So, I bought a bike.

I've been wanting a bike for some time now. It looks so fun when people glide gracefully and effortlessly around the state park roads and campgrounds, smiling and looking happy.

Trust me, it looks totally different when I do it.

I finally got up the nerve and bought myself a bike last Sunday. I must have hopped on bikes at the store on fifteen different visits over four months before I screwed up the courage to take the plunge. I mean, each time I tried I literally couldn't pedal the thing with both feet off the ground at the same time. I figured it was because there just wasn't room in the store and I was positive a kid would dart out in front of me any second.

I bought the bike, a rack for the car, and Dave bought me a helmet. We put the rack on my purple car and hung my purple bike on it. Quite sporty, if I do say so myself! We drove home from the store and when I got to the school near my house, I pulled in.

I got my bike down, put on my helmet, and rode it around the very flat, fairly small parking lot. Success! I could actually do it. Go me! I rode home from the school, gasping and struggling on the uphill grades, but successfully getting there. It's just over half a mile from school to home but I was quite proud.

On Monday, I got up early, got geared up, and took my bike out for a spin. I decided to ride up to 5 Hill Road, right by the school, because it's an extremely quiet road. It is, however, a challenge as you might guess by its name. That's not its real name, though. It's the name given to it by the track team because it has--you guessed it!--5 hills to go up and down, and then it dead ends so of course you have to up and down the 5 hills coming back.

It. Kicked. My. Butt.

Going down hill is GREAT! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Love it! Unfortunately, at the end of the downhills you have uphills. Not so great. I had to walk up a hill going the first direction, and the same hill plus the last incline coming back. Not to mention I managed to fall off my bike while turning around. Yeah. I was standing nearly still at the time with my feet on the ground. I'm that coordinated.

But I persevered. I rode to the school and did laps of the parking lot on Tuesday, and Wednesday I rode the long way around uphill to the school and then down to the parking lot and did more laps. Getting better!

Today, Thursday, I rode back to 5 Hill Road. This time I only had to walk the final, long incline back to the main road--and no falling off. Then I rode to school and did my parking lot laps, and home. 3.39 miles! I'm almost ready for the Tour de Couch!

It's a little unnerving, this riding around in public, especially wearing capri length running pants and a tank top. I feel like they're shooting a new Queen video. But it's good exercise, for sure. I feel new muscles complaining. And it's exercise that I don't mind doing alone, which is important.

This is my bike. Mine has a water bottle holder attached to the bar under the seat, and I hung my phone holder thingy to the handlebar support. Isn't she pretty?