Tidbits

not all of these are worth their own post (or maybe I am too tired and lazy to do it), but some things I have been thinking

*I do my best thinking from my bike saddle. Seriously
*I got to wear my winter cycling clothes again today and was glad...I love my Castelli jersey!
*I slipped off of my seat, due to a slippery skirt, then the bike came up behind me and hit me. Left a huge ugly bruise on my ass. I totally got my butt kicked by a bike. a bike!
*I got my bonus check today and DIDN'T buy a new bike. Paid off some debt instead.
*I may have to start editing my posts more carefully if the inappropriate comments and emails continue. Sad but true. Hey Creepy Creepersons...quit being so creepy! I have already taken my email off of my profile due to emails. Please, let's keep it safe here. I don't want to have to worry.
*New word-bumpintoitiveness: what cities and communities are lacking and what makes them liveable. The ability to bump into your neighbors and really live in community. I learned it when Anna and I attended a reception and talk by Dan Burden of Walkable.org. It was really inspiring!
*Check out Birmingham Magazine this month if you can. Bici is profiled on the Extra's page (no internet link)
*I heart my online community!

Snow Day!

This morning, I awoke to this lovely sight...SNOW!!!



obviously I had to ride in it. So I got dressed (skirt, boots, raincoat) and headed to a friend's for brunch. It was snowing hard. Let me tell you, it is not easy climbing a (albeit small) mountain on unplowed, undriven roads. I was sliding all over the place. In a curve of the mountain I heard a whistle and "Lady, you MUST be crazy!". Looked up and it was a policeman, standing next to a flipped over car, with a firetruck and ambulance nearby. I yelled back "Too late to turn around now" and he responded with "Hope you are ready to fall, because you are gonna!". Thanks for the encouragement.

needless to say, I did not fall (ha!), but did enjoy the sights. We don't get snow here often, so it is a very big deal. As I was riding, the park was filling up with families bringing sleds and cardboard to slide down the sides of the park and people building snowmen all along the road. It was lovely and so much better than being in a car (although perhaps a bit scarier...). Mick Jagger loves the snow.



The ride home was sunny and you heard water dripping as the snow melted. It was nice while it lasted.


sad car

Day Three: DOA

Last night I bailed on my ride. I was feeling crappy and my hip hurt from my little fall. Mainly I was exhausted. So I debated and listened to my body, getting a ride home with a friend. I felt like a complete LOSER.

As the night wore on I started to get a sore throat and feel a bit achy. By bedtime I had a fever and a headache.

I am now sitting at home, too sick to work. It turns out my body was trying to tell me something yesterday and I am sure glad I listened. I still think I can do the 3 day Pact, as I am going to Bike!bike! in Atlanta this weekend and will be riding everywhere.

Moral of the story: Follow your instincts and listen to what your body is telling you.

I am hopeful a day of sleeping and meds will heal me enough for my weekend trip. I have been looking forward to it for months and would hate to be sidelined with a cold!

Will try to blog from Atl... if I am not able, see you Monday!

Day Two: commuting sucks

I was so looking forward to my commute today. It was supposed to be sunny and COLD (windchill of 12) and I was ready...or so I thought. Packed my lunch, decided to try out my X-Lg messenger bag, put Vaseline on my face to combat windburn and my new wool socks. I was anticipating a cold, but easy ride in the sunshine.

What I got instead was a fall (jeans seam caught in chain ring), a flat (damn glass on the road) and a REALLY cold walk the rest of the way. I arrived cold and dejected. and pretty pissy.

Of course, the reponse was "Are you CRAZY?!" and "It is too cold, that will teach you!". Yes, a flat tire and a small spill is definitely a lesson I learned from riding in the cold. Oh wait...all of that could have happened in 65 degree weather and the cold wasn't cold until I had to walk.

Maybe I am still a bit on the pissy side! On the bright side, I get to try my hand and changing my tube, something I learned to do months ago but have not had to do. It is on the rear wheel (back with the scary derailleur) so this could be interesting...

do I regret my ride? maybe. Will I be out on the road again tomorrow? YES.

Excuses, excuses

I was readying myself to write a post about the excuses we tell ourselves to get out of riding, and then I read Ms. dotties post over on Let's Go Ride A Bike on exactly the same thing!

(I have to admit...it made me feel better!)

This week I have been on the news and in the newspaper for my bike commute...and I haven't ridden at all! eek. I lost my gloves the day that the newspaper came out and borrowed a pair for a day or two. Unfortunately I had to return those and haven't gone out to by anymore (those things are not cheap!). I have plenty of knit gloves at home, but seem convinced I will die of hypothermia if I attempt to ride in them. this. is. ridiculous. I realized that when a) Anna rode with knit gloves and b) I could easily later my knit gloves.

some of my other excuses: I have to go straight to a fancy dinner after work. I will probably need to work late. It is only supposed to be 15 degrees. I am stopping by a friend's house after work, blah, blah, blah. You get the picture.

I joined Triathablog in order to form a habit. That was much easier when the highs were in the 40's, not the 20's. It was also easier when I had people keeping up with me and a little competition to push me. Tonight we have a hard freeze warning and a windchill danger warning, but I am riding to a bici planning meeting. I hope to ride tomorrow too.

I told the Let's go ride a bike ladies that we should make a pact to ride at least 3 days next week. I am vowing to do that. Trish said she is in. Which means that I have to ride everyday until Thursday as I am headed to Bike!bike! Thursday (which will be a lot of riding!).

Want to join our pact? It is a small step toward making a lasting habit and telling my excuses to shove it. Everytime I pass Mick (the bike) in the hallway, I can barely look at him out of guilt and shame of his abandonment. I imagine him everyday, looking out the window and crying a little. sniffle, sniffle.

on a completely different note, I saw this on Copenhagen Cycling Chic and freaked out! Now that is some riding style.


The cape, the boots, the bike, the lack of a style sucking helmet...it is almost too much. almost