Bathing beauties...

After my two dirty weekend rides, heavy rain and lots of wind... I slightly scolded my duly betrothed about my filthy bike (as if it's his fault) and told him that the "belgians would think I'm a lazy cyclist" (and they would be right since I was demanding that he wash them -- but hey, I did my part in the kitchen). Last night, to shut me up and because mainly he, too, realized they were hanging their heads in shame... it was bath time. Three of them were pampered and spiffied up for Donaldson tonight..well, yes, only two of them will be ridden....but we couldn't exclude the Look... aint they pretty!

Book review...

Since I'm divorced, we spend our months, shuffling the moneysuckers back and forth every other weekend. Now that the chief moneysucker drives her own car, I have to shuffle less and less. When we first began dating, "he" put a humorous twist on the terminology "my weekend" which normally referred to "my weekend to have the kids". Instead, he coined it "his weekend" to have custody of me when I didn't have the kids. Now that we live together, we still relish when it's "his weekend". We love the kids, the chaotic, busy family life... but when it's HIS weekend we can play when we want, work when we want, ride when we want, eat when we want, sleep when we want and we do our best to suck these 48 hours dry.

One of the other things we can do is read when we want.... we're readers, the both of us. In fact, we still haven't found a permanent resting place for all the books.... when he moved in, my shelves were spilling over...and so his remain in boxes. I think books are perhaps the "forgotten" gear that every cyclist should own; afterall, after those long rides, when you ache and don't want to speak and don't want to stand, but sitting isn't so great either and you are tired, but don't want to sleep--the books are a comfort. The bed, the blankie, the pillow, the book. It works for us at least.

In anticipation of it being "his weekend" we geared up Friday with our customary trip to the book store. We headed home with 3 new reads in tow: a Euro cycling mag (they're the best), a book he chose that he's not so fond of, and my pick, "Bicycle Love", pictured above. It's a compilation of short stories, written by individual entries submitted to a writing contest, all revolving around their love of the bike. It's an entertaining read...especially for after the ride. It's light, easy and has something for everyone, from the commuter...to the racer. I'll admit, a few of them even made me a bit weepy...like the last story in the book, "loving a cyclist".... all too familiar. You should check it out. It isn't going to be the best book you've ever read, but after Saturday's rainy few hours on the bike for me and yesterdays windy 40 miles.... it hit the spot.

Group rides...

I was forewarned by my duly betrothed that every “slack-jawed, MF” would want to give me advice, help and “training tips” whilst riding in groups. Apparently, the mere fact that I’m a girl, with girlie parts and pigtails and on a bicycle to boot makes me fair game for every man learning to ride a bike that wants to beat his fists on his chest and claim me as his “Jane” (who ever cared about an engagement ring anyway!). I “pish-poshed” this as he warned me….and I, was wrong.

This past Tuesday at Donaldson was only my 3rd group ride – ever and the biggest by far. My experience compelled me to post some notes for beginners:

1. Yes, every slack-jawed mother effer WILL want to give you “advice” – even if he can’t keep up with you, even if you ride better, faster and look more “pro”.

2. It won’t be enough that you are traveling in the middle of the pack and can’t help but notice EVERY rider’s hand signals to turn left “he” will say to you loudly, “we’re going to turn left up here!!”.

3. “He” will give you play by play of your OWN ride… “we’re going up a big hill” (NO SHIT), “we’re going to go back down a big hill” (really???? You mean we won’t just go up and up and up forever????)

4. When all “tips” fail to impress you…. The feeble attempts at humor will come next…
“That’s a really tall bike you are riding!” (It’s a wee bitty 43 cm)

Oh, the drudgery of being a “girl”…. and people wonder why we girls often take refuge in “bitchdom”.

Dispelling myths...

See -- I HAVE actually started riding :) "Us" at Donaldson talking to Ron (Go Tri's Mechanic) before the ride. Rob's first time at Donaldson this year and my first time riding Donaldson -- ever. I wasn't dropped, 'nuff said.

Happy Tuesday...

We started the day early representing for GoTri Sports at the Caine Halter YMCA Open Doors fundraiser. Go Tri Sports sponsored a bicycle to raise funds for this event and so with only a teeny bit of strong arming from Al and Hal we donned our kits bright and early to ride the “bike” at the Y. My duly betrothed took the 5:00 a.m. shift and I took the 5:30 a.m. one. This is an event where local businesses and organizations sponsor a spin bike. Today, from 5:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. someone will ride the bike for the sponsor. It looks like Go Tri will have a great turn out; almost all of their time slots were filled and Hal was gearing up to take over as I stepped down. It was a nice, easy spin before Donaldson tonight, while supporting a good cause and drumming up some positive publicity for Go Tri Sports and the Go Tri Sports Race Team – ‘twas a nice way to start the day.

Feeding frenzy...

