So, today I went over to the vet’s office to pick up a refill of insulin for Niko. The office isn’t even half a kilometer away. I was on my bike, waiting at a red light, when I tried to remove my left foot prematurely from the clips. The foot got stuck in there… and I knew it was misbehaving even as I was riding away from the house… so down I went. I keeled over right in front of a stopped truck and a lineup of other vehicles waiting at the red. I got up, chuckled to myself, fixed the straps, smiled my embarassment at people in their cars having yuks at my expense.

I got to the vet, and as I waited for the vet assistant to get Niko’s insulin, I checked my damage. I had scraped and bloodied up my left knee, though it looked worse than it felt. I asked the vet assistant if she had any “human first aid”… she had a bandage and gave me some paper towels to clean up in the bathroom, but surprisingly no “human” antibacterial stuff. Come to think of it, I may not have any here either. I got home half an hour ago, gave Niko his shot, and tidied up the front porch a bit. The blood is soaking through this cheap plastic band-aid now so I guess I should take care of my flesh wounds.

I love wearing cycling gloves, by the way. Not only do they look hardcore, I’ve been in two falls this week and haven’t fucked up my hands yet.

There’s a guy at work who’s pretty experienced at mountain biking and all that fun stuff. Last year, he arranged group rides with co-worker, which was pretty neat, but as I had obligations to main tank Karazhan at the time, I had not been able to take advantage of the group rides. This year, I’m determined to make it out more.

Today was the first time we got to ride. I wasn’t sure that we’d be able to because it was grey and overcast all day. However, the threats of rain were all empty and promptly after work, a group of us went out and took the trails around 12 Mile Creek and up the escarpment around Brock University.

Ok, this is the first time I’ve done any single track riding, and for the first time out those trails were challenging. Climbing up Hydro Hill was brutal but that was all just energy. For me, going downhill with rocks and tree roots, across narrow makeshift bridges was probably the most extreme thing I’ve done in my life. That’s sad, I know, but I’m learning. Of course, a lot of those steeper hills, I walked down, but it didn’t help that I was bonking closer to the end of the ride.

Would I do it again? I’m already signed up for next week, and yes I’d do those same trails again. In time, I’ll have more confidence with the downhills. The big thing for me was trying it out, getting out and catching some pretty scenery, particularly along the escarpment, and even some wildlife, like the doe we saw on the stone dust trail heading home.

My red faithful kept up nicely with the big kids at least. I love my bike.

There’s a big bowl of spaghetti with veggie meatballs waiting for me now. Yum!

Ok, maybe I’m not. Today, after staying a little late at work again, I took off on my trusty bike to Petsmart so Thaddeus could eat tonight. Thaddeus is my oldest kitty, though he’s still pretty active and likes to express his dominance around the place. However, he’s stubbornly refusing to join the canned kitty food contingent of Niko and Aya. So, yesterday I ran out of the kibble and attempted to feed him some Whiska’s pouched tuna. He took a few nibbles and decided he wasn’t that into it. No doubt, Niko ate the rest.

Anyway.. i wasn’t able to get to Petsmart yesterday because I was at work until about 10pm. Today, I was determined to get there, because no one likes to see their kitty go hungry, and Petsmart is the only place close to me that has the crap that Thaddeus will eat. It was raining when I got in that morning, so I was wise enough to bring an extra change of clothes and wear my brand new Mark’s Work Warehouse rubber rain boots, which also look stylin’ might I add. The boots were an awesome idea. My pants and jacket were soaked, my socks were not.

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