All The Single Ladies...

Put your hands up!

You may have noticed that my single stories have stopped. At first, it seemed fun being single again. Nights of dancing all night and returning to self has been fulfilling. But, after a few dates, I am ready to put up the white flag. Training at 5AM is wearing me out and it seems like there is little time for anything else.

It has been three months since the ball and chain detached from me. Not knowing how or why, sadness hit me over the weekend. Three months of no contact, not text messages, no e-mails, and no phone calls. The break-up was like a band-aid that we pulled off quickly. We pulled it off and never looked back.

Aside from the freedom that single life brings there is also an emptiness that exists. I may not ever find another dance partner but I know that a partner for me is out there.

Barbie the Bachelorette

This blog made me realize that I have to watch what I post so that I do not offend. Even though I have only 28 followers there seem to be more readers that read but may not be followers.

These days it’s easy to virtually stalk someone. Facebook, MySpace, and blogs
leave it easy for the whole wide world a peak into your life.

I really wanted to write about the crazy dates that I have been on but I didn’t want to call anyone out to their strange behaviors.

Then I wanted to write about kissing.

Is there a rule on kissing? How many dates do you go on before you kiss? If you are just dating, is it ok to be kissing other people? (Not at the same time of course.) If you go out on two dates in one day, do you only kiss one of the guys? Should I really be swapping spit with all these people?

Maybe I should change the name of the blog to Barbie the Bachelorette. Now that would be fun. Dating 20 guys at the same time for the WWW to read about. After all, there is a TV show that has the same concept.

On second thought, I don’t have the time or the energy to balance 20 guys into my already hectic bike training schedule. Oh well, it was a fun thought while it lasted. Besides, I am not that girl who kisses and tells.

In the Begining

This is so TOTALLY embarrassing but everyone has to start somewhere. This picture captures Day 1 of Barbie’s and her bike.



This hill is on a climb that I could not stay on my bike for. I had to walk my bike up. And just for the record, I have taken a personal oath to never walk my bike up a hill.

It was on an organized ride in Gruene, Texas on November of 2001. This particular route was the 23 mile route. I did no training. I didn’t even ride my bike around the neighborhood. I had no real gear (if I remember correctly, the helmet was borrowed.) My college friend, Art Sanchez, talked me into getting on my bike and riding with him and a group of friends.

Nine years later, he reminds me that I whined and complained about how sore I was but somehow I still smiled and never stopped riding. He laughs at how I look like I am passing a kidney stone in the picture. (Those are his words.)

I am glad that I continued to ride, perserviered and put one foot in front of the other.

Training for Boston

After noticing the title of my blog, I figured I should probably post something about riding a bike.

Training started this week. This is what it looks like.

Wake 5AM.

Stumble out of bed.

Feed Roxy.

Take my vitamins.

Fill water bottle. (It was placed out the night before.)

Quick pony tail in the hair (If needed, I can fix it later on my bike.)

Change into the bike gear that was set out the night before.

Turn on DVD player and make sure subtitles are turned on.

Turn on music and play real loud.

Put on socks and cleats.

Sit on my bike by 5:05ish.

Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. And pedal some more. For about 50 minutes or so.

Ask myself why I am up so early.

Remind myself that I am training to ride my bike to Boston.

Tell Roxy that now is not a good time to play ball. She drops the ball and walks out of the room. She goes back to bed to snuggle in warm sheets. I secretly hate she gets to do that.

I wonder why I am talking to myself and talking to my dog.

Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. And pedal some more.

6AM comes around and I smile at myself for completing another ride on my trainer.

Ask me on June 23 if this is all worth it and I have a feeling that the answer will be YES!

CrossRoad Blog List

My blog roll has grown. I have removed the blogs that are not longer posting but I want to be able to refer back to them. If I have left any off the list, let me know. (Jim, I know you may find discrepancies.)

Roy- http://www.keeppedaling.com/

Jan- http://bikingacrossamerica-jan.blogspot.com/

Chris Hall: http://clhall2010.blogspot.com/

Harold: http://bikeforafbridgeportacademy.blogspot.com/

Bill: http://billsxcbiketrip.blogspot.com/

Yutzy: http://takes2totandem.blogspot.com/

Willie: http://willieonbikela2boston.typepad.com/willie_4_faan/

Mike: http://wheelsonthebikegoroundandround.blogspot.com/

Jim’s: http://jimsbigridexc09.blogspot.com/

Nancy: http://www.nancyaroundtheworld.com

Karen: http://cyclingacrosstheus.blogspot.com/

Paula: http://www.paulaontheroad.blogspot.com/

Paula: http://gotsag.blogspot.com/

Greg: http://gbbiketour.blogspot.com/

Tom: http://tryanlatoboston.blogspot.com/

Al: http://whereislance.com/