Blog #9: I can't be a serious cyclist because I won't wear Spandex

Writing 24 blogs in 24 hours is tougher than I thought.

Outside the sun is shining. People are running miles, riding bikes, having fun. I'm sitting in front of the computer writing mini-columns. Makes me better appreciate the multitude of columns Bob Raiford writes for WRFX every day.

Paul Newman ate 50 eggs in Cool Hand Luke. Joey Chestnut, whom I have met, ate 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes on July 4. Those are stars right there. They inspire me.

I didn't want to cheat and prepare a bunch of blogs in advance so I didn't prepare any. I woke up this morning at 4:30 a.m. and thought about all the things I have to do this week and was too wired to sleep so I went downstairs and wrote my itinerary on a dry-erase board and answered email, most about my dog and about Vinny -- one word -- the quarterback.

I left the house only once today. Otherwise, I'm living the life of a guy who stays in all day and reveals his innermost thoughts in a message and sends it to a messge board.

Save me.

Your competitive eaters move around a little as they eat and I think that's what I need to do. I can walk to the mailbox, pick up the mail, get a little sun, burn a few calories.

Yup, life is pretty exciting. Maybe the Charlotte 49ers golf team has a match.

I'd like to jump on my bike. I found a dirt trail near the house that leads into a wide field and then hills and trees. I love it. To discover something new at my age -- I'm new to cycling -- is a thrill.

And I don't limp for the next two days, which happens when I run. Serious cyclists, even the men, seem to wear brightly colored Spandex. Therefore I will never be a serious cyclist.

One problem: If I crash my bike, I could be on the ground for awhile since the area is remote. And I'll have to crawl back to my house on my hands and knees, and disdain treatment and even water to submit blog No. 10.

A friend of mine emailed to say, "You have to work ALL day." He was incredulous.

It is weird.

Comments

[jj]

Tom... you don't really need to wear spandex if you are cycling off road.. they make shorts/long pants with the manhood protector cushion now... go the bike shop at park road... once you get comfortable you can one day wear the spandex for spin class or on the road 9once you are comfortable with the program)...and if need be a long(er) shirt to cover your man areas...