You know what's much more difficult to do as an adult than it was as a kid? Bike riding. When I was growing up, I could spend hours riding around my neighborhood, up and down the steepest of hills, with ease. I haven't owned a bicycle since I was about 11 years old, and lately I've had the itch to buy one. So, on a random Monday evening, I did. This past weekend was rainy and overcast, but I still wanted to go for a proper ride on the Silver Comet Trail. Even with the wet and muddy terrain, it was fun.
It's only been a week, and I've already learned so much about adult cycling. For one, the further you sit back on the saddle the better. That first night after only a 20 minute ride, my "seat" was outrageously sore. If there were a such thing as a crotch massage (aside from those creepy happy ending massage parlors), I would've paid for a professional one, because ouch! Before hitting the trail, I sought some advise from professionals at a proper bike shop, and the guys were very helpful.
Apparently, like a good pair of shoes, all saddles must be broken in. Which means I'll need to clock some miles on the bike before I can really ride in complete comfort. In addition, the proper way to ride is seated so far back you feel like you might fall off. That way, your bum is on the widest part of the saddle. That tip alone helped tremendously.
Another thing I learned? Riding a mountain bike on a paved road is way more strenuous than riding a road bike on a paved road. Duh, right? I didn't think about it at first, but after multiple road bikes kept zooming past us with ease, while we're peddling our hearts out, it clicked. I always knew mountain bikes were best suited for rugged, off-road terrain, but now I know they're not that efficient if you need to get somewhere quick on the actual road. Depending on how much riding I commit to, maybe I'll upgrade to a road bike in the future.
Despite leaving the trail muddy and exhausted, it was a fun ride. I'm definitely looking forward to sunny fall evening rides over the next couple months. Staying active is way easier if it's something you look forward to.
♥
"This past weekend was rainy and overcast..."
ReplyDeleteGirl stop lying, more like these past two weeks lol. It's been nonstop!
But seriously, I think this is dope. I haven't been bike riding in years, and there are actual times where I think "It'd be fun to go bike riding" but I never do. I think it's cool you wanted one so you just went out and got one. These photos are gorgeous too, sometimes in my desire to move back to Vegas I forget how pretty GA can be.
Z · HELLOZAUNI.COM
I feel like after being here for a while, we start to take the beauty of Georgia for granted. Last year around this time i went up to the north ga mountains, and i sat back and thought about how gorgeously diverse this state is. We can have/see mountains, beaches, AND city life, without ever crossing the border.
DeleteGet it Disa! The few times I've gone to take cycling classes, the wawa was super sore too lol! Like to the point that when I finally got off the bike, it was practically numb and I had to wait for a couple of uncomfortable minutes for the blood to start flowing back in the area haha. I didn't realize that the saddle needs to be broken in tho. That's good to know because Charles has been nagging me about the both of us getting bikes ever since we did a bike tour in amsterdam... But I've always said, "no" because of the "wawa factor". Maybe I'll give it some more thought. Also that trail looks so serene, perfect for a bike ride!
ReplyDeleteI am HOLLERING on the inside at "wawa"! It's only been a couple weeks since we got them, and after about 4-5 rides the soreness went away. Give it a try!
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