4.02.2011

*%$#ing Bike

I went on my first outdoor bike ride this afternoon after this morning's run. I figured my legs would be tired and they were, but I thought it was going to be OK.  First I planned to bring my bike to the run and just bike right after, then I didn't get my s#$t together in time so I ended up biking in the afternoon.

Here's what I learned from my ride: 

I will NEVER do an Ironman
I am going to get my A$$ kicked on the bike portion
I hate the bike

First of all, putting it in the car is a huge hassle. I have to take out a carseat and put the seat down. When I wheeled it over to the car, I realized the back wheel was not rotating. Somehow the chain came off? I fixed it and my hands were black with grease.  With curses it went in the car. I drove to the trail. I go to get it out of the car and the back wheel is no longer attached. WTF. I had been trying to figure out how to put it on a trainer and loosened one of the things that keeps the wheel on. This was not going well. Finally I got it all together and headed out on the trail, hoping to do 10 miles  - 5 out, 5 back. I HATED every minute of it.  I felt like I could run faster than I was biking and was thinking of all of the things I'd rather be doing.  The way out there was a headwind so the way back was much stronger, but still, I was not feeling it. It will probably be more fun when it's part of a race, but seriously - I am in trouble for these 2 upcoming triathlons and now I just want to skip the bike part.
It took me over 45 minutes to do 8 miles.

17 comments:

  1. Oy :)

    I'm sorry to hear it didn't go so well. Riding outside really is a lot different from riding in a spin class or on a stationary bike. Give it some more time - I'm sure you'll settle into it.

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  2. It gets better!

    My first rides were horrible, but its fortunately better, especially w/ group rides. Hang in there.

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  3. Uh oh. Hating the bike is not a good start. ;)

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  4. Sorry to hear that your initial riding hasn't gone well! But I bet it improves! Hang in there.

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  5. Don't give up on the bike. I hated it at first too, and had times like yours, but you will get faster and like it the more you do it. I swear the only reason I kept up with it was b/c of my sprint tri. After biking for 6 mos, my quads feel great, and my knees do not hurt if I do back to back run days. I am convinced there is a connection.

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  6. I imagine you and the bike will at least move from enemies to allies, even if you never achieve BFF status. I'm NOT a bike fan either, but I've gotten to the point where I can do just enough for a triathlon without whining-I'm just not fast. In every race I've done, I've been one of the fastest female swimmers and then got passed by hundreds of people in the bike.

    Have you thought about buying or borrowing a bike rack so you don't have to take out the carseats? Of course, putting on the bike rack might be as much trouble.

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  7. ha ha. that's how i felt about the swim, until i took a class and did it with other people. is there anyone you can ride with???

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  8. get a bike rack - they sell cheap ones and it makes life a whole lot easier

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  9. HAHAHA! That post made me laugh so hard as I could just imagine me grumping and foot stomping and watching the time creep by and feeling stressed I hadn't even got out on my bike ride yet!
    I especially love your 'what I learned' list! Hilarious!
    A bike rack sounds like a good plan. I'm sure it will get better as you get used to all the kit etc. I always watch beginner skiers tripping over all their kit and dropping things and think it must be hard to learn as an adult.
    Best of luck!

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  10. I like riding for fun, but not as exercise! I hate the wind!

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  11. hahah I love to bike but I could never swim !

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  12. stick with it. the bike isn't going to be my favorite portion either but practice will hopefully make it more tolerable for us.

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  13. I want to send you a super big ((HUG)). I know that it's hard to say that you'll eventually enjoy the bike, but I hope that you give it a few more shots! :)

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  14. I'm not a bike fan either. I think I'm just not cut out to sit while I'm exercising :)

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  15. I totally understand where you are coming from with regards to the bike. There is so much involved to even get out the door. To be totally honest, I am not the biggest fan of riding outdoors. And when I first started biking, I couldn't believe how hard it was even though I was in good run shape. Make sure you practice running right after biking a few times before the race. I have vivid memories of that pain during my first triathlon, but it gets so much better the more you do it!

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  16. Ugh, sorry that it was such an ordeal! Bikes (and the entire process) totally scare & overwhelm me! Trust the tri girls!!

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