HELL(cat) ON WHEELS

Happy New Year...

2010-12-30T16:38:00.002-05:00

I saw on "old" cycling friend at a Christmas Party in December and thought I would publicly answer her question, "where have you been?"

2010 was a busy year for me. Mostly, my time has been consumed with my job change in May. Gone were the days of having time to sit and blog. Along the way, I've discovered new things, new enjoyments and certainly new things about myself.

I won't continue to blog regularly about cycling, because frankly, I don't have the time or energy. I'm immersed in my job and enjoying every minute of ridding Greenville of crime. You can thank me later.

I also tired of the way my life was becoming one dimensional. I'm a multi-tasking girl. I love to dabble in my wide and varied interests. Simply put, I cannot devote ALL my time to riding a bike. Not to say, I don't love riding a bike, but life is full of children and sporting events and cooking at home and dinners out and coffee dates and music concerts in the living room and music concerts at many other venues and camping in the high country and dancing and building and tearing down and bathing my dog and making beeswax products and organic gardening and target shooting and savoring a good glass of wine and ballet classes and guitar lessons, I could go on and on, but MOST of these, I enjoy every bit as a good bike ride.

There is also the bum hip. One race, one high side, one crash, all in about 2 minutes and here I sit hundreds of dollars and months after physical therapy and massages and DIFFERENT running shoes in high hopes of "fixing" the torqued hip and excruciating pain and no cigar.

So--- putting it all in perspective, I'm back to well-rounded me and that means missing some rides, seeing some of you less and not updating this blog for months on end. Never fear -- just because YOU haven't seen me, doesn't mean I'm homebound... it means maybe you aren't traveling in all of my circles ; ) Best of luck to all in the New Year!

So you think you have endurance...

2010-08-11T14:11:00.002-04:00

Thought I would post a link to Go Tri Sports "12 Hours of Greenville". Quite simply, ride your bike for 6 hours and run for 6 hours and see how fit you are. The event is free and will showcase our local crazy talent on August 21, 2010.

http://www.gotrisports.com/gtspages/index.php?12-hours-of-greenville

Latest happenings...

2010-05-11T16:37:00.009-04:00

So, I'm thinking the general consensus is that we've disappeared from the face of the earth... we haven't been seen much in the cycling scene or out and about, etc. Not true -- so to prove it here are some of the latest pics of our "happenings". Camped a few weekends back with about 30 other kids, mostly 5th graders and some syblings... that was an adventure, for sure. Who says parenthood can't be a blast?! Enjoy!

What? You didn't realize "poker" is an outdoor sport?!

Encouraging thought....

2010-03-01T14:00:00.004-05:00

This morning, while driving back through the park after dropping off the oldest man child.... I had a very encouraging thought. In nine years, my youngest will be out of high school and in nine years I will still be younger than multitudes of people in Greenville, who can currently kick my ass on the bike. No, don't misunderstand....in nine years...I'll still be younger than they are now.

Granted, many riders are close to my age.... but many riders are also... closer to Rob's age...heh heh heh. So, as long as I maintain what little fitness I do have...hopefully, when the youngest has left the nest, I'll have many years and many miles left in my tootsies.

For some reason, that was a very sweet thought on a early Monday morning.

Happy New Year...

2010-02-03T13:30:00.001-05:00

It’s February and frankly, I’ve spent more time lately planning my family vacation in July than my cycling season. I’ve had an awakening, so to speak, during my winter hibernation. My grandmother died on my youngest son’s birthday in January…and with that event, came a great deal of pondering, soul searching and focus on what really matters on this earth.

I have a full life. I’m blessed with a husband that I adore, that knows me, that shares my passion for all things athletic, hand-crafted, musical and joins me in my disdain for football, hypocrites, laziness, entitlement, pandering, large SUV’s, dishonest business dealings, etc. I have 5 children each pulling at me for their own time, their own events, their own dreams. Of my five children, I have good athletes, a few good students, at least one artistic child, a dancer, a musician, several that love the water and at least two that I think would be excellent cyclists.

I’m too busy with life to ever be an excellent cyclist. Yeah, I said it. I keep meeting people that seem very one dimensional….perhaps fast, but one dimensional. For starters, I have a job…during the day time, when the sun is out and the roads are begging to be ridden. My day is divided into 6 minute segments, of which, I day in and day out must “bill”. If you talk to me on the phone for 3 minutes, I’m charging you for 6. If I type a letter for 7 minutes, I’m charging you for 12 and on and on and freaking on it goes. Whilst doing this, I mentally plan my menus for the week, think about training, budget, reconcile my bank account, think about my training, field phone calls from kids who want everything from an afternoon snack to a physical for their track team, think about training, calculate when I need to plant the spring grass, pay the water bill, and spend countless other minutes wondering which kid is where, doing what.

AHHHHHH…. All this “thinking about training” makes me tired and actually makes me think I devote too much of my energy, physical and mental often to training. SO – this year, Rob and I agree, we ride for “us”. We ride when we want, where we want and as fast as we want or in my case as slow as we want, much to the chagrin of animated Christmas dinner party guests that get dropped on the mountains. Yes, I actually spent a Christmas party being reprimanded for my husband’s transgressions of “attacking” on a hill and not staying with the group. I clearly remember thinking, really???? REALLY? In light of economic hardship, poverty, starvation, the lack of world peace, countless other topics of interest, and even the other people at the table that would love to get a word in edge wise, we are going to waste two hours of a festive evening, with a wonderful meal, at the home of our lovely, gracious hostess, hearing that Rob should not attack on hills??? I’m just a bit disenchanted with petty, one dimensional thought processes.

SO – this year, we intend to have fun. If we want to race, we will. If we want to ride, alone, we will. If we want to do some triathlons, we will. If Rob wants to kill it on the first ride he can finally take in the week after all the daily, family duties are done…he probably will. Hopefully, we’ll add in to this mix more time with our baby cyclists, swimmers, and runners. Nothing would thrill me more than to see them excel at a young age in sports that I still enjoy.

Fortunately, if and when we race, we race for a team that is multi-faceted comprised of people with lives and loves and children and hobbies and jobs…whose focus is always fun oriented.

Overall, this year, I’m desperately seeking balance. Balance in activities that I enjoy, with people that I enjoy and if that brings improvement in my legs – I’ll take it…and if not, I’ll at least have a few drinks and many laughs along the way.

Our "off" season...

2009-12-12T12:47:00.013-05:00

The warm glow of christmas lights, smell of pumpkin bread, the sounds of guitar strummin' and drilling and hammering can only mean one thing...it's the off season! I'm not sure what the off season means for you but for us, we're never really "off". Rob's playing and singing always gets really good this time of year, the house gets a bit closer to being finished and my kids get a few more baked goods in their gullets.

This season we're concentrating on the attic/bedroom for the boys, which includes completing the staircase to their room (Rob's learning a lot!). We love our house, though it's really too small for seven, we won't give it up. We can't beat the convenience, close proximity to downtown, the park, our jobs, our kids' schools, etc. So -- we make it work, this time building "up".

The boys will be moved from downstairs to their own little cave upstairs and I will reclaim our den. Air soft pellets, dirty socks, lizards, x-box games, football trophies, dirty sweatshirts, fish aquariums, candy wrappers, weight benches, stereos, pocket knives, cleats, football pads, will all be up, up and away.... and I will momentarily lift my voice to the heavens and like Nina Simone sing...

"It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me...and I'm Feelin' Good" and yes, for all of you who think that's a Michael Buble' song..... puh leeze....

So, when "race season" starts back and I'm a bit "fluffy" and out of shape and not very fast (as if I ever was!).... so be it. I'll have new stairs, a cleaner house, well fed monkeys, one very pampered pooch and the living room will actually have been lived in. I can't ask for more...

Our off season in pics...

Wedding....

2009-11-24T15:51:00.023-05:00

Finally have some pics. We went into the week of our wedding with lots of rain and anxiety about our outdoor ceremony. In the end, it turned out gray, dreary, and raining off and on. It was very cold that weekend, the same day as the Paris Mtn. Downhill Race and in the same park. It was crowded, hectic but what can I say... guests were good sports as they weathered the rain and cold, bridesmaids were creative as the donned denim jackets over their taffeta and I suffered like a good girl and went with no sleeves (though, I did consider matching arm warmers).

