Me and my girl

I'd like to think that 99% of the effort to get fit starts in the mind.  If you're not ready, then you're just not ready.  Period.

Another 0.5% is conquering fears, and the rest is just doing it.  One of my greatest fears has been rooted in Fat Person On A Bike syndrome.  While I am not terribly ashamed of my body per se, there has been a part of me that just does not want people to see me riding a bike in public despite the fact that riding a bike in public has been something that I have always wanted to do.  Running will come later, but the low-impact nature of riding a bicycle is perfect for me.  Why not start now?

So, today I bought a bike.

Meet Bertha.  Bertha La Bloux is the full name that I have given her and she's my birthday present to myself.

Isn't she precious?  I had a choice between black, silver, yellow, and orange, but blue won out.  This is a Worksman Women's Deluxe base model (1-speed).  The one that I ordered through a local bike shop looks just like it, only it is a 3-speed.  Bertha has gears on the handle bars that will help me tackle hills.  I can not tell you how excited I am and I'm counting down the days until she is here.  Next up is shopping for a helmet, a chain/lock, headlight (I'll be riding to/from work after dark), and a basket!

I have saved up for this moment, financially and emotionally, and now it's time to let myself be free to enjoy something regardless of what people may think.  Go ahead and get your point-and-laugh on if you must, I do not care.  I'll be too busy getting my ride on.