Cycling is a pain in the ass

First, let me start by saying, simply, that my butt hurts.

Now, let me explain that, over the years, I've tried various types of fitness-related activity: running, weight training, racquetball, volleyball. Never cycling, though. Not that I didn't have any interest - I just always found reasons not to. It was usually a three-tiered mental progresion:

1. I don't have a bike; followed closely by
2. Bikes are expensive; which led me to
3. How many months out of the year could I expect to use a bike in Texas, anyway?

My practical, thrifty alter-ego just wouldn't give me the go-ahead (where's that person when I'm considering computer equipment, anyway?). But, what can I say? People change. So, when Rachelle recently expressed interest in buying a bike and getting into cycling, I thought "why the hell not?" I figure that half the battle in trying something new is finding someone (or some people) to enjoy it with. And, in that regard, I've already got a head start. So the calculus of the equation was slightly altered, and the practical, thrifty alter-ego finally lost the argument.

So this weekend we marched over to a local bike shop. And, after a brief four hours of browsing, hounding salespeople, and test riding a half-dozen models, walked out with a couple of shiny new bikes and the assorted accoutrements.

A few miscellaneous thoughts on the experience:

1. My butt hurts. It hurt a little bit after the test ride. It hurt more after our maiden voyage yesterday. They say this is normal, and should get better over time. I say, why the hell didn't the practical, thrifty twit in my head mention that little factoid before?
   
2. We had a great time riding yesterday. It was an incredibly beautiful, perfect day for it. Didn't want to push it too hard, so we just rode for an hour. Then, we went to the movies. Don't want to get too much nature, ya know?
   
3. I found it ironic that, even though Rachelle was the major impetus behind this endeavor, the staff at the bike shop seemed to think it was all my doing. Case in point: we each bought the same model, but they only had one in stock. Guess whose bike is on order? I'm not sure how that happened, exactly. They did fix her up with a loaner, so I guess it's not that big a deal.
   
4. Cycling has lots of cool accoutrements. Tools and toys and gear and equipment. Not quite as much as camping, but then, it's more expensive. Btw, have you noticed I like saying the word "accoutrements?"
5. Ok, truth be told, my butt doesn't hurt at all. But Rachelle's does (or so she told me), and I wanted her to feel better, so don't mention this part, ok?