I was looking forward to beginning my new life as a cyclist today (with, admittedly, a modest ride) when my friend Doug Tidd brought over the bike he is loaning me. But upon arriving, he was highly dismayed to see that one of the tires had gone flat. So he good-naturedly set off for home, to repair the problem ... but, given the early waning daylight at this time of year, it meant that a safe ride was not possible for today, so I'll have to wait. But he did bring me my bicycle helmet, which was in his possession - and helped me adjust the problematic strap so it would fit my oversized head ... and also, I stopped at the nearby biking equipment store and picked up a pair of reflective leg straps to hold my pants legs in place and keep them from getting caught in the chain. So, little by little, step by step.