So here I am, staring 50 in the face, minding my own business when it happens. My mom got sick. So I went home to help her (she is 79 years old) and between everything else, all I could think about was.... I've got to get in shape! I'm looking at my future and that's not what I want!

So, by the time I got home, I had made a resolution to get in shape. Don't get me wrong, I didn't think I was in "bad" shape, but the last few years have taken their toll. I am at the very upper limit of my "healthy" weight. I work way too many hours. I hadn't seen the inside of a gym in heaven only knows how long. And when I come home from work the most activity I was habitually engaging in was talking to friends on the phone. Oh, and then there is the whole diet fiasco! Eat healthy? Great idea, but who has time?

So, my first step was off to find a gym. I joined Lifetime Fitness. Great place! If you have one locally, check it out. They have absolutely everything you could possibly want.

Then my special friend encouraged me to get a bike to ride with him. Well, OK. Exercise has to be fun for me to make it a habit and bike riding sounded fun enough. And it's always good to have someone to do these things with. Now, mind you, as I thought about it, I had not ridden a bike since I was.... well, 12 years old I think. That's about 38 years ago. Wow!

And, I remember I never really enjoyed riding a bike when I was a kid. I used to ride so hard I would get sick to my stomach. That may have been the tomboy in me, but I had some reservations about this whole bike thing.

So this is my bicycle adventure story so far! No, I'm not participating in the 2008 Ride the Rockies which is going on now. And I don't really have a goal to do it next year. But it is my story of encouragement for any other women (or men) out there who want to dive into something new and maybe don't know exactly where to start. Maybe you can learn from my story. And even if you don't learn anything, maybe you'll get a chuckle out of it! I'm laughing all the way to the bike path!

OK, so I mentioned my friend, right. He said, get a bike, let's ride. So, being the girl I am, I said, great! Will you help me find a bike? He said sure, just figure out what I want and he'll help.

Nice, huh? If I knew what I wanted, why would I need help? So, alright, off I go.

The next weekend I was at Sports Authority and they had their bikes on sale. So, I'm looking at them and realized.... I didn't know a thing about bikes. They had comfort bikes, and trail bikes and hybrid bikes. They had kids bikes and women's bikes and men's bikes. They had 13" bikes and 15" bikes and 17" bikes. And no one there over the age of 16 who could answer my questions. OK. So I didn't buy a bike that day!

I went home and did what I always do when I need information.... I logged on to the internet. Off to wikipedia I go! This is what they said:

"A subclass of the hybrid category is the comfort bike. Some manufacturers define their bicycles as "hybrid" if they have 700C size wheels, and as "comfort" if they have the smaller 26-inch wheels. For other manufacturers, the difference is more one of marketing focus than specification, but such features as front suspension forks, seat post suspension and angle-adjustable stems are generally provided on both the hybrid and comfort bicycles to enhance the comfort of the rider. Hub gears may be used instead of derailleur gears."

Huh?

And they went on:

"A hybrid bicycle is a bicycle designed for use on roads and bike paths, combining in highly variable degree features of a road bicycle and a mountain bicycle. A recent innovation, the hybrid bicycle retains the features of mountain bicycles which have made them accessible and popular while making them more suitable for urban use.

A mountain bike or mountain bicycle (abbreviated MTB or ATB (All Terrain Bicycle)) is a bicycle designed for mountain biking, either on dirt trails or other unpaved environments. In contrast, road bicycles are not designed for such rugged terrain.

Mountain bikes have wide, knobby tires for extra traction and shock absorption. In recent years, front wheel suspension has become the norm and full front and rear suspension is becoming increasingly common. Some mountain bikes are also fitted with bar ends on the handlebars, but with the increase in popularity of riser handlebars (as opposed to a flat straight handlebar) fewer riders use bar end extensions. The bikes normally have 26 in (559 mm) wheels, but since 2002 some models have been available with 29 in (622 mm) wheels, which is the same diameter most commonly used for road bikes (also known as 700c). Some dirt jumping bikes also have 24in wheels. (The name given to a rim diameter in inches is different from the rim's actual size.)

