by Ethan Johnson
May 5, 2007

Time to diversify my exercise portfolio:

It's a Trek™ "Pure Sport" model. 7 speeds, designed for cruising, as opposed to trying to win the Tour de Anything.

Advancements in bicycle technology have been legion since I last straddled a 10-speed. For instance, check out the gear shift. No question as to what gear I'm in:

The gear shifting can be further enhanced with resistance settings. Not sure what this other shifter is officially called, but essentially depending on what it is set for, pedaling is either more slack or more tight (read: tougher). Also, there is a bell of sorts, but not the "cling cling" version from decades ago:

Since the store this bike came from is complete and total insanity made material, I had the pit crew install a bottle holder and air pump. Sure beats having a flattening tire and no way to fix it while being miles away from home. Again, not your father's bike, that's for sure.

I haven't pedaled a bicycle in over 22 years, and when I test-drove this one I hopped on and went full steam ahead like no time had ever elapsed since my last session. I thought I'd be much more wobbly. I'm not feeing completely confident about riding no-handed, but that's probably just as well.

Once I got it home, I rode the route that I normally walk (2.2 miles). I completed the route in about 1/3 of the time, however the new challenge is any sort of incline. Walking it is easy, but on the bike I wanted to tip over and die. The second attempt this morning was much better but that final incline was still painful, despite building up a full head of steam before reaching it. I'm sure my weight isn't helping relative to my much much thinner self 22+ years ago.

I'll keep chipping away, and I'm of course tracking my progress. One thing is for sure, I'm using completely different muscle groups, which is a good thing in spite of the agony.

If you miss me on the sidewalk, maybe I'll whizz by on the bike path. Ding ding! On your left! <EM>