Yesterday was my first bike ride outside in a while. I have been biking a lot in the gym lately, but it is in no way the same. I like to feel the wind on my face and watch the scenery pass me by. I enjoy the feeling of actually going somewhere and accomplishing something. I don’t feel very accomplished after a session on a bike that goes nowhere. I enjoy biking in the real world 100 times more than sitting on a stationary bike.
The only thing that ever makes me nervous about biking in the real world is the traffic. I am terrified I will get hit by a car, because I know it is almost a certainty that it will happen at some point. Drivers suck. They text, they chat on cell phones, they put on makeup, they eat while driving, and then they hit bikers because they “didn’t see them.” It is really because they weren’t paying attention at all, but it is easier for them to say they didn’t see the bicyclist. I have heard way to many stories from my friends who ride about being hit, swipe, grazed by cars. It’s a scary world out there with those terrible drivers.
But good news, I survived my first bike ride outside safely. I am glad I went with my more experienced friends. They were more aware of how to stay safe in traffic and they helped me out a ton with remembering the rules and tips for riding on the road. I survived without getting hit, but I have a long way to go before I feel safe on the road by myself.
All that aside, it was the most hilarious ride. We only rode a total of about 10 miles because I had two flat tires. The first we patched up and then the second we had to send one girl off to get a new tube for the tire. So I sat around for about 30 minutes of the ride waiting for a new tube for the tire. Once I finally got the tires fixed we then ran into a little kid who stopped us to talk about his “super cool bike that goes really fast” and then some other friends who we hadn’t seen in a while. There was a lot more talking and waiting and waiting than there was riding. Still, I am glad to be back out there.
At least you have way more bike lanes than here… I would never ride a bicycle on the streets in South Africa. We call cyclists suiciders!
Lol, I hope your next cycle consists of more cycling and less waiting around!
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@Hanlie
Actually, where I live there are ZERO bike lanes. Not a single one in my town and very few in the city (I can’t even think of where one is but I think a few exist). I definitely wouldn’t cycle anywhere that it was considered suicidal.
Sounds like quite a ride! Two flat tires definitely stinks! I’m thankful that I live in a tiny town on the mountain. During the day there’s very little traffic. Even in the evenings, very few cars.
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So impressed you did it.
as we’ve previously established Im terrified of biking anywhere near cars.
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@MamaBearJune
That sounds like a great place to live if you want to bike!
@Miz
The cars were definitely the worst part. I was terrified but at the same time it was a little adrenaline rush. Embrace the fear!?!?!
I loved reading this post! My hubby is a pro athlete and spends a ton of time on the bike, in the mountains on tiny roads with stupid drivers. So far he’s been safe, but he did have to flat tires the other week! He was left stranded in the mountains without a second spare! Can’t wait to read more about your cycling adventures!
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