Today's Goal

Night ride

You notice the crisp air - and how it has gotten cooler since you last left.
You note the wind direction
The Moon and how the clouds are.
The Pretty Christmas lights on the houses you pass ...and you actually get to look and enjoy them instead of blinking and they disappear (like a car).
You notice the nurse, heading to her car at 11:30 to make the midnight shift at her job (at least you conclude she's a nurse because she's in scrubs), and how she doesn't seem to notice you passing her and waving with a smile.
You miss your turn in the neighborhood and have to go through it a little longer, but you don't mind on your bike. There's more Christmas lights to see up ahead and more of the night sky and the night air.
The lesser traffic.
The sound of the bike while you pedal through a neighborhood...it's familiar rattles and spins.
The thoughts of the day pass through your head.
The thoughts of how pretty crisp and cool the night is goes through your head.
And when you finally get to your destination - you ALMOST consider continuing on your bike path as the night rides are so much better than the day rides.
Through the street lights, your speed appears faster and the asphalt does a spinning pattern in your eyes.
You bike. You smile. You relish everything your vision gives you on this ride.
And you become thankful for the little things, and for the ability to ride on this night and get home safely.

And this is why you ride your bike. Because everything just looks different when you're not in a car perspective..and when you're in a 'RIGHT NOW' perspective.
Such as RIGHT NOW when you are on your bike.

Wow what a gap...

I hate gaps.
I also hate getting the plague.
Six Gap was a no go due to illness.
October has no choice but to be my whole 'month off' as I'm usually busy with conventions and Halloween.
And still the plague prevailed.
Last week got a chest x-ray...found out I had walking pneumonia
This week - got the all clear from the doc after a follow up from five days worth of antibiotics that probably ended up making me sterile.  But I'm ok with that as long as I get over this hump.
Today - was bike day...
2 hours was a good breaking back in/getting back in the saddle.
Tomorrow will be the same
Saturday will be longer.
Sunday will be Yoga.
I am done with this stagnant shite! :D

Totally Unrelated to Biking

But I just had to show off my Halloween Costume for this year (as all that know me well know that I am a costume fanatic).
Miss Argentina - from Beetlejuice...

A new perspective

In searching for a new job - I have concluded that there are none (sadly) within the 5 miles radius from my house that I wanted and hoped to get (where I could ride to work) and b) I need to re-vamp my biking schedule.

Starting tomorrow - I am going to be leaving my car at work - riding home in the afternoons and then riding into work in the mornings, so I may drive home Thursday. 

This will give me a garantee'd 26 miles a day on the days that I decide to do this (4 days out of the week is the goal) and then my weekends won't be such a struggle to make up the extra miles (goal is 150 miles a week - to slowly increase each month by 50 miles give or take).

This will also enable me to - should I pursue a job with another company in the same area be able to store my bike (regardless of if they have a place in the building) on the days I ride in that I know the bike will be safe regardless.

So - goals are updated and changed.  Here's hoping

Tampa Bay

I love my morning rides into work.  I especially love them this time of year when the weather is perfect all day and cool at night and first thing in the morning.  It always feels good to ride.  Makes me almost want to not stop at work and just keep going and see how far I can go until I can't take it anymore.

Training mode is back.  In full force.  :D

Six Gap

My training was going really really good with Six Gap - I felt pumped and I felt ready.  I still was unsure how I would do on the mountains/hills, but still - it would be worth it.


