It’s a Beautiful Day for a Bike Ride
That’s why I took my Schwinn out for a 6.2-mile ride this morning. I had originally planned to go jogging, but when I got outside I just couldn’t bear the thought of only making it about 1 mile and then being so exhausted that I’d have to turn around and would end up missing the beautiful weather and the nice scenery. So, I decided to dust off my bike and channel my grade-school self.
I haven’t ridden in a long time because I don’t have a helmet, and I was too scared to ride helmetless in the city. But now that I’m out in the country, I’ve lulled myself into a false sense of security. I live on a traffic-free country road, so the chances of my getting into a life-threatening bicycle accident are slim. Nonetheless, it felt really, really weird to not have a helmet on, so getting one is going to be a priority for me this week.
That aside, it was glorious. I loved the feeling of the wind rushing against my face, of coasting down the hills. I loved the clink-clink of my chain as I changed gears, and the feel of the smooth metal brake handles against my warm skin. I loved the strength I felt in my muscles as I picked up speed, and the grace I felt as I rounded corners. It was awesome. And I loved that I rode for 40 minutes and only the last 10 were torture. (Usually, I keel over after about 10 minutes of vigorous activity.) But I was working the whole time, and I can feel it in my body even hours later. It was amazing.
I never dreamed I would enjoy it so much — or that I’d go more than 6 miles! I’ve never biked that far in my life. What’s surprised you about your workouts?
Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King
Tags: bicycling, bike, biking, Exercise, Exercise/Fitness, Health, helmet, ride, Safety, woman, women, Womens-Health, workoutRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Exercise/Fitness, Weight Loss
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3 opinions for It’s a Beautiful Day for a Bike Ride
Lively Women » Monthly Health Observances in May
May 2, 2007 at 6:34 pm
[…] National Bike Month (read the LivelyWomen.com post on bicycle riding!) […]
Deb
May 4, 2007 at 12:16 am
Kristen, it is not safe to ride in the country without a helmet. There might be fewer cars and loose dogs but when you throw in the rocks, loose gravel, fallen twigs that hook your spokes, not to mention the rabbits, squirrels and snakes just waiting to cross in front of your front tire it is probably not as safe as the city. Please wear a helmet, it is cheap compared to an ambulance to the ER and learning how to spell your name all over again. I’m sorry I sound like I’m scolding but your logic is completely faulty.
Kristen King
May 4, 2007 at 1:59 am
I know, sweetie, I know. I was trying to make fun of myself a bit, but I guess I wasn’t trying hard enough. I’m not riding again without my helmet. Regardless of how many years I did it as a kid with no injuries, all it takes is one time, and now I know better — and I’m sufficiently freaked out. It’s on my list of things to do as soon as I have some cash, and I’m not riding until then. Thank you for always looking out for me! You’re a great cyberfriend. :]
kk
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