Friday, March 23, 2012
Cycling The Bicycle Diaries of a Big Girl: A week of firsts
Posted by Katelyn Coyne on Fri, Mar 23, 2012 at 11:00 AM
I don't know how many of you are friends with my mom on Facebook, but here is what she had to say about the launch of this blog last week:
"Katelyn is starting a blog on what it takes to go from car commuter to cyclist...This should be historical and hysterical! This is the girl who could not walk into a room without hitting a wall. Who couldn't get through a meal without spilling the milk. And who, when we lived in Paris, Illinois-- a small town with no traffic-- managed to fall off the bicycle we had and got scrapped from head to toe and on her front and back, at the same time. Well if you saw her after falling, you might be nervous about her too!" --Peggy Coyne
What are mothers for if not to air your dirty laundry on the social network? Thanks for ripping me, Peggy. But I have to admit, she has a point. I'm not the most coordinated person in the world. In fact, I'll bet I'm one of the least. It is true, I wrecked a bike in small-town Illinois and went to the emergency room. But, whatever, I took a turn too quickly and those scars on my knees make me look like a BAMF. Albeit, a bad-ass that can't wear shorts without scaring small children.
In honor of my mother, who watched me experience a lot of firsts, here is a selection of firsts as a Big Girl Bicyclist:
1.) My first trip up the Monon. As serious cyclists in their yellow jerseys glided by me, I felt inspired to keep pushing. Then I arrived at Indy's cycling mecca: Broad Ripple. A sense of accomplishment overwhelmed me as I walked into McDonald's to get a water.
But suddenly I felt sick. Maybe it was the smell of Filet-O-Fish. Or maybe it was the thought of pedaling my ass back to 13th Street. Had I pushed myself too far, too soon? Pride kept me from calling my boyfriend for a ride home, so I mounted my bike and began my trek.
My knees, thighs, butt and hands felt numb, but I'm happy to report I made it back. My secret: dreaming of chicken wings and bleu cheese dressing as I rode.
"Dammit," I thought, "if I make it home, I deserve a huge order of buffalo wings." A Big Girl Delight (BGD for short) is the best, and sometimes only way, to motivate a Big Girl.
2.) The first time a bug flew in my mouth.
3.) The first time I spit from a moving bicycle.
4.) The first time I thought I would projectile vomit from a moving bicycle.
5.) First battle wounds.
5a.) My pedal took a chunk out of my left shin. To add embarrassment to injury, I was completely stationary when it happened. I guess my lack of coordination will always supply fodder for friends and family.
5b.) I also pulled a muscle in my right thigh. I was whining among friends: "I'm not a fit lady!" Which resulted in a great piece of encouragement and advice from one Georgeanna Smith. She reminded me that "everyone regardless of athletic ability gets injuries like that. It happens to the best of them." No pain no gain is legit, ya'll.
6.) First time commuting by bike: to rehearsal and to run errands. The problem: Now I turn up places sweaty, gross and totally unapproachable for at least ten minutes. After a short cool down period, Super-Awkward Katelyn reverts back to the mild mannered and slightly less awkward Katelyn.
7.) First time I almost got hit by a car. I think it was my fault, but it could have been theirs. Luckily, it doesn't matter because I was not hit and have since invested in a helmet. (I got one that matches my shoes.) This does, however, remind me of a cyclist I saw laying in the road on Meridian and Tenth the other day. He had been hit by a car, and it looked like he broke his leg. Please, please to all my motorist friends out there: be cautious of cyclists. Their numbers will only grow as the weather warms up. And if they get hit, chances are it will be your fault.
And finally, 8.) The first of my (soon to be widely acclaimed) series about bicycles was published. You are currently enjoying the second installment, so your congratulations are a bit belated. But I accept them graciously nonetheless.
And I will also graciously accept any and all of your comments, suggestions, questions, etc. Let me know if I've said something inaccurate or if you have solid bicycle information to share.
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