My daughter, Clara, was my maid of honor, my sisters Lorri and Gina and my friend Doris were my attendants. Rob's best man was his father, John, and he had my 3 sons, Charlton, Jackson and Noah as his midget groomsmen (hey, at least all his groomsmen were sober!) My niece, Caroline was the flower girl and my youngest Gabriel was the ring bearer. We were fortunate to have our good friend, Al Olivetti, officiate the ceremony.

We were joined by family, good friends, dancing and great music provided by Russ and Russ. Some pics...

Wedded bliss...

2009-11-04T16:54:00.004-05:00

It's obviously pretty good, since I have no time to blog. Currently working on getting back in the swing of things after wedding and honeymoon. We've been busy...early morning trainer workouts have begun in the garage, trying to finish up a bathroom remodel, cracking the whip over kid number one for grades, upcoming SAT's and thoughts of college... no official pics yet from the wedding from the photographer... but here's a few snapped by a friend....

Happy it's over... and yes I wore red!

My friend Danielle, now claiming the official title of "Ironwoman", my daughter who was my maid of honor and my oldest boy, one of the groomsmen....

Wrappin' up...

2009-10-05T16:12:00.000-04:00

My first official season of riding and dabbling in racing has come to a close. I didn’t really intend for it to end or come to a close now, or at any given, specific time…it seems like it just sort of took care of itself. My season was a baby step into the world of bike racing. Two criteriums, one time trial and one road race. One DNF, one crash, one 17th, one 18th and one 31st place. Hmmmmm and I paid money to see results like that in print? All I really can do is laugh and learn, and this year I’ve certainly done both. I yielded my best result of the year in a relay triathlon that I did with zero planning and just for kicks, what’s up with that?!

I have learned…

1. that my leg muscles are prettier than they are fast
2. that even though all my every day clothes are now too big for me…I still look fat in spandex
3. that when you see light flashes, experience intense headaches and sleep for hours after riding it’s probably NOT just because “my body isn’t used to riding”
4. that women don’t like to work together when racing, even if they are on the same team… oh puhleeze, argue with me if you want… I aint seen it.
5. that the potty mouth in the pack belongs to none other than myself the elf
6. that some of my favorite rides of the season, took place AFTER I was dropped and got a chance to enjoy the scenery
7. that my favorite riding partner is still the boy that first introduced me to riding and that bob and molly run a close second
8. that kids think bike riding is dumb and “gay” until you add a mud pile to it. Also note that they also think helmets are dumb and gay, but they will don a football helmet to ride on a bike around the neighborhood and somehow that’s not weird at all.
9. that cycling is relatively clique-ish… or maybe it’s more gang-like, like the sharks and the jets

Ahhh so very many good lessons. I’ve laughed about most of the above and a great deal more. I can’t complain about the season – after all, I have nothing to compare it to…and ignorance is bliss, for a while anyway.

Next year I’ll be riding/racing officially attached – to a husband that is…. 13 days and counting…

Catching up...

2009-09-18T12:48:00.002-04:00

Less than a month out now from the wedding, still lots to do...yes, I'm still breathing, but not much time to post. My duly betrothed is taking full advantage of me being busy and distracted and running with it. While I've been worrying about the caterer and the band and my dress being too big, he's been shopping for sweet little upgrades for his cross bike. The stash in the bike shop keeps growing, pretty new brakes for the cross bike, new bars for the time trial bike, new shifters.... I did manage to get a new trainer out of it for me... so hey, I'm not asking any questions! While he's in a spending mood, I even hit him up for a mountain bike and a cruiser... anything worth doing (like begging) is worth doing right!

Hopefully, I'll have new posts and some wedding pics soon! 29 days and counting...and he's mine, all mine (suckerrrrrr!)

Suffering...

2009-09-01T10:02:00.005-04:00

and you thought it was only for cyclists... after last week, the chicken pox has now made it through all five of the wee ones... The three "middle" boys got to forego the first full week of school so as to not contaminate the others. This is fun for about a day or two....for all involved. These pictures are taken on day 4, I believe, when cabin fever set in, fevers and head throbbing were down and energy levels were back up... I can't even tell you how long it took me to get them to behave long enough for these three pictures. Chicken pox on a 14 and 12 year old are not fun AT ALL. Apparently, the older the kid, the more miserable the break-out and the other misery (for us) followed suit... more whining, gnashing of teeth and fighting with other siblings... glad that week is behind us and all are back at school as of today. I told them they would get their fifteen minutes....so ta-da! Notice the oldest (but not the biggest) doing all he can to still flex his abdominal muscles while sitting down.... ha ha ha! At least he's learning early the importance of a svelte physique... oh and yes, I do feed them, I swear, this is what American children that don't have television and will still play outside on occasion look like!

It's official...

2009-09-01T08:21:00.005-04:00

I heard the rumors a few weeks ago…later saw Velonews hint about it...and now it’s official and I can finally blog about it! No longer will my allegiance be divided between the hometown hero and my affinity for the BMC Racing Team. Looks like in 2010… I’ll be screaming for BMC and George Hincapie, at the same time! I’m ecstatic… got to meet a few of the BMC guys this past weekend at the Hincapie Party after the US Championships… they were kind while we gushed and gave us a pic… thanks Ian McKissick and Jonathan Garcia… more pics from the weekend to follow in a later post! To read the story check out the announcement on BMC's team site http://www.bmcracingteam.com/index.php?id=9&L=0&uid=312 ! Ahhhhhhh the bliss of it all!

I found it on the way home! Sorry about the hand print!

A couple more pics (above) from the Hincapie party...

Style, Passion, Precision...

2009-08-11T09:07:00.006-04:00

If you stand beside me for at least ten minutes…you’ll soon find out what a “fan-girl” I am of the BMC racing team. That’s the term that Rob gave me, “fan-girl”. He says it with a bit of disdain, and truly he can’t be blamed since he does have to hear me go on and freaking on with daily updates of their latest races, injuries, triumphs, etc. I don’t throw this term around lightly either, because as recent as last week I was exchanging emails with the Assistant Marketing Coordinator for BMC, who was hailing all the way from Switzerland. He was kind enough to respond to the dork in South Carolina and actually seemed very enthusiastic about my love for the team and their products.

As you can imagine, I was delighted when they finally made the cover of ROAD magazine after their victory at the Tour of Battenkill. The magazine has sat proudly on my nightstand ever since. Just within the past 2 days, Rob needed “new” reading material and picked it up…and is on his way to becoming a “fan-boy”..heh heh heh…he has thoroughly enjoyed reading about Scott Nydam and Chad Beyer…their race, what they like to eat, etc. Jeff Louder’s twitter is equally engaging.

I’m giddy with excitement (and I’m not a very giddy girl) with the US Pro championships approaching… it’s on the calendar on their team site and I’m assuming they’ll be here in all their Assos glory. I have high hopes for them and am fully prepared to stalk (not really), whine and weasel my way into any venue, in which they may be….yes, I’m the “passion” in their “Style, Passion, Precision” (HA!). Only eighteen days and counting…

Of course size matters....

2009-08-04T14:16:00.000-04:00

I like research, in fact, I pretty much research for a living. I owe this mostly to my parents. Most of my childhood was spent in a television free home. We had books. We went to the library weekly. We (my 3 sisters and I) would get in trouble for sneaking to stay up late at night, under our covers with hidden lights to read longer. Most of our family trips were spent with my father driving, while my mother read out loud from a book to him, to pass the miles. I even remember times when my allowance or reward for properly executing household chores, would be a trip to the local bookstore to pick out a new book. My mother has even carried on the tradition with my children and still picks them up weekly and takes them to the library to get “new” books once a week. I still have a television free home (though my children are spoiled with dvd’s/movies, etc). I feel sure that my love of books has fostered my love of research. I learned early on that if you are curious about something or want to know the inner workings…to look it up. This has, of course, become even easier over the years with the assistance of the internet.

You should all know by now, that with a lead in like this… I’m getting ready to express my discontent for something…enter the 650c vs. 700c wheel argument…again…and this is something I have been researching now for quite some time. Now, I know, most people could care less, because they aren’t short of stature, like me. I’m barely 5 feet tall…truthfully, without shoes, socks and the bangs I sported in the 80’s I’m probably closer to 4’11.5. I know, I know…. Most people don’t believe I’m this short….that’s because my personality is so very tall and it deceives you! But, alas, it is true. My 12 year old is almost taller than me, I cannot reach kitchen items, bathroom items in cabinets and shelves, etc. without climbing, I cannot place or retrieve my bike from the bike rack on top of the car and most all cycling shorts look more like knickers on me than shorts. My lack of height has never bothered me but while it has never bothered me, I’m realistic about the fact that I cannot wear/reach/do everything a taller person can… if only bike shop workers and bike manufacturers were also realistic about this…life would be grand.

