If you've been following my escapades, you'll remember that I a bought a used bike at a thrift store a few weeks ago, complained about the saddle hurting my tooshie, and then slagged off riding in favor of the vehicle hit with a thousand ugly sticks, my Pontiac Aztek.

But this week is Spokane Bike to Work Week, I live in Spokane, today is Monday of Spokane Bike to Work week, and by golly, I was going to ride. And so I did.

No pancakes for me

This morning the there was a big pancake breakfast at Riverfront Park to kick off the week. I did not attend. As much as I love pancakes, I don't love pancakes enough to haul my heinie out of bed to ride my bike to the park at 7am. Cupcakes, maybe, but not pancakes.

There are all sorts of activities this week, like the "Commute of the Century" thing put on by the fat cats at the City, but who has time to go on a 3-6 mile group bike ride at noon AND stop to have a tasty sammich next door? Thankfully, they have an honor system so I can still take the tour if I want to. Nick Deshais posted the routes earlier: Your guide to this week's Bike to Work events.

I registered for Wednesday's event, which is a loop around Gonzaga, so we'll see how peckish I am around that time.

Update on the buttocks

As I walked past the security desk this morning, I was welcomed to a "how's the butt feel with your new seat?" to which I should have replied, "super duper" but I instead answered "heh, it's getting better" as I hit the elevator. (Note to the awesome security guys whose names I forget: If you're reading this, Hi.)
 
I am happy to report that my new saddle has minimized the amount of discomfort, but more than the saddle, it's more about getting accustomed to riding around with my heroically-proportioned weight supported by a piece of foam-covered plastic wedged firmly between my <redacted>. So I've got that going for me, which is nice.

I wonder what the pros who ride in the Tour de France feel about their relationship with their bicycle saddle?

The distance

The 5 mile ride from home to work is getting much easier as my legs and my body get used to riding again. I'm not huffing and puffing as much, and my legs don't want to lock up on me, and I'm able to appreciate the route a bit more. Luckily for me the ride has mostly downhill areas and not many parts that go uphill. Because, you know what they say about stuff rolling downhill. It's... easier. And stuff.

Moving on, I do have one complaint. In a car, you never notice the red lights at the bottom of a hill, but how is it possible that they ALWAYS TURN RED just as I make it to the bottom? So frustrating. I want to coast, man!

I'll see if I hit all the lights tomorrow, if I do I'll submit a FOIA request to the city to see if someone has it out for me and my bike riding enjoyment.