Today I am a biker chick again. Can you hear the smile in my words?
Over a week ago the orthopedic cleared me to ride my bike outside. For those who missed it, I broke a bone over spring break in March and have been sidelined ever since. Hubby and I had eagerly awaiting the nice weather to get back to our long rides and I was so disappointed to be stuck with walking and the boring elliptical instead.
And, ironically, as soon as I got the okay to ride, the weather decided not to cooperate. Rain. More rain. And I no longer ride in the rain. Because last summer I was cruising along during a shower and my bike and I took a slow-motion slide from a vertical position to a horizontal one, with me still in my seat. Bruised, scraped, shaken, I learned my lesson. Dry paths only.
So I waited. And yesterday was the day. I took a short test ride down my driveway and out into the street just to make sure that the still sore shoulder would be fine to work the handlebars and brake. My emotions were a combination of some nervousness and some excitement. The shoulder seemed okay. Good to go. But not from home. Because my little corner of Kansas is not flat and I did not want to push myself on any tough hills today. So hubby loaded our bikes and we drove to our favorite easy bike path and were soon off and running. Well, not running. I actually was pretty cautious at first. Feeling the bumps. Worried about falling. Not wanting to do too much too soon.
But man I kicked some biking butt! Twenty-one miles. And my body reminded me that riding a bike uses muscles that the elliptical doesn’t. And that certain delicate flesh is unaccustomed to the pressure of a bike seat. And that being tired from working out hard feels good. But it sure did make me hungry! And I admit that I am just a little bit glad that rain is due today so I will have to take a day off before my next ride. Because I now remember that much as I like riding my bike after I have finished, getting myself on and started is a bit of a motivational challenge. But I am happy to be back in the saddle again:)
Waisting Time 
That’s great. We’ve had rainy and cold weather in Seattle. Last night, on my walk, I totally got drenched. The sun was visible, but we had that low marine layer that decided to dump on me. I was happy I was walking anyway. I’m not much of a biker. My sister used to leave me in the dust on long bike rides. I think it’s deep seeded disdain for that reason. Have a great day today and it’s okay to ease back into bike lane!
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I’m not good at easing into things. I honestly did start out thinking I might take it easy and not worry about how far to go. But since the shoulder held up okay and I had missed so many weeks, it was hard not to push it a bit. My hubby could easily leave me in the dust. So sweet of him to ride behind at my slower pace:)
You did kick some biking butt! That’s quite a distance for someone who has been sidelined. Don’t overdo it! And no rain riding. Dry paths only is a good rule.
And we had a downpour today so now I have to decide if things will be dry enough to go tomorrow. There are areas that hold puddles on this path. It runs by a creek so is pretty low lying.
21 miles on the bike after not riding for a while is phenomenal!
My husband loves to ride, but my “certain delicate flesh” (as you so nicely put it) can’t handle riding for as long as he likes to.
That delicate flesh actually gets used to it after a few rides. Still, I will be sore in the saddle once I go longer, but not afterwards, like I am today.
Yay! So happy you’re back on the bike! 21 miles is nothing to sneeze at, especially after a long lay off!
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Change =-.
Thanks Anna. It felt good to do it. Once it was done:)
I feel your excitement. I got on my exercise bike last night with my cast/boot strapped to the pedal. I am SO missing the ride. It felt good to ride my exercise bike. So I feel your pain. Good work on your ride. Now rest so you can go again. smile.
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In my cycling class last year there was a guy with a broken foot and a senior lady with a broken arm! Die hard:)
I asked hubby to check my bike so I could go riding as well! I will go remind him now as I want to get the bikers high too! 🙂
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Gotta love a man who takes care of our bikes for us:) I feel very loved when my hubby does that.
We are supposed to have a dry weekend and I am hoping to get on my bike, too. I have the same issue – I can pedal much longer than I can remain comfy in the “saddle area.” Glad you are finally back on your bike!!
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This ride I was sore pretty early on since I was not used to it. But I used to always find myself starting to wiggle in the saddle at about 18 miles. Like clockwork.
Hey! I saw your comment above mine on tony’s blog post today about promoting your own blog.
And honestly the KC part caught my eye so I wanted to say hi to a fellow Kansas City -ite 🙂
We are neighbors! I stopped by your blog and left a comment.
Oh that is so great, talk about getting right back in to the saddle with a 21 mile ride! That is so awesome.
Bike butt feels so bad though, I hate that part of the beginning of bike season. I have not been out on my bike yet. We have had so much rain or we have been gone on the nice weekends.
Are you from KC? I grew up in Nebraska. It really is a small world.
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I live here now. But I grew up outside Boston. Huskers fan?