For instance, for some reason (men especially) love to tell me that I should get a bike with “real wheels”. They, then, launch into breathtaking expositions on how 700c wheels are faster, toe overlap no longer exists, that companies like Specialized, Trek, etc have created frames that are small, that can flawlessly accommodate 700c wheels without compromising frame geometry, handling, etc. They take it even further and make statements regarding the companies that do have 650c wheeled bikes…they go something like this, they are backwards, outdated, trying to push them off on you because they spent so much money on that specific frame years ago and now need to sell it even though 700’s are clearly better. Those of us that like research, loathe those that fire off “facts”, rhetoric and half-truths without having the research to back it up.

Now it’s fine for these men to assume that because I’m a “beginning” cyclist that I may not know the pros/cons, etc. with different wheel sizes. It’s fine for them to assume that because I’m female I may not be very mechanically inclined. Though in this instance both assumptions aren’t entirely true for me, personally. However, it isn’t fine for them to assume that because I’m female that I don’t read, reason, discern and can’t make heads or tails of the laws of physics. More importantly, it isn’t fine for them to assume that I can’t tell what feels good to me. SO – for that reason, I went this weekend to a local shop to feel 700c wheels for myself. And?? What did they say? Most of what you read above…and what did I feel? That the bike felt a bit funky… it felt smooth since it was carbon, and my bike is aluminum….however, my feet felt oddly close to the wheels and I didn’t feel my untapped speed suddenly unleashed.

I wrote this post for 2 reasons.

1. To vent about all the injustice in the world and
2. To invite all you braniacs to give me your thoughts….

Am I horribly hindered in the area of speed by the size of my wheels? Is the frame geometry completely uncompromised when you take a teeny frame and stick 700’s on it? OR in contrast, since my wheels are more aerodynamic and lighter than 700’s, can I call “bull shit” on the theory that 700’s are always faster? Is the integrity of the frame more intact by putting smaller wheels on smaller frames? Is training your ass off more important to the progression of your speed than the size of your wheel? Lots to debate on this subject…talk amongst yourselves.

French Broad Cycling Classic Pics...

2009-07-29T12:24:00.009-04:00

This is me before my race started and before my crash.... all smiles... ignorance truly is bliss!

It turned to this...after the crash (notice the road rash on leg and nursing of the left pinky finger!)

My favorites of Rob from the weekend...

This smile still makes me melt! ahhhhhhh...

The aftermath...

2009-07-28T12:07:00.002-04:00

Haven't had much time to post lately...so today I'm posting a link to a blog I routinely read and a recent post that I enjoyed. I am frequently sickened by the way the majority of americans "choose" their idols and denigrate those that are not their "choice". I've watched the "questionable" attacks, read the hub-bub and still, I find myself liking Contador. Maybe it's the spread that I've read in months past in Cycle Sport about him, or maybe it's that he's quietly come back from illness to race without pomp and circumstance, without all the hype -- maybe it's the lack of hype in general I find refreshing....no global cause, just a poor, skinny kid who likes to race his bike and races it well.... but regardless, I enjoyed this post and maybe you will also (even if you don't share my opinions)...

http://cozybeehive.blogspot.com/2009/07/alberto-contador-you-may-not-know.html

Greenville Spinners Time Trial pics...

2009-07-21T13:07:00.005-04:00

Failed to post these a few weeks back… just a couple of pics of Rob and the two youngest…. It’s clearly more fun to catch grasshoppers than to watch someone time trial!

French Broad Cycling Classic...

2009-07-20T09:54:00.001-04:00

Well I’m typing almost with two hands and that should be ‘nuff said about how my weekend went.

We traveled this weekend to Asheville, NC to race in the French Broad Classic. I planned (only slightly under duress) to do the time-trial and I willingly planned to do the crit….I was going to leave the climbing road race to Rob.

My only goal for the weekend was to not come home with a DNF. This was my first time trial effort and truthfully, I really had no desire to do it. I haven’t worked on it, prepared for it, have nothing “aero” in equipment, hadn’t really worked on body positioning, etc… I didn’t come in last, or even next to last… so I am pleased. This time trial was strictly for experience. I took 18th out of 20th…and yes, my speed was slow, but probably the fastest average for me (with a lovely head wind to boot)… 19.5 mph…. hopefully I can only go up from there.

The crit… ahh the crit…solo crash in the fourth corner of the first lap (yours truly). No one else was involved, I high-sided (which was a new term to me, that I now know more about than I care to know) I have lovely road rash down left arm, left hand, left leg, left butt (my shower walls have never heard such profanity)…. No, I won’t be posting pics…I never enjoy seeing crash pics, so I’m not posting any either. I did finish the race… all 30 minutes of it still left after the crash…and surprisingly, I did not come in last place… next to last…I’ll take it… I destroyed an engagement ring in the process, (though we did find the stone on the course afterwards), roughed up the bike a bit…and definitely roughed up the body…. It could have been much, much worse… so I’m not going to complain about my 17/18th spot. I’m glad no one else was hurt, that I was able to finish and that Rob is always prepared with the best first aid kit money can buy. He’s such a good boy.

Rob’s results…29th out of 69th overall in the Omnium… not too shabby….mine, 17th out of 18th…granted, my upcoming triathlon has been put on hold, as this body, cannot touch a pool… and as Rob likes to say, “it is, what it is”. Race pics to follow.

All the latest...

2009-07-13T10:05:00.005-04:00

I suppose after weeks and weeks of hardly posting, a “catch up” is in order. I’ve been busy and have been spreading myself thin between multiple sports….again. Only this time, I’ve brought swimming into the picture as well. I’m toying with doing a triathlon in August, the whole shebang this time, unlike my previous one where I was simply the “runner/hobbler”.

I learned to swim years ago. To this day, my mother is still petrified of water, never learned to swim and because of her fear, made it a point to put us in lessons at a very small age. Then, later, all those months at summer day camp and all those PE classes at Bob Jones kept me pounding out laps and hating swimming. I don’t enjoy it. Rob is trying to redirect my thinking of swimming so that I’ll actually enjoy it (like he does). He views it as fun, relaxing, therapeutic even. I don’t…so I’m obstinate. I’ll do 25 meters or 50 and stop. I then get scolded because as he says “you aren’t even out of breath, there is nothing keeping you from stringing together laps other than you just refuse”…My problem is…I don’t FEEL like a good swimmer, never have. I was taught that the amount of laps completed was all that mattered…not to enjoy them, or make them efficient….just beat them out. Subsequently, I kick too hard, obsess about completing another lap, do something funky with my legs when I’m trying NOT to kick too hard and it all falls to pieces from there.

It’s funny that this time last year, he was trying to get me on a bike and he tells me (though, of course I don’t remember it like this) that I acted much the same, refusing to get on my bike, refusing to even pedal…he literally would have to yell at me to get me going….and now, compared to swimming, my bike feels like my comfy security blanket…an old, comforting, friend.

Speaking of old friends, this past Saturday was my first “big ride” and among the group of riders was an old friend (Kirk). I spent much of my youth experiencing Kirk’s shenanigans. We spent years in the same school, playing the clarinet in band together, attending the same church/youth group and even traveling out of the country for a summer mission trip together. Ohhhh the stories I could tell! Instead, I’ll just say it was cool to ride with him all these years later, all grown up, both with families, etc…

We rode this weekend to Saluda with a great group that I’m not really worthy of riding with…but they were taking it easy…Steve Baker, Sam Smith, Hank, Matt, Kirk Flinte and of course my duly betrothed….and another POA guy that I don’t know..(SORRY!) I had never ridden 60 miles before and had never before ridden with a group of that caliber. Clearly, it was an easy day for them and I so I was able to hang on until the bottom of the climb, then I settled in and took my sweet time. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to ride in a non-sketchy group, where I could chat, enjoy the ride, the scenery etc…. it will make my ride tomorrow at Donaldson with less experienced riders (me included) seem all the worse, I’m sure! It was most interesting navigating through Saluda’s coon dog festival….carrying our bikes out down the rail road tracks to get back out of town, etc. but a great time all around. My legs seem to have bounced back nicely, and that makes me happy.

This week I’m looking forward to another week of multi-sport activities and perhaps another lesson in crit racing and the fine art of “getting dropped”.