Until I got the plague the week beforehand.
Someone at work determined she no longer needed to call off when she was sick.  She came into work, and thus, infected a LOT of other people.  I got that bug.  I got it on the 17th of September.  
The Tuesday before Six Gap it seemed as if it was going away, for good.  
Wednesday morning, I woke up and it was like something happened overnight that made it 3x worse.
I was miserable....
Thursday involved an Urgent Care visit and the doc telling me I have sinusitis (sinus infection), laryngitis and acute bronchitis (meaning that due to the sickness, I have this).  Was loaded up with drugs and told to NOT do the race.
I went to Six Gap anyways.
We drove Friday night to Tallahassee and then Saturday to Gainesville, GA to stay in our hotel.
Woke up at 5am the next morning and got ready to head to the race.
The the rain started.
Torrential downpour right when we got there.  Then come to find out that the rain was going to stop for about 3 hours but then it would start right back up, if not worse than what it was, right about the time you get to 'Hogpin' gap.  Which would make that mountain more brutal than it already is. 
B-Man said 'Nope, not doing it - too hard and too evil with the rain.' ..he's been riding for years if he states he doesn't want to be miserable, then it's probably with reason.
I thought about it and decided it would not be in MY best interest to ride either.  It was cold up there in the Blue Ridge, and I had only been on 4 days worth of antibiotics..I still had the worst cough known to man and still didn't feel fully like..ME.
So - NO SIZ GAP THIS YEAR :(
Just means that next year I have to do ALL 100 miles, and not just 50.
My antibiotics end tomorrow.  And I will be back in training mode for it then.

SIGH - WTF Tampa...Really?

Another cyclist was killed today, this morning..right by my work area (Spruce Street)

This makes the fifth fatality in the Tampa Bay Area for cyclists in a month's time.

This is so..embarrassing..and also motivation that I need to get the HELL out of this area as soon as possible.

But ..>Tampa isn't going to do anything about it.  NO no, there's 'nothing they can do' I'm sure /end sarcasm.

I drive and I cycle.  I am aware of the rules of the road for BOTH aspects of transportation and know when and how to change them accordingly.  I know that is is not my RIGHT to drive, it is a privilege that is given to me by the state I live in based on me following the rules of the road and taking a competency test to show I do know and can obey these rules.  Everyone around us thinks that they are ENTITLED to drive and that is not the case AT ALL.  It can be taken away from you ...(well, it seems not in Florida since that jackass Congressman who has 5 DUI's got the ok from our State to re-apply for your license AFTER YOU'VE HAD 5 DUI"s) but it is not in the Constitution or anything else that you HAVE to drive - and it is your RIGHT to drive.  NO, it is a  privilege and it is your RESPONSIBITLY to drive safely and responsibly.  PERIOD.

That goes for cycling too.  There are rules of the road for cyclists as well (I even have them tagged in here on one of my entries per state should you want to read them).  And cyclists need to follow those as well.  Don't be dicks, don't be rude, just ride and enjoy it.  I know there are a TON of people who don't follow the rules, I have rode with them on occasion and it has made me feel uneasy and thus, I stopped riding with them.  You need LIGHTS if you are out at night - you need to go WITH traffic (and not against) and if you do use the sidewalk, you need to understand that NOBODY sees you on the road OR SIDEWALK and do not assume that ANYONE sees you EVER...be on alert, be on lookout and be SAFE.  Please.

I know that this just gives me more incentive to move out of this State and get to a better place.  One that recognizes and acknowledges that bikes are around and bikes are here to stay and ...they are good for the environment, society and everyone as a whole and they CAN be in a community with cars just as easily.  I hope one day very soon to get there.  For now, I'm starting to wonder if the Tampa Bay Area is ..well for lack of a better terms..just FUCKED in this aspect.

Tallahassee

Last weekend we went up to Tallahassee

so I could work on my hill training for Six/Three Gap.
It was a blast.  We rode for three days - I hung on the last/third day of the ride and stayed with the group we had and basically learned how to spin the pain out of my legs and to take it easy and not kill myself.

It was so nice up there - the weather would get hot by the time we were back at Brendan's from the rides in the morning.  But the mornings were perfect and the canopy roads are oh so pretty.
It really made me miss it up there ... and miss the ability to live in a city that I could pretty much ...BIKE anytime during the day if I wanted to.  Unlike here, where I live now - and if I wake up late in the mornings, the opportunity to ride in peace with less traffic and less jerhks is just impossible (unless I bike to St. Pete.  Which I don't mind doing - but the first 5-7 miles to get to St. Pete are just hell).
And the weather down here - still is humid and gross.  I am SO.READY. for the fall months to get here.  I think everyone is.

