Riding Like a "Real" Triathlete. Sorta.

For years, my biking skills have been limited to the following:

Number 1:

Number 2:

This being the year of my Olympic! Distance! Triathlon!(!) I decided to get serious about my biking.

I started by working on my handling skills. It really only took two parking lot sessions to get comfortable with figure eights and riding with one my right hand.

And then I decided to get my original road bike out of the attic. The one that I thought was too big.

Perfect!

I took her out and worked on drinking while riding.

But I had one big thing left to tackle.

That you "clip into". So, how are they clipLESS?

On my first every clipped in ride so far,  it has taken me a good mile to get my left foot secured.  But clipping in is so much easier than clipping out. That may or may not have to do with the fact that my instinct is to clip out first on one side, but my instinct is also to put down my other foot when I stop.

And I fall. Usually ending up with a bruised keister.  And ego.

One day I got a helpful tip:

I have fallen 4 more times.

So I will keep practicing and hope that I will be race ready in 6 weeks. For the race I haven't signed up for yet.

In the meantime, if anyone can explain the clip/clipless pedal deal, I will be eternally grateful!

*I know I said I would try out some of your tips on my post about being exhausted but well, I haven't had the energy to do it yet. 

UPCOMING POSTS: YOGA WITH CHILDREN, SWIMMING DRILLS, RUNNING

"What Exactly are You *Doing* in the Sauna?" and Other Locker Room Questions

Hey there! I know I've been barely blogging and I've really missed you guys! I hope you'll forgive me, because I have stories to tell!

Ok, here we go!

A couple of months ago I started going to the gym again, mostly for the pool. I usually swim, then hit the sauna, shower, get dressed, and head out on my merry way.

Now, I'm no expert, but my understanding of the sauna is that you sit in there to relax and enjoy the heat.

It would appear that I might be wrong though, because here are some of the things I have seen while in my gym sauna:

1. Loud conversations.

2. Texting.

3. Loud music.

4. Vigorous, and I mean vigorous, exercising.

My friend, Adrian, did point out that this girl could have been cutting weight for a fitness or bikini competition.

5. Vigorous...drying.

You know what's worse than avoiding eye contact with someone drying their privates? Accidentally looking down directly AT their privates.

Now let's talk about the showers:

Actually, I realized my issue with the showers is just that: my issue. If some ladies want to chit chat in their birthday suits with the shower curtains open, then more power to them.

Finally, let's discuss these puzzling behaviours in the changing area:

1. Spreading clothes, towels, etc.. across the entire bench.

2. Sitting right next to me as I'm getting dressed.

3. Eating.

Because nothing gets the appetite going like the smell of sweat.

How about you? 
1. What are some of the puzzling or downright annoying things you see in your gym locker room? 
2. Are you footloose and fancy-free about your nudity?
3. Gents? What goes on in the men's locker rooms?
4. Is it me? Maybe I just need to start yelling "Get off my lawn out of my locker room!"


UPCOMING POSTS: BIKING CLIPPED IN, CADENCE RUNNING