You would think that after ten years of bike riding that I would eventually get bored of it. It is not happening. If anything, I get more excited about bike rides.
I have been waking up at 5AM to sit on my bike that sits on a trainer that sits in my kitchen- and I STILL get excited. I wake up at least two or three times a night wondering when my alarm clock is going to go off, just so I can ride my bike.
I have tried taking sleeping pills so that I can sleep through the night but it doesn’t work. I still wake up thinking about my bike.
Once on my bike, I turn up the music and get into my zone. It feels like I am on the road. It is my meditation for the day. I clear my mind and resolve the troubles of the world.
Some call me crazy; others say that I am obsessed. I call it love.
Last night I had a dream that I was on the CrossRoads tour, riding across America. The group consisted of the reality show stars from “Jersey Shores”. After our rides, we would hang out, go do our nails, sit in a tanning salon, and then go shopping. You can say I live, breath, and sleep bike riding.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Bike Talk
Over the past couple of months, Robert has been talking about getting a mountain bike. I was thinking, how the heck is he going to squeeze into his hectic schedule time for mountain biking. As it is, he juggles racquetball, scooter rides, rode rides and nights out dancing. Where was he going to find the time?
Saturday, he went to the Ride Away bike shop without me. A late night tracking down a broken hearted drunk friend kept us up until 3AM. (That’s a blog for another time.) Needless to say, mistake number one was sending him to the shop with his buddy. Robert said the shop guys were asking for me. It was kinda weird for Robert to go to the shop without me but this girl needed some Z’s.
It wasn’t until Sunday that Robert and I had the bike talk. Yes, I had told him all this stuff before but he didn’t hear me until after he already ordered the mountain bike. It came up because he was asking about the difference between mountain bike shorts, shoes, and helmets. It occurred to me that Robert likes the look of the mountain bike but didn’t want to take up mountain biking. He wants more of a hybrid bike to ride in the street but can also do trails if he so chooses.
It was funny to go back to the bike shop. The first thing out of Edwards’s mouth was, “usually it is the girl who doesn’t know what kind of bike they want.” It was fun knowing more about a bike then a boy. Maybe Robert needed to hear everything I had already told him from the bike mechanics. But really, Edward let me say everything that Edward was going to say anyway. Robert finally understood. We cancelled the mountain bike order and order him a hybrid or “cross trail” bike.
It is fun riding my cruiser around with Roxy and now it will be easy for Robert to join us. The big question is where we are going to store all the bikes.
Saturday, he went to the Ride Away bike shop without me. A late night tracking down a broken hearted drunk friend kept us up until 3AM. (That’s a blog for another time.) Needless to say, mistake number one was sending him to the shop with his buddy. Robert said the shop guys were asking for me. It was kinda weird for Robert to go to the shop without me but this girl needed some Z’s.
It wasn’t until Sunday that Robert and I had the bike talk. Yes, I had told him all this stuff before but he didn’t hear me until after he already ordered the mountain bike. It came up because he was asking about the difference between mountain bike shorts, shoes, and helmets. It occurred to me that Robert likes the look of the mountain bike but didn’t want to take up mountain biking. He wants more of a hybrid bike to ride in the street but can also do trails if he so chooses.
It was funny to go back to the bike shop. The first thing out of Edwards’s mouth was, “usually it is the girl who doesn’t know what kind of bike they want.” It was fun knowing more about a bike then a boy. Maybe Robert needed to hear everything I had already told him from the bike mechanics. But really, Edward let me say everything that Edward was going to say anyway. Robert finally understood. We cancelled the mountain bike order and order him a hybrid or “cross trail” bike.
It is fun riding my cruiser around with Roxy and now it will be easy for Robert to join us. The big question is where we are going to store all the bikes.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Vegas Babe!
Next week Robert and I will be heading over to Las Vegas, Sin City. Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Expect for herpes, that shit stays with you forever. (Quote from the movie, The Hangover.)
This is his trip. I do bike trips, he does gambling trips. I am not a gambler so I hangout at the bar.