Checkin in...

2009-06-23T10:27:00.001-04:00

Life has been a whirlwind…. clearly a busy time for “pseudo” on the job injuries as I’m drowning amongst new files and papers at my desk, while stepping over boxes. It’s a mess. As I look at the forest of trees, piled on my floor, on my desk, in my trash cans, etc. I’m convinced law offices will never “go green.” We love paper, the more the better. At least we aren’t flinging it in landfills, no, no, we like to keep it, in boxes, on desks, in storage, in envelopes, on posting boards and on and on it goes. In fact, when court reporting companies and clients send us letters about how THEY are going green and are now online, fully automated and we can just scan or email to them…we open their email and print multiple copies and circulate it around the office and then continue to send them letters.

I hate this work, mostly I hate that it keeps me rotting under fluorescent lighting while the lovely blue skies with puffy clouds and blistering sunshine taunts me and life passes me by. Yes, I LOVE the blistering sunshine. SO—I’ve had no time to blog, nothing exciting to blog about…but wanted to post something, anything…to let the world know I’m still breathing. Still breathing, still riding my bike, still yelling at kids, still planning “my” wedding (as HE likes to refer to it) still drinking coffee, I DID give up beer though… it’s bad for my skin and other things of course…but it sux…I miss it after rides…sniff….but I’m holding firm and standing strong….but it sux.

Disclaimer: Yes, I’m very grateful that I have a job in this economy and a pay check and I realize I should count my blessings.

Welcoming June...

2009-06-02T16:56:00.002-04:00

May was a rough month for me. The oldest one in the wreck, the end of the school year for everyone, lots of awards ceremonies/programs to attend, the birthday of the oldest one, work picked up, lots of rain, etc. etc. In retrospect, I think my overall mental outlook was less than positive.

I didn’t realize how far the affects of this reach until this past Sunday when I rode with Rob on one of his “recovery” days. He did an 80+ miler on Saturday so decided to grace me with his presence for an easy ride on Sunday. This kids were rowdy that morning, okay, they were down right rotten. We got on our bikes, not as much out of wanting to ride, but more of NOT wanting to be at the house.

I thought my mood would improve as I pedaled. It didn’t. I realized as I rode that negativity is a powerful tool. When you are wanting to be negative there is truly no end to how negative you can be. I found hatred in EVERYTHING that day. In fact, so much that I even thought about my “hatred post” as I rode…of all I needed to blog about.

My thoughts, unbeknownst to him went something like this…I didn’t like the route “he” chose. I didn’t want to do the stupid rolling route he does on Thursday nights with the Sunshine boys…I had to do it last week with him and I hated it and didn’t want to do it again… I stated this about half way through it which prompted him to turn around in the middle of the road and truly give me a route to whine about. It’s funny how as soon as I realized he was doing that route again I suddenly hated the world. Something in me flipped. I hated the jersey I was wearing, I suddenly hated Motor Tabs and thought they made me sick to my stomach. I hated rolling routes, I hated Travelers Rest. I wondered what was actually fun about riding only on hills all the time in SC anyway. I hated that he was pandering to me by taking a “recovery day” to ride with me. I was a mess and my brain was very definitely my worst enemy. I MAY have actually even thought that I didn’t like HIM very much right then except that his cute little tushy was in front of me charting the course.

I even actually thought as we reached Paris Mtn. that I was going to PURPOSELY see how slow I could go up it. I was going to see how slow someone that didn’t try at ALL would take to get up it and he would have to wait on me as the minutes ticked by. The mere thought of that to me, was delicious. I was being horrifically obstinate and naughty. (This is a recurring theme) When I reached him at the top, my time, I kid you not, was really not much different than the time before when I was happy and a good girl. WHAT THE HECK?

I later confessed this to him and told him that either

a. I suck all the time…no matter what or
b. My legs did what they should be doing even though my head was rebelling…weird, huh.

What I DID notice as different though was that at the end of this ride... I FELT much worse... I managed to drain myself mentally, which in turn, made me feel like I hadn't ridden in weeks. Strange/weird and a lesson to be learned. Glad to put May behind me.

Hullo....

2009-05-27T10:48:00.000-04:00

Well… I’m forced to finally post after being MIA for quite some time. I’ve been busy, lazy and over worked.

Last week, moneysucker numero uno was involved in a three car collision and subsequently, her car was totaled. She did NOT contribute to the accident, however the geese one of the cars tried to avoid did. Though she was hysterical, and weepy, she is fine… a bit sore, few trips to doc and chiro…and all is well and we have much, for which to be thankful. Now, if Allstate would get their act together and give her back some wheels our routines would be all the sweeter. So -- it looks like she got a car last year for her birthday at the end of May…and will get another car for her birthday this year at the end of May.

I realized how much my job/career has permeated my life and way of thinking when, while she was on the phone, at the scene, hysterically telling me she was okay, I said, “do NOT talk to the cops until your father or I get there” and then later I reiterated on her way to the Dr.… “do NOT tell the Dr. anything unrelated to your pain, it will be in your medical records for life only to be subpoenaed to incriminate you on a later date”… hey, what are mom’s for?!

Wedding planning is still going strong… I changed the food, not once, but twice…. but have promised the caterer…I will not do so again.

“We” began work again on the house, to finally relocate the stinky feet moneysuckers to the second floor of the house. It will be a lot of work, but in the end they will have the floor to themselves and my downstairs can return to smelling like hearth and home and cakes and cookies and cinnamony goodness and girly lotions and shampoos and minty embrocation….and well a lizard and a fish and one teeny puppy.

Yesterday, I rode with my duly betrothed for the first time in a long time. We train separately, mostly…but I enjoy my rides with him, best of all.

She Rides a Bike continues to inspire me to park my car, permanently. Though carpooling and maneuvering a tandem for 7 presents a bit of a problem. In the interim I make snide comments daily to him about “all these bikes we have and we’re still in a freaking car”. Speaking of which “she” had a recent blog about a contest wherein you take pics of yourself in your fabulous commuter clothing and “all spandex” is forbidden…. tisk tisk...which brings me to…. possible future blog posts of “How you TOO can commute and look hot in spandex” ; )

Granted, if I had an Electra Cruiser I would be wearing buttercup yellow sundresses with pigtails and ribbons and pedaling away whilst I conversed with my spotted puppy in the front basket AND if I don’t get an Electra Cruiser in pretty colors, with a cute little basket and a flower and a bell and streamers for a wedding present…I’m going to PITCH A HISSY….southern belle style…and there aint nothing purty about a southern belle hissy.

Check it...

2009-05-11T11:08:00.008-04:00

Hilton Head was great. We got there Thursday night about 9:00. Friday, Rob and I explored the island a bit on our bikes, rode the bike course, found Al’s shop and perused it…tested the ocean water for his swim on Saturday, etc. etc. I did not prepare for my run. Truly, when you haven’t been running consistently for about a year, last minute training just really isn’t going to help so much. We said all along that we were there to have fun, vacation, and hopefully, just not come in last place.

Saturday dawned bright and early, we left the kids in their room…headed to body marking, got set up in transition and then they headed down to the beach close to seven to meet us to see the race start. Rob had an adequate swim, it was wet suit legal, but he opted to go without it. He definitely was not the first out of the water, but also not the last. It was a solid swim, just what he wanted. I knew he would make it up on the bike, so I wasn’t worried. He recently sold his time trial bike due to lack of use so he rode the Look. No aero bars, no aero helmet….just a regular ol’ road racer in teeny little tri-shorts! He had a great bike split. Thirty sixth overall out of over 200. Then came the run, it was getting hot by this point, muggy and much of the run was in blaring sun. I had two goals, to finish and be under 30. I finished… I was 18 seconds over my “goal”. But still had at least 50 people that finished behind me. It was very very average, but I’ll take it, since plenty of people behind me actually trained and since spending all of last year running through injuries, I’ve been cycling…not running, at all.

In the end, at results time… “we” were good enough to snag FIRST PLACE in the mixed relay division. We were thrilled, shocked actually…could not have done it without Rob’s bike split. The second place finisher behind us had a gap of more than 10 minutes over his bike time. Maybe I should bow out now, since it was my first triathlon effort, even though it was a relay and I have a first place overall plaque to prove it. However, even with the first place, my run time was disheartening to me… andddddddd that means I’ll be back….to do better.

For now, I’ll take solace in these pics and the fact that even if my run time had been faster, we would still have gotten first! The two oldest were there to see us win and that earned us some cool parents points...we'll take it while it lasts!