Morning Catch Up

Instead of biking this morning - I have decided to drink some coffee, catch up on my internets/posts and milage updates then do my hair, finish laundry and have a wonderful Sunday afternoon.

Team Skinny has been slacking :(.  I didn't mean for it to happen, but the weather has been nothing but rainy the past week - both morning and afternoon and I dislike doing the trainer..so - the dislike took over the 'need' to do it....there it is.

We're considering the summer months our 'off season' anyways (per The Greek) since most of the time it's just too hot and too unbearable...

However, I have been riding most of the time, both days on the weekends..and taking some pretty neat photos while on my journeys...

Taking photos while on my rides really makes me apprciate the bike riding even more...and gives me a small mini break to nom and drink water moreso than I do while riding.

I think I'll be ready for Six Gap in 30 days..ACK!  Training and better eating habits start this week.  No more eating out constantly.  We're going to dinner tonight with a group of friends, but that is mainly for a person's bday and I'm going to attempt to just order something small.  

In other news - I <3 my new bike!  It's so light and fluffy ;)..ok it's not fluffy - but you can see it in most of the photos posted above.  It's comfy - I'm really really happy with it.  Best decision I ever made was to go Carbon :)

Conclusion of miles rode will be in the next post.

D had knee surgery a week and four days ago ..he's actually feeling a lot better and is actually looking forward to doing Six Gap as well.  he's been slowly getting on the bike and riding slow when he can to get  his knee in shape/physical therapy and  him and I have also started doing upper body working out.

I've learned what moleskin in for blisters and areas that rub your feet.  Why did I not hear of this stuff before??  Holy crap it is a godsend, especially with my freak feet.  The big toe constantly rubs the sides of my shoes which hurts like ungodly hell.  I thought that seamless socks would be the answer, but then realized it's also my cycle shoes and the stitching on them from the velcro.  Double wrapped the big toe in moleskin yesterday on my ride..and BAM no pain.  Amazing stuff.  And no, it's not REAL moleskin..maybe it was back in the day, but now it's just a tightly woven cotton fabric with padding. 

I think for the most part, I am ready for Six Gap ....I think.

Fingers crossed.

Life has been busy  I have been biking and I have pictures to share of my adventures...so be prepared.

Sunday - Sunday will have a supa dupa post for you...about ..you guessed it - MORE CYCLING..

And some life stuff that's going on as well :)

THIS PAGE HAS BEEN BLOCKED BY YOUR PROVIDER

So while I can't read my blogs at work anymore (BOO cause that's what I did at lunch) I can read them before work...well I can read them..but not make posts..
Meaning that updates probably won't happen unless I actually get up and type in the mornings (Like I'm doing now)...
Anyways
I'm depressed.  It hit around my birthday and no I don't know why.  Because of it - I have not been so ept at getting on the bike, even though it is a new bike (I've only gone on it three times in one week...wah).  I was hoping to knock that out today with the weather being nice, but that didn't happen.  So training is going to start again TOMORROW and I will be biking both days this weekend to make up for it.   It will pass eventually like it always does when it hits...and I have been DYING to take a PTO day and be depressed, but I really just don't have time right now.

I committed to doing Six Gap, meaning I registered for it - so I've GOT TO DO THIS TRAINING NOW.

Sharon is moving out today :(...it's bittersweet.  I am going to miss having one of my BFF's right across the hall (D doesn't get the talky talky thing as often as her and I do after work on the weekdays, etc ) but at the same time - I'm GETTING MY OLD ROOM BACK and can start SEWING AGAIN.  So like I said - bitter sweet.  The kitties are also going to miss having her stuff to des---- I mean sleep on :P.a
Dimitrios is having a guys night tonight.  I get the house COMPLETELY TO MYSELF tonight for a few hours.  I have not had that in ...well 8 months for sure ..I should do something crazy like drink a bottle of wine and run around naked, but instead I am going to crash out no later than 10 so I get my ass up in the morning for a ride.  Like I said - gotta go back to the TEAM SKINNY DEDICATION.

