The Road Expirement Pt. II

We pedaled away from the safety of my house, unaware of what the future had in store for us. It was exhilarating, the feel of the bike shifting left to right as I stood on the pedals made me giddy. Gary Fisher was right when he said that bikes want to move forward. My bike seemed eager to fly, similar to a bird when its cage doors are opened. Ironically the brand of my beater bike is Flyte, and it has the burden every winter to be pinned down on my trainer. But today I flung the cage doors wide open and we "flew!"

The three of us worked our way out of town, just a couple of busy roads and a few miles and we would be on country roads, testing out our theory that bikes are more fun off of our trainers. We were bundled up good, and the Sun's rays felt so satisfying as they warmed our cheeks on a chilly February biking day. None of us complained about the temperature, we were just happy we were emancipated from dreary basements and spinning classes.

For miles we rode, getting looks from a few motorists who were surprised to see cyclists out on a brisk Tuesday afternoon. We reached a couple of long downhill stretches that increased our speeds from the teens to the twenties, our joy accelerated with our speeds. We climbed and descended, it was everything we had hoped it would be. Then it happened. Thud, thud, thud. My tire was going flat! This never happens to me on my trainer. That is why we stay inside where it is safe. Eight miles into our ride and it became clear that this outdoor riding is not all it is cracked up to be. To good to be true!

None of us panicked, we kept our wits and worked together to change my tube. Due to the cold, it was harder than it should have been. But we got it done and managed not to freeze in the process. We had so much fun in those first eight miles we decided to keep riding outside and not go home and lock back into the trainers. The three intrepid cyclist would not be deterred. We loved the exterior riding and wanted more miles!

We finished Tuesday's ride with a meager 31 miles, but it was more than enough to plaster smiles across our faces. The ride was average as far as rides go, but getting outside and becoming real cyclists renewed our passion for the sport. More importantly it repaired a lot of the damage done to our souls over the Winter months.

Cyclists, like birds, need to be free!