In anticipation of looking my best at all the fancy casinos, I am going to pack my A game. I am planning on taking 8 pairs of shoes for the 4 days that we will be gone. All my “going out” cloths are coming with me along with my micro mini. If Robert hits it big I may end up coming home with 2 more pairs of shoes. I am dying for Jimmy Choo and Manolos. You can’t take the girl out of this biker chick.
The problem is I need a large luggage bag. My hot rollers won’t fit in the smaller luggage bag with all my shoes. I called my mom to borrow hers and this is how the conversation went…
Me: Mom, can I borrow the large luggage bag for the Vegas trip? But, I need the large one because I am taking all my shoes, cloths, and hot rollers.
Mom: Sure. What are you going to do while Roberts gambling?
Me: Hang out at the bar.
Mom: Like you did on the cruise? You got to know that piano player well. You hung out with him all night.
Me: Yeah. In Canada, there was a live band at the bar. That worked out good. I listened to the band while Robert played poker.
Mom: That’s good. The casinos always have entertainment for the guests. Just stay at that bar that is in the casino where Robert is.
Me: We are going to be on the Old strip. There shouldn’t be too much going on.
Mom: But still, stay in the same bar of the casino where Robert is. Don’t go wondering off. If something happens to you, it will be easier to find Robert if your in the same casino.
Me: Ok mom. I guess I will be over early on Tuesday to pick up the luggage. Thanks.
You heard it folks. She said it twice. “Stay at the bar”. That there is some good advice, straight from my mama. Just stay at the bar.
This is his trip. I do bike trips, he does gambling trips. I am not a gambler so I hangout at the bar.
In anticipation of looking my best at all the fancy casinos, I am going to pack my A game. I am planning on taking 8 pairs of shoes for the 4 days that we will be gone. All my “going out” cloths are coming with me along with my micro mini. If Robert hits it big I may end up coming home with 2 more pairs of shoes. I am dying for Jimmy Choo and Manolos. You can’t take the girl out of this biker chick.
The problem is I need a large luggage bag. My hot rollers won’t fit in the smaller luggage bag with all my shoes. I called my mom to borrow hers and this is how the conversation went…
Me: Mom, can I borrow the large luggage bag for the Vegas trip? But, I need the large one because I am taking all my shoes, cloths, and hot rollers.
Mom: Sure. What are you going to do while Roberts gambling?
Me: Hang out at the bar.
Mom: Like you did on the cruise? You got to know that piano player well. You hung out with him all night.
Me: Yeah. In Canada, there was a live band at the bar. That worked out good. I listened to the band while Robert played poker.
Mom: That’s good. The casinos always have entertainment for the guests. Just stay at that bar that is in the casino where Robert is.
Me: We are going to be on the Old strip. There shouldn’t be too much going on.
Mom: But still, stay in the same bar of the casino where Robert is. Don’t go wondering off. If something happens to you, it will be easier to find Robert if your in the same casino.
Me: Ok mom. I guess I will be over early on Tuesday to pick up the luggage. Thanks.
You heard it folks. She said it twice. “Stay at the bar”. That there is some good advice, straight from my mama. Just stay at the bar.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Competitor In Me
As with each self identifying story begins, I was drinking one night in a bar with my girlfriend Dee Dee. This particular evening, we recklessly drove from San Antonio to Rock Port to stay at her folk’s place. The family home is conveniently located across the street and walking distance from Alice Fay’s. With hopes of going fishing, we ended up at Alice Fay’s, the local bar and boat dock is town. It is where all the locals hang out.
And as the story goes… we were drinking too much and we meet a couple guys that invited us to play skeet. I had never played the game before but suddenly was VERY into the game. I started hoppin’, hollerin’ and cursing like a sailor. People said they could hear yelling me from inside the restroom.
Dee Dee kind of stood back with a surprised look on her face. I think she was as surprised as me. I had never seen this side of myself.
Bike riding has made me very competitive. It is so odd since riding is an individual sport. It turns out that I was pushing myself to stay with the pack and not get dropped. All those rides when I was trying to beat my own time my own PB (personal best); the competitor in me began to emerge
It is a game that I play with my self. I have to pull the best out of myself; no one else can do it. It is the worst feeling to get dropped but if you stay in the front and not walk around like a zombie the rest of the day, then you know it was an awesome ride and you won.