Hope everyone else is swimming along ok.

Six Gap, Georgia - End of September

http://www.cyclenorthgeorgia.com/

I have decided that I am going to commit to doing this.

Which means I definitely need to start training for this.

Weather is not fully agreeing with me on this - but I will start as soon as I don't hear rain in the morning when I wake up with the riding.  Including having to ride on Saturdays if I have to.  Those were supposed to be my off days, but with this coming up rapidly - I think I'm going to need to do that for the next two months..

Along with the other things I got going on (sewing for costumes, etc).

I will only be doing Three-Gap (or at least that is the one I am signing up for)...depending on how I feel after three gap, I will then determine if I can keep going or just stay back and enjoy myself/wait for B-Man and D and take photos while I'm waiting...

Fingers crossed I accomplish this...

New Frame

The frame when we pulled it out of the box (note the box and the old bike in the background. 980grams. Meow

Saying goodbye to the aluminum frame - putting it on the rack to move parts over


When we hit the speedbumps. Needed a new stem, and seatpost with a new seat clamp.
All the snafu's have been adjusted now and I rode the bike today. Man, they weren't kidding when they said that carbon is the way to go. It was lighter, and felt so easy/less struggle. I loved it.
I'm still a little over-extended on the bike, so I think I'll need a shorter stem or just to simply move my seat up just a bit. But other than that - she rides like a dream. :D
And Sean Connery and I rode over the bridge again this morning. I'll give you more details on that later.
Also - will make better photos of the bike this weekend with the 'real' camera.

All I got ..since I failed at waking up this morning.

Goodbye Trek

Sold the Trek Alumunium frame (and fork and seatpost, which were carbon, and seatpost clamp) yesterday for 120.00 via Craig's List.

It actually went to a cycling buddy of D's who found it on there and is making the bike up for his girlfriend.

So it's getting a good home :).  

Tomorrow I ride the carbon frame for the first time ever.  Going to take it out tonight when I get home to make sure everything fits just right.

Back on Track for Team Skinny!

P.S. It's AUGUST now - and while I am shocked that the year is flying by - I am also glad as it makes it closer to cooler/better weather for us here in sweltering Florida.

Sorry for the delay in post

The week after my birthday always seems to be full of craziness..and most of it having nothing to do with Team Skinny.  Boo

New bike came in and D started working on it on Saturday, hoping that everything would transfer over with minimal damage/problems.  And it did - with the exception of two things.

The problem with transferring stuff from one bike to the next?!  Neither are good if you hit road-blocks...and the fact that you don't want to break everything off/down to put on the former bike until the parts get here is also it.

So I'm not doing any riding this week - and this weekend I will be doing leisurely rides to compensate for the non-riding (meaning I will be on my Miyata cruising around).

I did think of riding the Miyata to work..and I might still do that on Friday - but that bike is a heavy bike..although very comfy for riding - that's for sure.

Plus - I really just want to ride the sweet new carbon bike...;)

Yesterday morning

On my ride in - I got to 'pace' a pelican while on the bridge.  

He was slowly flying..(well about 15mph actually) and i was able to ride up right next to him while he scanned the water underneath for fish; thinking he was 'clear' of the cars/bridge/people on the bridge.

When he realized I was there (I sped up 1mph more to try and get a better look at his face) - he flapped away, surprised that I had snuck up on him and broke the 'allowable space' he had created between him, the cars and the bridge.  

I could hear his wings through the air when he moved over a bit to get the space back.

THAT is what makes riding so awesome :)

Movin' on Up

Last night I became the proud owner of a PedalForce RS2 Carbon Frame...

Thanks to Ebay (and my wonderful boyfriend, who watches for these things like a hawk) I got it at a pretty sweet deal.

If you want to check out more info on the frame, click here...

