Freedom

I've done two rides (one Saturday 43km and one today 23 km) over the last few days as I start my program. I love the bike! I love the movement and the speed (just as I do with skiing)! But I am still not 100% confident with things. Its taken me a good long eight years to be confident enough to get on the bike and ride it without looking over my shoulder the whole time. The memory of my accident was still too fresh in my mind.

For now I am loving the freedom that the bike provides, but I am riding well within my abilities. Cornering is cautious and careful and down hills are fast but not top speed. The memory of gravel rash (not the worst of my injuries, but certainly the most painful) and of blacking out from the pain of having my wounds cleaned in the days following my accident will long be in my head and I am not sure how long it will be before I can finally let loose.

Saturday's ride was with a fellow cycle accident victim (James) and it has taken him six years to get back in the saddle. It was kinda strange the two of us cycling around the Taieri Plains discussing various aspects of cycling and neither of us not once mentioning our accidents. We both enjoyed it a lot and, had both of us been a little fitter and more confident, I think we would have joined the race that started exactly where we started.

Bring on long rides (with James and others) over the coming months and the awesome feeling of the wind rushing by. (I can do without the sore arse and numb nether-regions though!)

Note to Self:
Remember to double check when the pool is closed for a public holiday. I turned up at the pool this evening and wondered why the car park looked so barren... Otago Anniversary Day is why.