I Want to Ride My Bicycle
I hadn’t ridden a bike in a number of years, and I found myself wanting to get back into the habit. The weather has been nice around here lately, and I wanted some outdoor activity besides just walking.
I did a little preliminary research into what I wanted in a bike, and eventually made my decision. The purchase didn’t stop with just the bike, though, as I also need a helmet and lock. Then there was the whole process of getting the bike home, requiring the purchase of a bike rack (and learning how to use it).
Finally, I made it. Everything was home. Then the rain started. And then I had to go back to work. Finally, a day off with nice weather, and I’m off for a ride.
Problem! I live at the top of a hill. Which isn’t a big deal when I set off for my ride. But it was a very big deal when I wanted to return. I had a tough time figuring out, and getting accustomed to the various gears, without trying to master a hill. I have to admit to it — the hill kicked me in the keister!
So now I’m looking for some nearby trails. Something relatively flat (a small grade is okay, but I’m not yet ready for anything more difficult) that will give me a chance to get used to the bike and how it handles, while also building some stamina. A friend told me about the King County Bicycling Guide Map, which is available online as well as in hard copy at various libraries around the county. I’ll be picking one up on my next visit.
It would also be nice to have someone to ride with, so I browsed Craig’s List to see if I could find any biking groups. Unfortunately, everything that I found seemed like really serious riders. Even though some said all skill levels welcome, I didn’t really get the feeling that these groups were looking for the same experience that I am.
While it will be nice to be a little more fit, my real purpose in getting a bike is to enjoy the outdoors and to have some fun. Way more social than competitive. So — if you know some bike groups in the area that are designed for the novice rider, with a non-competitive focus, I’d love to hear about them. Please leave information in the comments.
Photo credit: SXC
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Tags: b5media, city blogs, destination blogs, outdoor activities, Seattle, Seattle tourism, Seattle Traveler, Tacoma, The Seattle Traveler, travel, travel blogs, vacation, Washington, Washington State, biking
7 Comments
Can you believe it? I’ve never learned how to ride a bike. We have a lot of bike paths and designated lanes here in Chicago, so I’m really starting to think I should finally learn how. Especially now that I found out that there are bicycle tours of the city available daily. Good luck on your quest; hopefully you’ll find what you’re looking for.
As a kid I used to ride all the time. I remember in the summer getting up early, getting the chores done, and then heading out with all the other kids in the neighborhood on our bikes.
Of course, it was a kinder and gentler eras then, but we’d be gone all day and just make it home for dinner.
Let me know if you decide to give it a try.
I stumbled on your blog via craigslist. My boyfriend and I just bought bikes, and did something crazy (The Northwest Tandem Rally, without a tandem, go figure).
While I understand your worries about biking clubs not accepting you as a beginner, I would say just go to one of their rides and see how you like it. I’ve been recommended Cascade as the one to join. Just look for one of their rides for all skill levels and give it a try. That’s what we are planning to do.
Thanks for the suggestion, Russell. Maybe I should check out one of the biking clubs. I’m really comfortable saying that I’m a beginner and that I don’t want to get in over my head.
Let me know how your experience goes!
Did you get a helmet???
Yes, I got a helmet. Black. It matches everything else in my closet!
Seriously, though, the last time I did meaningful bike riding, helmets were not required.
[...] this summer I bought a bicycle, and tried to re-learn how to ride. You can read that story here, but the important detail is that I was a newbie cyclist all over again. The head was willing [...]