- Site:
- http://www.melissaoh.com
- Miles:
- 2299 total / 96 in 2012
- Goal:
Run at least one marathon, do 1-2 triathlons (at least!), and complete P90x at least once in 2011.
Melissa Oyler rode: I did it! I rode my b...
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- 21 miles
- 02:04 time
- 9.9 pace
- 1014 calories
- details
I did it! I rode my bike! And not just in circles around Kevin's driveway :) Jessica took me out this morning and was very patient, explaining the basics to me again (like how to use the gears to my advantage; I'd been pretty much treating bikes like single speeds even when they weren't.)
We rode up to the Flying Biscuit, had breakfast, then rode back. The perfect crosstraining from yesterday - was less a physical workout and more trying to just get comfy on the bike. It's scary being out there with cars!
Did have one little scare - I was coming up to the top of a hill and about to take a left-hand turn. Looked behind me, no cars. Signaled, got to the left of the lane, and then saw a car pulling up to the intersection I was about to turn into. This teenage kid was driving and not looking at me AT ALL. He looked like he was going to turn left and I was scared he'd turn left right into me, so I held back until I could make eye contact. Well, by the time I did that and was sure he saw me, other cars were coming from the other way so I had to yield to them. THEN two cars came around me on the RIGHT side, and one guy leaned out the window and said, "Bad choice." I was shaking with fear from having cars on all sides at this point, and then he just made me mad! I finally got over and found Jess and I asked her what I did wrong, and she said absolutely nothing - that if I had been a car, no way would cars go around me on the right side - people just act like I don't have a right to be out there on a bike.
I hate hate hate not having more bike lanes around, and more sidewalks for that matter.
Overall, though, I'm really happy - I feel like soon I'll be more comfy using the bike to get places! And after the marathon, clipless pedals WILL be put back on - I promise!
- Gear
- Weather
Great job!
over 2 years ago • Like
You did great! You are so strong already, you'll be able to FLY on that bike when you get a little more used to riding. Such a fun day!
over 2 years ago • Like
wow! very cool! great job getting out on the bike. i'd treat them all like single speed too - seems safer that way! way to go!
over 2 years ago • Like
Good job getting out there. I am proud of you! And I second your suggestion for a more agreeable environment for cyclists. We should move to Fort Collins, Colorado. They KNOW how to treat cyclists there.
over 2 years ago • Like
Kevin, I agree. There seem to be TONS of cyclists in the area where you guys live, and I know we have a lot here in the Gvl area, too. We do have some nice bike lanes around, but I wish there was something we could to do raise motorist awareness!
over 2 years ago • Like
We do have an advocate in our Governor (however crazy he may be) and he has put into law several items to help cyclists, but it seems so much goes unchanged because of the lack of county/city support. We all need to run for office.
over 2 years ago • Like
Yep! Does NC have a cycling coalition/advocacy group? SC does... Palmetto Cycling Coalition. They've done a LOT on the state and local levels, and I became a member last year. There's only so much you can do, though, before it comes down to changing the minds of individuals who refuse to understand that cycling is just like using a motor vehicle... it's a privilege, and the road should be shared!
over 2 years ago • Like