with bright yellow, orange and pink polka dots. I loved it, and I loved riding with the training wheels. I rocked that. Then the training wheels came off. I don't know how long it was before I fell but it couldn't have been more than a few days. Because then I fell and bled and cried. Then I was the kid who never got back on. I bought a razor scooter and some roller blades and I was good and didn't need to ride my bike. Don't know how old I was when I fell probably 7 or 8? But I didn't get back on a bike until I was 20.
So in that time gap between 7 and 19, I was convinced I didn't know how to ride a bike. Yes, subconsciously, I'm sure I knew I could ride a bike if I tried. But I was too scared nor did I have a reason to.
Last April, after Matt's triathlon I decided that I wanted to train for a triathlon as well which would require me to face my fear of the bicycle and get back on the saddle after 10+ years. I spent several weeks bike shopping and testing different bikes. I got a crash course in road bikes. Because these bicycles are nothing like the ones when we are kids. There are shifters, deraillers, chains, brakes, saddles, clipless pedals. Your bike needs to fit you. You can't just pull one off the rack and say "I'll take it." After looking at about every bike in my price range out there, I settled on a Specialized Dolce Elite.
Now, I'm training. Today was my first coached swim followed by a bike skills clinic. Swim was great (and FREEZING). But, I'm talking about the bike.
I'm still basically scared to death of doing just about anything and everything on a bike. Riding with traffic terrifies me. Starting, stopping and shifting intimidates me. Taking one of my hands off the handles to do one of many necessary things to do during riding like drinking from a water bottle and signaling to stop or turn.
The skills clinic helped me today. We focused a lot on my trouble areas (which is about everything). The coaches are great. Coach Joe (they call him Iron Joe) is great. He's realized that I'm so new to the bike and still trying to get comfortable and has been great at coaching me. He was one the water bottle drinking while riding station today. I told him I was so scared. He suggested first just reaching down and touching the bottle. I did that about 8 times then he said to just try to grab it. And I got it. Couldn't put it back in the holder before I had to make the turn so I put it away on the next straight away. I did that successfully a few times until I dropped my bottle proceeding to roll over it. Haha. Joe picked it up and passed it off to me and I successfully grabbed it and put it back away.
By the end of the clinic today, I could take a hand off the bike to signal and to grab a water bottle, things that scared me more than anything this morning. I'm glad I'm getting more comfortable on the bike since eventually I'll have to be riding for 25 miles at one time.
There is one thing that terrifies me more than anything: clipless pedals. Most of you probably don't know what those are...(I didn't either). Well, it basically means that your bike shoes have a cleat that literally clip in and attach to special pedals so that you are attached to your bike. It makes power transfer and basically everything easier.
But I'm terrified. Seriously, people, I'm afraid of just riding the bike. I'm afraid of falling when I start or stop. And everyone wants me to get pedals that attach me to the bike? I think they're crazy even though I know they're right. I hope to get up the courage to switch out the pedals by the end of 2010.
So, yes I'm scared out of my mind to ride my bike which just solidifies that this will NOT be easy for me. Training and racing in this triathlon will be the hardest thing I have ever done which is why I need everyone's help and support.
A team mate talked today about her personal honoree who lost his battle with Leukemia on Tuesday. She reminded us that though there are so many happy stories with happy endings because of the research funded by LLS, there are still victims of this disease. People are still dying. The economic recession hasn't stopped the deaths. Cancer isn't prejudice which is why patients need our help now more than ever. I hope so much that people win their battles and that ultimately with all the money we raise for LLS we can win the war.
I'm sure all those people who hear the doctor's diagnosis for the first time in their doctor's office are more scared than they've ever been in their life. And my my fear of bike riding is nothing in comparison to the fear they have. I'm sure they're afraid of the drugs, the chemotherapy, the hospitals.
So, this Thanksgiving as I'm sitting around the table with my family, I will be so thankful that my biggest fear is riding a bike AND that I am doing something to help qualm the fears of blood cancer patients by raising money for a cure.
What are you thankful for? Join me. Go Team!!
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