I recently bought my first bike…..a ladies vintage bicycle….it has even got a cute little basket on the front….and oh, a bell……so styley!  I’ve never owned my own bike before.  As a kid the only bike we had was my brother’s, and I did learn to ride on that.  I have the scars on my knees to prove it….I wonder if there are stones still in there somewhere.  The road next to our house was downhill and gravel.  Starting out, it was easy to get the speed wobbles, and then……ouch!!

So I’ve taken a bit of a liking to bikes, and bike pics recently.  Perhaps I like the idea of having a bike more than I do riding it….as I haven’t been out riding much yet.  My husband bought a man’s version at the same time, and he loves getting out on it.  On our first day we rode right around our local lake (about 4 kms) and it was such a beautiful day.  It’s a bit of a pain that you have to wear a helmet though!

I have been looking forward to exploring some of the local cycle trails…there are so many of them being developed up and down our countryside at the moment.

Our second ride together was along a portion of our city’s river trail. A little more up and down, a bit challenging in some places, but such beautiful weather and so cool on a hot summer’s day riding along the river and through the overhanging trees. After hardly riding a bike for the past 40 years, I was less confident passing other people on the track, and definitely was unnerved when a lady’s large dogs got out of control and came chasing, barking and nipping at my heels. I was more worried they would tip me off.

Our third outing was a scorching day and my husband had always wanted to do the river trail near Cambridge sports veladrome. It was a little longer this time, and more undulating. A bit more of a challenge. He was off down the hill quick as a flash! As I carefully negotiated the first steep downhill trying not to take a spill, all the while I was thinking to myself, I’m going to have to come back up here upon return. And whoah, what a mission that was! Already tired from the considerable ride, by the time we returned it was the hottest part of the day, sweltering close to 35 degrees. There were no trees on this section of the trail and we were both burning in the scorching sun. It took everything within me to push my bike up that hill, getting shakier and weaker by the minute in the extreme heat. There was literally nowhere to hide from the relentless sun. We had used all our water by this time, and all I could do with every last ounce of energy was to put one foot after the other. My husband helped by pushing me at one stage, or by pushing both bikes up the hill. I was totally spent by the time we eventually reached the top, and collapsed in a heap, although I couldn’t stay there for long as there was still no shade anywhere to be seen.

Needless to say, that wasn’t my favourite bike ride and I haven’t actually been riding since. It had really showed my “unfitness” (if that’s a word). Bike riding was supposed to be more leisurely in my book, not an endurance test. My husband has been riding heaps since (he’s more a mountain bike rider and very competitive riding with the guys) but he hasn’t been able to get me back on my bike ever since that day. I guess I have a more romantic view of bike riding than he does.

I know I shouldn’t let one bad experience ruin any future enjoyable and fun adventures out in the fresh air, so I am plucking up the courage to go again. This time on a flatter track at a more beginners level.

So, come on girl, winners never quit! “On your bike!”

(Hmmm…..an e-Bike sounds good to me.)