OUCH

Well, it is a beautiful bike, that is for sure.  But the previous owner took off the handlebar tape!  Now I had never noticed the importance of this little feature, but after just riding a 2.5hr round trip ride to my new internship in Waltham, I really get it.

There were a variety of issues with this ride.

1. No handlebar tape.  My palms feel a little like they were smashed and all the bones have spread out.
2. The seat is definitely male.  Double ouch.
3. I converted it to a fixie yesterday.  That means awkwardly backward pedaling to stop (thank god there is a front brake still) and SO MUCH ENERGY on the hills.  I haven't gotten the hang of standing and pedaling on this baby yet.
4. I'm not use to pedal cages and for now can only get 1 foot in, probably because I'm too busy trying to ride this fixie.  Hopefully it will click in a week or 2 and I can start avoiding the "does she know how to ride a bike??" looks.

So, for now I shall cease riding the new Fuji until I get some handlebar tape.  And I'm waiting on that until I am sure the previous owner won't be returning to claim this beauty.