TGIF - 10/9/09

My inconsistent blog posts have probably given away my motivation issues. After missing essentially the entire race season (especially after working so hard to come back after various traumas over the off-season), I've had a hard time talking myself into getting back into the saddle for anything more than a leisurely ride. Why bother suffering if it really doesn't matter ? Why sacrifice the time, effort, expense etc if it really amounts to NOTHING right now ? Even coach Slavedriver has pretty much left me to my own devices right now. What's the point ?

Team CycleLife pre-race. Thanks to Sonja, always taking the pics, never IN the pics!

The past two weekends have reminded me "what's the point". On Sept 29, Team CycleLife participated in Junior's Day Out, which included the Special Olympics Fall Games. Tracy Lea and her trusty crew do a fantastic job on this event and I can't say enough about the time and effort they put in each year. This was my first opportunity to be a part of the Special Olympics action and it was an amazing experience. The riders were so happy to be on their bikes - no typical testosterone-filled bike racer BS, just smiles from everyone when they heard their name as the crowd cheered every participant. These racers tried so hard to put forth their best effort, and that was enough for them. When it came time for their awards (clothing and other paraphernalia donated through Tracy's tireless efforts), they were so thrilled that they got to choose a jersey or a hat or a saddle bag. It was amazing - they loved us and remembered our names or that one of us rode the course with them or that a couple of us pushed them up the hill to finish the race. I can't say in words the overwhelming feeling I left with - I hope Tracy will have us back next year.

Wendy helping Melanie stay on track

Jen monitoring a clean pass on the course

I also found some motivation this past weekend, courtesy of Evelyn. Ev will, from time to time, include non-Artemsians in fun, off season activities. She included me on her email for a Beer Ride in Davidsonville. At the last minute, I decided I need to stop being a homebody and I need to start getting back to life. So, I showed up. Mona brought her husband, Bob (they were rockstars and kept a great pace with us, despite Bob's lead-sled) and ride leaders Ev and James kept us on track. The weather was beautiful, Davidsonville roads are mostly cycling friendly (I say roads, not traffic) and company was awesome. I went home after 3 hours or so of a good, steady pace thinking - oh, yeah ... I remember this feeling. I love my bike. I love riding. I love this sport.

I'm considering the Seagull tomorrow to continue my "get out and ride" theme, but am undecided thus far. Your mission ? Get out this weekend and remember why YOU love to ride.

Happy Friday !!

TGIF- 9/25/09

I'm going to spare you the normal friday rambling this week ... instead, I wanted to get the word out about an upcoming event being held by our title sponsor, CycleLife, featuring Dave Zabriskie's Yield to Life foundation.



Dave Zabriskie will be in town to promote the newly formed local chapter of his foundation, Yield to Life.

"It is my mission to humanize and personalize cyclists to help motorists to always be aware that we are "life" and that we deserve a safe space on the road. I love to ride my bike as do my fellow cyclists, but we should not have to place our lives at risk everyday for that enjoyment."

-David Zabriskie.

Yield to Life is a non-profit organization devoted to creating a safer environment for cyclists and, by so doing, encouraging more people to ride for their own health, the good of the environment and the well being of society. By making cycling safer and promoting the activity as a responsible means of transportation and a healthy means of recreation, Yield to Life can contribute to tackling some of today's major concerns—from such issues as pollution and global warming to obesity and diabetes. In this way, Yield to Life can play a role in increasing the quality of life not only for cyclists, but for everyone—for our generation and those to come.

Yield to Life’s Mission:

Yield to Life will engage in a vigorous awareness campaign to promote positive attitudes toward cyclists and replace any hostility that exists between motorists and cyclists with understanding, respect, and appreciation for all life on the road. Safety for every cyclist is the top priority of Yield to Life. Cycling is a healthy, life-affirming, environmentally-sound activity that adds value to anyone’s life. Since cyclists' lives are often in motorists’ hands, motorists must understand the vital role they play in a cyclist's safety

Yield to Life will concentrate on road-rule education programs for motorists and cyclists alike through driver's education programs, public awareness movements and media campaigns in order to ensure a safer and more harmonious environment for all those on the road.

Yield to Life will engage in a hands-on educational program with target audiences that range from school assemblies to corporate conventions. Workshops will be created to arm cyclists with tips for navigating through traffic and tools for riding in a safe and responsible manner.

Yield to Life will work on a database for cyclists to find the best, the safest and the most accommodating roads for commuting and for recreation.

FOR TICKET INFORMATION or to learn more about Dave's work off of the bike, please visit:

www.yieldtolife.org

Your support for this event and his foundation would be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy the weekend !!

TGIF - 9/11/09

This weekend's Turkey Day race marks the end of the road season, and also marks the anniversary of my first-ever road race. I entered that race barely being able to clip in - I was riding a borrowed steel serotta frame (too green at the time to appreciate what that was) that had down-tube shifters. I'm certain that the other women starting the 3/4 race took one look at me and decided to stay the heck away from the chick in the unmarked pearl izumi jersey. Thankfully, I did know enough not to have my visor on the helmet and I still didn't know what a camel-back was so I wasn't a total Fred. Probably close enough, though.

Speaking of getting a start- I rode out to the Cross practice held by Mid-Maryland Coaching (ie Coach SlaveDriver) last Sunday to meet up with Ev for a ride afterward ... it was some great entertainment. C-O and I were more or less heckling riders as they passed by. It did look like most were having fun, but I'm still not sold. Big props to Ev and her teammate, Bonnie, who were mastering the barriers where they got the brunt of our heckling. Say all you want, but anyone who gets out there to do something new and different without worrying about appearances gets huge props from me.

I didn't really do the math on my trek out to the practice - an hour and a half out to Folly Quarter Middle, an hour and a half ride with my Artemis friends and then ... an hour and a half back. Holy cannoli, I was on the bike for 4.5hrs ! That may not seem like a big deal to some, but remember I've been injured and relegated to trainer rides or staying close to home in case I have a flat. This was the longest ride I've done since ... March ?

The best thing that ever happened to my training route is the Rita's Italian ice that opened up about 1/2 hour from my house. I was closing on 4 hours and only convinced my legs to keep pedaling after promising a Rita's if I made it that far ...Hey, we take motivation in whatever form it comes in.

Happy Friday, ya'll.