I want to ride my bicycle!

Yay for me, I got out on my bike today! It was my first ride of the summer, a 36 mile "warm-up" to my goal of a century next month. Whew, a century, I must be nuts! (BTW - many people have asked me what a "century" is - it's 100 miles, yeah, a CENTURY!)

It was great to get out and ride around the Valley. The Salt Lake Valley truly is a beautiful area, and today's ride took us through some great farm land north of Salt Lake. Quiet country roads, horses, cows, sheep, and great company. My friend Susan joined me, and she knows how to keep it entertaining.

Our primary goal today was to see how many times we would be passed. Ok, so maybe we don't take it as seriously as some of the wannabe racers out there, but I bet we had way more fun. I love to ride not just for the health benefit, but the mental benefit. Although it is something of a leisurely pace, we still have to keep a pace. That requires a modicum of focus, which means you can't be bothering yourself with your everyday worries (like, did you check the oil in your car? will you buy a house next year? when will your economic stimulus check get here, cause you want to spend it!). You just keep your eye on the road, glance at the bike computer from time to time, and try to keep up with the somewhat random banter coming from the super freak behind you. Awww, it's a super freak I love, so it is well worth it.

Asking yourself if you can do it? You can. I did it, and those who know me know that I am not sporty spice, I am more like, scary spice, with a little posh spice and ginger spice thrown in, just to keep things interesting. But definitely not sporty. Never have been. However, I can be determined from time to time, and cycling is one of those times. Once I start, I can't quit, and it feels oh so good!