a couple months ago my "comfort" townie type bike was stolen.  Oh I did love that bike but I had been talking about getting a road bike for awhile now and had decided to use my dietbet winnings ($581) to get one.  

I found the perfect affordable road bike on Craigslist, had it tuned up and then tricked him (it is a boy's bike) out. Bike rack with panniers.  Bright head lamp and blinking taillight.  New lock, water bottle, clip in pedals and shoes (haven't tried those yet), saddle pack, glow vest and ankle straps.  OH Performance Bike loved seeing me come in.  :-) Still had enough to buy my husband some new pedals & shoes and a good lock too so we could explore together.  Thank you DietBet! 

I went for some bike rides this weekend knowing I was going to have to break my butt in.  The comfort bike had a nice cushy seat and suspension seat post but the road bike...well you all have seen road bike seats, right?  

I also committed to start riding to work as many days a week that make sense (school days are too much commuting) and today was my first day.  

I sit here with a sore bottom and happy mind.  It was very interesting how much more in tune I felt riding home then driving or even riding my town bike.  I exchanged smiles with people on the sidewalk walking by or sitting on the bench waiting for the bus.  I was so much more aware of the cracks and ruts in the road.  I smelled the odors of the restuarants I passed as well as the not so nice odors coming from wherever those under the street smells come from.  

I felt that that I was truly in the NOW and felt that I finally had a reason to write a blog post.  I believe that if I continue with my biking I will lose some of that awareness as it becomes more normal but I hope I don't lose all of it.