I am moving up in the cycling world. The cool thing?! I already have wheels, and other parts from my trek that we will just move over to this frame that I am 100% happy with (the frame on the Trek was the only thing that was holding me back so to speak)

This new frame is also a 49er...my Trek is a 47. Which is, in all honesty, a little too small for me (WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT)..but it did put me in a more aggressive position for riding..and while that can be nice when you're racing, I have yet to get the urge to do any major races (Crit's for example) - I already dropped and busted my elbow/got stitches..but we'll see that could change as everything else seems to be changing as I ride the bike more day by day.

So the new dishwasher for my birthday lost to this...hell it's my birthday - who wants to buy RESPONSIBLE toys then?!

Sunday Ride

I <3 my Sunday Rides

Hadda crash day on Wednesday

It was a day of doing absolutely nothing - no yoga - no biking...just sleep.

Body wasn't 100% used to the whole new workout regime, so it was telling me to QUIT/RELAX for a day.

 I'm back on the bike and back to doing the yoga now and I plan to keep going.

I'm 11 miles short of my goal this week - so that means tomorrow I will have to ride at some point in time.  My friend Christina is participating in an art show with her jewelry in DT St. Pete (which is about 11 miles from my house) so I think - depending on when I wake up - I shall ride to see her tomorrow and ride back.  That will put me above and beyond the mile goal for this week.

Add the standing Yoga poses for the weekend (all this past week I have been doing the back poses/stretches with the assistance of Senor) and I should be good to go.

Tonight is hanging with one of my favoritist's, going to dinner at a place I've never been to and then hitting up 'Da Club (ok this place is really nothing like "DA CLUB as it's the CASTLE in Ybor) and the heading home to relax with the bestest man in the world.  Watching what I drink tonight won't be a problem at all.  

It's going to be a great/awesome weekend!

Why I Run Red Lights

Why I Run Red Lights

Great

I am now considering venturing into mountain biking....

Yoga Day

Had to change the schedule around a bit - after going almost 40 miles on the bike yesterday, my body needed sleep more than anything (no I did not take a nap yesterday..yes I am surprised).

I crashed out by about 9:15 and then woke up about 6 - too late to jump on the bike/get ready (it takes me about 20 minutes) so I decided today will be my yoga day and tomorrow will be bike day.  Not that big of a deal/change and still totally doable and on track.

I'm thinking I will keep up the Team Skinny Regime until Screamfest/Spooky Empire (October 8-11th).  That weekend will be my complete - OFF weekend as a reward.  If I can keep it up that long (3 months) then I think I am deserving of a three day weekend off from exercise.  I will however, be selling special effects makeup all weekend...

Oh and What is UP with Lance crashing three times yesterday?!  Yowzas..wonder how much that pissed him off mentally...as I know it would me...

Week 2 - Team Skinny is still on board

This is seriously the first time I have ever been this motivated to do this in the two and a half years I have been riding. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I hope I can keep the momemtum up.

The past week I have ridden over 50 miles...rode 5 days out of the week and one day for two hours.

This week is already starting off great - as I 'graduated' in the cycling passion.

How you ask?!

For the first time ever, I woke up this morning, got on the bike and had ...NO IDEA of where I was really going (with the exception of having to stop by a friend's house between 8:30am-9am to pick up something).

I just got on the bike and rode ...which ended me up at Coffee Pot Park, and I found other little trails through St. Pete, which I thought was pretty freaking cool.

I met up with other cyclists while on my ride. It felt nice - everyone smiled and waved as I rode past and said 'Morning!" :) Very Good Morning it was indeed.

This week looks like I will be riding to work on Wed/Thurs due to weather.

And me incorporating Yoga into the Team Skinny Goals.

Thanks to two totally awesome ladies who let me borrow a beginner Yoga DVD for a bit, I am getting a great start today with this goal as well.

I only did 10 minutes, but holy crap did I learn a lot in 10 minutes. Such as

I AM NOT FLEXIBLE AT ALL...

But the Yoga will def work that and I'm looking forward to it.

I shall be doing this on my 'off days' from the bike on the weeks and also one extra 'freebie' day when I feel like I could use a good stretch and centering.

If I keep this up - I might actually end up going to Six Gap this year with Brendan and Dimitros..AND participating.

