My new hobby

It seems I have a habit of collecting hobbies like a normal person collects stamps (and yes one of my hobbies used to be collecting stamps). Last year I picked up 3 new hobbies-belly dancing, running, and kayaking. I no longer belly dance, but I intend to start classes again within the next year. I still love to run and kayak and intend to run some races this year and get in lots of kayaking as well.

I have been trying to get in shape again since I have been in hibernation all winter. I have been doing lots of running, but you can only run every other day unless you have a penchant for pain, so I have had to pick up a cross training activity for the days I can't run. Today I decided on a whim to get out my dusty bike and go for a ride. Besides a few isolated excursions, I haven't ridden a bike since I was a kid.

Now North Carolina has it's downsides, namely copious amounts of rednecks, but one thing that can be said for NC is they believe in parks and recreation. I've been to some other states and noticed a huge lack of parks and recreation areas. I was reading an interesting article in Newsweek recently that stated that the state you live in to a large extent influences whether you are overweight. States that don't spend much money on parks and recreation have much higher rates of obesity, duh. I am really lucky to be within quick driving distance of many parks and recreation areas.

I am beyond thrilled because there has been a movement in North Carolina in the past few years to build “greenways.” In case you don't know what a greenway is, it is simply a paved network of paths where people can walk, run, bike, and skate. There are greenways in a lot of local towns, but my favorite is in a town that is a 15 minute drive from my house. It is absolutely unbelievable (to me anyway). There are around 10 miles of paved trails, with more being worked on as I write this. There are also 15 miles of unpaved trails. Before this greenway was built, I had to drive 45 minutes to find a trail in the woods to run. I think that running on a track or down the street is sooooo boring.

Anyway, back to my story. I got out my bike and went for a ride at the greenway. The paths are through the woods or around green grassy fields and flowing creeks. The smell of cut grass is everywhere, which I love. One of the things I like best is there are enough people there to where I'm not afraid of being mugged, but not so many I can't move. I went by myself and loved it so much that I rode 40 miles! I know that because I have a mini computer attached to my bike that shows speed and distance. It is pretty cool. There is a magnet on the wheel and this little gadget gauges stats by counting how many times the magnet comes in contact with the device.

When I go to the greenway again (probably today), I am going to bring my camera and take some pics and maybe post them here.

Here is a picture of me in my cycling gear. Looking at it now, with my soccer jersey and gang-like bandana (I'm not in a gang-it's just a cleverly disguised sweat rag, heh heh), I had a completely random thought. What gang would I start if I were to start a gang?

We would be called the White Chicks. This would be our gang sign:

Notice the W and backwards C, lol! We wouldn't be involved in selling drugs like other gangs. Our business would be selling counterfeit designer high fashion handbags. Now that is some hardcore shit there! And we wouldn't drive krunk mobiles with hydraulics either. We would roll up in our badass Cooper Minis, because that's how we roll.

But I digress...whoa do I ever digress. How the hell did I start out talking about a bike ride and end up talking about gangs? Ok, where was I? I have no idea. I think it's best I stop writing now...