And as the story goes… we were drinking too much and we meet a couple guys that invited us to play skeet. I had never played the game before but suddenly was VERY into the game. I started hoppin’, hollerin’ and cursing like a sailor. People said they could hear yelling me from inside the restroom.
Dee Dee kind of stood back with a surprised look on her face. I think she was as surprised as me. I had never seen this side of myself.
Bike riding has made me very competitive. It is so odd since riding is an individual sport. It turns out that I was pushing myself to stay with the pack and not get dropped. All those rides when I was trying to beat my own time my own PB (personal best); the competitor in me began to emerge
It is a game that I play with my self. I have to pull the best out of myself; no one else can do it. It is the worst feeling to get dropped but if you stay in the front and not walk around like a zombie the rest of the day, then you know it was an awesome ride and you won.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Training
It is not a resolution but part of my training. This morning I woke up at 5AM, the same time I would wake up if I were commuting, and rode my bike on my trainer for forty-five minutes. The same time it would take me to get to work. I am a wimp and can’t handle the cold weather on the commute in or the commute home for that matter.
To eliminate some of the boredom, I rode next to my portable DVD player and watched “The Wedding Crashers”. I may finish the movie or try music on Wednesday. I still get bored and image chasing Bill or Brian on the road and up the last hills. The final turn on to campus is always a heart pounder. Turning left with the traffic wakes me up. Images of dancing on my pedals float in my mind as I ride. I always have to be alert and watch for those potholes on Huebner Road. Those darn holes are hard to see in the dark. My imagination helps me pass the time.
The plan is to sit on the trainer Monday and Wednesday morning’s then practice yoga on my lunch break. Tuesday and Thursday I was going to swim but the cold weather changed my mind and I think it will turn that time into a muscle strength time. Those days I will also attend spin class at lunch. Fridays are off days. Ride one day on the weekend.
I wonder how long this idea will last. A day, a week or being lofty enough, until May and until the time I leave for my trip. Either that or I will fall over from exhaustion and my teeth will start floating from all the red bull.
To eliminate some of the boredom, I rode next to my portable DVD player and watched “The Wedding Crashers”. I may finish the movie or try music on Wednesday. I still get bored and image chasing Bill or Brian on the road and up the last hills. The final turn on to campus is always a heart pounder. Turning left with the traffic wakes me up. Images of dancing on my pedals float in my mind as I ride. I always have to be alert and watch for those potholes on Huebner Road. Those darn holes are hard to see in the dark. My imagination helps me pass the time.
The plan is to sit on the trainer Monday and Wednesday morning’s then practice yoga on my lunch break. Tuesday and Thursday I was going to swim but the cold weather changed my mind and I think it will turn that time into a muscle strength time. Those days I will also attend spin class at lunch. Fridays are off days. Ride one day on the weekend.
I wonder how long this idea will last. A day, a week or being lofty enough, until May and until the time I leave for my trip. Either that or I will fall over from exhaustion and my teeth will start floating from all the red bull.
Friday, January 1, 2010
The End of 2009
I guess you can say its part of my training, but I keep track of my miles for the year. I am anal like that.
Walk/run miles: 405
Biking miles: 3218.9
Swimming miles: 9.8
Number of workouts at the USAA gym: 224
The most biking miles I have is 2997 in 2007. Needless to say that I am happy that I broke that record this year considering I was off my bike with a bum knee for about two months. Ira, a friend from cross roads, had ten thousand miles so I have lots to catch up on. I am happy beating my last record.
The last day of the year I still had some stomach issues but was insistent on having a good time. We had dinner at Delores Del Rio, an Italian restaurant on the river walk. They feature belly dancers that dance through the already close tables. We brought in the New Year at the Republic of Texas. They have a DJ that plays top 40 tunes plus some salsa music which meant we were able to get a few dances in.