OFF DAY

I had all intentions of waking up and going riding to work this morning (and back of course) - the weather was perfect for it today.
However, since I have kept up with my ride regime for a week now, and was pretty exhausted..my body said NO and I SLEPT through my alarm...
Ah well - today will be my off day and I'll just jump on the bike this weekend. No worries.
I rode for 27 miles yesterday (2 hours) so today should not be abused/taken for granted. And this is the first month of getting back into it - the schedule should be normal by August.
And I made a cycling friend while on the bridge yesterday (another fellow cyclist). Awesome.

P.S. THOR HUSHOVD = MY TEAM

Yea, I'll take him please...

It's July - and the temp this morning was 73 degrees..with 47% humidity

That is a blessing to us Floridians on days like this.

Even if it gets up to 90 degrees later today (it's actually going to get up to 96), the fact that the humidity is down and there was a slight 'chill' in the air when I was on the bike is just heaven when you're used to sweltering humidity and sun/heat.

The fact that this area is nothing but a concrete jungle only increases the heat when you're own black asphalt. I seriously think I have felt my skin start to burn off my legs when I'm at a red light just WAITING for the light to turn green again.

The bike ride this morning in was nice - the water was peaceful and the chill in the air made for little if no sweating, except where my heart-rate monitor was of course. It felt damn good to be on my bike and not be in my car.

This afternoon will be brutal - the weatherman stated it's going to climb today and fast. The humidity will still stay low (for this time of year) but it's still not going to be a fun day on the bridge over. It never is. I cannot wait for October and the cool days all day long. Will definitely make me want to ride more to work than just once or twice a week - that's for sure :)

Progress of Team Skinny is going well. It's been four days of me waking up at 5am (even my off day I woke up to get used to the schedule). My legs are starting to have muscle soreness from the riding schedule and my brain is starting to become confused due to the sleep schedule and me taking control of it.

The plan was to take Saturday as my next 'Off' day, but that might change due to the weather. Might just not take it off at all. We'll see.

Bicycling Info.org site

(Title is also link to article) - See Below:

This web-site is a bicycling/commuting site that gives you lots of info on, not only the benefits of cycling but how you can get started as well.

Team Skinny Day #3

Yesterday was my 'off day' for the week.
Weather does not look to be very promising for the next couple of days (something about a cold front...or maybe a hurricane...whatever, it's Florida).
Humidity is terrible right now. If I just STOP on the bike to take a breather, it envelopes me and thus makes it where the sweat doesn't dry up.
Meh.
Luckily, Dimitrios bought us a trainer last year...




One of the best trainers on the market actually.
So he set that up for me last night - in front of the computer.
I can happily watch Hulu now in the mornings and catch up on my TV programs I like to watch while getting my hour in the morning.
And 30 minutes in the afternoons.

American Tour Dreams Ruined due to Cracked Ribs

Click on title for more info :(.

And check out cyclingnews.com for more info as well on the tour, etc.

P.S. Just learned from D that we do have Versus on the Basic Cable Channels after all. KICK ASS. We can now watch the races :D

Team Skinny Take 1

I did good this past weekend. I had plans to start on a training schedule and was worried that going out of town (I had planned to start it on Monday) would screw with my schedule (meaning I would be lazy and not get my @$$ up and ride the bike that I dragged all the way to Jacksonville/Orange Park). But luckily, my aunt has Banty Roosters who decided that 4:15 was the appointed time to start crowing at the sun (that wasn't out yet) and since I'm not used to them, it woke me up. I could be annoyed/pissed at this, but I actually saw it as a 'Thank you', as I got up and did my hour and a half ride..and got to see the sunrise on my ride (one of my favorite parts of my biking)





Today is my 'off day' but for the rest of the week I have to be on the bike for at least an hour to reach this goal I am attempting. The weather here in Florida, has..for lack of a better term, sucked monkey balls this past week and it sounds like it is going to continue to do so (it's been like Portland down here...meh). So I am going to set up the trainer tonight so I can at least ride in the morning should it be icky/unacceptable...
I am also going to seriously look into doing yoga. Stretching is good, and would probably benefit me by a lot.

