August 13-15, 2011- My Brand New Ride!

     While in Oregon last month, I splurged and purchased a cross bicycle from one of the many popular bike shops in the state.  I had been wanting one for awhile, and knowing that life is unpredictable and may take me from my life on an atoll at any moment and back to a place where my money will be quickly spent on a house, car, monthly bills, etc…, I decided to go ahead and make the leap to get a nice bike for now and hopefully 10 years into the future while I do have the money to afford it. It was not something I could bring back with me on the plane as it had to be ordered in my size, and it finally arrived on island this week, and I have been patiently waiting for my fiancé and his awesome bike mechanic skills to put it all back together for me from the box in was broken down into in order to make it out here.  It took the majority of the day yesterday just to get it all together, and today, my baby helped fit me to it, so I can take it out on a ride when the rain clears, and I have a chance to test it out on my own.  I can’t wait to practice with it! This will be my first “professional” type bicycle with clip in pedals, special bike shoes, gloves, padded “pants,” and a special shirt with pockets in the back for my snacks and such. J  It’s so exciting and will hopefully assist me in my efforts to get into better shape sooner rather than later.  While here, I hope to get very comfortable with my new ride, so that when we return to Oregon or wherever we end up in the states, I’ll be able to ride it out on the trails and roads on weekends.  That’s the one thing I am missing most right now while living on a small island, the inability to take off on road trips and/or bike trips over the weekend.   There’s so much more world out there to take advantage of, to enjoy, to fall in love with, and I’m ready to explore it.  Summer’s almost over, and school starts soon, so for now, I will simply have to dream of those long mountain and trail rides, the cool breeze, fresh air, and gorgeous mountains and coast around me while I practice my biking skills traversing the flat asphalt road around the island airport, and even though it may seem like I am getting nowhere except back to where I started, I will know I’m training my mind and heart for a lifetime of healthy habits, a love and appreciation of the simple magnificence of nature wherever I live, and a future full of adventure out on the roads and trails of life!