“Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.” – Andrew Jackson, US president; quoting French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte
On Wednesday, I walked from work to a nearby bike shop. This was my second bike shop visit. I also went to a small shop near my house last week. Inside the one near work, there were three levels of bikes all the way around the perimeter of the store – more than 600 assembled bicycles actually. I walked slowly in front of the tiers of bikes. At first, I declined help from an inquiring salesman, but upon being asked a second time, I decided to speak up. “I’m a runner that wants to get into triathlons,” I said, and the young and trendy, polite bike shop dude nodded knowingly.
He was very helpful and told me that $500 wasn’t going to cut it for a brand-new quality bike. He also explained why a carbon fork is better (less vibration on the handlebars), and answered other random questions I had.
You know what? It’s okay to be a noob. If you don’t know something, ask someone. Read about it. Heck, I started buying Triathlete magazine and I won’t be doing one till next year. (I’m a nerd.) Just dive in to the subject. “Stop thinking and go in.”
The bike shop employee showed me the cheapest they had, a pretty black and purple Giant road bike that was $700, not including pedals. I didn’t know pedals aren’t included in a bike purchase. Sort of a necessity for a bike, right? This seems like a rip to me, but I guess this is how it’s done.
I left the shop after about 15 minutes to get back to work. As I walked back, really high numbers swirled around in my head. Maybe I’m old and cheap, but I thought $500 could buy me a pretty nice bike. But now, with the smell of rubber bicycle tires still lingering in my nose, I wanted one more than ever.
“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves – in finding themselves.” – French writer Andre Gide
I don’t know if it’s the idea of riding a bike so much as the idea of a new adventure. Nothing against running, I still love it, but part of the reason I started running was that it was a journey to go on. Now, I’ve done the half marathons and the full. I’ve done relays. I’ve done trail runs (although not enough). I’ve done the PR thing. I’ve done the injuries. I’m ready for something new.
When I was in high school, one of my mom’s friends was a triathlete. Not just a triathlete – an Ironman. I bet she’s still competing. She’s still kicking butt in my mind – she’s an inspiration. I also recently found out that one of my friends from childhood that I used to swim with just completed Ironman Coeur D’Alene. I haven’t seen or spoken to him in many years, but was proud when I found out.
Maybe this is a separate blog post, but I think we return to the types of “play” (hobbies) we loved as a child. Growing up, I rode bikes all the time – yes, I had one with a banana seat, but then later got a 10-speed and that’s what I used in my first (and only so far) triathlon in the 8th grade. Swimming was a also huge part of my childhood.
I hope to swim Friday. Maybe I’ll ride my new bike, too. Yep, I am going to look at a used 2006 Giant OSR3 I found on Craigslist. It’s blue and I am already in love with it even though I have not even ridden it yet. Apparently, I am third in line for this bike, but none of the other people have set up times to test ride it. SO, cross your fingers they don’t decide to before Friday morning.
I have a feeling it’s mine, though. I just have a feeling that Big Blue will be the start of something good – another journey filled with discovery and learning more about myself.
13 comments
I bought my first real bike in May and was scared to spend so much but it was money well spent. I have spent hours on my bike this summer and have really enjoyed the break from running. I still run but only a few days a week now since I have been forced to ride much more because I am much less experienced. But I am loving it and am doing my first half ironman in a few weeks and then full next summer. I don’t think I will ever go back to loving running the way I used to now that I have discovered triathlons.
I love this comment.
I LOVE running. Never in a million years as a very unactive adult did I think that statement would ever come out of my mouth. I did a lot of half marathons, a ton of 10 K’s and 1 full and then I got injured, twice. After never really healing correctly I bought a used Giant OCR3 from a triathlete friend in June and have never looked back. Triathlons are super hard and awesome at the same time. I’ve done one sprint, one open water and I can not wait to do an Olympic.
Pure awesomeness!
I also love this comment!
You can totally do this! And I’m glad you’re getting a used bike from Craig’s List. I did too. Bikes are crazy expensive, and while one day you may want to make the investment, wait until you know you are hooked on tris first. Good luck!
Thanks! Yes, it’s a good way to start.
My new found love of running started because my husband fell in love with mountain biking. I started running and racing while he was racing mountain bikes, I just can’t handle the technical stuff on a mountain bike. Then he started cycling on the road in an effort to improve his mountain bike racing. Mother’s Day I was given a road bike, it intimidated the tar out of me, but I got on it. I graduated to the fancy pedals and clip in shoes (as you can tell I don’t have all the lingo down yet.) I can honestly say that this summer we have logged some serious miles cycling. I get to do my first full marathon in November, and after that I’m considering a tri. You will love what the bike will do for your running as well!
I think triathlons are a great way to stay in shape all around. I tried it but the swim and biking wasn’t for me and I realized how happy running makes me.I keep my fingers cross big blue is yours!
Yay! I started with triathlon after my last kid was born as a way to regain control of my body (wishful thinking, I know…) and eventually picked up straight-running just because it was the easiest training to schedule (shoes! lunch hours! that’s it!). However, I would love to dust off my lovely forest-green road bike and get back on it… once I get it back from my Seattle-to-Portland-riding-12-year-old son. That might be a few more months.
Great find, Kerrie! I hope it works out. I love getting stuff from Craig’s List – it’s the “green” way to go. Recycle!
I’m a relatively new runner (less than a year of cumulative running), so I’m still in all of the “first” phases – first half marathon, first trail half, first relay. . . I never thought I would be an athlete again (by my own definition, at least) & running gave that back to me. It totally changed my life & how I look at myself. The time will probably come when I need a new challenge, & if I can get over my own fear of swimming in open water, I’m sure I’ll move on to a tri!
Very inspiring!! Looking forward to reading about your Quest 🙂 Hope you were able to get Big Blue 🙂
I bought my first road bike this summer… and OMG, I never would have imagined how much I love her. I hope you get Big Blue and it’s love at 1st ride. Kinda planning 2013 right now… a lot more tris in my future… I just wish I was a stronger swimmer like you are. Gotta get my butt back in the pool.