Ghetto isn't a word I normally use and definitely isn't how I would describe myself but after today it is really the only word that comes to mind. Lara has been trying to get me into cycling for years but I just haven't wanted to invest the money. This year I thought I would give it a try if I could do it inexpensively and ended up with a mountain bike that I borrowed/stole from my dad's cabin in Driggs and a very old and well loved bike trailer that I found for $50 on KSL. I have actually been really excited about my old/new stuff and have fallen asleep the past few nights with visions of me cruising down one of the bike trails near my house with my boys in tow.
This morning I loaded up the bike trailer (which takes up the whole back of my Honda CRV) and after realizing that there is something wrong with the quick release on the front wheel of my bike I opened the back window of the car, put a blanket over the car so that I wouldn't scratch it (this was actually done at Paul's insistence) and put my bike in with the front wheel hanging out. I put my boys in the car and we were off. I wanted to ride along the Porter Rockwell Trail which starts about two miles from my house but I had to drive there because it is two miles straight downhill and I knew I would never make it back up the hill with the 100 lbs that I am towing (70 lbs of boy and 30 lbs of bike trailer).
We made it safely to the parking lot at the trail head and I successfully got my ghetto gear out of the car, set everything up, put helmets on my boys and secured them safely in their little trailer. I don't have a helmet (I am going to buy one later today) because honestly I really didn't think it was a big deal. I am not hard core and the only reason I put one on my boys is because I know it is the right thing to do but after today I am feeling peer pressure from my fellow bike trail riders (who aren't really my peers because they know what they are doing and have gear that isn't jimmy rigged together) to put a helmet on my head when I ride. We rode 1.26 miles to Draper Park, nearly all of it at a slight decline. The boys played for an hour at the park while I felt self-conscious in my bike/workout clothes for a lot of reasons but mostly because there is no hiding a muffin top in a cycling shirt. I then loaded the boys up and we headed back to the car which was 1.26 miles of steep incline (weird how it changed during that hour we were at the park but it did and I now totally get that "walked up hill both ways" thing). I could barely breathe by the time we got back to the car and I am incredibly embarrassed to admit (but always willing to make fun of myself) that it took me 45 minutes to ride back to my car. I could have walked it faster...probably. Also there was a 70 year old jogger in front of us who we never passed.
Once we made it to the car I had to disassemble everything which ended up turning into me actually kicking the trailer latch loose because I couldn't get it to budge and then loading it back into the car. I won't go into details but I will tell you that it took me six tries/slightly different configurations to get everything back inside. In spite of the circus I feel good about my first ride mostly because I don't remember the last time I worked out (it has been at least a year, maybe two, maybe just 18 months) and everyone has to start somewhere, but I also hate not feeling at least a little bit cool. I mean if you have the right gear you can at least look like you know what you are doing and feel good about faking it. If you are in really good shape and know what you are doing but have crappy gear you don't care because at least you look good but right now I have neither and I am feeling a bit sad.
Friday, March 20, 2009
ghetto
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9 comments:
Amy, you make me laugh. I had a perfect image of that entire scenario, and trust me, you are not alone. We just bought bikes this past weekend, and I have no idea what I'm doing. I get really nervous when I approach a corner, and my steering starts to get all wobbly, which usually leads me to stick my legs out or slam on my brakes. I know I look like a complete idiot. I'm sure the most comical thing any passerby saw was my attempt biking up a hill. I tried to shift to the appropriate level(which is a story in itself), and I felt like my legs were going a million miles a minute but my bike moved only an inch up the hill. Of course, I'm panting with my mouth wide open, which only adds more fuel to my humiliation. Hopefully, I'll get the hang of it and actually enjoy myself.
Good luck with your biking adventures and welcome to the ghetto club. I've been a life-long member, and it's not so bad :-)
The ghetto club rocks. I approve. I am way proud that you actually went through it all and finished and didn't end up crying and having Paul come and pick you up...that is what I would have done.
I have found that wearing argyle definitely improves my golf game, that I run faster when my running shoes match my running shorts, and that I am a much better mom when I am having a good hair day.
You definitely need to get with the program and show your kids how to rock it. Need I remind you of our golfing adventures in Rexburg? I definitely think that once you have all the right equipment, you will become a far better cyclist.
First off, I say ghetto, a lot. It helps when you live so close to it. Second, and the most important, don't be sad, pat yourself on the back and tell everyone that looks at your gear (which I doubt is as ghetto as you think it is) to kiss your grits. You are awesome! You are up and you are moving. You are telling your boys, by example, that it is important to exercise.
Thanks for the entertaining story. I love the geriatric jogger.
I can't wait to see this!!!! I am so happy that you are cycling that I don't even care if I have to explain my white trash sister to my cool cycling friends. :)
Oh my gosh Amy, you are hilarious!!! I loved reading through your ghetto, muffin top story... too funny, I could just see it all playin' out in my mind. I think it's awesome that you went out and did it though..
I've been wanting to get into cycling too, but haven't because all I had was a garage sale bike and no other gear, now I think I just might get out there on MY ghetto bike and take it for spin. LOL
I don't think I've gotten on a bike since I was 14 years old. I have one sitting in my garage, it's older then me with flat tires but your story has inspired me somewhat to get the tires fixed and strap on the kids carrier that I borrowed/stole from my sister. What do you say? Do you want to forget taking it apart and looking ghetto and just ride around the neighborhood with me and the kids?
I am so proud of you! I probably would have been so frustrated at the beginning that I would have just bagged the whole thing. But you did it, despite your ghetto-ness! You're awesome!
i laughed so hard at this post, that i had to read it later for john...he laughed too. amy, you are so funny. and i'm sure you didn't look as ghetto as your leading on. and hey, i have to give you props for even trying...for me, getting into shape is still something i just talk and dream about.
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