Long time...

2009-05-07T11:43:00.002-04:00

no post!... busy week, work beckoned. Off to Hilton Head today for the weekend, for the triathlon. Will catch up next week...with details. Auf Wiedersehen.

Ready for the weekend...

2009-05-01T09:42:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday…again. I started my day early downtown at 5:15 for my boot camp. It was a very good one, lots of running, lots of push ups, lots of plyometrics, lots of sweat. I love being up early sweating before the rest of the world….it’s good for the soul. I’m concentrating on getting my push ups the way that Sam wants them! I’m relatively good at push ups but keeping arms in, next to my side has been a different “form” to learn…and I think my muscle memory wants to revert.

Tomorrow morning I’ll be getting dropped on the ride from Go Tri at 8:00. We have our first “event” that we have to do as a team to be considered a sponsored team with USA Cycling. It’s basically a fun/training ride called “Tri the Mountain” leaving out from Go Tri, including the climbing route BEFORE Paris mountain…this is NOT the Buncombe route. They will add in as much climbing as they possibly can before actually getting to the climb. It’s not billed as a race, but Al will hammer, Rob will, whomever else shows up probably will also and I’ll be “that girl” that makes them wait at the top.

After that, back to the shop for drinks/food/camaraderie… we may have the smallest team in Greenville, but I guarantee it’s the most fun. It’s like a summer, fourth of July picnic, drinks, laughs, fun… all the time. There’s something extremely rewarding about hanging out, riding, training, racing with serious, dedicated and successful athletes, that still know how to have a good time, that one beer isn’t going to ruin their season and that it’s okay to live a freaking little. Al’s graciously opening up the shop, we’ll probably throw in some drinks/food so stop by if you are feeling froggy on a Saturday morning.

Next weekend we are returning the favor and heading to Hilton Head for the Go Tri Sports HH Triathlon. Rob and I are entered as a mixed relay, he will swim and bike, I will run. Heading down Thursday, taking the two oldest moneysuckers and making a weekend of it. Should be fun, I haven’t run on flat ground since high school track!

The joys of motherhood...

2009-04-28T12:38:00.006-04:00

If you don’t have children you won’t relate to this post… actually if you don’t have boys you won’t….ok maybe if you don’t have four boys under 14 you won’t… geez, yeah as I write I realize no one really relates to me… but I’ll still vent just the same.

About two years ago I purchased an older house, adjacent to downtown and began a large remodel project, doing most of the work myself with the assistance of my father. When I say large I mean, gutted the dining room, down to where you could see the crawl space dirt, gutted the kitchen, gutted the den, ripped out closets, added a bathroom, added a stairwell to the attic to finish an attic/loft space, entirely new HVAC system, etc. etc. It’s been a long time in the making, a huge mess, lots of money and sweat and stress and it still isn’t completely done, but I love it and Rob loves it, so all is well...

HOWEVER, since we have been living in it and my four boys have been using the new bathroom for their showering, I have noticed a musty aroma. I have been worried for months that the smell means the shower wasn’t built well, that there is a leak, or something wrong with the shower pan, etc. I’ve sniffed, searched, agonized, bitched and moaned, sent my father searching….whined to Rob, etc. and still we find nothing…and the smell remains.

Rob has consistently maintained that boys stink. That there is nothing wrong with the bathroom other than BOYS STINK. After the boys being gone some over the weekend, I discovered when they returned, the smell came with them. The good news is, Rob was right and I don’t have thousands of dollars to spend “fixing” the bathroom problem. The bad news is, it’s the shoes, the 8 little shoes that live in that end of the house. Not only is it the shoes, but the 8 stinky socks and the 8 stinky feet. I have started banning the shoes to the porch when they come home, but alas, the feet cannot be removed. I’m only glad that I did not call the contractor that built the shower to complain of the “shoddy workmanship”.

I suppose one day I’ll miss those stinky feet…so for now, I’ll have to tolerate them until the day arrives when I can pass the baton to another lucky girl. On a different note, this past weekend, we made it through Prom number 2 with my non-stinky feet child. She was/is bee-u-tiful.... and a few braggin' rights are in order.

Ta-da!

Week in review...

2009-04-24T16:00:00.003-04:00

Happy Friday.... it's been a heck of a week.

Let's see, it went something like this...

1. Raced --sucked, I only win things like clarinet and piano contests and spelling bees and catechism bees...and oh yeah, German contests and Lincoln Douglas Debate trophies and one "Most Polite" award in the fifth grade (gee, times have changed) and a couple of mile runs and relay races in my younger years. Yeah, you guessed it, I'm one of those "cool" dorks! Oh, and got my first and probably only email from Fatty at FatCyclist... I'll treasure it...always.

2. Monday, dragged myself back to Sam's athletic conditioning class while Rob swam... he decided a few strokes might help before the Tri in Hilton Head in 2 weeks!

3. Tuesday, bumped up to faster group at Donaldson, got dropped, almost blown off the road by the crazy wind...finished it out...will go again next week. Got home, had an "episode" that rushed me to the doctor the next day (you know it was a good one if I went to the doctor, since I'm an internet physician myself and believe herbs can fix it ALL).... gist.. probably not eating enough/drinking enough/sleeping enough while taxing my body...

4. Wednesday, tried out Steve Baker's class....liked it... felt good about my form, whilst watching in the mirror, left there loving my road bike even more.

5. Thursday, took all the moneysuckers to watch Rob race... they were most thrilled by how many old baseballs they found in the bushes. Love of cycling hasn't hit them yet.

6. Friday, dragged myself back to boot camp, dark and early. One of my attorneys puked again during it... great fun!

7. Tomorrow, PROM for the eldest -- which means I get no sleep. Pacing the freaking floor. Beautiful daughter + Teen age boy = NIGHTMARES!!!

Guess I'll eek in a run and a ride or so...over the weekend. Have a good one...

Android...I am.

2009-04-23T11:03:00.005-04:00

According to the liverdoctor.com I’m an “android” body type. Figures on the left are "ideal" body for android, figures on right are "overweight" body for android. Best I can tell, this means (among other things) that I should be thicker in the waist, (think rectangle rather than hour glass), which is true actually. I’m also supposed to have powerful thighs and muscular limbs. I should excel in athletics that require staying power, ie. body building, swimming, running (cycling???? one can hope). This all sounds lovely until you read that basically I’m a boy, trapped in a female’s body. I’m supposed to have more facial hair, male patterned hair loss and be able to “work like a man”. If I can keep the powerful thighs…I’ll take it.

Rob was very disheartened to find that he falls closest to the body type of “thyroid” (these are really geared for women…but fun to categorize him, just the same) He has been put on this planet purely for aesthetic purposes and hey, I do enjoy having a pretty face serving up my coffee in the morning! He’s supposed to be a model or dancer and should crave nicotine, caffeine and other stimulants (like his ol’ faithful can of yoo hoo after races). Next time he bosses me, I’m going to tell him to shush up, know his place and just sit there and look pretty and leave the “man” work to me. Heh heh heh!

Other random race pics...

2009-04-22T14:29:00.017-04:00

Le Amis on the podium... reppin' the Upstate!

Quasi "racers"...

Look at this number now, you'll only see it for a minute!

What's a Crit??

Rob on Sunday...hanging on.

Rob and Randy on Saturday....

Calm before the storm...lovely blue kit standing out...

At the finish line...lungs begging for mercy...

Back where I feel safe...

Angela and Sam...focused.

Rip from Mock Orange winning the prime....

Vanderkitten's Laura Bowles... oh to be small and FAST!

Homeward bound...

Pics 2...

2009-04-20T16:51:00.018-04:00

POA...more local talent,

John James...Saturday...

Samantha Hartung early on -- Sunday...

POA tent...warming up.

Riding the course before Sunday's race...

John James....chillin' -- in gloves.

Sam on the podium....again... with Thea Kent and Dawn Strickland

Sam taking second place in the SC Crit Championship...

Blair, Pait and the Darin Marhanka (I think)...explaining the "win"...

Happy about taking first...

Happy fans...

Pics one... GWCT

2009-04-20T16:13:00.004-04:00

Greenville Women’s Cycling Team

Formerly the Bi-lo girls… new sponsors this year, some new faces, awesome new kits from Catherine James. Some pics I caught of some of our local talent this weekend…

Susan Jones-Morgan putting the hurt on Laura Bowles from Vanderkitten in the Women’s Open race on Saturday.

