As I wait for departure, I find myself looking for the next big adventure. I am reminded of the open air and the freedom riding across America can bring. It is a feeling of freedom.
My bags are packed and my heart longs for the challenge of testing my limits. There is nothing left for me to do here at home and all I am left with is time. There is only time to ponder what is important to me with moments to take in and afternoons to waste.
Robert had me running around town with him showing houses. I feel asleep on the shaded porch. The sky was clear, the wind was soft, and the grass was delicately swaying in the wind.
The cyclist in me noticed the tree branches moving in the wind. It was a bit too windy for a bike ride. But does the weather actually matter. The day would be just as peaceful if there were rain. That baby’s smile would be just as bright with thunder rolling in the distance.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Need versus Want
As I mentally prepare for “the trip” I realize the wants and needs that I absolutely require.
Need:
Bike shorts
Jersey
Cloths to wear after the ride
Water bottle
Bike
Nice to have and will take:
Netbook
Foam roller
Face cream
Nail polish
Nail polish remover
Phone
Camera
Things I am going to miss:
My pillow
Roxy.
My family. Mom, Dad, and Big Sis.
Hugs from my nieces
The comfort of recovering on my couch
A room full of cloths and shoe choices
Watching TIVO
Sleeping in my bed
The garden
Dancing
Food conveniently in the kitchen
Riding with the ECT (Employee Cycling Team)
Familiar roads
Coffee crew
Washing machine-in my house
Jewelry
Hair straighter and big sexy hair spray
Things that I can used to being without….
Wearing a watch
MY CAR
Need:
Bike shorts
Jersey
Cloths to wear after the ride
Water bottle
Bike
Nice to have and will take:
Netbook
Foam roller
Face cream
Nail polish
Nail polish remover
Phone
Camera
Things I am going to miss:
My pillow
Roxy.
My family. Mom, Dad, and Big Sis.
Hugs from my nieces
The comfort of recovering on my couch
A room full of cloths and shoe choices
Watching TIVO
Sleeping in my bed
The garden
Dancing
Food conveniently in the kitchen
Riding with the ECT (Employee Cycling Team)
Familiar roads
Coffee crew
Washing machine-in my house
Jewelry
Hair straighter and big sexy hair spray
Things that I can used to being without….
Wearing a watch
MY CAR
Friday, May 14, 2010
Packing
How am I going to fit all this in 2 bags?
Do you think Tracy will notice if I take an extra bag?
Seriously, the yellow one is last years bag and I will send it home once I start riding. It holds all my bike stuff. It has all the things that I will carry on my bike and on the plane.
Do you think Tracy will notice if I take an extra bag?
Seriously, the yellow one is last years bag and I will send it home once I start riding. It holds all my bike stuff. It has all the things that I will carry on my bike and on the plane.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Homesick
Yes, I realize have not yet left but I am already homesick. Before leaving for work, I crawled back into bed and watched Robert sleep. I am emotional like that.
I can not help but think about all the things I am grateful for and the people I will miss while I am away.
At spin class, I was climbing Mt. Mingus. I closed my eyes and moved the setting to the hardest setting, found my pace, and climbed. When I couldn’t climb any more, I remembered getting off my bike to admire the view. I caught my breath and climbed some more, with a huge smile on my face.
Rich will meet me sometime next Thursday and is available to take me to the nearest bike shop in case anything is needed for my bike. He tells me the weather is crazy in ABQ. It snowed a week ago. One day it will be 45 degrees and the next day it will be 90 degrees. There are other days, in May, where the “March winds” are blowing at 60 MPH.
My parents and Robert will be flying out with me. They will follow me up to Santa Fe where we will spend the rest day together. It means the world that Mom will be seeing me on part of the trip. Their support has been tremendous!
I can not help but think about all the things I am grateful for and the people I will miss while I am away.
At spin class, I was climbing Mt. Mingus. I closed my eyes and moved the setting to the hardest setting, found my pace, and climbed. When I couldn’t climb any more, I remembered getting off my bike to admire the view. I caught my breath and climbed some more, with a huge smile on my face.
Rich will meet me sometime next Thursday and is available to take me to the nearest bike shop in case anything is needed for my bike. He tells me the weather is crazy in ABQ. It snowed a week ago. One day it will be 45 degrees and the next day it will be 90 degrees. There are other days, in May, where the “March winds” are blowing at 60 MPH.
