No matter how much it pains me, this blog is about to delve into the dark, embarrassing annals of my past. Normally I wouldn't spend very long focusing on a time so entrenched in Cool Ranch Doritos and reruns of the People's Court, but it's become apparent that before Sad Tan© goes any farther we need to look at where we've been.
I have to make one thing perfectly clear: two years ago (almost to the day) I knew nothing about cycling. NOTHING. I hadn't even been on a bike since the age of nine. I participated in some high school team sports, but then I went to college and my favorite activity quickly became seeing how many pizza rolls I could eat in one sitting.*
I was overweight, unhappy, and completely inert.
Which raises a good point. Those who ride, for commuting and/or sport are not a different species. We are not doing anything that you can't do. We made the effort to map a route, we woke up early, and we rode. That is it. The truth of the matter is that we all had to start somewhere and often that somewhere was not particularly pretty.
And yet... I do understand the trepidation many would-be beginners feel. I remember all too well that I couldn't run because my shins hurt. I couldn't ride to work because traffic was scary. I couldn't go to the gym because it was boring and smelled sour. Excuse after excuse filled my brain and stalled my action and it took months... years, really to fully comprehend that they were just excuses. Maybe I rationalized that if I didn't ever try I wouldn't ever fail. But I was wrong. If you want to change something about your life you have to just change it. That's it. That simple. No excuses. Here, let me say it again, this time in italics:
If you want to change something about your life... just change it.
It may not be easy or even pain free. Hell, have I mentioned that I got hit by a car last week? But if I can do it, anyone can. Which is both the miracle and the inspiration behind Sad Tan:
Anyone can.
*Answer: Many
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