Learning curve is steep for summer cycling

Cycling on one of the many bike trails in Massachusetts offers a chance to take in summer scenery while getting exercise.Last week, my girlfriend Laura and I went for a ride on the Province Lands Trail in Provincetown, at the tip of Cape Cod. We rented a pair of Cannondales, with helmets, from the helpful folks at Gale Force Bikes.My cycling skills had grown a little rusty, but last year, Laura spotted a mountain bike at a yard sale and it became my birthday gift. Due to the New England winter, I did not have time to take it out until a few months ago, with Laura having me make turns in a parking lot.Fast-forward to the streets of P-Town, and the trails of the Cape Cod National Seashore. We walked our bikes along Moors Road toward the trails, but Laura soon got on her bike and I, somewhat hesitantly, followed suit.As we approached the trail to the Herring Cove Beach parking lot, I felt a little more relaxed. That?s because I started singing: “Pump Jack” by Toby Keith and the McDonald?s “Gimme-That-Filet-of-Fish” commercial (a favorite of the Item news desk). Thanks to this motivational technique, I was even developing a little rhythm (cycling, not singing) on the downhills. I was working on “Obladi Oblada” en route to the beach parking lot.Once we took the path at the trailhead, the challenges increased. Not too far into this section, I swerved into some shrubbery and the handlebars fell over my leg as I took a tumble. Laura encouraged me to get back on the bike.Later, I would look at a map of the trail and notice that about one mile of the portion we had taken in this early going was marked as “Areas of caution and steep hills.” No wonder it felt so difficult!Going uphill actually felt manageable … perhaps the Lynn Woods Summer Cross Country runs helped. “Steel Tower, Steel Tower,” I chanted as I pedaled up one hill that felt like the infamous Woods climb. In the end, the hill got me; I had to walk up the last one-third of the way.It was the downhills that petrified me. Standing atop a summit and seeing the trail snaking all the way down made me abandon any thoughts of getting on that bike. This must be what the Alps feel like on the Tour de France.As we pedaled through the Beech Forest, the trails got flatter and I rediscovered some poise, even riding a gentle downhill. I had learned to shift gears, which helped, and felt more comfortable using the brake. There was some extra motivation to pedal: The mosquitoes had found us.After about three miles in, we couldn?t stay on the trail due to posted signs about unfavorable conditions. So we more or less walked our bikes back to Gale Force … roughly three more miles, with hilly sections and a trip across Route 6. I did ride a few more times during the trip back.Cape Cod, and Provincetown in particular, is a beautiful place for summer cycling. In P-Town you get rolling dunes with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. However, the hills are a test. In multiple places signs warned of difficult sections. We had to watch for mosquitoes and ticks … even a muskrat lurking by a pond.Still, I look forward to visiting those dunes again … riding more, walking less.