So this is a conversation that happened a handful of years ago, when Niles and I first moved in with each other. I was seriously astonished when he called me “athletic.” No one in my life had ever used that word to describe me before. At first I thought, how have I moved in with someone who clearly knows so little about me? It took me a few moments to realize he was right, that he knew me better than I knew myself, at least in this case. And it is stupid, utterly stupid, to think that a person who’s overweight can’t be athletic, and yet here I was, about to go on a 50 mile bike ride, and still absolutely believing that lie.
It was a GREAT ride, by the way. The path goes through forest preserves, past fields of horses, through the Skokie lagoons. I’ve been wanting to do it again, but I’m reluctant to do a ride that long alone (just in case something happens to me or my bike), and it’s hard to coordinate schedules with people. Anyone up for a bike ride? :) Especially now that the weather’s finally cooling off?
Also, here’s a photo of my awesome bike helmet, which I decorated myself. It was very much inspired by rstevens’ pixel skull shirt. The “pixels” are made out of reflective tape, too, so it’s also utilitarian. Drawback: It also forces me to behave when I’m on my bike, since it’s distinctive enough to be recognized. Ah well, you take the good, you take the bad…
you take em all and there you have the facts of life… the facts of life.
Haha, I love this one. Self-perception is a bitch! I would love to go on a bike ride, but I don’t think I am quite ready for 50 miles. I have a book of shorter trails near Chicago, perhaps we can do one of those? I think I am up for maybe 20 miles, if you’d be willing : ) Some of them are drive-to, but that way we could get out of the city. I hear there are trees in large clusters elsewhere.
KIM YES absolutely, 20 miles is a good place to start actually. I am not sure I’m in shape to just pick up and do the 50 mile one again. :)
Brian has been talking about getting bikes and a little baby trailer. I haven’t ridden a bike with hand-brakes since I was… oh… 22? I was on it for 5 minutes and ran into a ditch. God, help me.
I love this comic. I had a friend tell me “I know I don’t look athletic, but I really am.” How exactly are you supposed to “look” athletic? I never knew there was a look for that!