Excuses

The Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred is coming up at the end of the month. I sure need to be getting ready for it, but I have 100 excuses why not to ride. I am the queen of procrastination. First, our driveway is about a quarter mile long and it is gravel. It will grab your skinny tires and throw you down. Second, our two outside dogs will follow you down the driveway and out onto the road unless you put them in the house. Both of these problems can be overcome by putting your bike in the truck and driving down the driveway to the paved road. The dogs will not follow the truck and the gravel will not be a problem.

Toby and I talked about his leaving the truck for me, but he forgot and drove it to work today. I figured it was all his fault – he was my excuse. It turned out he left my bike in the barn, too. I would have to walk out there and lift those heavy doors to get my bike. Of course, I could take my old mountain bike. I could make it down the driveway on the gravel without wrecking the bike or ruining a tire. It is not fun, but it can be done. But my mountain bike is over 20 years old. The gears are slipping. It is much harder to ride than my new sleek, road bike. I could put the dogs in the house and take the mountain bike. I could put the dogs in the house and walk my road bike to the pavement. I could sit on my bottom and eat bonbons. I could…I could give in and just ride.

Outcome:
I put the dogs in the house knowing that they would get on my clean comforter and sleep in the bed. I took out my old mountain bike and rode it down to the pavement. With the gears slipping and catching at odd times, I rode about seven miles. It was a good workout and I needed to do it. I need a pat on the back.