A road bicycle is a bicycle designed for use primarily on paved roads, as opposed to off-road terrain. Sometimes the term is used as a synonym for the more specific term racing bicycle. In general road bicycles have drop handlebars and multiple gears, although there are single and fixed gear varieties."

Helpful, huh? Well, I wasn't sure I wanted to ride on the street too much and I didn't think I wanted to ride on a mountain. So that pretty much leaves some sort of a "hybrid." I guess...

Then there is the size thing. 13", 15" 17" what does that mean? Well, I haven't really figured that one out yet. I asked at the bike store and they told me it was the measurement of.... something.... But I do know the smaller the number the smaller the rider!

OK, so now I'm armed with a little bit more information. So, I decided to find some bikes on line and go to a bike store to ask more stupid questions!

So, I found Trek's home page and their prices looked good to me. I also discovered they have bikes specifically built for women called their Women Specific Design (WSD) bikes. That also sounded like a good idea to me. One thing I knew for sure is that I wanted a bike that fit my body size. Anything that might make biking easier, would cause me to want to do it more. The last thing I wanted to do was purchase a bike and just let it sit in my garage.

OK, so I have a plan. I have some bike models that look interesting. I have the phone number of a local dealer. So, I called! They told me they have the models in stock, so I could come and look at them anytime. And, oh by the way, they could "fit" me to find out what size is best for me.

What? Fit me? Does that mean I have to ride a bike at the bike store? Are they going to take me out to the parking lot and watch my form? Oh no! I can't do that! Remember, I haven't ridden in bike in 38 years! What if I fall? What if I wreck their bike? What if I just plain look foolish? Oh, I don't think so!

OK, so time to rethink this strategy...

So, Memorial weekend came and I still didn't have a bike. My progress so far had taken about a month. But still no results. And the more I thought about it, the more scared I got! Riding a bike sounds great in theory. But where do you ride? I don't want to ride anywhere near a car! I have this vision of just falling right over in front of a car tire and having my head run over! (OK, maybe my imagination is a little bit over active....)

So, Frank and I went to Breckenridge for the Memorial Day weekend. What a beautiful weekend in the mountains. Bright, sunny days, snow still hanging out on the slopes (although the ski season was over).

Frank, being the active guy he is decided we should rent bikes. I had already pretty much chickened out on the whole thing, so I wasn't exactly jumping up and down with excitement! But, off we go to the bike rental store!

As it turns out, Breckenridge has a wonderful, paved bike trail. It runs along the Blue River and basically goes all the way to Frisco.

So, bike we did! I learned that I could still ride a bike. I guess it's true. you never forget! I managed not to fall and hurt myself or embarrass myself. I learned how to use the gears and I remembered how to brake. And off we went on our merry way.

It was great! At least going out. We rode most of the way and it was easy! Then we turned around and headed back to town. Uh oh! An uphill ride.... Did I mention I hadn't ridden in 38 years? Did I mention I was not (am not!) in great shape? Well, just in case I missed those points, it bears mentioning.

I thought I was going to die! We didn't have the forethought to take water with us. So it was very thirsty. My legs were on fire! I couldn't get enough oxygen. I am used to the lack of oxygen in Denver, where I live, but there is even less in Breckenridge! We rode and we rode and we rode. The wind was blowing and it was hard! I had to beg for several breaks. I didn't think I was going to make it back!

Finally, we did make it back alive! But just barely!

Now this part of the story might sound like a disaster. But, in fact, I was triumphant! I rode a bike! I didn't fall! I learned about the gears! And I survived about a 15 mile ride with no oxygen! Riding in Denver was going to be a piece of cake!

OK, so we come back to Denver and I'm ready to get a bike! I'm not afraid of those scary bike shop people anymore. I'm ready to ride!

I finally make it to the bike store where they told me they had the three bikes in stock that I was interested in.

But guess what.... they didn't have a single Trek Women Specific Design bike.

Are you kidding me? What happened? Who knows...

So I had this little boy sales person "helping" me. I tried to find out what they had in a women's specific design bike. I told him, I'm not convinced I need a Trek, show me a different brand. Show me anything!

