Special thought for the day

I wanted to share this wonderful passage that I just only read from a book of inspirational thoughts that was given to me by a dear friend Tracy during our 2009 Christmas party. The book is called "Keep believing in yourself and your dreams" edited by Patricia Wayant, Blue Mountains Press.

There's no challenge you can't face

Challenges make us stronger.

They push us to try harder.

They allow us to be brave.

They offer us courage.

They engender hope in us.

And sometimes we go farther

than we ever dreamed possible....

just by believing that we can.

"Ashley Rice"

Piecing it together, bit by bit.

Ok, so as you can tell I purchased myself a bike. Am I scared about riding it for the first time since I was like 12? "Damn right I am". Why I here you ask, well the potential for falling off was quite high. Needing the assistance of the rescue and recovery crew to recover me from the wreckage after I had come to a complete stop was even higher still. I hate not being in control and the thought of surrendering my whole being to this metal object with wheels was a touch scary. Don't get me wrong,I absolutely love my bike. It's black and slick looking, and has great racing wheels and I even have a helmut to match. Gotta look good even though you have no clue what your doing, Oh and it has gears - lots of them.

The guy at the bike shop said to me as I was leaving with my beautiful black bike, "increase your ride time slowly and try to ride atleast 3 times a week so your legs adjust". Ok, sounds easy enough. Hold that thought while I compose myself and stop laughing. EASY, not quite.

My first ride was merely a 5km flat surfaced ride for all bar two tiny bridges. Looked easy, I ran this in the fun run. The bike guy said to keep the left gear on 2 and the right gear on a 4 or 5. Which is what I did. I was a bit wobbly almost like watching a newborn giraffe trying to stand. I do think it would have been funny to watch, however I was so tense up there I don't think I really enjoyed that first ride.

Things to take note of for the next ride were:

• Relax hand grip, white knuckle grasp is not favourable for circulation in fingers.
• Relax shoulders and neck, very important for turning and seeing where you are going.
• Legs that are heavy like concrete yet wobble like jelly post cycle are the norm.
• Feeling like you have been on a horse ride for the last week post cycle is also the norm.

How did I used to ride my bike for hours on end as a child? I don't remember things hurting that bad, least of all my bottom. It felt battered and bruised and as a result of the pain it altered the way I walked. I thought I looked like a cowboy post rodeo ride....lol

So with my ego about as bruised as my behind, I made my way home. Two to three times a week, thats what the guy said. Stay focused!!!