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December 26, 2004
slug(gish) velo-ing 
me, on xmas
Since I learned of Slug Velo, Portland's mellow-paced group ride, I've wanted to participate. Their monthly rides are usually on Saturday—and I invariably have obligations on Saturdays. But today was December's Boxing Day Digestive, and it was perfect weather—hazy, cool, overcast.
My right knee has been bothering me a lot. Partially out of laziness, and partially out of fear, I haven't been walking. And as I started to ride this morning, I started questioning the wisdom of cycling when my knee was really really hurting.
I first needed to swing by the credit union before I'd head to the Rose Quarter and by the time I was almost to the credit union, I was almost in tears. What was I thinking, doing this ride? I hurt. And I'm slow. They aren't going to want to ride with someone this slow. Those slight inclines will kill me!
on the Steel pedestrian bridge
I got to RQ with one minute to spare. And saw no one with bikes. Then, after a minute, a guy rode up with his son on a tag-along and asked if I was there for the ride. And then a woman rode up with her daughter, the daughter on a purple bike with pink rims, who said, 'I think we're meeting down at the Esplanade'. 'If nothing else, we can go on our own slug velo,' said the guy.
Of course, immediately after that, we found the group.
Betty, the bike riding dog
We rode down and across the Hawthorne bridge, then, into town, and then Northwest. After an hour, we stopped at a st@rbucks for kaffee und kuchen and lots of talk. While I had feared group dynamics, etc, etc, people were friendly, and the official last person rode with me, and we chatted about all sorts of things -- his Bike Friday, my bike, the weather, cars. When we left from the coffeeshop, I was able to stay up with the front pack. Wuuhoo!
People were friendly. People were normal. There were parents with kids, couples with their in-laws. Some wore jeans, normal pants, while others wore bike gear. There was one dog with a spectacular sweater. Some had fancy bikes—others didn't. It was great. I am so glad I went.
Posted at December 26, 2004
Comments
I'm glad you went, too. Group riding is lots of fun and it's important to find a group that doesn't intimidate you. Hope your knee feels better!
Posted by: Megan at December 27, 2004 6:16 AM
Sounds like a fun group to ride with. Good crosstraining too. Ya gotta wonder if everyone else had similar doubts about riding with the group. Good job pushing through that and going anyway. And that dog is so funny! :)
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at December 27, 2004 7:12 AM
Sounds like a fun ride, and you got a great picture. Congratulations for making yourself stick it out, and for having fun as a reward!
Have you considered doing more strength work for your knee? I have/had knee issues, and I find that if the muscles are strong then they go away, but if they get weaker through not being used (or whatever) that my knee problems return.
Posted by: Richard at December 27, 2004 7:34 AM
Nice ride, and great pics! Sounds like a great way to bike and meet people in a nice setting. Congratulations and good luck in the coming new year!
Posted by: Marshall at December 27, 2004 11:03 AM
I have had similar hesitations before...and I'm always glad when I just DO it. Oh god, I sound like a nike commercial. Well, it sounds like a fun ride and great people to get to know:)
Posted by: susan at December 27, 2004 12:07 PM