Welcome to what may well develop into the most incredible adventure of your life.
It seems to me that you’re asking about how to get started from the perspective of the equipment – the bike, the shoes, the shorts, the jersey, the helmet, etc.
For the amount of money you have to work with, you should be very happy with the bike and accessories you’re able to buy.
I suggest visiting nearby shops and asking around. Look for evidence that the salespeople are lifestyle cyclists. They won’t steer you wrong; in fact, they’ll probably feel personally invested in getting you off to a good start.
Once you’re out on the road on your brand new wheels, keep in mind that although an athlete of your caliber doesn’t have to develop exquisite technique in order to reach impressive performance levels, when you refine raw talent with finesse, you can reach really extraordinary levels.
A famous koan, or learning challenge, given by a zen master to a student, is “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”
Here’s a meditation, in the spirit of this zen koan, to help you develop the finesse mindset:
“What is the feel of a perfect pedal circle?”
Ian Jackson
breathplay.com
