Galadriel's Bike Trip and the Reality of Bike Riding.

Real life

*vs*

Reality

 Galadriel when on a bike trip with some of her friends.
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This gave me the brilliant idea to want to get bikes for Aragorn and me.  Can't you just envision a family of 13 riding down along the bike lane?  Not that any heads would turn or anything... Anyway, when we couldn't find a portable air conditioner to get us through this heat wave, Aragorn decided we'd get 2 bikes instead.  Hey, there was a rebate for $30 each so they cost $69, and compared to $690, I thought this was a great deal.

 This is the lovely trail Galariel went on... and she wants everyone to know that she arrived back first :)
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So today, Aragorn and I decided to try out the bikes. It was only 92 degrees with a heat index over 100.  I think it's been some 16 years since I last rode a bike but my bike-riding memories are fond ones, I used to ride up to soccer practice some 6-1/2 miles on a hilly road every day....

 The bike trail went through 3 tunnels. I think I heard that this used to be a train track that went out of use and was converted into a bike trail.
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As we tried to get on our bikes here on the giant mountain we live on we first discovered that Sam had put the front tires were put on backwards.... I never knew a bike could be put together dyslexickly.... But this break was alright, I needed a break after the first 20 feet of riding.... downhill.

 A good friend of my girls also went on the bike trip.
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So after Aragorn fixed the wheel/handlebars (you don't want your handlebars backwards....) we got started.  My first thought, that I foolishly expressed out loud, was that there isn't enough padding on the seat.  And thankfully from the side of the mountain we live on to the pumpkin patch is all down hill.

 These lovely ladies make bike riding look so easy, comfortable, and that women don't sweat they "glow".
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When I got off the bike at the pumpkin patch I felt a little wobbly but I was alright and made it... please don't case it up on me that I had only gone down hill.  I did pedal ... some.

 Nick with the trailer load of bikes.  He so graciously grilled a lunch and was the servant to all.
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I decided to head right back up to the house... to the stop sign was a small hill (must be one of the foothills of the giant mountain we live on).  Given the size of this hill I decided I had better walk my bike a while and save energy to make it up the mountainous region.

 See, now Kay was smiling on the trip. I figured biking riding must be a joyful experience.
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Pushing a bike up hill isn't quite as joyous but I made it to a level area where I could start pedaling again.... until I got to the mountain when I had to walk again.   

 The trailer-load of  bikes
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I began to re-think this idea of the Biking Family and the cute little baby/toddler bike trailer I was going to pull behind my bike.  I think it would be nice behind Aragorn's bike... or Galadriel's bike....

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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This part of the bike trip I could really relate to as I did the same thing when I got home, made a bee-line for the couch.

Aragorn had to water the pumpkins before he got back. When he got back he said he had made it all the way up the mountain to the driveway.  I'm sure it's because he's taller than I.  But he looked a little sore so I assured him I was sure it was the bikes, that if we had bought the $690 bike instead it would have been a breeze.  I'm sure it was the bikes... aren't you?  Thank you, I knew you'd see it my way.  At this point Galadriel came in and said if I thought that was a big hill I should try black hill road.  Isn't she funny?

I am still sitting on the couch and my fear is that my body will not straighten up... ever.