Another week down and we're now in February - race season is just around the corner... where has the time gone ? This weekend is supposed to be fabulous (weather-wise) so I expect everyone to get a little antsy about it - it's what I call an amateur weekend. You know who I'm talking about - those who are arguably smarter and arguably have more self control than those of us that have been freezing our arses off while they quietly go crazy looking at their four walls for hours at a time, but this is the kind of weekend when people you haven't seen in months venture outdoors for the first time.
You can tell them apart from the rest of us - while those of us who have been conditioned to the cold temps will be in arm warmers and knee warmers, these basement-dwellers will be decked out in all their Christmas presents - the hard-core gear they received as holiday gifts, still brand new (sometimes with tags still attached!) because they never ventured outside.
Since they'll be bundled up like its February or something, you'll also be able to spot them by the trail of sweat they leave behind .... on the warm up portion of the ride.
These riders - remember they're our brethren, they just aren't as willing to put lubricant on their faces in the out of doors - they'll be a little sketchy in the pack since they aren't used to actually having to steer their bikes.
The novelty of scenery that moves and carrying on a conversation while riding will be a little overwhelming for them so speak slowly and clearly while they adjust to the higher levels of stimuli.
Last, and most importantly, welcome them back into the fold. They'll have to hibernate again as the temps drop again- this is just a beautiful respite from the cold and, for them, the boredom of yet another indoor trainer session.
In some ways, these indoor-winter-warriors are stronger than you and I. I can only speak for myself but the homicide rate in Baltimore would be significantly higher if I didn't get outside a couple times a week on the bike.
Enjoy the weekend - ride safe!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Laughing at yourself (and others)
Before I go into the main topic, here's a photo that just begged to be posted. I tried my best to come up with something witty to accompany this picture. I failed, mostly because this picture tends to render most people speechless:
Sorry, kids ... thats really the best I could come up with. Other suggestions are welcome.
So, I woke up this morning with about 1/2 inch of snow on the ground - just enough to make everything look clean and sparkle-y. And not enough that everything gets grungy as the day wears on - it'll melt away like nothing ever happened.
Of course, several people at work used this "snow storm" as an excuse to be late and, in one case, not come in (have you seen the roads ? My neighborhood hasn't been plowed at all!!). To me this is just silly. If you want to take the day off, make up a cough and call in sick with a raspy voice. Cite car troub
le. Tell them you have food poisoning. (although I tend to avoid any of that because I'm afraid karma will come back at me and I actually WILL have whatever issue I'm claiming). But whatever you do, don't try to pretend that you're such a wuss that you can't drive in a half-inch of snow. I know people who commute via bike in snow all the time. Note the pic that graced GamJams a few days ago. Don't tell me that your Jeep Grand Cherokee can't traverse the perils of your neighborhood.
Honestly. I used to think that people, in general, suck. I now believe that most people are here as fodder for stories and blogs.
Yes, I'm fully aware that I qualify for that as well - and it's not easy to take my own medicine sometimes. I dont have a copy of it, but there's a picture floating around of me and Zim on Christmas eve ... we were sitting next to each other and I went to give her a big smack on the cheek and she turned into me at the last second. As a side note, all the boys at the party got real attentive all of a sudden.
Anyway, the pic was passed to a mutual friend before I even saw it and I was pretty unhappy (to put it mildly). But, through the words of a good friend (and the subject of some stories of her own), I have come to realize that I need to learn to laugh at myself if I'm going to laugh at others.
Mea culpa - it takes a while but I do learn the lesson.
Zim: melons complimented today with cherries and cheese(cake).
Sorry, kids ... thats really the best I could come up with. Other suggestions are welcome.
So, I woke up this morning with about 1/2 inch of snow on the ground - just enough to make everything look clean and sparkle-y. And not enough that everything gets grungy as the day wears on - it'll melt away like nothing ever happened.
Of course, several people at work used this "snow storm" as an excuse to be late and, in one case, not come in (have you seen the roads ? My neighborhood hasn't been plowed at all!!). To me this is just silly. If you want to take the day off, make up a cough and call in sick with a raspy voice. Cite car troub
le. Tell them you have food poisoning. (although I tend to avoid any of that because I'm afraid karma will come back at me and I actually WILL have whatever issue I'm claiming). But whatever you do, don't try to pretend that you're such a wuss that you can't drive in a half-inch of snow. I know people who commute via bike in snow all the time. Note the pic that graced GamJams a few days ago. Don't tell me that your Jeep Grand Cherokee can't traverse the perils of your neighborhood.Honestly. I used to think that people, in general, suck. I now believe that most people are here as fodder for stories and blogs.
Yes, I'm fully aware that I qualify for that as well - and it's not easy to take my own medicine sometimes. I dont have a copy of it, but there's a picture floating around of me and Zim on Christmas eve ... we were sitting next to each other and I went to give her a big smack on the cheek and she turned into me at the last second. As a side note, all the boys at the party got real attentive all of a sudden.
Anyway, the pic was passed to a mutual friend before I even saw it and I was pretty unhappy (to put it mildly). But, through the words of a good friend (and the subject of some stories of her own), I have come to realize that I need to learn to laugh at myself if I'm going to laugh at others.
Mea culpa - it takes a while but I do learn the lesson.
Friday, January 30, 2009
TGIF - 1/30/09
After the frigid and icy weather this week, I'm looking forward to a couple of sunny days in the saddle - outside. My rollers are super-awesome-cool, but a girl can only take so much. Team CycleLife is due for another coached clinic on Saturday, so that will keep us entertained for the day. Some have wondered exactly what it is that we do at these "clinics". There have been pics posted of our bump-and-grind drills (get your mind out of the gutter) and we've brought beer with us (for Mike's Bday ... he was responsible and didn't drink and ride). The clinic before this one, Mike used Aaron's building blocks to demonstrate pacelining. Now for the latest lesson (last Sunday)... cornering.
It's hard to visualize cornering. As most of you know, you just gotta get out there and do it. Watch some one else corner, sit on their wheel, try your hand at it and perfect it at slow speeds before hitting the corners at race-speeds.
What I didn't realize is that there's another approach. Prior to getting out there to give it a whirl, toys seem to be a good start.
Mike demonstrating a bike drafting a dump truck. With a face.
As in real life, a dump truck always wins against a bicycle.
Who says learning can't be fun ? This week's clinic is not at Mike's house and Leslie probably doesn't have children's toys lying around so I'm not sure how it's going to work out ... if nothing else, we always keep it entertaining.
The month of Wendy comes to an end tomorrow ... it's been a fun month and a great distraction to get through the post-holiday letdown. Wonder if anyone has claimed the month of February yet ?
Happy Friday, ya'll.
It's hard to visualize cornering. As most of you know, you just gotta get out there and do it. Watch some one else corner, sit on their wheel, try your hand at it and perfect it at slow speeds before hitting the corners at race-speeds.
What I didn't realize is that there's another approach. Prior to getting out there to give it a whirl, toys seem to be a good start.
Mike demonstrating a bike drafting a dump truck. With a face. 
As in real life, a dump truck always wins against a bicycle.Who says learning can't be fun ? This week's clinic is not at Mike's house and Leslie probably doesn't have children's toys lying around so I'm not sure how it's going to work out ... if nothing else, we always keep it entertaining.
The month of Wendy comes to an end tomorrow ... it's been a fun month and a great distraction to get through the post-holiday letdown. Wonder if anyone has claimed the month of February yet ?
Happy Friday, ya'll.
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