Beautiful weather in San Diego lately. Right now it's sunny and 74 degrees, very slight breeze.
Just took some shots of my little patio to show you on this beautiful day. It's a small area, but exactly what I wanted. A little patio to put potted plants on, a small patch of grass, which as you can see Katie keeps pretty brown, but still grass. It greens up nicely when we have enough rain. A little tree of my own. It gets sun and shade at the same time, which is nice. I usually have lots of color with potted and hanging plants, but not so much right now.
Things have been pretty quiet around my house lately. Just the same-ole, same-ole. I did take the bike out, finally. About six years ago I took it in for a tune-up and check-up and everything was good to go. I rode it only once. I was living with my son and his family at the time, I had just arrived in San Diego and they lived in a hilly area. Too much for me to ride. So I put it away. I DID think about it in the last six years - but lazy me, that was all. I never went any further than that, other than getting the dog basket free at Camping World.
So, yesterday was such a beautiful day, I got it out of my little storage area, the tires needed air and it needed some cleaning. I had it covered, so the cleaning part wasn't too bad. I have new neighbors - a wonderful young family moved in a month or so ago. He's retired from the military and they moved here to San Diego County to be near her mom. When he saw me out looking at my bike, he came over and offered to help. He brought my bike into his garage, moved his truck out and got out a machine to pump up my tires. He fixed my light so it worked, adjusted my gears, oiled the chain and tire innards (?). He knew all the terms for everything and explained exactly what he was doing as he did it. He tried to fix my speedometer but didn't have the right battery, so took it out and showed me how to open it up to replace it. What a guy!
3-speed Easy Ride - What a beauty!
But Easy ride? Not so much - yet. : )
I took it out for a spin, and am happy to report that my balance kicked in just fine, and I did okay. I couldn't remember the gear thing. He told me exactly how to use each side, but when I was going down our slightly sloping street, I forgot it all. In fact, as I was streaming along, I couldn't remember how to stop - it's been that long since I've ridden. I backpedaled - I'M THAT OLD! - then remembered there are handles on the handlebar for brakes. Isn't that awful? I had completely forgotten how to stop the bike.
I was thinking fast - okay, when I get to the corner, wide turn to the left will slow me down - hopefully no cars coming - not usually any traffic on that street. Then I remembered where the brakes are. Whew! That was a relief. I felt kind of like when you fall down and look around and realize no one saw you. I can tell you now, but I would have been really embarrassed at the time to admit I couldn't remember where the brakes are.
This is a perfect area to ride - mostly level streets with some slight inclines, but not much, except on my street. I rode the bike back up to my house, almost. Walked it the rest of the way. I definitely need some practice and my legs are going to get a workout, which is good.
When I got back I got Katie's bike basket out and put it on the bike. I couldn't believe how easy it was. Simple simple simple. Today I am going to try it out again, then put Katie in and see what happens. But first I'm going to Google "bike gears" and make sure I understand how the three speeds work.
Then Katie and I went to Target and I got a new bike helmet. I know I had one, but couldn't find it, so I got a nice new one, and a headlight, too. A headlight for me, not the bike, the kind with a band around your head with a light attached. : ) When I put Katie's basket on, the light on the handlebar didn't fit anymore, so I thought the headlight was a good idea. I wanted one for camping, anyway, and walking at night, so when I saw one I got it, as well as some walking poles. Been wanting those, too, so I broke the bank and got them all. I also looked at the camping things, but reined myself in and "walked away."
I'm going to have to get good at this if the bike is going to be my transportation around parks and short distances to stores, etc. when I'm on the road. I'd love to be able to just jump on it and go like I see kids do. But that is going to take some practice. LOTS of practice!
I'll let you know how we do.
As soon as I post this I am going to take my coffee into my office and do some wii exercising. Things that will work my legs. I might as well start getting in shape now so the bike riding will be a little easier. I've stopped using my wii and need to get going again. I've been pretty sedentary lately and it shows and I can feel it. I need to get back in shape.
Katie was playing with her treat ball while I'm writing - as long as I have the camera out:
From Me and My Dog, have a wonderful Sunday, everyone! : )
