my single speed

1974 Schwinn LeTour (click for full pic).

Not a hot-shot bike by any stretch of the imagination but she's true and reliable.

I need to install the pedals with cages R gave me, as well as wrap the handlebars with some comfy tape.

Peebs is checkin' out R's fixed gear on the left of the picture.

My books and other fun things in the background.

Wee!

LIVESTRONG ARTICLE: GETTIN' LOW

Full Article Here (with illustrated exercise routines)

One of the first signs of aging-related weakness and performance decline, whether on a bike, on skates, or in running shoes, is a tendency to straighten up—to “cheat up” a bit while accelerating or moving at prime speed. What’s more, staying low can mean staying young: It’s a veritable prevent defense for key bones and joints.

Whether you’re a runner or cyclist (or even an elliptical fan at the gym), adding speedskating or in-line skating workouts to your regimen can be both fun and a tonic for your lower body.

The trick is to build your base, stay low and stable, and work out more intently within your comfort zone.
The payoff: You’ll keep your quads, glutes, and core muscles fit, supple, and strong, when they otherwise might go soft with age or in winter.

“Anything you can do while in the skating [low] position will help with your endurance or fitness,” says Derek Parra, coach of the 2010 U.S. Winter Olympics long track speedskating team.
“You can be very strong in a weight room, you can be a strong runner, or you can be very physically fit in all those areas. But the ones who are strong in that skating position [or tuck position, as in skiing] are those who are the best in competition.”

Full Article Here (with illustrated exercise routines)

Before we Begin...a brief history.

So here I am, close-approaching 28 and beginning on a very personal endeavour: exercise.

It's a big deal to me. Reason being, I was never the sport kid. I didn't jump at the chance to include myself in sports or exercise. I'd much rather have joined an art class or picked up a new musical hobby,etc.
In a word, sat on my ass & did nothing to improve my health.
    I've also had a full-time office job since I've graduated high school. The lazy bum habit has been my lifestyle for way too long.

Now to present-day, and it seems like it all comes together all at once:
-Partner-in-crime buys me a single speed road bike. I tell my boss (a very dedicated cyclist) that I'm riding now, and he kicks me down a few goodies to help me along my way (clip-in pedals and hardware and a really nice Mavic front wheel).
-Joined roller derby, which is currently kicking my ass.
-Partner-in-crime is a former soccer player and very much into running/fitness and nutrition.
He is also a strong and positive force who gives me the support, knowledge and comraderie in this quest for a healthy lifestyle.

So, there's a feel of where I was then, and where I'm at now. This is about my quest to finally show my body the attention it deserves, and how it responds to the punishment it is starved for, hehe.

This blog is for my benefit but I hope it will be a helpful resource for you as well.