Sunday Bike Ride

Sunday was supposed to be my rest day. Saturday I didn't go for my ride because I had a swim class in the afternoon and then work, so I skipped the ride and decided to do it Sunday, depending on how my body felt.

So Sunday, the weather is awesome and I couldn't pass up a day like this. So I decided to bike to the Bike Ride, to get my bike looked at (the seat adjusted possibly and to look at my new pedals for any adjustments). On my way a woman and I made eye contact, we stopped at a light together on our bikes and we said hello. Our brief conversation led to her inviting me to join her friends for a bike trail ride in Georgetown. It sounded like a great idea so, of course I went along.


Shurouq. her two friends and I met up in Georgetown and off we went on the Capital Crescent trail. I was the only one on a road bike, as the others were riding mountain bikes, but we stayed on the paved trail. It was scenic and felt so great. I fell once on the way due to some ice, and I was trying to avoid a few people who were coming in my direction as the snow was on the trail on their side. So, I was locked in and couldn't unlock in time so down I went. When I got up, my handlebar had shifted and my knee was bruised. I knocked the handlebar back in place and off we went again. We rode about 9 miles on the trail and then stopped in Bethesda at the Whole Foods to sit on the steps outside and have our lunch. The company was great, but soon it was time to head back.

On the way back, I got a chance to really fly on my racing bike...wow phenomenal feeling. This is where I now need to mention my second fall. Luckily it was not when I was going at high speeds, but it was almost at the same spot. This time the bike and I slid on the ice, and I rolled. It must have looked worse than it was as my new bike friends rushed to me to ask if I was okay. I really was fine, so off we went again. My third fall happened after we left the trail. My cleats had locked in and I didn't realise, so I braked and was ready to put my foot down, and there we were (me and my bikr) heading to the pavement. This fall was not nice, I might have bruised my hip and sprained my wrist in the process.

The other two friends departed and Shurouq

I also had a minor bike issue, which must have been caused by the last fall. My back wheel came right off, but luckily I was in a stopped position when I realised, so Shurouq helped me fix it, and off we went. We didn't catch the Bike Rack before they closed, so we headed on to Takoma, where we parted ways.

I must have covered about 30miles in total. Looking forward to my new bike computer so I can properly estimate. Now what a bike ride!!!

My first bike ride

Today, at 10:30am I set out on my bike for the first time. I was very pumped up and looking forward to making my way to the Bike Rack to also purchase my bike shoes.

This was my route:
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The total distance was 4.5miles and I got to my destination in 25 minutes. At the Bike Rack, I purchased my Shimano Spd Mountain Shoes (SHWM60. The Bike Rack was selling it for the same price as I would get it online, but I always qualify for a 10% discount as a member of DC Tri Club. So I got the shoes for $90. In addition, the store changed my pedals for free so it was SPD compatible, and then I bought the cleats. Total cost was $115.




Now, since I changed over my pedals, I had to learn now to use my new shoes as they lock into the pedals. I practiced locking in and locking out a few times and headed back out to go home. I took my time, and even when I didn't need to, I locked in and out of my pedals. About 15 minutes in my journey, I was coming up at a traffic light. I was attempting to unlock from my pedals but that was unsuccessful and as such I came to a grinding halt with my feet stuck to my pedals. Needless to say, I toppled over into a pile a hardened snow. While my ass begun to freeze, I struggled still to unlock my feet. Eventually I got it, and up again I went and journeyed home without any further misfortunes.

Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!