Well, about all he wanted to show me was a man's Trek. I think he just wanted to sell me something they had in stock. But, I was sold in my heart on a bike built for a woman. So, I asked the obvious question. Can I order one?

Sure! It should take a "couple of weeks" to come in. Great! I can wait a couple of weeks. So I placed my order and put the entire price on my credit card. But wait.... once the little boy logged onto the computer he realizes it might take a little longer than "a couple of week." How long is that, I ask? Sometime in June, he answers. But June starts next week, I observed. Don't expect it early in the month. But that's OK, because I can use that time to decide what accessories I want, advises the little sales boy.

What? Accessories? How do I know what I need? Do I need more than a helmet? What do they even have? How do I know what I need. Great.... more research... Not much help to be had at that store.

But did I mention he did fit me? I am 5'3" tall and according to this highly bike educated little boy, a 15" bike should fit me. Just a point of reference if you're shopping for a bike.

But, OK, I can be patient. At least I think I can be patient

So, two weeks into my wait, I'm getting pretty anxious. No bike yet, and Bike to Work Day (June 25) is fast approaching.

So, I start checking a few other bike shops out on the Internet one Thursday evening. I find another local bike shop that has several stores in the area including one in Boulder where they are going to be holding a big warehouse clearance sale beginning the next day at noon. Well Boulder isn't that far away.

Friday morning I call and ask what kind of bikes are going to be at their clearance sale. Well, they didn't know exactly because the salesman I was talking to had not had the opportunity to go over and check out what they had. So, I asked a few more questions, and the salesman, Michael, told me to come on up and stop at the shop first and he could help me understand the different kinds of bikes and fit me.

Cool! A salesman who will actually talk to me! I'm already excited and hang up the phone to start planning my trip to Boulder. How soon could I finish up at work and hit the road! Then I start wondering.... what if they had the bike I had ordered?

I called back. They have it! I can come right up and they will have it ready for me to go! Yeah! I'm getting my bike!

So, I practically fly up the road to Boulder and see my bike for the first time. My perfect, shiny, Trek 7.2 FX WSD. All mine. All beautiful. All ready for me to ride!

I had taken the time during the last two weeks to think about accessories (as advised by the knowledgeable little boy). And I talked to people at work who biked to find out what I really did need. I had figured out (since I'm such a biker rocket scientist kinda gal) that I needed a helmet and I needed a water bottle cage. Also, a cable, lock thing. A friend at work recommended getting a little computer to track distance. And a basic repair kit. I picked up all those things with the exception of the repair kit. I know I need it, but I think I can wait. After all, I won't be going too far too soon.

One of the other ladies at work recommended I get a pair of biker shorts. Well, have you seen those? My immediate reaction was, I don't have a biker butt; I'm not wearing those lycra things! But she gave me a really good, useful tidbit of info regarding the biker shorts - they have padding in strategically located places. Ooooooohhhhh! Now I see the value! I haven't bought them yet. But they are on my list of necessary bike accessories.

I still needed to cancel my order at the other bike shop. No problem. They were surprised that I put the whole purchase price on my credit card. I was surprised they were surprised! The little helper boy didn't give me an option! But anyway, they gladly refunded my credit. After all, the bike was back-ordered. And, oh by the way, it wasn't going to be in before September.

What? What happened to June? Oh, well, the 2008 model year run was complete and they wouldn't be producing more bikes until the 2009 model year. Well, why didn't anyone tell me that? Why can no one at this store answer simple questions like that? Amazing!

But, alls well that ends well! I got my bike and I'm ready to ride!

Did I mention that I am terrified of cars? I think that's actually a very wise fear.

Fortunately, I live in Colorado and there are many bike trails. There are also many bike lanes on roads. It's a very healthy state. Almost everyone rides so there are many places to ride for just about every skill level. You just have to figure out where is best for you.

I have always been one of those motorists who really didn't like bicyclists on the road. But I suspect that should be a different article considering my recent change of heart.

