Went out for my second ride on my new bike today. This was also my second ride in about seven years. I was very sedentary during those years, so I'm not EXACTLY in the best shape I've ever been in.

There's a 3.5 mile loop in town that I decided to try. I ended up riding it twice, and I felt as though that was enough given my state of conditioning. My quads were feeling like telephone poles.

Near the very end of the loop, the bike trail crosses a street, and traffic was pretty heavy. I dismounted the bike and waited for a break in traffic.

A couple of drivers decide to stop and allow me to cross. I noticed that both drivers were pretty young ladies so I begin to go through my middle-aged man mental checklist:

Smile...check.

Gut sucked in...check.

Polite wave of thanks...check.

Then I begin to walk my bike across the crosswalk and it happens: I have about as much control of my legs as I do the outcome of an NFL playoff game. Wobbly, numb, totally goofy-legged. I was a scene from a Monty Python movie. You know the one...the ministry of silly walks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZlBUglE6Hc

And of course this is being witnessed by both young ladies and the lines of traffic behind each one.

I eventually make it to the other side and cannot help but burst out laughing. I have no idea if I looked as goofy as I felt, but I must have been a sight to see.

It's going to be fun getting back in shape.