My FIRST ride on the bike.....

Wow, what a day! I want to blog as much as i can right now, to really capture the moments of today....

I had been back and forth on emails and the discussion forum- how afraid I was to get on the bike... My family has been making fun of me, "But you don't know how to ride a bike..." Very true, the last time I rode a bike, was maybe 20 years ago... that is a LONG TIME!!!
SO my day started off at 6am-- i needed to get up, get ready, put on my bike rack to get ready to go to Weho.... It's already a commute being that I live on the Eastside of Los Angeles, but being afraid of driving on the freeway, i took the streets all the way there..
I got to Weho by 7:45 am.. I didn't see anyone from the training group; i thought, "hmmmm maybe this means it got canceled and i will not ride..."

Within the next minutes, I started seeing cyclist show up.. I introduced myself to Brian, and told him this is my first ride and I came to support the group and learn how to get on and off the bike. (for those that wonder, why is so afraid of getting on the bike? Well, I have clipless pedals- meaning that my legs are to be LOCKED into the bike. Imagine, having no control of what happens when you have to stop; My goal was to just show up, get some lessons on how to get off and on my bike, stay behind at the park while everyone went out, and just wait for them for the get together after.... what an idea?? that's like being a cheerleader..lol)

Anyhow, he said that he would teach me how to get off and on the bikes. I went and changed...
I saw J.R, who had informed me about the ride. It was good to see someone i already met from the kick-off. Brian and some of the other guys, showed me some of the basics. It was scary, then i fell-- onto the grass..YAH! my first fall..lol.. Ive been hearing from many- get over the fear of falling.. that is how we all start... From there, i continued to practice.. I did a LIL run in the parking lot.. but seriously, nothing major... I thought to myself, cool- i can just practice now...

Well, forget the practice- the whole group gathered around to talk about safety issues. The feeling i got, from finally being around those that have committed to do a ride, for AIDS/HIV, really touched me. It's remarkable, the dedication all of them have...

What happened next? The call for everyone to get on the road.. my heart was pounding. I start thinking, Don't they know thisis my first ride.. Don't they know, I have not been on a bike for 20 years (i bought this bike 3 weeks ago, but it's been just standing pretty in my living room), Don't they know, I have never used clipless pedals...

I saw everyone take off- and there i followed.. I got one foot into the pedal... that was a start, but once i saw the red light, i panicked- i almost fell.. But i went on-- minutes after- (maybe 1-2 blocks) i was ready to give up- I ONLY came to practice in the parking lot.. WHY am i even trying to do a 42 MILES RIDE??? I'm crazy right???

As i was standing there, I see J.R ride behind me, asking if i was okay. Sure, i thought. I should have said NO..lol.. From there, he rode with me, teaching me the basics of riding the bike...

Soon after, i had my first fall on the rode. Nothing major. I just got back on, but thought to myself, there are going to be more... why don't i stop!

I didn't stop. I figured, i NEED to get over the fear and keep riding- I committed myself to this, and this is the perfect way to start- having someone teach you the basics, but also motivating me through out the ride...

Within a few miles, i noticed we were in Culver City.. WTF, Culver City? I only go there in my car.. I was amazed that we went from Weho to Culver City. I also thought, its still a long way to go...

There were many times, i almost fell, or if i did, nothing major.. I learned how to STOP my bike, how to change gears, how to clip in.. But i became a ROCK STAR (lol) when i was able to clip both feet in, and able to unclip one by one to stop.....

We finally get to the bike path-- i felt more relaxed, but at the same time, i knew there were still much more to go. There were small "hill" but also, coming down fast...

After a while I decided to turn back.. We must have done 10-12 miles.. or so.. who knows.. I just wanted to get back...

That is where everything went wrong.. I was tired and thirsty. I didn't take the proper things, because I had no idea i would be biking more than one mile... That took a toll on me.. I feel hard and it wasn't in the best place- kind of shady, so other bikers would probably have a hard time seeing that we were there.... I was motivated to continue.. So I did......

Finally, the big one! MY helmet felt like it was moving too much. I wanted to stop and fix it, but I thought I had made MANY stops in between, I can not do it again.. So, I take one hand off my handle bar, to try to fix it.. and I ATE IT! I feel hard, the bike over me. Got scratched on my knees, elbows and my side stomach (that one was not bad). I had it, i just couldn't not more. I asked J.R if we can walk back until we got to Starbucks- I needed to rest, water and something to eat... He walked with me.. until we got back on the streets. We rode back to Starbucks. During that time, I had more fear because I knew i feel hard-- and i was just tired..

We rested for a bit, but he asked if I wanted to get picked up.. Right away, i said YES!

Brendan picked me up. My prayers were answered. I couldn't walk right. I just wanted to get back to the park and change so i can rest.

I told Brendan, that it was my FIRST RIDE EVER. I think people thought, just first ride training in a group-- but NO, first time RIDING a BIKE- and to make it worse, clipless pedals.

We got back to the park- and there was a group of the cyclist there already. It was great, getting the hugs and the WAY TO GO! from the people there. It feels good to be part of the group, knowing that you have people to help you, when you fall...

So overall, I think i did 14-15 miles total- out of the 42.. Shit, that was WAY more than i expected to do.... It was great meeting my fellow riders: Eric, Brendan, J.R, Mark, etc etc (I cant remember everyone, but that will change!) I look forward in more rides... I hope this documents, a lil of my first ride.. I am one step closer, to doing more trainings. I let go of the fear f getting on a bike, and falling...

Anyhow, I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did, even with the pain.. And for those family members and friends that doubted me, there you go BITCHES! hahaha.. I WILL BE DOING THE WHOLE RIDE-- with practice.. LOL.. so remember to visit my website and make a difference and donate. Allow me to take the falls and go through the pain; all i need is the support to help those living with AIDS/HIV--and all you need to do is donate!

Thank you the cyclists for making this a memorable day....

Until next time.. I need to NAP!