“We” have discovered that in order to train and live and recover, the moneysuckers must be kept fat and happy at all times lest they become circling vultures. If you think this sounds simple, you should try feeding a 16, 14, 12, 10 and 8 year old three squares a day, with snacks and drinks in between, whilst maintaining your own nutrition and training (full time job and other duties aside). You would soon realize that from the time you get up in the morning, until even after you are in bed at night, there is always just one more kid that wants “just one more drink” or “snack”.

I know many people think they have a strenuous feeding schedule, what with planning proper nutrition, etc. for themselves. I’m here to tell you, until you have done this for seven – save it. Especially, when 5 of the 7 have an “x” and “y” chromosome. After trial and error, we think we’ve finally got this science down. Our feeding frenzy actually begins on Saturday with our trip to the store. We used to try to do the store trip and the cooking on Sundays, but alas, one must sleep occasionally. The cooking starts Sunday… and while I work on a meal for the present day, he works on multiple ones for the upcoming week. This involves meatballs, and Mexican dishes and chickens and usually cookies and on and on it goes. Finally, refrigerator and dishwasher full, we collapse in bed about 11, but sleep with the sweet satisfaction that we are guaranteed at least another 7 days of uninterrupted training.

Good bye Old Man Winter!

Spring appears to be on its way so before it is fully here, I thought I should post a picture of our one “big snow” this year. I hate snow, in fact, the only way you can get me out in it, is to lure me with kisses! It worked...

“We” decided to do a triathlon in May in Hilton Head, just for kicks. We also plan to drag some moneysuckers with us to make it a mini-vacation. His cycling toes don’t smile sweetly upon running these days, so he will swim and bike and I will finish out the race as his runner doing it relay style, just the two of us. Last night I dusted off the running shoes, grabbed some teenagers who are prepping their figures for prom and off we went, starting at the Y, down the Swamp Rabbit trail, through the park, under McDaniel, looped back over, back to the Y. Short and sweet…no aches today, so ‘twas easy enough. Rode Tuesday, will ride tonight, will perhaps run tomorrow morning, will ride Sunday… training is getting back to consistent and all is well in MY world…

Commitment...

With the dreaded five step-children, I’m throwing in the garage/bike shop/man cave/refuge from children for “free” (HA!). He is going to commit to love, honor, cherish and as he loves to say, “hang by the neck until dead”. I’m committing to parking my car in the elements, so that the herd can be protected….I tell you, the cross I carry… This is why we have missed training, sleep, fun in general for multiple weeks now. Framing into concrete, building walls, numerous trips to home depot, painting, etc. etc. and here it is in all it’s splendor…

Update...

This one is for you John… working, helping move boxes, tired, haven’t ridden since Saturday. Which brings me to my current predicament….

I rode, in the sunshine Saturday, for literally only an hour and a half and already have stark white hands, stark white upper body…. Darker arms…. ‘tis truly going to be a BIG problem in a strapless dress for my wedding in October. I really, really need a strapless jersey! I feel sure I could find one in Copenhagen. Or perhaps I’ll spend all summer riding like this…

Training....

The week has been hectic and getting more so as days tick by. This week was our “big” snow, it was pretty for five minutes, then I hated it. I am a sunshiny southern gal, after all. I long for hot, sweaty, South Carolina days. Due to the weather, there was no racing this past weekend for “the team”. Instead, we rolled up our sleeves and worked again on the garage, it must house the fleet of bicycles and various other “things” when we say “I do”.

Most people have a list of “to do’s” before getting married, but I think ours is extra tiring and expensive (sigh). The ceiling in the garage is now in and I have the sore arms and shoulders from the overhead “holding” to prove it. It went in well and quickly and I’m constantly reminded with each new feat we accomplish that “we” are the perfect pair. Not only do we laugh together, play together, cook together, train together, but we also work and build together.

Training has been relatively light since last week due to our other obligations. Luckily, for me, my training plan is simple these days… do whatever “he” says. Maybe someday, I’ll have to rebel and shake things up a bit. I like to think that we “may” have different riding styles, if there is such a thing. He can “easily” crank out the 80-100 miles any given weekend, while I would like to think that maybe I’ll crank out some intervals and sprints here and there!

I’m so new to cycling, that I freely admit that I’m talking out of my ass; however, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that like running, cycling also has different genres…. the long distance patient souls and the immediate gratification sprinters. I hope to fall into the latter category… yeah yeah yeah, I know I’ll still have to put in the miles and “be there” at the end to sprint, but I must admit, I’ll be horribly disappointed if I can’t hone sprinting skills on the bike. In running, in other sports, in life, in fact in my entire way of thinking, I have always been a sprinter. I loathe the long, tedious, steady and crave the fast, heart pounding, veins popping, I’m done and was faster than you feeling! Like the man on the right, I want to be built for speed, not distance. I’m a freak, yes and ignorant, at that – but hey, a girl can dream, can’t she?!