It had been so long since I was on a bike that I really couldn't remember the last time I rode one. But that's changed. Dropped by a nearby Salvation Army Thrift Store a couple of years ago and picked up a 10 speed for $30. Promptly parked it in my basement and had been staring at it up until this June. Not sure what kept me off it till now but at least I've taken that first step, or in this case, ride. Can't believe what I've been missing.

Our fair city of Colorado Springs features a virtual warren of bike trails. They run everywhere: north and south, east and west. But my current favorite is the 40 mile plus stretch of trail which goes by a variety of names depending on which portion of it you are on: New Santa Fe Trail, Pikes Peak Greenway Trail, Fountain Creek Regional Trail, etc. Its surface varies from packed chat/clay to macadam to concrete, all very ridable and well engineered with several bridges taking the rider back and forth across the creek's meanderings.

Determined to start slow in my return to riding beginning with just a 10 minute session along our infrequently traveled neighborhood street. Gradually started expanding that out to 20-30 minutes with more laps up and down the same street. Finally after a few weeks, determined I was ready to try a real trail which led me to the Pikes Peak Greenway, noted previously. What a joy! This trail runs along Monument Creek, a beautiful little creek that in places incorporates parks and playgrounds and in others, (yech) sewage treatment facilities. Despite the occasional whiffs of effluent that emanate from the creek, it provides an otherwise pleasant ride up and down its length.

After several months, have reached a point now where I've decided to migrate from the riding hobbiest to the more serious "athlete in semi-training" mode: purchased some neon green spandex cyclist shirts and padded cycling shorts! Woo hoo! Riding in style. Working toward graduating from riding on streets/paths to true mountain trails, of which, we have a lot in Colorado.

Also read in a cycling mag that a rider can reasonably expect to crash (fall off bike and hurt oneself!) once every 3500 miles. Relieved to know that I now have at least 6850 miles to go before I experience another crash. Uhhhh . . make that 10,300 miles of anticipated no-crash riding. Ouch. More to follow . . . Happy riding!