Saturday, July 2, 2011

Cycling isn't for Sissys




What can I say.....it started last night when I ran up to the bike shop to pick up a pair of the ever essential, necessary bike shorts. Because the shorts have bike in front of them the price can get pretty expensive, well I had been looking on line and had an idea of what they might cost because there is not much worst than to see me go into sticker shock. I can get a little dramatic...."I am not spending that much, what is it made of gold etc....." here is what I was not ready for the sales clerk (man) saying to me you don't wear DRAWS with bike shorts. (insert sounds of birds chirping)WHAT? no one told me that (Lisa). This was a comment I made to the sales clerk "when I did my research I didn't understand all the conversation regarding chafing, well I do now" the sales man said well we have a product up be the register that you put on your skin and chamois that helps a lot. Eyebrows rise, I said I don't understand rub on the chamois, what about my "undergarment"???? he looks at me and said "you don't wear draws". Ok, now I go to try these things on, my legs are a little longer than some and I like my shorts a little longer, first challenge. Second challenge I come out the dressing room and with shorts on and the sales man says those should fit tighter. REALLY??? how tight is to tight? the key to this he said is compression--- call it what you want they fit like skin. So now I am changing in and out of compression shorts and asking a stranger if these are tight enough. So I go to the register to pay for my "compression shorts, I pick up a pair of gloves (another story) the cream for chafing water bottle and matching cage". In comes this gal with her bike and a little tote on the back seat and I said to the guy ringing me up is that her tire changing kit. His response eyebrows raised "YES, don't you have one" sheepishly I say no. SO now the budget is really blown I get all that is necessary to change a tire and a quick lesson on how. My lips are poked out and feelings a little hurt because I think I am such a sucker. UNTIL this morning at mile 11 when I realize my rear tire feels a little different.....you guessed it I had a flat. Interestingly enough I thought to myself before I left the house ....tear the info out of the magazine about taking the wheel off the rear of the bike and I stuck a pair of glasses in the tote so I can read the instructions. WHO KNEW that I did good this morning, can I tell you I was a little concerned about changing the rear tire. the difference between the front and the rear is the cog, gear, chain etc. Well it took me a little longer than some but I did it. BOY am I glad that blew my budget on something that I really did need. I was feeling pretty good about myself I have never before today change a bike tire, then I realized I have to ride back 11 or 12 miles to the car and it is now so "freekin" hot that I am going to melt. I made it back at a snails pace and the sign by the car said 95 degrees way too hot for me. But what an adventure I had today.....I luv this.