If you saw my Wordless Wednesday post or my Facebook updates or my tweets, you know that my husband got me a bike to help fill our weekends when our son goes off to college.
It’s not my first bike, but it is my first bike with gears and handbrakes–shocking, I know!
I took it for a short ride around our neighborhood the first day I got it, but last weekend was my first “real” ride. Here are five things I learned during that hour on the bike path:
1. My Garmin has a “biking” mode.
This means that I can keep track of my cycling miles on DailyMile.
2. Coasting down hills is fun, but so is passing others as my running-trained legs power me up steep hills.
3. I like to be in front so I can set the pace. My husband likes me to be in front so he can stare at my ass for an hour without me getting annoyed–maybe that’s the real reason he got me a bike. 😉
4. I need to work on my balance so I can change handlebar positions and signal turns without feeling like I’m about to wreck.
5. Padded bike shorts are a necessity–never mind the $50 price tag. You really can’t put a price on being able to use toilet paper without wincing!
I think cycling will be a fun way for my husband and I to spend more time together.
Have you tried a brand new activity this summer?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
**sits back and awaits her pink cruiser**
Haha I agree with all things above! you really can't put a price tag on bike shorts
Loved #4. And #5 is SO true!
Sorry, I meant to say "Loved #3", ha! #5 is still SO true, ha!
i love riding bikes with my hubby!
I road my first bike with gears about 3 weeks ago. First bike ride in like 25 years. Scared the crap out of myself LOL. I never felt fully stable but could power up hills. Down??? Terrifying.
#5 — HAHA!! Uh-nuh. Nodding in agreement.
Love #3 – I think that's why whenever I'm running with my husband and we have to move single file, he makes me go first 😉
Good for you!!! And YES…spandex sucks but it's totally worth it. In fact I need some new cycling shorts because mine are starting to not work as well.
After you practice, you'll feel more balanced and secure on the bike. When I first started I was terrified riding in traffic and felt scared to take my hands off the bars to signal because I thought for sure I'd crash. I never did. 🙂
Yikes. Rule number 5 should be rule number 1-4 as well. 🙂
Pretty Good list, I have a Garmin 910 and love the cycling feature.
How fun for you! I was in your shoes a few years ago. I love my bike now (but it took my bottom a few rides to feel the same way!). Have fun, stay safe, and learn how to change your tire 🙂
I have no idea how to use the gears on my bike. I'm probably the worst biker ever, but I do enjoy it. And, I like to go in front of my husband too (he'd probably say it was for the same reason you think your husband plans), but I think it's because I like to go so much faster.
I don't know if my Garmin has a bike mode, but I change the record when I upload the data to Garmin.com.
As for #4, I was the same way when I first got my road bike. However, you start to become more in tune with your bike the more you ride it. Now, I can be in the middle of a 50+ mile ride and ride no-handed in order to open the package of a Honey Stinger Waffle or Powerbar and eat it. It took a long time to get all the way to that point though!
WAY TO GO!
My suggestion: get some bib shorts. They are so much better than traditional biking shorts. More comfortable too.