Veloblog 2008!
dEcEmBeR 19, 2008 (written 06.05.08)
Dangerous
by: Ptsgrl
I think I have finally reached the mainstream cyclist label. I am so hooked on getting on that bike it is crazy. My fabulous biking boyfriend has encouraged my latent passion for pedaling my ass off and through his coaching I have come on strong. This past Sunday I did the Miller Ride for the first time. I’ll admit I was a disappointed we were only doing the 50mi when my stubbornness reached for the 75miles. I conceded that I needed him with me on the route and that I was not as hardcore professional as I aspire to be, but I am getting there.
Pete tells me that I am a natural—good form-fearless ambition-thrill seeker. Of course he is rather biased I being his girl. He says I do scare him a bit with my competitive nature that tends to land me on the pavement. Since getting my road bike a month or so ago and being a rookie to pedal clips I have fallen every time out. What started as a learning curve is starting to be my thing—I am a faller. It definitely is not “if’ I kiss the road, it’s “when”.
My first time out it was around mile 10 where a car, dislodged water bottle, and a horse all came to a climatic finale with me laying in the grass—no injury except my pride—It was proclaimed the most graceful fall ever by my boyfriend. I was proud that I missed the electric fence although that horse was spooked beyond everyday normal living.
The second fall happened mile 42 on the Tour de Cure ride. My Pete rides ahead and calls out the intersections to me so I don’t have to clip out. On this particular one he shouts “clear left!” and as I anticipated a “clear right!” I did not slow off the downhill— a 50% chance went against me as he called “car right!” I hit the brakes and once again those darn clips kept me at the mercy of the asphalt. My darling felt instantly guilty and I just smiled—no worries I told him. Bruising followed-but it was my left side—more expendable than the right.
The third fall was without witnesses and a dumb mistake—I was at a dead stop and gravel took me out as I waited to cross at a ridiculous intersection—I wouldn’t count that except there was a slight contusion as a result. I will never be a leg model now.
This brings me to me best fall yet. Completely not my fault, an equipment malfunction dumped me on the payment- right side this time and seen by many at the Miller Ride. My Pete was back at the rest stop as I went ahead (that boy loves to sprint). I scared the heck out of my new cycling friend as there was blood all down my leg and an armful of scratches. Thankfully a rider who was directly behind the scene had a first aid kit and patched me up as I eagerly looked back watching for my boyfriend not wanting him to see this. He is beginning to worry that I really will damage myself one of these times.
I will be missing the Trek100 this Saturday due to a family event. Pete will be doing it with his team and is glad that his tough girl has a chance to heal from the latest spill. I do have some remarkable bruises and road rash this time around.
There are great plans in our cycling future…the Ragbrai (472 mile week-long ride across Iowa)…riding some of the sections of the Tour de France as an amateur cyclist …trying my luck at racing—how Pete regrets taking me to see that sport. I may just kill myself getting wrapped up in that—I will just watch my boyfriend for now.
DeCeMbEr 12, 2008
Lance Armstrong returns to Cycling:
by: Velophile
“Don’t call it a comeback he’s been here for years!” Ok… so the dust has settled a bit since Lance announced in September of his return to the Pro-Cycling arena. I guess running marathons just wasn’t cutting it!
When it was then announced that he would reunite with Trek and join Team Astana, I got goose bumps! What better way to again, annoy the French and shake up the Cycling world then to group with Johan, Levi, Alberto, Popo and the clan! Now… Let’s hope they get invited to the Tour! This would have to be the most dominant team ever assembled, but the question remains… who is the GC leader of this team?
Levi was stripped of this opportunity last year when Astana was excluded from the Tour. Sure they dominated the Tour of California, but that is like winning the Canadian Football league championship compared to the Super Bowl!
Lance? Levi? Alberto Contador certainly won’t take a back seat to even this God of cycling! Popo is done being a domestique to these fine leaders. It will be interesting to see how Bruyneel manages these prima donnas and who; in the end will stand atop the podium in Paris.
I look forward to the 2009 season with renewed enthusiasm. If this team can stay clean and far away from any doping scandal, they will make a clean sweep of the circuit!
As for me…I have my autographed Lance (Discovery) jersey I paid $300 for at a charity auction, my poster of him winning all 7 Tours that I may need to replace and it looks like my next Jersey will be Light Blue, Back and Yellow! Go Astana!
aPrIl 2007 - Re-published dEcEmBeR 2008
Finding Life's Balance on Two Wheels…
by: Ptsgrl
In the past few weeks I have been pedaling myself strong, not only physically, but mentally. I've decided along with the physical endurance necessary to meet my 34mi test I need the mental fortitude as well.
When I haven't been focused on trying to figure out what the heck gear to be in I have allowed my mind to wander thru life's highs & lows.
Here's what I've learned so far:
- Sometimes no matter what direction you turn, the wind is always going to be in your face.
- You appreciate the coast in direct proportion to the difficulty of the climb
- Dogs will chase you & bark no matter how hard you try to avoid them. (Girls know this is true)
- Staying off the well-traveled road, while you may get lost, lessens your chances of being run-over.
- Being stubborn about switching gears may mean you'll miss something beautiful down the road.
- There's a rush that comes not only from winning, but staying the course and finishing the race.
- Allowing for a lot of distance may keep you out of harms way for the time being, but makes the ride less worthwhile.
- When you fall the choice is yours whether to quit or pedal on.
- If you get too close to the edge of rough vs. smooth terrain, make sure you are prepared to steady yourself or there's no question that you're going to get hurt.
- Any fatigue in your body can be overcome by the belief in your soul.
