Five years ago, I bought a beautiful triathlon bike. I was ready to move away from marathons and on to something else – seemed like a natural transition because I love to swim and run … and who can’t ride a bike?
On the first day I have the bike, my running partners want to go on a ride before a client lunch. I’d put clip less (who thought of this name … don’t we clip in?) peddles on. I had a nice water bottle holder and a computer. I was set!
I get the bike out of the car, get on, clip in and promptly fall. Ok, I heard that might happen. So, I get back on, ride a few blocks and fall again. This is not feeling fun to me.
My partners are ready to go and we head out. About one more mile into the ride and I need to clip out at a light. As we start-up again, I can’t get it back in, my shoe slips and I slam into the bar. Yes. That bar. I start to cry and the guys look at me as if I am a total wimp. I buck up, finish the ride but all the while feeling very sick to my stomach.
We get back (late to meet the client) and run to the locker room. I pull off my bike shorts and find blood everywhere (sorry to be so graphic). I realize, at that moment, I am not going to the client lunch! Shoot, I love a free lunch!
I call the ER and they say, “Go to your Ob-Gyn.” This is not sounding good. Long story, short – I’m now known at the clinic as the woman with “that” injury. All healed just fine (thankfully) but I clearly have a bit of PTSD.
My ex hung the bike on a wall for two years and any time I saw people riding fast, I got a stomach ache. Eventually, my kids guilted me into taking the bike down. I did, immediately sold it and got my current carbon bike.
Sometimes I think, “Hey, you’re 50. What are you so scared of?” Sometimes I think, “Hey, you’re 50. What the h$@# are you doing on a bike?”
Why can’t riding a bike be like childbirth – where you forget the pain and do it over and over again? People tell me I just need to practice with these fancy new peddles. But here’s my thinking: I’m not going to win any races until the 70-75 age bracket. So, why worry about being faster and more efficient now? Gotta save something for my golden years!
Yes, I’m still scared. And, I’m still riding with tennis shoes – totally inefficient but feels safe(er) to me. Sure I want to look like those fancy riders. But, hey – looks aren’t everything when you get to be “my” age!
I’m off for a run – just me and my tennis shoes!
Have a great one!
theyearof50 