Not bragging, but I've always been pretty good at sports I've tried. Not an elite athlete by any means, but I've always been decent at sports - tennis, racketball, softball, basketball - whatever. So I assumed that cycling would be the same way. After all, we all know how to ride a bike from our childhood. I just figured getting on a road bike would be the simplest thing there is. So now I've had my bike about a month and am loving it. I really am. But man, it's not as easy as I thought. First off, I've had three clipless pedal falls. One while practicing in the cul-de-sac on my first day, then no falls at all for the next few weeks, then two during my last ride. Two in one ride! I've popped a chain twice while trying to shift to a lower gear on a steep hill. And I'm still working on trying to ride in a straight line. I'm nervous riding with a group, even good friends who are being patient with me. I worry I'm going to run into them from behind or swerve by accident while in front and cause an accident. I even have to concentrate while trying to get my water bottle out of its holder so I don't jostle the bike too much. Who knew there were so many subtleties to riding a bike?! Now after my falls, I'm actually feeling nervous out there on the road whereas before I was almost fearless. Maybe it's a good thing to learn humility.

Why would I assume that riding a bike is simple? I wouldn't try golf and expect to be able to shoot par in my first few weeks. With all this said, however, I love the feeling of being out on a bike.