[PHOTO STORY 2] The training wheels to long bike rides

By Daisy-Grace Hooper

Jeff Wood ties his shoes to make sure he is ready to go biking. There are many key steps that Jeff implements to make sure he has a smooth ride.

Jeff puts his helmet on. “I would weather bike barefoot than not wear a helmet. It’s not safe to ride without one,” said Wood.

Wood secures the helmet to his head. Ensuring that the helmet will not come off if he were to fall off.

Wood walks his bike outside his apartment. He eventually takes it to the elevator so that he can get to the main floor to begin his ride.

Jeff walks out from the elevator and toward his car. Jeff cant quite start his ride just yet.

Jeff makes sure his bike is good to go but catches something. Just in case, he stops by his car where he has tools to check it out.

Jeff puts gear lube on the gears of his bike. In order to make sure his gears are smooth, Jeff puts lube on them.  “My gear broke last week and I had to get a new one so you can never be to cautious when it comes to this stuff.

Jeff takes to his bike and heads out to the path. Wood lives right next to North Augusta’s trail entitled The Greenway where cyclists and pedestrians alike can walk miles of trail and not worry about cars.

Wood Riding his bike. Wood suggests when on your first couple of bike rides, to get used to the seat because they virtually have no padding. This is why he wears bike pads.

Wood Zooming across the Greenway. This day for a Ike ride was hot and wood was worried he didnt bring enough water for the ride.

Wood 5 miles into his bike ride. “I think I can go for another five,”said Wood. It’s really hot but we’ll see.”

Wood continuing on his bike ride as he’s 8 miles in. Finding a hobby like bike riding can be boring but Wood finds ways of entertainment to keep his mind at bay like listening to podcasts or just thinking about life.

Wood turns onto the home stretch of the ride. Feelings of pride and exhaustion run through Woods mind when he thinks of the last few miles.

Wood celebrates his ride coming to an end. “I was so glad to be done but I love riding my bike,” said Wood.

Wood starts to lock in. He’s just 100 yards away from his apartment. 

Wood slowly coming to a stop- ending the ride for the day. “It was too hot. I honestly shouldn’t have gone on a bike ride,” said Wood.

Wood stopping and reeling in the ride he had for the day. “I feel more accomplished than I did an hour and a half ago,” said Wood.

Wood clicks the up button for the elevator. Because of the bike, Jeff has to take the elevator up to his apartment.

Wood takes his shoes off at the door of his apartment. According to Wood, this is the best feeling when you have accomplished your ride and get to take the shoes off.

Wood looking down to his watch to check his stats. Wood finished a 10 mile bike ride today.