So as we already established, Myrtle Beach half marathon was a total bust, thanks to mother nature. If nothing else, the lack of racing gave me a head start on the second mega event of my weekend: shopping for my first “big girl” bike.

The bike fitting was awesome. I started out feeling pretty uncomfortable on my bike, to feeling like I could ride all day. (well, other than the sore butt, but at as you can see from my butt imprinting on the left here, I was fit on the proper sized seat. Really didn’t expect that one, ha!)
But I do know that he or she still without a name is BE-A-U-TIFUL!
That night after the kids went to bed (these little hands are still WAY too fascinated by the shiny new toy mom brought home) Holly and Jim gave me another basic run down on clipping in and out, and shifting. Because the next morning, less than 24 hours after purchasing my bike, I was headed on my very first open road organized bike ride. The Michelob Ultra Bike Rides, a part of the Myrtle Beach Marathon weekend that wasn’t canceled.
dun dun dunnnnn!
I was so excited about my new bike that I didn’t have time to be nervous. It wasn’t until we were suited up and getting ready to ride, when I had my full blown panic attack. Holly brought me over to an empty parking lot near the starting line to practice riding/clipping in before the official ride. It was then I realized that clipping in and out while secured on a bike in a bike trainer is WAY easier than real life, hahaha. After a few deep breaths and reassuring words from Holly, I learned the art of the back peddle to get myself going and took off around the parking lot.
Finally feeling ready, we lined up at the back of the pack. And when I mean back, I mean I was the LAST person to go. I didn’t want any pressure. Oh, and did I mention the race started on a HILL?? Ok ok, to most of you that’s barely a blip in the radar, but it scared the crap out of me. Much to my surprise, just as Mary from GSB told me, riding this bike felt like riding a rocket ship compared to my clunky old Schwinn. I didn’t even feel the hill π
Seriously, I was almost as excited to finish this ride as I was when I finished my first marathon. I did it! And I am in LOVE with my new bike. I never imagine riding a bike could seem so effortless. Which of course means I need to go faster, but I’ll deal with those details as I gain some more experience, haha.
I also didn’t fall. I do realize that this means I’m bound to eat pavement any day now, and I’m not a “true cyclist” until I fall once or twice (or so I’ve been told). If it’s any consolation, on the way back, I clipped out with my right foot at the railroad tracks and tried to put my left foot down, haha. I almost ate it, but quickly recovered. I’m thankful for all that time I spent pretending to be an Olympic Figure Skater wearing socks on the kitchen floor growing up. Triple axles I have not, but it sure gave me some decent balance.
So yeah, watch out Lance. Momma’s got a brand new bike, and I’m coming for you and that crazy VO2 max. Ok maybe not, but we couldn’t pass up the photo op!
I registered for the CCU triathlon April 18th. It’s getting more official by the day.
Swim, bike, and RUN STRONG my friends!
Jen
At first, I thought is said, “My first bike crash”. I kept reading and reading… waiting for it and when you wrote: I didn’t fall… I had to start over. LOL!
Glad you love it. I will be getting mine soon.
Dion
I had butterflies just reading about your first ride! Congrats!
Kirsten
Ooh, I love the Allez…that’s a speedy bike!
I’ve been riding all this Winter with my bike on the trainer (aka Nowhere Bike), but I’m kinda nervous about Spring…I haven’t had to think about coming to a stop and remembering to unclip, so I have a feeling I will be forced to remember when I eat asphalt.
:p
What kind of shoes, saddle, and pedals did you end up with? I’m curious about the Specialized saddles. I hear some good things about them.
MCM Mama
Woohoo! You are really on your way to the tri! Congrats on the new bike.
Aimee (I Tri To Be Me)
Yeah…you got a new bike! Congrats! Before I got my tri bike I had a Specialized and I absolutely loved it! It’s such a great bike.
Marny
Congrats on the sweet bike!
Jocelyn
Congrats on your new baby! It is so nice!
Irene
Awesome new bike!
I love that pic with Lance. π You need to poster-size that one for your house.
Velma
nice bike!!! You will fall, but it is almost nice to get it over. Can’t wait for the first tri report.
BTW, could you let me know when you send the package? I am so worried that someone stole it off my front porch – I am paranoid like that.
Star Rockers
Awesome! I am definitely jealous.
Michelle
Congrats on the new bike! Yippee! Love the photo op with Lance!
Molly
love all the photos, especially the one at the end! Hav fun!!
Tri Mommy
WHOO HOO! Awesome! Enjoy the ride…
Tracey Kite
Yippee!! Awesome bike and glad your first ride went so well. way to go Heather!
Anne Marie
So funny, b/c just like commenter Jen, I thought it said ‘crash’ instead of crush.
aw…so cute;-) and you already have clipless pedals. jeesh! you go girl.
you are soooo ready for a sprint;-)
Megan
Oh man, you’re clipping in&out. You’re way braver than I am. Santa brought me my first bike since I was a kid. And I’m too scared still to clip in. I just use the standard cage style that came with the bike.
Specialized! Nice! I was looking at an Allez but I got an amazing deal on a closeout Giant Avail. I had to jump on it. Good luck! Have fun!
Jaime
sweet ride!
i’m impressed that you haven’t fallen.
i fell the first time i rode my road bike… hubs and i came to a stop and we both forgot to unclip. good thing it was just a practice ride throughout the neighborhood!
Shanna
This is AWESOME! Love the bike AND the story!!
Lisa
WoooHooo! Yay for bike love…
Katie A.
I’m with Jen – I thought you said crash, too and was waiting the whole tim! LOL!
Congrats on the new bike – you are one brave woman after seeing all those alwful pics on Steve in a Speedo’s page!
Good luck!!
Jess
Very pur-ty!
sideofsneakers.com
I love love love your new bike!! How exciting!! Yay for the triathlon coming up in April!
jamie @ sweatyhugs
This is awesome! Congrats on your new ride.
Paula Nilges
Great post! Sweet bike. You will have to let us know when she has an official name. Love the picture with you and my future hubby Lance! LOL Happy riding! Told ya you would feel fast!!!
misszippy
You are one brave chica to make your first ride a group ride like that! Hats off.
Mel-2nd Chances
Whoohoo! Congrats on the new wheels, and I’m so excited about following your training for a triathlon!!! Awesome!
joe-runfordom
This comment has been removed by the author.
joerunfordom
Heather – YAY! So happy for you. Great stuff! I have really liked using cycling for cross training during this marathon training period. Loving my new bike as well! The clipping in and out does definitely get easier with time (Only been cycling myself since December) – but I still have a few brain freeze moments (have not laid her down yet).
Trish
Pretty π Congrats!!
NeptuneGirl
Specialized Bikes Rock!
onebadrunner
Congrats!
That looks amazing.
As soon as I saw your bike I thought “Slim” you must name her “Slm”.
ps – totally jealous
Kelly's runner
Heather,
Glad you love your new addition to the family.
We bought Laura her first real road bike for Christmas this year. She has a Cannondale that she loves and is looking to venture into doing Triathalons.
Love the picture of you and Lance!
Have fun and be safe.
Twincerely,Olga
so cool!!! and beautiful!!! That is going to be my next purchase~How cool to ride with all those peeps!!Thanks for sharing everything!!!
prashant
I had butterflies just reading about your first ride! Congrats!
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