One Mo' Time

Get Over It!

Fear? Feh. I do not bow. The Madwagon is MINE!

posted by La Cabeza Grande @ 1:17 PM 0 comments

Bicycle Trials

I woke up this morning with a plan: trade in the bad-luck bike for a spiffy new retro rocket with a killer paint job and fenders. I was going to get the Madwagon Lovejoy!

See, I used to love riding my bike. Ever since I was a wee nipper with training wheels, I liked the feeling of freedom I felt. It was my earth-bound way of flying.

With work and living and getting on to other things, I gradually gave up my regular rides. When health issues began to crop up and exercise seemed the only way to go, I thought I'd go back to what I used to love so much. So I bought a bicycle online and had it shipped to my home. All I had to do was take the package to a shop and have them complete the assembly. This is the day I decided that this bike was my bad luck.

I was my birthday, and as I prepared for a long weekend out of town with my new bike in tow, I rushed about taking care of things like getting the car serviced, etc. Last stop was to be the bike shop. Trouble is, I was in such a hurry (and both arms were full of a 40 pound bicycle and tires) that I failed to notice the curb I was stepping off of was in reality a loading dock. I went down sideways, then backwards onto the pavement with the bike landing right on top of my legs.

I had broken my ankle in two places, as it turned out. There would be no bicycle trip for me.

Ever since that day 3 years ago, I've been downright skittish about riding, always feeling off-balance and uncomfortable. Only took the bike out once or twice since so I decided that I may as well get rid of it. Find something that was step-through (girl's bike) that was sized more appropriately for me. Then, I'd ride again. Today was to be that day.

I was in for a shock as I tried bike after bike (fat tire ladies bike, recumbent, tandem). Good Lord, the shop owner was patient with me. Nothing was right. All this time what I thought of as simply a bad bicycle choice had become an over-arching fear of being on ANY bike. He even held the bikes for me as I tried to find my balance and shed the fear of taking both feet off the ground. I could not trust the pedals. I did not trust myself.

So, with sweat pouring and hands shaking, I left the shop, my bad-luck bike and my dream of a new Madwagon beginning. At least for today.

I can't let fear win for long. I'll be back!

posted by La Cabeza Grande @ 4:32 PM 2 comments

In Need Of A Pick-Me-Up

I need to get my lens of life readjusted.

All I see is the guy picking his nose, digging in his ear, with his fly wide open. All I see is the dirty, bearded guy moving in slow motion who couldn't decide if he should stand up or sit down. When he did sit (perch, really) he fell out of the seat with a thud toward the front door.

Beauty and hope. That's what I need.

If you can get your spine readjusted and your glasses readjusted, why not your outlook? I'm open to suggestions here.

posted by La Cabeza Grande @ 7:52 PM 1 comments