Hi Friends & Fam,
It's been a while since I've posted and I fully admit I have been a total slacker with the bike riding. Going back to work full time really has worn me out and I was keeping up some ymca shifts, too so my time really has seemed to get away from me. I also was overwhelmed with a sense of guilt and fear about continuing my riding regimen solo and further widening the gap between my activity level and Rick's. The whole point of starting this whole adventure was so that we could have something to do
together.
So, Rick has still been recovering from his February leg injury (although we still think something is not quite right) and he's been talking more about how he would try riding again if only he had a
Terra Trike. We looked at them several months ago but decided that they were too expensive of an investment without knowing whether it would be a good match for him. He had not ridden again since the cemetery attempt back in April and I have been wanting so so so badly to get back to our bike riding, so I started looking on Craigslist for one. I found an ad for a used trike in Greenville, SC last week so I contacted the bike owner and asked if she'd hold it for a few days. Yesterday, at 5am, we set out on a long car tip to the small town of Traveler's Rest, SC to meet Andrea & Stan on the
Swamp Rabbit Trail to check out the trike.
We met A&S at a cool local
restaurant overlooking the trail that was converted from an old hardware store. They were the NICEST PEOPLE EVER and Stan was a total bike pro. They showed Rick how to use the bike and let him take it on the trail for a test drive. I brought my bike along too, so I could ride with him. He was totally in love.
Until we had to get it in the car. The frustration and disappointment began to build quickly as we realized we did not know how or even have the tools to get it apart so it would fit in Rick's little Ford focus. Luckily, A&S plus another couple they were with came to our rescue. They thew the bike in their suburban and escorted us a few miles into town to
TTR Bikes, a popular bike shop (right on another section of the Swamp Rabbit) that they knew could help us out. At TTR, they actually fitted Rick to his new bike so that the pedals and seat were at the proper length for his body and provided instructions on how to break it down and re-assemble it. They got it small enough to fit in the car for the trip home and we were so relieved! Everyone there was so nice and supportive. Andrea was so happy that Rick was getting her old bike and I got her email address so we could keep in touch with them. We grabbed some lunch at yet another awesome local spot,
Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery, because it was right beside TTR Bikes. Rick tried some
San Pellegrino Limonata for the first time and has a new favorite drink. Also, their homemade Oatberry Shortbread bars were to die for! After that, we headed back home. We were totally wiped out when we got back and proceeded to take some long naps.
This morning we went for our first real ride. The weather was PERFECT here. We took a loop around the neighborhood and also rode around the park. It was no easy task, but Rick totally kicked butt riding his new bike. He looked great sporting his new green bike shirt, too :) I was so proud of him and I am really looking forward to more rides together in the coming week. I also hope that we'll be able to make another trip to Greenville/Traveler's Rest to do a nice weekend ride on the Swamp Rabbit. Maybe in the fall. It was a very lovely place and I'd be so excited to go back there.
And now, some pics:
Bonus Video!!!
