Cyclebetes Training: Day 1

Now that I'm back in Reno, I need to concentrate on getting myself in cycling shape for the end of August for the Cyclebetes ride across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. As a member of the Nova Scotia & New Brunswick provincial team (an official member....heh), I have been sent an official outfit (thanks to Sugoi) to wear: spandex shorts (with generous padding) and a jersey. I tried it on yesterday and felt like a sausage. I've never worn spandex, and it's a lot like sausage casing. The outfits are nice-looking, though. The color scheme is red, black, and white. As I am able to do longer rides, I won't need to buy any other cycling clothing because I already have something I can use (and when the shorts and jersey are running about $200, I really don't want to spend the cash on purchasing anything else).

Yesterday was my first day of training. Riding a bike makes me nervous. I can ride a bicycle, but being out with cars makes me distinctly uncomfortable. Also, I'm not so adept with the whole concept of bicycle gears and how to use them effectively. Luckily, I have a coach who understands my needs. Enter Ken, who is probably the most patient person on earth. He's agreed to help whip me into shape (and at this point in time, we have less than 7 weeks to get me ready). Yesterday, we went on a 30 minute ride around the neighborhood. He explained the shifting mechanisms to me and kept repeating which shifters went with which gears (right-back and left-front....left is for big changes and right is for small changes). It was good, but even after only 30 minutes I was feeling tiredness in muscles I never use.

I am going to conquer my fear of the bicycle and love every minute of it!

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