My First Cycling Post

I've been looking forward to doing this for quite some time. I'm learning to cycle. Well, I've been cycling for two years now but the first year was less than active. I rode the bike several times but stuck to mostly trails. It was fun until I clipped in and then fell over. I hurt my hip and then didn't have the nerve to get back on it for a long time.

Today is a new day!

I've been cycling regularly since August, 2015. Not that long, but I'm committed and doing it every week--and some weeks, every day. It's winter now, although we've had incredibly odd (warm) weather, I've been cycling some in the cold. Today I did it and only made it about 8 miles before deciding my fingers didn't prefer it any longer. I was so cold. I've also decided to begin this here blog while my kids watch a movie right beside me so I imagine this first post will be slightly incoherent. As a matter of fact, before I go on, if you've stumbled upon this site, you might want to check out the "About" page. This blog is meant to be a place for me to process what I'm learning and enjoying about cycling. It will be written at times as if I'm talking to myself, maybe even a prayer to God a few times, and then there will be posts like this one, where it seems I'm assuming that there is a reader other than myself. Oh, and I'm not editing these posts. All that to say, please feel free to join me, just want to be clear what you've stumbled upon.

Okay, back to cycling.

Tomorrow, I'll meet with my cycling coach. Yes, I have a coach who I am excited to begin working with. I'll share more about him soon but I thought it was essential to get a little coaching before I trek out to ride a century ride (the goal this year).  Some might think an amateur doesn't really need a cycling coach. It's interesting. Although I'm not in fitness instructor shape at the moment, I was a part of the fitness industry for 8 years. That's really shaping the way I'm approaching cycling training. I would never advise someone to go to the gym and begin lifting weights without some instruction. I'd likely advise them to take a class or watch a video. If you lift for a prolonged period of time (or a short time for that matter) with poor or improper technique, you will get injured.

For example, the first time I met with my coach he adjusted my bike and I realized I'd been riding for a year on a bike that wasn't properly aligned with my body. It has made quite the difference. And though we haven't begun training yet, I am confident that I will be a better, more equipped rider having had some time with a trainer.

Having a fitness background also means I'll likely ask more questions than need be! I'm so eager to learn everything there is to know about cycling from technique to bike maintenance. I want to know how to do this thing well.

Another thing I've enjoyed over the past few days has been learning about other cyclists (pros and historical figures). I'll hopefully get on here and share as I learn.

That's it for now. I'll write more (prayerfully, much more) soon.

-Trill