My parents and Robert will be flying out with me. They will follow me up to Santa Fe where we will spend the rest day together. It means the world that Mom will be seeing me on part of the trip. Their support has been tremendous!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Almost That Time
Friday, I picked up my bike with a new wheel and handle bars. Saturday, Robert and I rode about 4 miles out before he broke a spoke. A whopping 9 miles total route, but that is all I could handle with the bum wrist. Sunday, I rode from my mother’s house to Robert’s mother’s house. A total of 14.96 miles, one way.
Today, I will box up my bike and ship it out to ABQ. Last minute changes to the handlebars are sorta freakin’ me out but at this point there is not much I can do. The road rash has healed up and my wrist only hurts when I move it in that certain way.
For the past few months, I have been getting my bills sorted out, purchasing travel size personal items, and I still have a list of things to be done before I leave. I leave in a week and a half and I still do not have pajamas. (I forgot them last year. Tracy did not have them on the packing list.)
As the riders depart from LA, I am so excited about what they will experience and hope that the attitude of the weather brings only fond memories.
This year I need a better way to remember my hotel room number, as it changes from day to day. Last year, I kept the key in the sleeve. The floors and hallways start looking the same. Any suggestions?
Today, I will box up my bike and ship it out to ABQ. Last minute changes to the handlebars are sorta freakin’ me out but at this point there is not much I can do. The road rash has healed up and my wrist only hurts when I move it in that certain way.
For the past few months, I have been getting my bills sorted out, purchasing travel size personal items, and I still have a list of things to be done before I leave. I leave in a week and a half and I still do not have pajamas. (I forgot them last year. Tracy did not have them on the packing list.)
As the riders depart from LA, I am so excited about what they will experience and hope that the attitude of the weather brings only fond memories.
This year I need a better way to remember my hotel room number, as it changes from day to day. Last year, I kept the key in the sleeve. The floors and hallways start looking the same. Any suggestions?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Healing
It is so cliché but I feel better everyday. The first two days were the worst but I found that moving around kept my body from getting too stiff. Keeping the road rash moist with ointment seems to be the trick.
Taking Roxy for her walk yesterday and getting on my cruiser, gave me on the confidence I needed to hold on to the handle bars and feel the bumps on the road.
Sad that my bike will not be ready until Friday, all I can do is go out dancing and stay up late to watch Spurs playoff games. (I talk so big. I end up falling asleep by 9:30.)
Robert has been the best help. Saturday he helped get me dressed and undressed, he helped change my bandages, took me to get food, AND he did NOT laugh at the way I was eating with my left and only hand.
Taking Roxy for her walk yesterday and getting on my cruiser, gave me on the confidence I needed to hold on to the handle bars and feel the bumps on the road.
Sad that my bike will not be ready until Friday, all I can do is go out dancing and stay up late to watch Spurs playoff games. (I talk so big. I end up falling asleep by 9:30.)
Robert has been the best help. Saturday he helped get me dressed and undressed, he helped change my bandages, took me to get food, AND he did NOT laugh at the way I was eating with my left and only hand.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Fight With The Road
Fought with the road and the road won. Went out for a 65 mile ride and 18.86 miles in, Grant and I got too close and the winds got the best of us.
Grant’s new gloves, shorts and jersy were torn as my bike padded our fall. In shock and numb, all I think about is the trip. How will I recover and will my bike be ok?
Worried that my wrist is broken, I wanted to get some peace of mind. My wrist is only sprained, confirmed by the ER doctor.
Bike damage is bad. Handlebars, wrap, gear covers, three spokes, and seat. I have a sprained wrist, road rash on knee, thigh, elbow, an ache body, and sore ego. I guess it could be worse. I am more upset about the miles I did not get in and the duration that it now takes to type.
Grant’s new gloves, shorts and jersy were torn as my bike padded our fall. In shock and numb, all I think about is the trip. How will I recover and will my bike be ok?
Worried that my wrist is broken, I wanted to get some peace of mind. My wrist is only sprained, confirmed by the ER doctor.
Bike damage is bad. Handlebars, wrap, gear covers, three spokes, and seat. I have a sprained wrist, road rash on knee, thigh, elbow, an ache body, and sore ego. I guess it could be worse. I am more upset about the miles I did not get in and the duration that it now takes to type.
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