A formal introduction...

Meet Ruby. She is my newest set of wheels. I purchased this gorgeous gal early spring and sad to say she hasn't hit the road nearly enough this year.

She is pretty, light and fast.

This last weekend, I decided that I no longer wanted to be a "newbie" biker and wanted to make the transition to clip in petals. I have been very nervous to have my feet stuck to my petals. All of my friends that cycle have all had their falls. My biggest fear is falling at a stop light and not being able to unclip or being by myself and not having anyone to laugh with. Either situation not funny. When I purchasing my petals and shoes at the shop, I was honest about my apprehension to making this change. Mikey, the awesome bike helper, assured me that I WOULD fall but I would learn very quickly. He talked me through everything. I didn't have my bike with me when I was at the shop otherwise I would have practiced with the pro. Instead of going and getting my bike and driving back up to Sugarhouse I decided to call my friend, Jarrod and have him put on my petals for me. Once we had the petals on he said he would help me learn how to clip in and out. He told me to go ahead on hop on and he would hold the bike. Me the trusting friend did just what he said, expecting he would be holding the bike. I was straddling the bike and decided I would clip my left foot in first. Well I did just that, except I forgot to shift my weight to my right side. So I went straight down and immediately fell to the ground. Jarrod's eye were huge and I'm sure I had quite the look on my face since he was suppose to be "holding the bike". No blood since we were on the grass just a hurt ego. I decided to get right back up and try again. This time Jarrod held the bike. I did this a few times but never felt real comfortable getting on myself. To save my ego, I said I would practice at home before I went on a ride in the morning. I immediately went home and parked my bike. There was absolutely no way I was trying that by myself. I would kill myself. Next morning, I was able to do it without a problem and went on a bike ride. Anytime I had to stop I did get a little nervous but it was starting to feel more natural. I was feeling like a pro. Here is where the blood and laughing comes in. Yesterday, I went on a bike ride did not have an issue with my clips or petals. I was getting in and out of them just fine. My dear friends, Ricky and Zac came over. I was showing them Ruby's new additions and telling them my story of falling the first time I clipped in. Of course, I couldn't have just told them, I had to demonstrate. The problem is, I demonstrated so good my left foot got stuck and I couldn't unclip and fell right on the cement. OUCH! Not only did my legs hurt but my ego was completely deflated. I was laughing and couldn't figure out why the back of my leg was burning... and looked back to find this. The gears had cut the back of my leg.

Let's just hope I have learned my lesson and don't have to show people my first fall again!