Thursday Thirteen - Week 6

On September 8th, I wrote a post called Very Scary.  In it, I shared that Mitch had taken up bicycling again after many years.  I really wanted to do this with him, but I was scared witless; when I was 11, I was struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding my bike.  I haven't been on one since.

I received messages of encouragement from many of you. Thanks! Now the update: Mitch and I went to look at new bikes last Friday evening, and I found one I actually liked! We've been cycling 3 times since then. 

Here I am Tuesday evening.  Mitch took this picture at our new favorite haunt - Galloway Trails.  It has miles of bike paths that run along a creek, through the woods, across wooden bridges, past a waterfall and, yes, that's a cave behind me!  This week my TT list is all about the past 5 days of biking...again.

1.  Bikes don't come with streamers anymore.  Sad.

2.  I am learning to use hand brakes.  Not pretty to watch.

3.  Does anyone actually need 21 gears?  I think this could be overkill.

4.  You know you're an obvious bicycling rookie when 5 year old kids on tiny bikes with training wheels yell encouragement at you.

5.  Trees do not move.

6.  My new bike is a Suede DX, 21 speed, made by Giant.

7.  In the Ozarks, tarantulas migrate in the fall.  I don't know where they're going and I don't really care.  I just don't want them to "migrate" anywhere near me.  Tarantula: hairy spiders the size of salad plates, capable of jumping six feet.

8.  While riding through the woods, I heard rustling in the brush beside me.  Instantly, I recalled the scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets where Harry and Ron are pursued through the Dark Forrest by giant spiders.

9.  I pedaled faster.

10.  I have an orange helmet.  I feel like Kenny from South Park.

11.  Things I carry with me: cell phone, keys, Kleenex (it's ragweed season) and my rescue inhaler - just in case I see a tarantula.

12.  Mitch has the patience of a saint.

13.  Two Tylenol don't even begin to phase the pain in muscles that haven't biked in 35 years. You have to throw some Advil down there with them... and some caffeine.  Godiva dark chocolate helps, too.

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Comments

[Virginia]

I can't believe someone would hit you and then just take off. That is so sad and heartless. I'm curious to know how you survived that and what the damage was. When I was young, my mom never mentioned anything about a helmet. In fact, I don't think much of anyone wore them. Hmmmm.... I agree with you about the spider! I remember the movie Aracniphobia. I've been scared of them ever since. My TT is up!

[Heather]

That's great. I remember when I was young and my mom went bike riding with us for the first time. She couldn't sit for over a week.

Your story about being hit on your bike when you were 11 brought tears to my eyes. My cousin (who lived next door) and her best friend were riding bikes one day, without me. She headed home and her friend didn't. Just after she left her best friend was struck by a truck and died a week later from the injuries. It took a lot for me to start riding bikes again and I wasn't even there. I can't imagine but praise you for your courage. Praise the Lord for His providence and peace.

[Janene]

How awesome that you are back to riding a bike after many years. It's gotta be great exercise and I'm sure it will get easier with time. I remember my very first bike! It was pink with a big white basket on the front that had plastic flowers on it. It had streamers, too. I think I may have even put those annoying beads on the spokes that made way too much noise.

Here's to many more safe and fun bike riding adventures!

Happy Thursday.

[Cheryl]

I always loved those streamers. Last time I tried to ride a bike was when I was extremely pregnant with my first child. Not a pretty sight.

[betsy]

Congrats on taking up the new activity! :-)

I have a bike... I think... :-) (I haven't seen it in SO long!)

happy thursday!

[Brian]

So if you see a tarantulla you are going to throw the rescue inhaller at it? LOL I just got back into biking again (my best friend rides multi-miles every day) I used to ride alot.

So Glad you overcame your fear (God did not give us that spirit now did he :) )

[Silver]

Congrats and happy TT :)

[Jenny Ryan]

Good for you! Glad it's turning out to be such a great experience for you, even with all the muscle pain :)

[bernie]

I believe taking Tylenol with aspirin-like products such as advil are contra-indicated. Either one or the other.

Otherweise I linked to you from TT -13 reasons you know it's 2006

http://plancksconstant.org/blog1/2006/09/tt_13_reasons_you_kn.html

[N. Mallory]

Congrats on facing your fears!

#1 & #4 cracked me up!

Happy TT!

Oh, and thanks for reminding me it's time to use my new inhaler. ;)

[Mary]

Lions, tigers and Tarantulas , OH MY! I would have pedaled faster too! Good for you, getting back to biking, it's really something to be proud of! I agree, who need the 252 gears, right? BTW, my maiden name was Galloway:O)

[Mysterious Lady]

Nice list!

Hey, I'm going to change blog homes. Do you like typepad???? Is it easier then wordpress to use???

[Danielle]

ow...I'm hurting just thinking about it!

It sounds like so much fun though--except the tarantulas...I had one as a pet but was too scared to touch it :-)