So I am very unsure of my riding abilities (or disabilities, as the case may be!), and I want to find a place that is off the road, paved, and preferably not too crowded with other cyclists and runners.

The Cherry Creek Trails and the Highline Canal strike me as being pretty busy. I hear people talking about them all the time. So that's not really where I want to take my maiden bicycle voyage.

My goal is to eventually be able to ride to work which is about a 9 mile ride each way. So I got to talking about my dilemma with one of they guys I worked with on another contract and he told me about the bike path around the Aurora Reservoir. It's about an 8.5 mile paved path around the reservoir. I've been to that Reservoir and it does not seem to be that crowded. Plus, it's only about four miles from my house! Bonus!!!! Dale told me that when I'm able to ride around the lake three times, I'll be ready to ride to work.

Seems like three times around the lake is overkill! But I consider Dale an expert cyclist. He's been riding to work for the seven years I have known him. So, if three times around the lake is the measure of "readiness" to ride to work, so be it! I have a goal, cool!

Well, I have a friend, Pam, who has a bike and wants to get into riding, too. So, last Saturday we packed up our stuff and went to the Reservoir. Yeah! Finally, I get to ride my pretty bike!

If you haven't been fitted properly for a bike lately, and you're considering getting a bike, you should know that a properly fitted bike doesn't mean that you can sit on the seat and put your feet flat on the ground! In fact, when I am on the seat, the tips of my toes barely touch the ground. So this "fit" really does not give me the confidence that I can stop the bike, get off the bike, and not fall down doing it!

I felt very much as though I was not in control of the bike, and knew it was going to be a short matter of time before I fell. So, I accomplished that very quickly! We were riding down the sidewalk to get to the walkway to get to the bike path. It was on a hill, I had to stop, and I fell right over! Once again, I consider that a triumph! If I had to fall, that was the place. I fell in the grass when I was not going fast. It was a little embarrassing, but hey! That's biking, right?

After that, Pam figured I need a few lessons! So, she showed me how to stop without falling. Basically, she showed me how to brake and pretty much come to a complete stop before trying to put my foot down. For some reason, I felt I had to put my foot down earlier. Don't do that! Pam's technique works much, much better! It doesn't hurt at all!

We then set off on our journey. I learned my bike. I learned the gears. I learned the brakes. (And of course I learned to stop!) We went one complete trip around the reservoir and had a great time. We chatted the whole time. There weren't many people there for me to terrorize with my lack of bike control. It was just generally a perfect trip.

Then, being the girls we are we went to Olive Garden for soup and salad and then went shopping at Ross.

It was a great day!

So now you have suffered through my story. My hope is that if you are like me and want to take on a new challenge, you don't get scared off. I persevered at several points where I might have given up, and am having a great time riding around the reservoir! I haven't made it three times around yet, and am not in a big hurry. I'm still gaining confidence on my bike and in my developing skills and want to be very confident before I ride to work and brave the traffic.

But here are the things I think I learned:

First of all, you're not too old to do this. I thought I might be, and I was very intimidated. But I'm doing it, so you can, too.

There are a lot of really helpful, nice bikers. If you run into a sales boy like I did at the first store who isn't forthcoming helping you, either ask for a different sales person or go to another store. If they want your business, they should provide you the service you need. Even if you don't really know what you're looking for.

Do your research on your bike. If you are on a budget, it might take longer to find what you want, but get the best quality bike for your budget you can get. It will be lighter, will perform better, and you will be happier. Even if it means buying a used bike. You will probably be happier with a used, higher quality bike, than a less expensive lower end bike.

Find someone or a group of someones to ride with. It's a lot more fun to have someone to chat with. It also keeps you motivated. Like any other workout routine, you're more likely to stick with it if you feel like you are letting someone else down if you bale!

Start slow. You don't have to Ride the Rockies or even ride to work your first trip on your bike. Learn to be comfortable on your bike before you start pushing your limits.

Don't get the pedal/shoe clip things. If you don't know what I'm talking about, trust me, you aren't experienced enough to need or want them!

Be smart, Be safe. And have fun! (And don't forget those biker shorts!)