So what has kept me from riding? Aside from the obvious work problems, and the fact that I can't seem to get myself up early enough to do anything before work, I suppose there are a few unfounded anxieties I have dwelt on. For starters, I'm not very familiar with the area. Despite having lived here for over a year, I haven't really ventured more than a couple of miles in any direction from the familiar region surrounding my home and my work place. I've been on one ride up the peninsula with some friends, but I couldn't trust myself to remember the route. I haven't the courage to join one of the many biking clubs, since I can't be in very good relative shape at the moment.
Partially due to my first anxiety about riding unfamilliar territory is the problem of riding alone. The fact is that I know very few people who own a bike, like to ride their bike, and who are physically able to go thirty miles.
Regardless of my fears and anxieties and social ineptitude I finally went for a nice ride in a generally westward direction. West seemed to make sense because north and south are nothing but urban areas and freeways, while East very quickly would get me to the Bay. Yes, West was the right decision. And as it so happens I had only gone a few miles when I started to recognize roads from my previous peninsula excursion. Whiskey Creek Road caught my eye, I then ambled into Woodside and figured the other bikers knew where they were going, so I followed them up Canada Road and ended up at Crystal Springs resevoir. At this point I was feeling downright familiar with the whole area, though I have to admit that a mile to the east or west and I would have been completely lost. In any case, it is a nice enough ride that I think it will become a standard for me. That is, if I manage to start riding regularly...
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