It was a cool spring Sunday morning in early March 2004. I had some time to
kill when my wife Maya had some things to do in the Reservoir area. I had a
free hour and I remembered that my friend (Jim Lee) from work had mentioned
about Jim Snider and his Ridesouth bike shop near the Spillway. So I called
Jim and asked him if I could come over to the shop to check out bikes.
Always enthusiastic and helpful, he showed me several recumbent bikes.
Initially I was wondering if I could ever ride strange-looking bikes like
these. After a couple of test rides I felt confident enough. Then the
question was, would I ride one often enough to make a purchase worthwhile or
would it sit in my home or garage gathering dust like several exercise
machines of yore! Not being sure, I splurged on a starter recumbent. The
following month I rode a 10 mile JMC ride in Flora, and felt quite pleased
with myself. After some training rides, I actually rode the MS 150 that
fall, without having to SAG!! I couldn't believe it. Our family also made
several trips to the LongLeaf Trace. My son Jay (age 9 then)soon got his own
kids road bike and we have been regularly doing the MS 150 and many other
rides since then. Recently I got a lighter, faster RANS F5 and I love it.
The attached pix show Jay & me in 2004 and then in 2008. He has grown since
then. And I have lost a few pounds. I am thankful I visited Ridesouth that
cool spring Sunday morning, because my life definitely has changed for the
better because of it - I am much healthier. I am very grateful to Jim Snider
and RideSouth for enabling this lifestyle change.

Deepak Rao (& Jay Rao)