For some reason, I’m not a huge fan of Tuesdays. What Monday is to most everyone else, Tuesday is to me.
So it should really have come as no surprise that Mr PugRunner chose yesterday, Tuesday, to approach me with this little gem.
“Why don’t we get you a bike?”
Say what, now?
Apparently, little man has a bike and Mr PugRunner has a bike, and what they think would be really special would be if MOMMY had a bike, so we could do family bike rides.
On the surface, that seems very lovely. Really.
But the thing is, I’m a bad bike rider.
I read so many triathlon training blogs and I’m sad because I would never survive the riding portion. I can swim for days and I can run, but there is no way I could manage that two-wheeled apparatus without taking a tumble. When I hear about other athletes struggling with swimming, I try to point them to duathlons, which would eliminate their trouble spot. However, duathlons tend to lean towards running and biking, not running and swimming.
And what I cannot do well is bike. I wobble. I swerve. I get anxious when anyone rides too close to me (defined as within 52 feet), and I absolutely panic if there are cars around (defined as anywhere in the immediate county). I’m surprisingly uncoordinated, which makes it difficult to do things like brake and not fall. I don’t even want to discuss the helmet, which I know will throw me off balance.
Also? Bike seats make my butt look fat. But that only counts for about 14% of my concerns.
I looked at Mr PugRunner and did what any rational partner would do in the face of conflict. I offered up a reasonable, alternative solution.
“Maybe we could get a horse instead?” I mean, really. You can ride a horse at the same pace as a bike. And horses are much cuter and more loving than bicycles. Everyone wins.
Inexplicably, this idea was shot down almost instantly, as were my follow up suggestions: A) an adult-sized bike trailer in which I could ride or B) a magical unicorn.
It’s like the man refuses to work with me.
Mr PugRunner went on to present some more arguments. Biking together would be a great family activity. It wouldn’t be expensive, because we could find a secondhand, barely used bike. Little man needs the extra bike time because that’s the only way he’s going to get rid of his training wheels.
All very valid.
I pointed out that we could do awesome family activities, like go to the children’s opera and take tours of historic things in the city, and that bike practice is such a great daddy-son thing. I think it goes without saying that you don’t get your bike-riding deficient wife anything that may have questionable brakes and/or that isn’t pink and glittery. Am I right?
Of course, none of the above moved him, because clearly Mr PugRunner hates culture and history and unicorns. And apparently, there are tons of great bikes on Craiglist and swap sites looking for new homes (presumably purchased by husbands for their non-bike-riding wives which were assembled, taken out for a test drive, and then parked to rust in the garage after someone rode too close within the 52 inch space bubble, causing hyperventilation and tears).
So we’re at an impasse.
I really want to have this so-called “family time” but I also like being free of road rash and broken bones. So there’s that. I don’t want to spend time scouring Craigslist and garage sales, on the hunt for the right used-but-barely-used bicycle. And I don’t want to make a fool of myself in front of my entire neighborhood when I lose control if a car happens to pull out several blocks away.
Maybe if I tie some wheels to a horse, Mr PugRunner won’t notice.
Any thoughts on how I’m going to do this?
Do you love or loathe biking?
Be honest. Should I just get the horse now and beg forgiveness later?
I’m with you on the tri. I can swim, I can ride, but my week point would be the bike. It’s not like I can’t ride a bike, I can. And I do have a bike, and I even have a bike trailer for Master M, but yeah bike riding is not really my thing. I still enjoy it in the leisurely way.
That being sad, getting a bike was a really positive thing. Kids love going for bike rides, and we have discovered the skate park, yes even I (shock horror) have biked on the skate park, and you know what I had a ball.
So get the bike, you’ll properly like it more once you get more confident on it.
Matilda recently posted…More Mantra
Wow! Biking at a skate park! You go, girl!
I have a feeling it’s going to happen. Hopefully practice makes perfect (or at least, decent), because I’ll be in for a world of hurt if not.
runswithpugs recently posted…the one about a bike
I’m with you on the bike anxiety. I break into a sweat of pure panic whenever a car or another bike is within 300 yards of me. However, as my kids get older I plan to give it another try. Maybe start out on some quiet bike baths during the week to avoid the weekend crowds or ride around the neighborhood. You’ll most likely become more comfortable and confident just like you have with your running!
We really only have the neighborhood. Anything else, we have to put the bikes in the car and drive. So then we would need a bike rack and who knows what else. See? This is getting very complicated.
runswithpugs recently posted…the one about a bike
Not a bike person either. Never a tori for me!
Team No Bike!
runswithpugs recently posted…the one about a bike
I’m not a bike person either but my compromise was buying an inexpensive one and a gel seat cover to make me comfy! I took it to the park with my fiancee and it was less stressful as there wasn’t as much traffic and no one around to see me falter 🙂
Karen @karenlovestorun recently posted…I Run This Body, I Choose Happiness, I Believe I Can Achieve
Do they make sparkly pink gel seat covers? That might be an incentive.
runswithpugs recently posted…the one about a bike
So, you know how I struggle with running.. However, I love love love my bike.. I haven’t been uncomfortable on it though. I can understand your fear.. my advice would be definitely get a bike.. take it to a mall when it’s closed… then you can really take your time to get used to it. I have truly enjoyed my biking time, especially with my husband.. my 3 boys have moved past hanging with their old mom and dad. SO GO FOR IT!!!!! Let me know how it goes. Kathy
LOL! I will definitely report back.
Bikes are fun! The boys love family bike rides- I’m sure A would too- You won’t fall off 🙂
Unicorns are fun, too! I have a feeling it’s only a matter of time. And I may not fall, but I have crashed, and will probably do so again. Sigh. It’s hard being uncoordinated.
I actually love biking, we ride our bikes around the neighborhood all the time. B has an awesome little one that attaches to the back of Adam’s bike – maybe that’s what you need 🙂
Seriously though, if you want to borrow mine to try it out and see if its worth spending the time and money on it, you’re more than welcome.
PS – Get the horse. It’s always better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Just don’t tell Mr. P that I told you that.
Kristin Smith @ A Mom on the Run recently posted…Five Things Friday
I’ve ridden Mr PugRunner’s, but i hate it. Maybe I need a tricycle. I don’t think little man would like it if we hooked him up to another bike. He can outride me, even with his training wheels (although I have seen what you have and it looks awesome).
Thanks for the validation. I’m going to start picking out horsey names.
runswithpugs recently posted…the one about a bike
I like bike riding, but don’t do it enough. I would totally go with the magical unicorn or the adult sized bike trailer. Then you could take an awesome nap.
Amanda @ There Are 2 Sides recently posted…Designer Whey Sustained Energy Review
Oh, naps would be heavenly! Great idea!
runswithpugs recently posted…the one about a bike
I don’t like riding on roads either, freaks me out. Luckily I have about 20 miles of trail right next to my house.
Oh and I am sure your butt looks great on a bike, I mean bike seat are so flattering;)
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Weekly Weigh In – Week 6
They’re awful! Which is probably why all serious bikers seem to stand and ride. We don’t have trails near me at all.
runswithpugs recently posted…the one about a bike
I like cycling but much prefer running. I was “forced” to like it even more when I first had my foot injury. But it really is fun to mix it up. Although the “cycling high” takes much, much longer to achieve than a runner’s high!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted…My 5 Favorite Running Books
My problem must be that I haven’t hit that high. I wonder how long it will take.