Linhy's Bike Riding Odyssey Begins

Last Sunday:

There I was, around Vay's place again. It had been a couple of weeks since the last ride I'd had, and I was already feeling a bit rusty. Ugh, never mind that. I was trying to get my bearings again, and that was about the time I thought I couldn't push off anymore, hence me looking up the sky for a little help, or SOMETHING. That, or the fact I was pissed off and frustrated that I wasn't getting said help. And it was unusually hot, and I'm wearing a long sleeve top for god's sake. That would put anyone off.

Anyway, I finally got it together though, as you can see here, n'hey. Yes, that's what I actually look like. Oh, you knew that already. Well fine. The point is, look at me, I'm riding a bike! Heh heh. Ah, I'm delirious with joy.

I still had to learn how to turn corners though, and it's not as easy as it looks. Vay decided to take me around the 'hood, where there were apparently dedicated bike tracks. First we stopped by at the local shops to have charcoal chicken and chips. I didn't know when I was going to come back. If at all. I couldn't even believe we rode all the way to shops. Just when I thought we were going to go back, I was forced to RIDE ON THE ROAD. Well, it was more like a street, but that shit was scary, son. It was scary! I barely dodged a stationary truck, for crying out loud. We finally managed to make our way to the bike track. There was a massive up hill slope I had to conquer, and I tried, but given the fact my current bike was a bit heavy and I was a bit lacking in the physical strength department, I was struggling, while Vay cruised over it like it was a mole hill. Ugh, god. The fun part was cruising down the hilly bits, and riding through the bike path, it was hard staying on the left, though. I was used to just having the whole pathway to myself, but now there were other people (walking and cycling) on the track that I had to get past without crashing into, and the bollards that I had to carefully get around. "This is nothing, hun." Vay kept boasting.

We ended up riding about 6 km all up, and it was a bit tiring, but exhilirating all the same. It was a perfect blue sky day, and the winding track made me feel like I was riding through the wilderness. But eventually the day had come to a close, and it was all over all too soon. For the next week or so, I found myself admiring people's bicycles, no, just the bicycles, thanks, no matter whether they were old or new, stationary, or moving. I was seeing them everywhere, as though I'd never noticed them before. A row of them at the station, or on the train, or at the traffic lights. I started doing my own research online, I had to wisen up if I was going to be serious about this. There were different types of bikes and all this other stuff to think about, what did I really want to do with my bike?

Little did I know, that was to be last time I'd be riding that bike...

Present day:

We made our way to a proper bike shop. I was feeling excited, but a little nervous. "I don't know about this, hun". We were browsing around for a while, kicking tyres and checking out the bikes we had researched. Originally I had planned upon getting a cruiser type of bike, which is good for short, leisurely rides, but I figured I wouldn't be able to catch up to Vay in that thing, and it felt a bit on the heavy side. Shame, it was a pretty thing though.

The second option was a hybrid. We were looking at the Cypress, which meant I could use it on both dirt tracks and on pavements and smooth roads. Vay seemed to be against hybrids for some reason. Seeing as we were going to stick to smooth roads and pavements, it didn't really seem necessary.

The last option was a road bike, which just so happens to be same model as Vay's. And, they just so happened to have a bike in stock, in my size, and it was the only one left. Why, how convenient. I was a bit worried about the narrower tyres, but they assured me it was fine, just a normal feature of road bikes. I could keep up with Vay at least. It looked like it was a nice bike to start with, which should last me ages, with good care. Besides, it was reasonably priced, and was a metallic light green colour. I think I'll call it...Greeny.

They made some adjustments and threw in the usual bonuses, and then she was all mine. Hee hee! I couldn't even wait to give Greeny a little ride as soon as we got out of the shop. The first thing I noticed was how light it felt, incredibly easy to pedal and even pushing off was easier. Not sure about the steering as yet, but I have a feeling it should be easy going. Hee hee, I kept thinking that I couldn't wait to take this baby for a real ride.

We got her home, and I was riding on the footpath past my house, (My dad: "Why'd you buy a bike for? "Vay bought it for me". "Oh well that's alright then") not even wearing a helmet (it was at Vay's place, and frankly, I didn't care), and one of the neighbours was yelling out, "Are you learning how to ride? Wear a helmet!" It seemed like everyone wanted to get involved.

But that's bike riding for you.