Come on along for the ride!

Since this is my first post, I guess the first thing to do is try to explain the name--"Padded Shorts". If you've been in a bicycle shop lately, you've probably noticed that clothing manufacturers make padded cycling shorts. Does that make you feel better about getting back in the saddle? These shorts (and tights, for that matter) are designed to save our delicate tushes from the ravages of the road.

And did I mention that the shorts are lycra? Form fitting and flattering to one and all. Sold in a wide range of colors--as long as your first, second and third choices are black. So that's the style part of it. Because, we'’re all about style (especially if we’'re not about speed). The other side of the handlebar is a nod to the literary aspect of a blog. "Shorts", as in short stories; "Padded"--well, that's my literary license! I am a cyclist, and I ride as often as I can, but I really don't consider myself "serious". I ride for fun, for transportation, for health--I will even ride for ice cream. How serious can you be holding a double scoop of rocky road in a sugar cone?

If you're a serious rider, you can get caught up in cadence, miles per hour, watts per calorie and all kinds of other technical details. Don'’t get me wrong--—these are the folks for whom spandex was created. Their dedication to fitness drives the manufacturers to constantly make better products for people like me and you.

I wear padded shorts, Coolmax jerseys and clipless shoes, but I also cycle in street clothes and tennis shoes. My bicycle is a 10-year-old Cannondale, a purple touring model with fenders, a trunk rack, a bell and both head and tail lights. My helmet is a woman-specific, lightweight, purple-haze Giro. There are more cycling socks than anything else in my wardrobe--my newest is the red-and-black "Evil Queen" pair (thanks, Leigh).

So why the blog? Well, I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences in cycling— with fellow riders and with fellows in general. It seems to me that just about everyone in America learns how to ride a bike, but somewhere along the line we forget just how much fun it is! I still remember the day I gave up my training wheels for two wheels (and true freedom), and one of my fondest memories is the Christmas morning when Santa brought us all new bikes!

I live and do most of my riding in suburban Atlanta. Gwinnett County, to be specific. I live close enough to where I work so that I can commute by bicycle (are you listening, Chamber of Commerce?) —and so I always have a front-row parking spot. My weekend rides are better, of course. I ride for coffee and bagels, or to the mall for shopping and a movie (more front-row parking!), and I have a trailer for grocery shopping. I'’ve cycled in multi-day rides all over the state of Georgia and done short trips on greenway trails. I ride on the Silver Comet and I ride on Sugarloaf Parkway. You may have seen me.

And so I hope you'’ll come back and read my stories. My plan is to have a weekly update—--and my plan is to have entertaining stories. I'’ll be heading to NYC this weekend for a bicycle tour (www.bikethebigapple.com) of the Christo Exhibit in Central Park--"“the Gates"”. I'’ve already checked the weather--—long underwear will be required. I'’ll have a story and pictures from the ride to share, so get a cup of cocoa and come back next week. Be Safe; Share the Road. Gonecycling.