the wheels go round and round...

I had my second doctor appointment today and she advised that technically I am "ahead of schedule". I don't know what that means but I decided to retire my knee brace last week and got back behind the wheel over the weekend. I can walk slowly without limping and I'm able to bend it almost as much as my other knee.

It still aches and sometimes stairs can be harder to maneuver than I would think but every single day it feels better and better. We made another appointment a month from now and I asked her flat out when I would be able to think about skateboarding again. Unfortunately she answered in such a way that made me think it will not be this summer which is probably going to be harder on Davey than me. She did suggest I consider bike riding while Davey cruises on the longboards.

I know NOTHING about bicycles. I know how to run and I can give any beginner my best advise on how to become a runner. I can explain how to snowboard, skateboard, doodle and knit but bike riding is foreign to me. It is something I did as a kid and something I have to do at physical therapy....and that bike is stationary.

My times riding an actual 10 speed as an adult, I remember it hurt my butt. I remember thinking I had completely stripped and ruined the gears and I wondered who can teach me how and when to shift?!? I remember thinking that if I had a flat tire miles from home, it would suck huge a**.

I know of some people who love bike riding. To be quite blunt, I fear it. Am I just fearing the unknown? How do I get to know it? I guess I could go pester someone at a reputable bike shop in Portland but which one? Who do I talk to? What are my long term goals? What goals CAN I have? What are my options?

Is there a book?
Maybe someone has a beginner bike blog...