Warming up for Sunday…

Jen setting the pace…

My first race, first crit, first DNF...

2009-04-20T15:43:00.003-04:00

I remember earlier this season telling people that I would like to race “at some point”….perhaps much later in the season. This past Thursday, I threw all caution to the wind and on a whim decided to sling myself into a race without much fitness, without many base miles, without many skills and with a healthy dose of, “I don’t give a shit”. To further my agony, it was not just my first race – ever – but my first criterium. I’ve seen quite a few first hand, I’ve read a good bit about them, etc…. but never actually experienced one on MY bike. Crazier yet, I grabbed another girl, Danielle, a runner/triathlete/beginner road cyclist and took her along for the ride. She, too, had never raced a Crit, she hadn’t even seen one, but she was all in.

Friday we loaded up after work with my duly betrothed, the only one actually capable of racing and headed for Mount Pleasant for the Pivotal Fitness VW racing weekend. My excellent research skills snagged us the last cabin at a KOA camp ground and we were off. We got there in time Friday night for Rob to remove Danielle’s aero bars and attach my new cleats to my shoes and that’s literally all the prep we got!

Saturday morning we raced in the I’on Village Smackdown. The race went about like I expected. Cat 4 women’s fields usually have a vastly varying degree of skill/talent. This weekend was no exception. There were quite a few very strong women from Greenville, Sam from POA fairly new to road racing, definitely not new to the bike, speed, or strength, Angela from Hincapie (racing on the bike she bought from my duly betrothed – good seeing it recycled!), quite a few Greenville Women’s Cycling girls (Caroline, Catherine, Jen, etc.) Rip from Mock Orange (recognized her from Cross races) and on and on it went….. we were screwed.

I expected to get dropped from the start line, I was pleasantly surprised as I was sitting comfortably in the middle of the pack through turn 1, turn 2 and into turn 3… I remember thinking, I’m actually going to make it around at least one lap, NOT DROPPED….hooray!.... alas, no such luck. After the third turn there was a bit of a mishap, I’m not really sure how, or who…I just remember clanging, hard braking, a few girls right in front of me bouncing off each other….long enough for me and a few others, Danielle included to be gapped out. I’m not savvy enough mentally or physically at this point to recover and close a gap that large. After riding most of the race alone, I quit, which made me not just a loser, but also a quitter…puh thet ick. I assumed it was best to get off the course, clearly I was wrong and I’m stuck with my DNF in black and white *sigh*.

After a stern scolding from Sam, I now know differently. She vehemently told me to NEVER EVER quit that I need the experience and that if nothing else, the women’s races need the participation. Rob reiterated as he shook his head, since he had told me this before and I didn’t obey so well. Obstinacy is my strong suit after all.

Laura Bowles from Vanderkitten was there “mentoring” if you will. I was very appreciative to be approached by her afterwards for “tips”. She was very encouraging, thought I did well, but maybe needed some help with “gearing”, thought maybe I didn’t understand that I needed to be in a much larger gear and she didn’t realize that it was my first race. I explained that no, I just started really riding in November…that I fully understand gears, that I’m relatively good with them (so he says) and that in theory, I “get” shifting very well…. knew my gear choice wasn’t the best, but my quads were shot from boot camp that week (dumb move on my part) and I just couldn’t push a bigger gear. We also had a short discussion on my 650c wheels vs. 700’s (she is small like me) and she even offered to bring back a bike of hers before her race for me to try out the 700’s…. I never found her, we didn’t hang around…but it was a nice gesture just the same.

What I took away from this weekend…

The “Cons”:

No matter how strong I may think I am (muscularly that is) I cannot pound my legs to muscle failure on Monday and Tuesday and expect for them to race well on Saturday. I’m too “new” to cycling and just aint got it yet. One cannot pause or sit up when mishaps occur… that split second of reaction causes too much damage, from which I, at this point, cannot recover.

The “Pros” --- I felt confident, very solid in my handling, I had a good start and I know “he” has taught me well. My bike looked pretty and as we all know, good looks matter! I had great conversations with some great women racers and I had fun… can’t ask for much more than that.

Many race pics to follow.

Glutton for punishment...

2009-04-14T11:01:00.003-04:00

As if I didn’t have enough on my plate, what with work, finishing out the school year with the moneysuckers, cycling, running in an upcoming triathlon relay in May and wedding planning, I decided to throw one more stick in the fire and sign up again for boot camp. Fitness boot camp, that is, much to my duly betrothed’s chagrin. He does not care for me torturing my body in this fashion. He prefers punishment through steep, torturous climbs.

Two of “my” attorneys wanted to do it and so, since I had done it before, I got roped in. It started bright and early Monday morning at 5:15 a.m. in the pouring rain, outside for almost an hour and a half. Good times. If you’ve never done a boot camp, you might want to check out this link for perspective http://www.gobootcamp.com … it’s over an hour of constant running, pushups, plyometrics, abdominal work, arms, legs, etc… a full body thrashing, not for the faint of heart or the sane, really.

I’ve always been a firm believer in strength training and have kept in above average form (you know, for an old, washed up mother of 5)….but devoting these past months to cycling has let the arms/chest/abdominals go a bit. I’m feeling it today. I cannot laugh without my abs seizing up on me, my triceps feel as if the knife should not be removed, lest I create more damage. These guys do a good program, it's tough, physically risky sometimes if you don't force yourself to let up, but very motivating in that you truly are mentally challenged to go beyond your physical threshold.

If the rain lets up and we actually do ride tonight at Donaldson…I’m in for a treat. It’s only 6 weeks…this too shall pass.

Training and what not...

2009-04-10T09:00:00.005-04:00

I don't usually do back to back days yet with my training. This week though, due to high winds and just a feeling of some bad juju, we got back in the car at Donaldson, didn't even unload the bikes and headed home. Since I skipped Tuesday, my schedule was a bit out of whack and I did intervals in the park on Wednesday and then our climbing route yesterday. Today, I feel sore and sweaty...just a constant overheated feeling. Tomorrow I'm tackling Caesar's Head for the first time... not really looking forward to that... and Monday morning, bright and early at 5:15 a.m. I'll be starting another boot camp.... just to get my running kicked back in and up to at least a half-ass speed before the May triathlon in Hilton Head. I seem to have found a good riding partner (other than my duly betrothed)... thanks Danielle! She's more fit than me, a marathoner, etc... but we seem to have some varying strengths/weaknesses, she's faster on the hills, I'm maybe a little stronger after them... so it's good...we rotate and take turns pushing each other...looking forward to getting stronger/faster together.

Ode to BMC...

2009-04-09T13:28:00.003-04:00

It’s true…. I have a wee small BMC fetish… it started when I was given my splendid little BMC. Then we brushed shoulders with some of the crew last year at the US PRO championships in Greenville. Out one night for a few drinks, spotted a few of them in front of Connelly’s…exchanged words in passing, walked to our cars simultaneously, they smiled, waved and acknowledged my BMC on top of the car as they passed. I started perusing, reading up, paying attention to them sometime after that and have been hooked ever since. What’s not to like? They are unique. Their bikes are great, their Assos kits are awesome and even their mechanics/trucks/rigs, etc. all pristine.

BKW did a post earlier this year with some great pics http://www.belgiumkneewarmers.com/2009/02/atoc-team-bmc.html. You can’t help but like the team when you read about them, hear them quoted – their riders are young, scrappy and likeable. I’m delighted they are going to Paris-Roubaix, though in our television and internet free home, I don’t suppose I’ll see it firsthand, but I’m hoping they kick ass just the same. Oh, and ladies, they offer some eye candy also (Taylor Tolleson) which, out of respect for my duly betrothed, I won't comment on further. I'll just leave you with this... http://www.bmcracingteam.com/index.php?id=140&tx_gooffotoboek_pi1[fid]=18&tx_gooffotoboek_pi1[srcdir]=ZX_action&cHash=53476c3bff

I'm every woman...it's all in me...

2009-04-06T17:03:00.002-04:00

I have always prided myself on being the girl that looks, smells, talks, feels like a girl, yet can still pound out some pushups, sling a hammer, hang drywall, demo a roof, heck demo half a house and yet still be considered “girly”. A true conundrum, yep that’s me. You can imagine, then, the devastation I felt when I discovered there is an entire cult following in the making of girls that ride bicycles and blog specifically about NOT riding their respective bicycles in spandex. Alas, they are pretty, chic, liberated and according to them, I fear, I fall into the class of the girls that “aren’t”. I no longer carry the girly torch since I don a helmet, padded shorts and “practical” shoes geared specifically for “racing” and pedaling efficiency.

