As of yesterday, I had my first trip to the bicycle repair to store to accomplish two things: a) to repair the front break of my training bike that seized up on me while riding along Riverside Drive (it screeched like one million fingernails scraped simultaneously on an industrial-sized chalkboard); and b) to get measured for my summer touring bike. For those interested, I should ride a 52 or 53cm frame, and apparently I have a 78cm inseam - long legs according to Leo at Metro Bicycle Stores. Considering that I always thought I had a freakishly long torso and short little legs, this new development is encouraging for my self-esteem.
Tomorrow is also supposed to be my first real training ride outdoors. Heretofore I practiced in spinning class or I rode my little folding bike around my neighborhood. But one does not move very quickly on 16" wheels, and it's time to get practice in the great outdoors. However! Here is the big however, weather.com predicts with 80% accuracy that it will be raining at 8:00am tomorrow morning -- the perfect time for riding my bicycle before work. AND, I am a big wimp when it come to riding in the rain. My inner monologue on riding in the rain: "Well, I don't want to risk rusting my frame, and I don't have any fenders so I'll get mud splattered up my back. Plus, it will be very cold and I could get the flu or some horrible disease." Right, I'm a wimp. As my dear roommate Beth said, "girlfriend, if you're going to be riding across the country, you're going to experience a little rain."
Here's hoping I can face the 48 degree drizzle.
Or, maybe, I should reschedule for Tuesday.
"That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little ride..."
Welcome to my blog! From December 06 to August 07 I intend to devote this space to discussing the trials and tribulations of preparing for and completing a cross-country fundraising bicycle extravaganza. For those who are new to my blog, I am riding my bicycle from New Haven, CT to San Francisco California during the summer of 2007. This is part of the Habitat Bicycle Challenge and about 90 other intrepid young souls will be joining me in this endeavor. Each rider will raise $4000 before May 30, 2007, and provided that all the money is raised, we will ride from New Haven, CT across the country to three different destinations: San Francisco, CA, Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA. All the proceeds go towards the construction of houses for low-income families.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
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