Skip to main content

It is NOT just like riding a bike

Yesterday, I went bike riding for the first time in literally YEARS.

For a while I hadn’t had a rideable bike because my last one was old and needed new tires and (surprise!) I was too lazy to get new ones.

Then Captain Caffeine found a really nice bike at Goodwill for only $50. Of course, this one also needed new tires (or at least new treads) but after I bought them, the Captain put them on my bike for me and filled up the tires.

So then I had to buy a bike helmet that didn’t look like it had been through WW3. My last helmet had been with me since college, and I’d been in a couple accidents with it. I think I’m technically not supposed to use it after it’s been in an accident, but I was (surprise!) too lazy to go get another one, plus at the time I had my old unrideable bike and saw no need to get a new helmet.

So yesterday, finally, in an effort to be green and save gas, I took my new bike out to the grocery store. I was REALLY shaky on that bike. People who say you never forget how to ride a bike are LYING. I was pretty nervous riding to the store, but luckily didn’t get hit by a car and (an event even more likely) I didn’t hit anything like a phone pole or a stoplight or a person.

I picked up my groceries and packed them in my nifty Hawaiian backpack and went home. Hooray!

Then I realized my back hurt. What’s up with that? Isn’t bike riding supposed to be good for you?

And, er (TMI warning) that bike seat was super hard! Oh my gosh, my butt hurt so much. Do I need a new seat or do I just need to get used to the one I have?

Comments

Carol Moncado said…
I don't think I'd ridden a bike since jr high [and that was long ago enough now that I don't want to say how long ago it was... ;)]. Tried to last summer. Made it MAYBE a quarter of a block before I gave up :D.

You did waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than me!
Helen Bratko said…
You should get a new seat. There are better ones out there. You can also buy "seat cusions" I think we got one at WallMart.
Beverly Nault said…
Good going, Camy! I got a super-sweet, highly cushioned lady seat for my cruiser. Makes all the difference.
Marian said…
If you handlebars make you hunch over, your back is going to hurt. Find a set of handlebars that allow you to sit up straight while riding. I recommend going to a bike shop and asking them to fit you for handlebars. The right ones make all the difference. The wrong ones can hurt your back, your wrists, your shoulders, and more.
Camy Tang said…
I have to admit, I rode down the street and debated turning around and going home!
Camy Tang said…
Thanks! There's a Walmart that opened just nearby.
Camy Tang said…
Thanks for letting me know! I wondered if I had to just suffer through it.
Camy Tang said…
Hm, I didn't think of that. Okay, I'll take a look at that. Thanks!
Anonymous said…
You can knit a nice plush seat cover. I'm sure there's a pattern on Ravelry.
Camy Tang said…
ROFL!!!! I will look. :)

Popular Posts

She insulted a hat 👒 and ruined her Season

Welcome! My name is Camille Elliot, and I write Christian Regency Suspense with slow-burn romance and a touch of the supernatural. Thank you for— “Cut!” Lissa, one of my characters, shouts and stomps onto the stage. I stare at her. “I’m not filming a commercial.” “It doesn’t matter. You’re being boring.” I shift uncomfortably, because she’s probably right. “Well then, what should I say? I’m writing a blog post for someone who doesn’t know anything about my books.” “If you start with pleasantries, I will hide your tea,” she threatens. “ All of it.” I gasp in horror. “You wouldn’t!” “Try me!” “I was just going to ask readers to subscribe to my newsletter.” “I shall topple into the shrubbery as I fall dead asleep on my feet.” “Rude,” I mutter. “Maybe start with an explosion. Or at least a hideous hat that ruins my reputation forever.” “Your reputation wasn’t ruined,” I protest. “You were simply unfortunately overheard.” “As I insulted a hat.” “Then maybe you shouldn’t insu...

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th...

New book idea a la Captain Caffeine

Captain's Log, Stardate 04.14.2009 So my husband, Captain Caffeine, had lunch with a few friends a few days ago. And they asked about my writing, and if I’d been on Oprah yet. (Yeah, right) They then discussed NYT bestselling books, and why can’t Camy write a NYT bestseller. (Sure, let me just open a vein over a blank page and it’ll come right out.) So Captain Caffeine came home with ideas for my new NYT bestselling novel. First it starts with vampires, because Twilight is so hot. But not just any vampires. This one’s an Amish vampire. And he’s not just an Amish vampire, he’s a cop in disguise, infiltrating the Amish community to protect a witness. (Hmm, that storyline sounds familiar ...) But wait! There’s more! To add more conflict and stick with my brand of Asian fiction, we introduce the Tibetan monk! Who joins the Amish community to get away from the pressures of monkhood. But in reality, he’s protecting the Chinese princess on the run, trying to escape from her father’s Hong...

Grace Livingston Hill romances free to read online

I wanted to update my old post on Grace Livingston Hill romances because now there are tons more options for you to be able to read her books for free online! I’m a huge Grace Livingston Hill fan. Granted, not all her books resonate with me, but there are a few that I absolutely love, like The Enchanted Barn and Crimson Roses . And the best part is that she wrote over 100 books and I haven’t yet read them all! When I have time, I like to dive into a new GLH novel. I like the fact that most of them are romances, and I especially appreciate that they all have strong Christian themes. Occasionally the Christian content is a little heavy-handed for my taste, but it’s so interesting to see what the Christian faith was like in the early part of the 20th century. These books are often Cinderella-type stories or A Little Princess (Frances Hodgson Burnett) type stories, which I love. And the best part is that they’re all set in the early 1900s, so the time period is absolutely fasci...

How to Start the Lady Wynwood’s Spies Series (with Free Prequels & Bonus Extras)

New to Lady Wynwood’s Spies? Start Here I’m a fan of both Pride and Prejudice and Mission: Impossible , and I loved the idea of noblewomen working as undercover agents, so I wrote this Christian Regency romantic suspense series for readers just like me. Lady Wynwood’s Spies is a multi-volume adventure filled with faith, suspense, and romance. Unlike many historical romances that stand alone, each volume continues a larger story, pulling you further into the same grand conspiracy. Along the way, the series draws you deeper into the characters’ struggles and triumphs, giving you a richer, more immersive experience. If you love stories where you don’t have to say goodbye to the characters after just one book, this series was written for you. Below is your complete reader guide to the books, prequels, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes extras. Whether you’re just curious or ready to dive in, this roadmap will help you find the perfect place to start. ✨ Lady Wynwood’s Spies Reader...