Thursday, April 5, 2012

Day 5 of 30 days of biking

Today was quite an eventful day. I had planned to meet a friend at the playground with Jack shortly after Kyle's lunch break, this would have worked out great had Kyle gotten off work at the usual time, but he was running late, which meant I had to leave while he was still home.  Jack was in full on tantrum mode at the time, mainly because he was impatient to leave and I was apparently taking far too long to get ready!


We paused on the driveway for our "day 5 departure shot" and then I hopped on the bike. As I peddled away I noticed a pinging noise from the rear wheel, Kyle saw this from inside and came out to help so I didn't have to dismount again. But we couldn't see what it was, so I peddled on a little more...by this time I'm outside the neighbors house and it's still pinging away. So I dismount, or rather I attempt to and then the moment I've been dreading finally catches up with me, as I fall backwards and the bike comes right along with me.  I managed to slow the fall quiet easily and despite the fact that he shed some tears I don't think Jack even got a scratch on him.  Kyle ran over and helped us up and other than a bruised ego and a horrible backache I'm doing fine. Well, after being brushed off by my doting husband, I had another look at the bike's mystery noise and noticed my kickstand had moved over just a little and was getting hit by the spokes as they revolved. I straightened it out easily and since I'm expecting my double kickstand in the mail any day now, it's really no big deal.



You can't promise a trip to the park and then change your mind over a little thing like an unexpected roll in the mud, so we went and played around for a little while. It was actually a very good idea that we kept going, because I was able to walk around and loosen up my back.
















I decided to get back on the bike because the weather looked pretty stormy. I wrapped Jack up and headed further east, so we could take a slow ride home via a foot path that cuts through some wetlands. I've cycled this way before and Kyle shot some video at the time. I reviewed it a few weeks ago and remember he was trying to talk to me and my breathing was so labored I could hardly talk.  Today, even though I'd taken exactly the same route, a chit-chat would have been no problem at all.  I can't tell you how encouraging that is!










You wouldn't know it by the sun on my face, but I was getting hailed on at this moment.  I considered stopping to put Jack's rain cover over him, but to be honest I really didn't want to risk an extra dismount. I know that's a fear I will need to overcome, but my back was really hurting and I just didn't want to deal with it.  If it had gotten worse, I would have had to stop, but Jack was wrapped up in a wool blanket and so I figured he was fine.







The cycle through the wetlands was definitely a worth while detour and made today my longest ride in April. I enjoyed it too, and I certainly hadn't set out to enjoy it, my heart wasn't in cycling today. There was a time prior to this, that falling off my bike would have been the only excuse I needed to return to the sofa for the day, maybe even longer. It's good to see progress.

Growing up I used to ride horses, which is why I now have a very sensitive back. After a few very hard falls I have a back that can tell the weather far superior to any meteorologist, which is why today's little spill made it ache. That being said, when you train to ride horses your instructor will tell you over and over again, that you not a real Equestrian until you have ridden after a fall.  Now that I've fallen off my bike and gotten back in the saddle, maybe I can start to consider myself a cyclist.

12 comments:

  1. You're a cyclist, no doubt about it. Hardcore.

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  2. Hi Lindsay,
    Just be sure, just like getting better with your breathing, even your back will get stronger. Just keep going. Over here it's more than normal to do all by bike and you're a pioneer in it in your area. Just keep going! It will get better every day and not everyday you will be in the mood to bike and sometimes you will think, you cannot make all the way by bike, because it suddenly is harder than the day before, but then the next day it might be easier. What never will change is the energy you feel after a day of biking, the happiness! Enjoy! Find new ways, see the city in a different way and just have fun - you will be much more independent than with a car, believe it or not ;-)

    Many greetings from Berlin,
    Juna

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    1. Juna-

      Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, I would imagine it's odd reading about my travels from a place that see's this type of things as hardly blog worthy;) It's just life for so many people. I'm truly excited about this journey, even the bad days teach me something.

      Thank you again,

      Lindsay

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    2. I absolutely love your blog, because it reminds me that not everywhere in the world it is so easy to just start doing it. . Therefore it's so great of you to share this adventure with the world. Thank you for it!

      And btw. soon, you will even go on vacations by bike ;-)

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    3. Juna- I get really, really excited about the idea of a bike vacation! I mean, seriously I can't wait to start planning one. Thank you for reading! Stay in touch- lindsay

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  3. Glad you were able to continue according to plan, and sincerely hope your back is feeling okay today. I agree - you are definitely a cyclist now.

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    1. I feel like a very sore cyclist this morning Karena;) But I think the emotional factors are wearing heavier today than the physical. Only to be expected.
      Thank you for your good wishes and comment, always lovely to hear from people! Lindsay

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  4. I already knew you were a true cyclist,my friend :) I hope your back mends,or at least stops hurting you fast. As always,AWEsome pics that made me smile (yes,even with the snaggletooth going full steam,LOL)

    The Disabled Cyclist

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    1. Hey TDC- I hope you are feeling better- I have nothing to complain about compared to what you deal with- inspirational! Glad I could make you smile lol:) Cheers- Lindsay

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  5. Glad you got back up and both you and the kiddo are OK. In the past three years, I've dumped the bakfiets once with three kids aboard and the Xtra twice with a single passenger. All turned out well and they've become part of our "silly momma" stories.

    The double kickstand is *really* worth the investment.

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    Replies
    1. Sara- It's good to know I'm not the only one! Yes, I can't wait for the kickstand, every UPS and Fedex truck that passes I keep expecting to stop!

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