I refuse to be stripped of my girlie title…just yet. So this weekend in order to reclaim that title, I whined to my duly betrothed until he had no choice but to succumb and next thing you knew, I was test riding a bright, playful, orange, Electra “Townie” bike… dressed up, in stilettos…. I can do it... now back to the spandex!

Happy anniversary...

2009-04-03T10:08:00.008-04:00

Today is the very happy anniversary of my “new” life as I, now, know it. A year ago today (to the Friday that is) “we” shared our first kiss, our first conversation that lasted until 3 a.m. (many, many more were to follow) our first, “wow, you truly are the dork for me moment” and my first introduction into the wonderful world of cycling. I knew when he was shopping for a bicycle frame for me the day after our first “date” that this one, just might be a keeper.

It has truly been one heck of a year from 1 new job for him, to 2 physical moves for him, from the metamorphosis from triathlete to bike racer for him and from “fitness” dabbling for me (think gym rat and quasi running) to beginning cyclist. We began with sharing a few laughs over drinks and moved quickly to many flirtatious emails, to a few early morning runs together, to late night phone calls that drained our cell phone batteries back to early morning packing the car for races. We progressed from having a blast together, to dating exclusively to a few sentimental almost weepy moments and then engagement.

I’ve gone from scrapes, bumps and bruises while riding in tennis shoes on a high school track in circles, practicing starting and stopping without falling, listening to countless hours of scolding and head shaking from him – commands like “PEDAL”, “GET YOUR HANDS ON THE FREAKING BRAKES”, “GEEZZZZZZ BRUSH YOURSELF OFF AND STRAIGHTEN YOUR HELMET” and my personal favorite after one of my crashes over the handlebars off the side of the road, barely missing a telephone pole as his audibly shaking voice said, “this is NOT for you”. That statement was all the convincing I needed to buckle down, learn this thing called “cycling” and make him eat those words. I think he ate them…since these days I hear things like, “hell yeah” and “that’s the best you’ve ever ridden.” He’s been an excellent “coach”, mechanic, and motivational speaker all the while holding steadfast as a realist (“No honey, you aren’t going to be Pro 1/2 in six months”) Most importantly, he has been and still is the love of my life. We’ve come a long way…literally and figuratively.

Happy anniversary, sunshine! Du hast mich! xoxo

Bathing beauties...

2009-03-31T08:25:00.006-04:00

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...

2009-03-30T08:32:00.000-04:00

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...

2009-03-27T14:45:00.000-04:00

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...

2009-03-25T09:25:00.000-04:00

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...

2009-03-24T08:18:00.000-04:00

We started the day early representing for Go Tri 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...

2009-03-23T13:27:00.000-04:00

“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!

2009-03-19T14:33:00.000-04:00

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...

2009-03-12T10:00:00.001-04:00

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...

2009-03-11T12:13:00.000-04:00

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....

2009-03-04T15:45:00.000-05:00

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?!

Sunday's child...

2009-02-27T11:10:00.000-05:00

As a mother, I’ve been taking a lot of heat lately, from several people for having “interests” outside my home. This one, particularly, has been giving me lots of grief when she hears the negativity from others.

Given, my boys are handsome and I love them. But “she” is my first baby, the baby that shaped me as a mother and my entire adult life, really. She’s beautiful, truly -- and for anything that anyone may say about me, (I’m too cold, un-emotional, snippy, quick to judge, overly critical, and on and on you can go)…. I like to think that I what I lack, she makes up for in spades and perhaps redeems me (a little).

Last night, while doing intervals, Tom Petty’s Gainesville concert dvd kept me company. In it, he jokes on how he’s enjoyed being back in Gainesville, his home town so that he could walk around all week hearing the “incorrect story of his life”. I couldn’t help but thinking then, how true that is. How many of us frequently hear the incorrect versions of our own lives? I know that I do, often. I often hear that I’m selfish, spend too much time pursuing my “interests”, the gym, the bike, the fiance’, the blogs even. Maybe these things make me a selfish person, or, maybe like a local bike racer told me recently, being selfish will make me a great bike racer.

I, on the other hand, like to view this in a positive light, something I’m teaching my children, something I’m teaching my daughter, specifically. She can be beautiful, can be a girl, can be a mother, can maintain a healthy physique and an active lifestyle, can fully pursue anything she wants to pursue. Will she, too, be labeled as “selfish?” Perhaps. This is something, that at this age, she doesn’t understand. She’s torn between what southern tradition dictates and her dreams that go far beyond the south. I hope that in even some minute way, I can show her through my own varied interests, my own multi-tasking, my own shuffling of work, play and training– to never settle, never fit anyone else’s mold, never deny her passions and to give anyone that wants to “label” her, the proverbial finger.

Issues or (Is-shoes)...

2009-02-25T09:49:00.000-05:00

A few weeks back, it took a few drinks, quite a few laughs and a very late night for me and my duly betrothed to realize that we have “issues” or more appropriately, “is-shoes”. This picture is what the floor of his dining room looks like as you pass through to the living room. Honestly, I think the money spent on this collection of shoes exceeds the current Kelley Blue Book Value of my car. Our problems aside, this photo should be an advertisement for Sidi, as at least one pair of them in that picture has a vintage of somewhere in the 1990’s (around 12 years old) and he STILL rides in them weekly, truly a testament to the quality product Sidi makes. You’ll also notice this addiction is contagious as the two pairs on the right are much smaller than the other three.

Greenville Spinners Spring Series pics

2009-02-23T11:05:00.001-05:00

Just a few from weekend one...

Scratchin'...

2009-02-20T16:40:00.000-05:00

Last night, I attended this http://defeetcycling.typepad.com/team_defeet/2009/02/wow-winter-cycling-clinic-series.html and have a few musings…

1. It was a nice, friendly gesture from the Greenville Women’s Cycling Team. Truly. There isn’t much out there to inform beginners, so it’s needed.
2. I have a BIG mouth and subsequently, won a running shirt from a cycling team that no longer exists, in a size I’ve never been. It’s going in the bike shop!! with the Mavic cowbells (do you think they will be recalled?), the USA Pro Cycling Championship banner, the Garmin/Chipotle souvenir water bottle, etc.
3. I also won a Michelin man bobble head… my favorite trinket from the night! He is loved by me and coveted by my little moneysuckers. There’s a Michelin LADY also…there IS! I SAW her! She was there and she is well-spoken, informative and friendly. Granted, I’m giving her a “bye” on the fact that she assumed we all ride 700c wheels… it’s a tall world after all. This assumption, did, however, prompt me to furtively search high and low today for Michelin 650c tires… where have all the 650c’s gone, longgggg time passing…. where have all the 650c’s gone…long, long, time ago….
4. Debbie was nice as always and I must give her props since my 5 minute convo with her at the end was, for me, more informative than the whole shabang…

Things I didn’t previously know:

1. I didn’t realize they are cheerleaders for the Greenville Spinners, but apparently so. As the dialogue went something like this, “Today, (Greenville spinners) we are going to cover, (Greenville spinners) cycling topics specific to women (Greenville Spinners)….” ad nauseum.
2. The Greenville Spinners are world-renowned, so, no I’m not linking to them, EVERYONE already knows about them!
3. The Great Escape has lots of fluorescent lights…. So maybe that horrific Hincapie shirt on the mannequin, isn’t REALLY two, uniquely different, yet strangely the same, shades of puss yellow. I’ll reserve judgment until seeing it in daylight….but I need to get my dark lenses first.
4. The Bakery ride leaves from North Greenville, NOT Furman.

Tools of the Trade

2009-02-18T09:23:00.001-05:00

"We" got a new camera last night for racing, blogging and of course I'm sure for the "wedding" also... testing it out on the "ring", which I am proud to say is NOT a diamond, is blue (my favorite color these days) and an old, aquamarine... it makes me very happy. It has lovely symbolism as well, affection, fidelity, youthfulness, health.... just a lovely stone all around. He's such a good boy...

And we're off...

