First Ride in Over a Year
My concussion and other injuries caused by a fall last summer put a damper on riding for a while. But I finally got the blessing from my doctor to get back on my bike … albeit SLOWLY and CAREFULLY.
Happily, just when I got a yes from him, I found the perfect riding group.. Trek Bicycles, out of Portland’s trendy Sellwood neighborhood, offered up a “Couch to Cyclist” series beginning with five miles. It included useful tips like: safety techniques, best clothing and accessories to make riding easier, and of course, how to change a flat tire. All things I’ve long since forgotten, and frankly never knew that well to begin with.
Crash and Burn
One beautiful summer afternoon, I was on a bike ride with my sister. We were wheeling along having a good time when I spontaneously rode onto a wooden boardwalk to be closer to the water, then turned a tight corner and felt myself starting to fall. I wasn’t going fast, but I was clipped in (clipless bike pedals) and couldn’t release my foot fast enough.