So I have this crazy bicycle tour idea in my head, right? The freedom of the open road, riding as far as I want, and stopping to sight see, visit, hike, write, or camp at my leisure. I am not delusional, I know this is going to be a lot of work for me to get in shape to take a trip like this. It is going to be an uphill journey retraining my muscles but so far I have had nothing but fun. It feels so good to be doing something even though, at times, it literally hurts!
My dad and I went for a bike ride today. I zip-tied the orange basket to my handlebars for Dixie to sit in and we took off. Dixie decided to jump out of the basket right off the get-go, but figured out pretty quickly that was a bad idea, after that it was smooth sailing. That is, right up until I ran into my dad and hit the pavement!
This is the first bicycle I have ridden with friction shifting, so I am still getting used to it. On our ride today I had the opportunity to play with the shifters on some flat areas and also going up a few hills. When I was a kid and rode my bike all over I avoided hills. I did the same thing when I was in college and occasionally used my bike for commuting. Where I live now I don't have this option. Lincoln City is full of hills, drivers that don't know what they are doing, and a serious lack of bike paths. What better place to train for my bicycle tour?!
Today I learned I love the hills. It's the hills that let you know you are alive, that make you feel the breath in your chest and the blood in your veins. It was as I walked my dog and bicycle up the hill to my house with my busted knee that I realized, if I can love the hills, nothing can stop me.
Marci
~With love
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