I took my first ride about 4 weeks ago. It was interesting, to say the least. I rode with one of the two other guys from my chapter participating in JOH this summer, Michael Walton. He met me out front of my dorm to teach me how to clip in to the bike. Unfortunately, once I learned how to clip in, it took me all of half of a second to realize that I didn't know how to clip out. I hadn't even moved yet and immediately fell over - foot still clipped into the bike. Strike one, and Blake falls for the first time.
When I finally learned both how to get on and off of the bike, Michael and I rode about one block and came to a stop sign. Michael stopped, I unclipped one foot to lean on, and slowed down to come to a stop next to him. When I did so, I leaned the wrong way and fell right into him, knocking both of us off of our bikes at a whopping 0 mph. Just my luck - two guys are driving by with the windows down laughing at us as I stumble around cramping Michael's style. Strike two, and Blake falls for the second time.
We rode down to the Trinity River, which has a path that's about 18 miles long. On the way back from our halfway point, I tried to pass two girls that were walking in front of me - without telling them that I was about to pass. Just as I had the clearance to pass them, I hesitated and my front wheel went off of the sidewalk and into the grass. When I tried to bring the wheel back onto the sidewalk, it caught on the lip of the path and sent me flying forward, bike and all. I hit the ground pretty hard and skidded a few feet before coming to a stop. I quickly bounced up to my feet and assessed the damage as the two girls came running over to see if I was OK. Huge gash on the elbow, bleeding hip, healthy chunk of skin hanging off of my thumb, hands scraped and bleeding, composure intact (miraculously). My helmet definitely saved me from further damage. (Alright mom, it took like 14 years for me to admit this, but you were right.) Michael and I rode about 5 more miles back to campus and I patched myself up.
Currently scarred (literally), but fully recovered. Last week I participated in the Journey of Hope Regional Team Training in Austin, TX. We stayed the weekend at Down Home Ranch, a place for people with disabilities to live and work. On the first day, we rode 40 miles in nothing but hills and headwind. It was tough, but a good glimpse at what the summer will be like. After our ride we got to visit with residents of the ranch. We made valentines and cleaned the bikes that they use to get around. During our time with them I met some real characters. Not a single person failed to put a smile on my face.
The second day we rode about 30 more miles in more gradual hills, but stronger headwind. Talk about a never-ending hill. At the end of the day everyone was in bed by 9pm. That's a stark opposite from the late nights back at school. All in all, the experience was amazing, and now I can't wait for the summer!
