The weather has not exactly been cooperative here in Quincy. It has stopped snowing, and I watch the melting shift the landscape of my yard and commute daily pretty much. But there is still sand and ice around.

I went out last weekend though for a sort of test run, clad in spandex and a tad chilly to start out. How tricky could it be? A bike is a bike is bike. Well sort of.

New consideration #1 bike shorts. Oh I get it. But these are girls shorts (no crossdressing for me here). I didnt notice the pink edging on the lettering on the website I ordered them from. I dont own any spandex shorts at all, and no trousers with lettering down the side. And no pink stuff.

2 toe clips. Those “free” pedals were of the toe clip variety. I dont have bike shoes, so I just sort of shoved off trying to stuff my feet into the clips. So I had to stop and adjust straps and the clips. I didnt want to fall right away. Since I was feeling a little silly in the spandex suit in my neighborhood anyway, I was anxious to get moving.

The gears were no problem and I got up the steepest hill on Houghs Neck without a lot of trouble, but I was thinking this whole test ride that this spidery thin bicycle was not all that fast. I was attributing this to the 40 mph gusts to be honest and decided to quit while I was ahead. I cut the ride home a little short, as I was pretty cold, & considering purchasing tights of all things. (But what do you do with them? Put them under the padded shorts? I am unclear on the wardrobe thing)

Once I got home and started to put the bike away, I noticed that the front brake shoe was rubbing the tire rim ever so slightly. I adjust the seating of the front wheel on the axle and voila! The wheel spun freely. Good grief, it was like riding with the brakes on. Guess I am in better shape than I thought.