WOW great job girl! That’s amazing 😀
.-= beerab´s last blog ..196.0 =-.
Thanks Bee. I can’t decide if I am eager to get back on again, or a little bit dreading it.
I doing the happy dance for you! 21 miles is amazing. DH and I bike a few times a week during nice weather. I thought our 13 miles was pretty impressive, but I’m bowled over by your 21 miles your first time out! I know you’ll feel good about being back in the saddle again. You DO wear the padded bike shorts, don’t you? I couldn’t possibly ride without them. And no, not for my already well-padded parts!
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Oh you had better believe I wear them! And I have a woman’s design somewhat padded seat. But it doesn’t help much.
Knowing how you’ve been wanting to get back to biking, I was all set to congratulate you for taking it easy on your first ride. And then I got to that 21 mile part. That’s a Big Ride, in my book. 🙂
Wishing you, your shoulder, and your “sensitive bits” a lovely recovery day!
.-= Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..More Thoughts on Judging =-.
Thanks Cammy! I guess I put a bit of pressure on myself to have a decent ride, even though I went into it saying I could take it easy. Sigh.
Oooo the delicate parts of the body!! Ha…as a fellow cyclist, I KNOW that pain in a terrible way 🙂 21 miles?!?! You obviously still got it!!! Do you road bike with clips and all?!?!?!
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Yep. Love my clips. Of course thanks to them, my husband and I each have fallen more than once when we came to a stop. How embarrassing. I couldn’t wear mine last summer when I had a broken toe and rode without. What a huge difference. My bike is a hybrid I think?
I have a padded bike seat which, go figure, I used to use when I had a lot more padding on my butt, but I never heard of padded bike shorts. I’ll have to check that out at REI. Great job on the biking, Karen! I’d like to get firm biker muscles again because no matter how much I jump up and down (as my husband says!) at my Jazzercise class, my legs? Eh.
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I love the shorts. They make padded underwear too, that you can wear under your regular shorts. I will say that I have some pretty muscled quads. But I don’t think the biking does much for the other parts, sadly. Butt maybe:)
Really I thought Koli’s attitude was very smug when he won the 100k- I thought his response was really rude.
What about his manipulative behavior with Ashley and Drea to get Sam’s girlfriend Stephanie eliminated?
.-= beerab´s last blog ..196.0 =-.
Okay, I just had to go back and comment more on you blog.
21 miles – outdoor miles! Congratulations on returning the road!!
Thanks. I am so happy to be back at it. Can’t wait now until I can add back weights and yoga:)
Hi Karen. You’re definitely showing us how to get back on the saddle! So glad you’re back on your bike and having a great time!
Thanks Shira. Maybe I will do one of the outdoor rides at the spa on my upcoming trip.
I can “hear” how happy you are about riding again. Great job and what an excellent first ride! Take it easy on yourself.
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I do need to give myself permission to take it easy. To not go every day. To not have to ride a long time each time. DH and I always seem to put pressure on ourselves once we get riding each season.
That must have been a really great feeling – being back on the bike!!! I like to bike ride too – in safe places. Some of the streets are too busy around here.
I really don’t like to ride on the streets. Drivers seem very unaware and inattentive. Fortunately we have a pretty nice path system. Gets a bit boring after a while but the only thing we worry about hitting us are other bikes and stray squirrels.
Ugh the weather not cooperating… that’s always the way it seems to go sometimes eh?
SO glad you are back on the bike again! You must be thrilled to have the a-okay from the doc! 🙂
21 miles is pretty darn awesome!! 🙂
~Kellie
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And by the time we dry out it will be hot, hot. I already had a red, sweaty, sunscreen sticky face last ride.
What an inspiration! How bizarre is it that biking hurts my knees but running doesn’t. Go figure. Congrats! I’m absolutely thrilled for you!!
.-= results not typical girl´s last blog ..being grass-ious =-.
I know! How about your feet? That is why I first started indoor cycling classes and got cycling shoes. Bad feet. I feel every step when I walk or jog.
I admire you, Karen! Yes, getting started can be a challenge, but you seem to get through it just fine. Nice that your husband rides with you and is willing to take it easy until you’re confident again.
I rode 4,500 miles one summer in Europe (when I was 31) with a then boyfriend who was only 20)… Loved it!!! Never have looked so fit as when we returned. Sore butt never completely went away and due to bumpy roads, I often had sore shoulders. It was good though… mighty good! Used toe clips and fortunately, never fell.
I’m proud of you and inspired… maybe I’ll dust off the old bike and see how it feels…
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Oh I’d love to hear more about that! I have a spot behind one shoulder, fortunately the “good” one, that gets very sore every ride. I think I hold all my tension there. I had forgotten about it until it kicked in on the ride the other day.