On Sunday I quite unintentionally picked up my girls from church while wearing spandex. The day after that I found myself grocery shopping in my bathing suit (tank) top. This wasn't exactly how I imagined myself behaving in my thirties.

My depression radar has gone up over the past couple weeks. I feel lethargic and stoic and energyless and my self-care has lagged. Then it occurred to me that I may just be tired. Superman and I have gone on many bike rides together, each one longer than the last, as we (meaning I) prepare for the 34 mile ride (50K!) we'll do together on Saturday.

Speaking of depression, this September has gone much more smoothly than last year. I'm thankful.

First bike ride together since before we were married!

I feel like such a fraud. I'm all spandexed up and I don't even know how to change a flat tire!

We went nine miles and it was a ton of fun. I think I'm going to like this road biking thing (not that I ever doubted), especially with a partner like Superman. He was so encouraging and helpful and kind. It was a little unnerving to be on the road and not in a car (especially turning left with opposing traffic ALSO turning left and being just a little biker in the middle of an intersection full of gazillion-pound cars!) but I'm sure I'll adjust.

I hope my legs will eventually have a shape other than KNEE, but whatever. I'm glad to have legs and having a strong, healthy body is more important than whether or not my calf muscle is visible.

We reached speeds of 20 mph. As soon as I figure out how to shift without having to think too much about it and become accustomed to the teeny-tiny tires I'm riding on, I'm going to have a blast. I had a fantastic time today; can't wait for the next ride!

Yosemite

Yosemite falls (the lower section.)

A few minutes after this was taken we went climbing up the rocks behind us to get close to the waterfall (and become liberally sprayed with waterfall mist.)

I love this guy. He's my favorite.

Those are California Poppies. The hillsides looked rusty.

I love oak trees. (This was outside the park.)

Welcome to Yosemite! This is right after the park entrance.

Agua!

Ahhhhhhhhhgua!

So this almost wrecked ME

What kind of a man collides with a metal guardrail at 40 mph with absolutely nothing to cushion the blow except one layer of spandex...and then gets back on his bike 30 minutes later and rides 90 more miles? Mine. (And then the next day he rode 50 miles. And then the day after that he rode 25 miles.)

What kind of man has an enormous bruise with scattered road rash across his left hip and thigh? Also mine.

Quite fortunately for Superman, the person biking right behind him just happened to be a fireman/paramedic. He watched the whole thing happen and was on scene immediately, starting triage. His wife later said to me that it was the kind of wreck that people either do not live to be able to walk away from or they walk away mostly unharmed. A passing motorist (also an off-duty fireman/paramedic! Let's hear it for those guys!) saw it happen and stopped to offer assistance. His immediate thought was, "there's no WAY that guy doesn't have a broken femur." Way, dude.

I am so very deeply grateful it wasn't any worse.

Oh, and in case you wondered, the bike is totally fine aside from a small scuff on the seat.

May this be the worst bike wreck he is ever a part of.

Here's my Superman at El Capitan in Yosemite National Park after riding his bike 170 miles to get there. Being married to this guy is definitely NOT boring.

I have a bike!

After years of bikelessness, it feels amazingly wonderful to ride again. This bike rides like a dream. I am VERY excited to go on rides with Superman.
Now, if I can just get over myself enough to put my ridiculous, grasshopper legs in spandex... I know most people have better things to do than gawk at my chicken legs, but still, I can't help clucking about it every so often.
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