Adventures of the Northwest

Taking Milly for her first ride...

I got Milly's pink chain in the mail yesterday. I was sooooo excited to get her down there and get it put on. I flew down to the bike shop to have them put it on. (Subsequently, I forgot to take my purse with money down to the shop! another visit today with the credit card will even things out!) I got home shortly after 7 and wanted to take her for a quick spin. She was all jazzed up and ready to go!

First things first, I have to cross a semi-busy road to then ride that about a mile or so to the 'dead end' road I wanted to try. As I am crossing quickly, I realized that ahhhh the pedals only have a clip on ONE side. AND it is difficult to try to get clipped in - still having momentum - while pedaling and trying to find that ONE side. LOL! I made it up a short little hill - standing up - and felt real good. I was watching the wheels spin and the chain. I think the seat needs to go up a bit. It was cool to look down and watch the beautiful colors, of the tires, spinning. What a pick up that will be for winter riding! I took her down the dead end where it starts by going down this short, but steep hill. My legs were going as fast as possible! I felt like road runner going out of control! YIKES! I had to apply the brakes a bit. I got to the dead end, turned around and then came back. It felt good but I had to go up that short and steep hill. I started out fine but slowly lost power and I couldn’t crank her up. She hesitated and I couldn’t crank any more and I knew I was just going to fall like a piece of paper trying to stand on end. LOL! SO I had to unclip and walk up it. That was a sad moment for me as I haven’t had to walk up a hill for 3 years. I know it is entirely different from riding a road bike - due to the ONE gear and the ratio. It will now be my challenge - to get up that hill on Milly. Once I do that then I can try to conquer like Lake Sammamish. I also know that it will get me stronger and that it is totally a different experience. :) UGH! She is a pretty bike though. You will have to see it! She is a beauty!!! :)

However, in walking up the hill and looking back at the hill that I couldn't conquer I then noticed the beautiful sight behind me! WOW! A spectacular view of the Cascades. One I have seen before but this was incredible. The way the sun was hitting the mountains giving it a beautiful fall orange/gold with purple hazed look. It was absolutely gorgeous and I wish I had a camera. Perhaps I wouldn't have taken that opportunity to turn around if I didn't walk Milly up the hill. Everything happens for a reason, right?! ;) Next week I am taking my camera!

In emailing the divas, I wrote this eye opening thought:

It is a builder - character, morale, muscle, self-esteem, ego. LOL!!!... ok... mental and emotional and physical... all will be stronger and I will be: STRONG Molly! Able to pedal high mountains and descend low valleys on a single gear! LOL!!!

posted by Seattlebiker @ 10:15 AM