2009-02-16T16:39:00.000-05:00

So – cycling season arrives this weekend, ready or not as the first of the Greenville Spring Series races begin. Last year, during most of the season, I was soigneur extraordinaire to my duly betrothed. I carried bags, held wheels, lathered up legs, navigated to the races, fed his belly, opened the recovery beers and handled all other aspects of “soothing” him. I even “set” a toe that was pointing west…. but that’s another entirely different and gruesome story. This season promises to be interesting since I, too, want to ride/train, maybe even race eventually (YIKES!). Luckily, I multi-task with the best of them. Good thing, since this year I’ll be raising 5 kids (as if that’s different from any other year!), meshing two households, dressing my daughter for 2 proms, planning 4 birthdays, creating 5 Easter baskets, planning a wedding, working my full time job, photographing race pics, helping create/organize and maintain our “new” Go Tri Sports Cycling Team, completing a garage remodel and OH, riding my own bike!!….. and all of this will be done/completed before October! No fears – I’m every woman… it’s all in me….

The newest iron in the fire is the cycling team. This was at first a passing thought, now the jersey and bibs hanging in my bedroom doorway, “drying” would allow an astute soul to gather that it has certainly become a reality. Mildly humorous that I have a kit – since I am just a beginner – not withstanding. It was (collectively) decided that since I’m certainly a partner-in-crime and I look excellent in blue – by golly, I should have one! Besides word of mouth is sure to help out the newest store, our solo sponsor at this point and there aren’t many mouths out there bigger than mine!

Some might find it odd that “we” have decided to fling ourselves into creating a race team for a new store without a “roster,” with only one sponsor (thus far), and right at the start of the season. So here are my top reasons to assist in all aspects of bringing this team to fruition:

1. It can’t be worse than having 5 babies!
2. As opposed to all the other bat barf out there, our kits actually DO look good.
3. Our sponsor is actually a good, wholesome, store with a great product line and nice people selling it.
4. Some naysayers said we shouldn’t or couldn’t… and defiance is such a barrel of giggles!
5. My duly betrothed said I’m gonna help and I’m TRYING to “obey” him ; ) (somewhat)

So, it’s a done deal, registered, legitimate and here in all it’s glory (such as it is!) Granted, it's small, comprised of Cat 5 racers (at this point) and humble, truly. Go Tri has been a well known name in the triathlon circuit for quite some time, but this is the first, strictly cycling venture for them.

So my duly betrothed will be there. Hopefully, Al, the owner/sponsor will be there (rumor has it he’s a speedy one) and me and my little moneysuckers will be there with rings on our fingers and cowbells on our toes.

Things that bug me...

2009-02-12T09:35:00.000-05:00

Women cycling teams that always wear pink. It’s SO cliché.

Women cycling teams that say their mission is to encourage, support, motivate, coddle and (whatever other crap they say) the female athlete. Can’t just one, ANY one say: “We’re, actually, just hoping to kick ass this year!”

Cyclists that assume if they haven’t seen you on “their” ride, that you haven’t been training.

Cyclists that assume if you are happy in your relationship, you haven’t been training.

Local cycling clubs that (in order to maintain a monopoly on the local “cycling scene”) spread folklore regarding “you can’t be registered as a legitimate cycling team unless you sign up under them as one of their club teams”. Thank you, USA Cycling for dispelling this myth.

Women’s cycling clothes that look like ass (see previous post). Which brings me to, thank you:

Castelli

Assos

and Capoforma

For NOT making the "ridiculous jersey" list on the earlier post!
Happy Thursday! Cheers all around!

The Weekend and The Where...

2009-02-09T14:50:00.000-05:00

I must admit, we’re a bit spoiled as cyclists… in Greenville that is. We’re fortunate to have some great rides, just a hop, skip and painful climb from the city. Take for instance, Paris Mountain, seen here during the US Pro Cycling Championship, in Greenville, SC in 2006. I did this climb yesterday, I think for the third time and did manage to make it to the top, without stopping, for the first time. I feel an even greater sense of victory, since “we” do this climb justice, leaving from home and negotiating our additional “climbing route” before we actually get to the REAL “climbing route”. No half-assing this route when you are with my duly betrothed. Paris Mountain is by most “mountain” standards… a teeny hill, we get that; however, it’s good enough for the Pros and ridiculously difficult for beginners, like me. It’s a few miles from the lovely downtown of Greenville, SC, my home and home to the US Pro Cycling Championship (for a few years now), George Hincapie and Hincapie Sportswear to name a few…. an overall good place to be a cyclist.

In retrospect, I’m not sure who was more delighted in my climb, me or my duly betrothed. It just makes me all the more convinced that “active” relationships and couples that truly are recreational companions share a much sweeter bond. I know he’s thrilled with my progression and goodness knows I’ve come a long way since last June, when I spent more time on the ground then actually on my saddle! Balance and understanding clipless pedals are wonderful things!

Weary week...

2009-02-06T16:21:00.000-05:00

Well, for someone that thinks, talks, spells, types quickly it’s no secret by my lack of posting that I’ve had a less than savory week. Every now and then even the sweetest of us are dealt crappy work weeks and strains on even our dearest, closest relationships.
It has been educational even if uneventful and I’ve managed to learn a few things:

1. Nothing can squelch lovey dovey ideology faster than wedding planning. I hate it – all of it. I don’t want to look at colors, I don’t want to try on dresses, I don’t want to pick food and cake. Maybe that makes me a horrible person, or at the very least, maybe it just makes me a man – so be it.

2. A heavy heart/crappy mental outlook can do more damage to a spin on the bike than sore muscles.

3. I absolutely cannot sit at a desk until retirement.

4. My 16 year old “baby” isn’t so young any more…in body or spirit…. and she knows me much better than I sometimes realize or give her credit for… this all became evident when she called me at work to see what I wanted from Starbucks, because she thought I just might “need” a cup of coffee.

5. That even though I’m loving my new bike riding and learning to cycle—this week, when I felt overwhelmed, stressed and a bit manic…. I really, really wanted to go for a run… a long, sweaty run.

I’m very ready for the weekend…

Ramblings

2009-02-02T16:29:00.000-05:00

If my head was organized and systematic, today’s post would be “The Where”; however, it’s Monday, my head is all over the board, so blogging will follow suit. Last week was my first consistent week in about 3 weeks. By “consistent”, I mean, I was on my bike at least three times, I did strength training, I behaved, etc.

Starting last Sunday, I rode my bike, just to my duly betrothed’s house – which is literally less than 10 minutes away. I felt like crap. Sadly, I’m too new to cycling to maintain any sort of fitness at all when not riding for two weeks. Tuesday, I managed to drag my pathetic self back to Go Tri Sports for a Carmichael video/spin class. Wednesday, back to the Y for athletic conditioning w/ Sam….Thursday, back on the trainer at Rob’s (note: no matter how good his chicken parmesan is, when you are on the trainer and it’s delightful aroma wafts into the living room, it’s really not delightful at all—rather nauseating, actually). Sunday morning…. A brief ride with him at the park and I must say, though I hate that he’s been sick, I truly enjoyed kicking his ass for the first time EVER (on the bike that is – I’m also the better of the two of us when it comes to slightly intoxicated sprinting (running that is) up McDaniel!) My glory will be short-lived, as he is feeling better (special thanks to my herbal concoctions)….but for the moment, I will bask in the warm sunny thoughts of him coughing behind me as I heard him say, “good pull, honey”. T’was very sweet indeed.

Beginners “lesson” for the day: “Pull” or “to take a pull” – when you take a turn riding at the front of a group, allowing the sick and disabled to take advantage of your “draft”; subsequently, giving them a few moments of recovery. I’m only slightly kidding about the sick and disabled, you’ll do this for healthy people also. Things to remember if you are taking a pull: no erratic movements, because someone or multiple someone’s are behind you and very close. You must ride smoothly or things will get messy and rest assured, you WILL hear the sweet sounds of positive reinforcement from the rear.

The logistics...

2009-01-29T12:18:00.000-05:00

It's difficult to start a blog 34 years into someone's life and in a few sentences catch you up to speed. So--I'll just hit the high spots:

The Who: Lynn, 34 year old, single (but duly betrothed) mother of 5. Paralegal, quasi-runner, beginning cyclist. Argumentative, passionate, mildly humorous, relatively cynical, extremely competitive -- coffee drinker. 'Nuff said.

Once upon a time...

2009-01-28T10:18:00.000-05:00

in a lovely little town, a cheeky, little gal met a boy...

This boy loved beer, matching wits with the cheeky gal and most of all he loved bicycles! It wasn't long before the boy wanted the girl to love bicycles also so he searched the world, high and low and finally built all 43 cm of this teeny little beauty....

and they pedaled and pedaled and pedaled happily ever after... oh, and she decided to let the boy stick around also ; )