At around 11 o’clock I made my way to the rest room to shake off my stomach troubles. I finally get to the stall only to hear Robert standing at the door of the ladies room yelling “Is there a Barbie in there? Barbie get out here, they are playing some music we can dance to.” My pants were barely buttoned and my stomach turning, I sucked it up. All the ladies patted my back and lead me out the door for encouragement.
People left the dance floor and those watching cheered us on. A group of friendly folks said we looked like dancing with the stars. We still have a ways to go but it was a nice compliment. Fireworks, blow horns, and a hopeful new year sparkled in my eyes. I feel so luck and blessed to have had such a wonderful 2009.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Hotter than Hell, 2008
Over the holidays, we meet with the cycling group named “The Cyclones” for some holiday cheer when the topic of Robert's first organized bike ride came up.
The summer of 2008, Robert had only been riding for about six months when I drug him over to Wichita Falls, Texas for the Hotter than hell one hundred. I decided to let him off easy and we opted for the sixty five mile route versus the hundred miler, after all, he had only been riding for six months.
We showed up with the other ten thousand riders wearing our matching Italian jerseys. We were amazed with the fly over jets and the canon ball that started the race.
As a new rider, Robert wasn’t aware of rider etiquette and began swerving in and out of the packs, speeding up fast and then slowing down. This was after our recent European trip and he began yelling “bonjourno” to everyone. He thought people would love his diverse language. This time, there was a little fellow who though Robert cursed him out and wanted to start of fight on the side of the road.
Robert likes to taunt riders and will say to me, “Come on baby, let's go catch em”. Then he will proceed to ride as fast as he can and then bask in the glory of having a girl (that would be me) pass a bunch of guys in a pack.
It is at this time that he starts to learn a valuable lesson in conserving energy. It is difficult to save some in the fuel tank if you speed up, slow down, speed up again.
Mile fifty approaches and we have averaged 21 MPH. YES!
Mile 58, Robert starts complaining about leg cramps. We ride through the air force field. The museum planes and the hundreds of boot campers are enough to distract us for a few more miles. On or about mile 60, Robert has to get off his bike.
Cynthia, a fellow cyclone, asked me what I said and what I did next.
What could I do? What could I say? His legs would not move. I had to just sit on my bike and wait while my overall average slipped away. I did not say a word but I was pissed. My average was slipping away.
In the end, it was not that bad. We finished 65 miles with an 18.9 average. I got my miles and Robert finished his first organized bike ride.
The summer of 2008, Robert had only been riding for about six months when I drug him over to Wichita Falls, Texas for the Hotter than hell one hundred. I decided to let him off easy and we opted for the sixty five mile route versus the hundred miler, after all, he had only been riding for six months.
We showed up with the other ten thousand riders wearing our matching Italian jerseys. We were amazed with the fly over jets and the canon ball that started the race.
As a new rider, Robert wasn’t aware of rider etiquette and began swerving in and out of the packs, speeding up fast and then slowing down. This was after our recent European trip and he began yelling “bonjourno” to everyone. He thought people would love his diverse language. This time, there was a little fellow who though Robert cursed him out and wanted to start of fight on the side of the road.
Robert likes to taunt riders and will say to me, “Come on baby, let's go catch em”. Then he will proceed to ride as fast as he can and then bask in the glory of having a girl (that would be me) pass a bunch of guys in a pack.
It is at this time that he starts to learn a valuable lesson in conserving energy. It is difficult to save some in the fuel tank if you speed up, slow down, speed up again.
Mile fifty approaches and we have averaged 21 MPH. YES!
Mile 58, Robert starts complaining about leg cramps. We ride through the air force field. The museum planes and the hundreds of boot campers are enough to distract us for a few more miles. On or about mile 60, Robert has to get off his bike.
Cynthia, a fellow cyclone, asked me what I said and what I did next.
What could I do? What could I say? His legs would not move. I had to just sit on my bike and wait while my overall average slipped away. I did not say a word but I was pissed. My average was slipping away.
In the end, it was not that bad. We finished 65 miles with an 18.9 average. I got my miles and Robert finished his first organized bike ride.
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