Not as easy as "remembered"

Yesterday I was reading Bicycling magazine and inspired; today I got back on the bike and remembered. This can be hard -- muscles I haven't called on for more than a year were not happy about being awakened. And it came back to me. Thirty-eight years ago this month that I bought my first multi-speed bike,a 10 speed Schwinn SuperSport, lemon-yellow. With a heavy steel frame and aluminium fenders. I went into the bike shop and rode it out, inspired by the brochures and their promise of easy riding; my roommates and I had unofficial plans to ride to Canada that summer. On that early spring day, gray and spotted with bursts of sunshine -- like today -- I ran into my first real hill and realized that low gear still meant effort -- despite the glossy brochures, the machine didn't power itself. I did get accustomed to it; that first bike, Parnassus, gave way to a 12-speed, Adastratus, which gave way to the current Rocinante, with his 27-speeds.

Today, too, inspired by the pics in the biking mags, I wanted to fly and ended up chugging. But I completed a decent ride, maybe 7 miles, surprised to find my legs rubbery. After the ride I drove to the Bike Expo, and bought some miscellaney at a discount -- and caught a bit more of the sense of enthusiasm generated by any gathering of cyclists.

And anyway, I've now got the bike rack affixed to my car, which seems de rigeuer for Madison. I can project the hardcore image already; it remains to be seen when I can believe it.