Took the bike for a spin.

Since my sport of choice is running, I have to remind myself to ride the bike.
Today I rode the bike. It was fun. I tried to be sure I rode it a mile. There are a few hills in the neighborhood and it was fun coasting down them and even driving up them.

2 miles . . .

Rode the bike for two miles. My old friend "knee pain" reappeared. I quit riding a stationary bike because of knee pain. My last job as a cashier also caused chronic knee pain.
Enjoyed the ride and road with the gears in 3, 7 and in that configuration there wasn't the clicking I had noticed when riding the other day in the other gear.
Practiced stopping and starting and making corners.

I bought some WD-40 to lubricate the bike. After reading some of the online reviews I decided to get some "made for bike" lubricant. I took the WD-40 back to Walmart! There were mixed reviews of the WD-40, but I decided the two dollas savings wasn't worth the possible risk.

Rode the Bike 1 mile

I enjoyed my very short bike ride. There is a sound of light metal striking meta. I don't know where the problem is with my bike but I need to find out very soon. It sounds like the pedals are striking something.

Practiced Riding Bike Today.

I practiced changing gears and braking for about 15 minutes. I enjoyed the riding and I am gaining confidence as I learn about the bike.

What! I have to use both bike brakes....

I read some more information from my bike manual. I've taken all the "don't fly over the handle bars" advice to heart and I'm afraid to use the front brake. Now, I at least, know about the gears and my next project will be to conquer the front brake.
I spent the first part of this very cloudy day clearing a path through my back yard. The distance won't be significant, but it will be long enough to practice gear changing and braking. I won't have to worry about cars and some inclines will be available. I'm going to buy a bicycle pump very soon. One of my major concerns as I clear the pathway is to be sure there's nothing there that will cause a flat tire. I'm not concerned with the roughness cause I figure that will make the path even more of an adequate training area. No, I'm not going make ramps to start sailing through the air or popping wheelies! My short term goal is to learn about the bike and begin to feel secure enough to drive the bike on some very easy off the road trails. The roads in my neighborhood are relatively safe for riding and I could get a couple of miles of asphalt practice easily. The biggest danger is the occasional dog and I think I'll arm myself with a spray bottle. There is a small patch of woods in my neighborhood that I've noticed a rider riding a motor bike of some kind. The space off the highway on the main road is fairly broad and I could go a long way using that route without having to be concerned about getting run over. Just a couple of miles from my house is a real biking trail. My long term biking goal is to feel secure enought to strap my bike to my car and go to that trail and ride my bike. At some point I'll make the trip a few times a week.