Orange park for the weekend..biking for a day?

This fourth of July weekend I'll be visiting my aunt in Orange Park. The original plan was for us to visit both her and some friends of our's in Jacksonville - however, they are out of town and thus, it's just going to be me hanging with her from Saturday-Monday.

I am excited for this trip as I love hanging out with my aunt.
BUT - I did determine that this week would be the week to start biking (as fitting in with The Tour De France)...
So I created a route to go to from my aunt's house...it's nothing fancy - and it's only about 11 miles..I'm concluding that if I see something while on the ride that peaks my interest, I'll veer in that direction and see where it takes me. So a simple 11 mile ride could potentially turn into a 21-30 mile ride as well.
I'm pretty excited as this is one of the few rides where I have just hopped on the bike to ride, and not 100% know where the adventure will take me. Usually I feel more..accomplished if I have an endgoal..but all I have with this ride is the determination to wake up about 7am and be on the bike and back at her house no later than 10-11am to enjoy the pool for the rest of the day.

Sometimes breaking up is hard to do

Click on title for more.

Today is July 1st - Which means on July 3rd...

Yep - and I will be putting updates of the tour when and at every moment I can.
It's so funny to me. I have never been a big 'watching sports on TV' type person. Except for swimming, and I only get to really watch that when the Olympics are going on (I was a swimmer for years..so there's the reason for that).
Kinda wish that I didn't get rid of the premium channels at my house now - as D and I would have Vs on daily to watch the races.
I wonder if I could get them put on for just a month...hummm...

Link to the page - is here..

How to Drive Around Cyclists.

http://www.bicycling.com/news/advocacy/how-drive-around-cyclists

'I guess you have a death wish or something'

Why do I hear this statement 75% of the time that I tell people I ride my bike around here?
Do you want my personal opinion of your snide comment after you get done stating this?
I don't think you do...
Do you want me to rail off stats that show that it's safer to be on a bicycle than it is in a car?
Or that I'm the same amount of safe as you getting into your car and joining the lemmings on the road with other 2-3 ton metal vehicles? In case you hadn't noticed, there are safety precautions to a car in order to protect you - A SEATBELT for example....
Shall I point out the crap that you do that would seem you have more of a death wish than I do? Such as SMOKING, or drinking enough soda and junk food while sitting at your desk your diabetic coma is just bound to sneak up on you as you age?
Maybe I'll just point out the fact that you go out in the sun and increase your chances of skin cancer daily here in our lovely sunny state of Florida.

Would you like that? To be critiqued over your decisions in life?
I don't think so. So don't critique or judge mine please. If you have a comment to say about my biking that you think is in any way, shape or form NEGATIVE.
SHUT YOUR PIE-HOLE, GET YOUR COFFEE AND DON'T TALK TO ME NEGATIVELY ABOUT SOMETHING I OBVIOUSLY ENJOY.

Thank you

Goals...

The problem with making goals - is that if you don't meet them, it can be a little disenchanting.
The problem with my goal, is that I don't want to 100% do what I have to do in order to get there:






I would kill for those legs..and that body.
However, that takes training. Hardcore training. Like, change my diet entirely and my schedule and don't even consider including photography or dancing as a past-time training (ok I might be able to do those a little bit, but not how I do them now).
It's not a matter of not being able to do it. I could totally do it. And did do it by about 90% complete-ness when I was younger and was a swimmer (the only thing I refused to give up was chocolate back then). It's a matter of getting rid of a lot of good things (that are bad for you) in order to get there.

Then again, maybe I could also see it as a 2011 New Year's goal...

Happy Father's Day

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Shamed

Thunder and lightening over here have made me chicken out and decide against riding my bike home this afternoon.
I have called my backup driver (The Greek) and he is on the way to pick me up.
It's that and the freaking ear pain I'm having right now is like..WOAH (see, possible ear infection)

But for now, I am

Mass Traffic

I am not the person to discuss new car/traffic construction with. Sadly, I noted this yesterday when my house-mate unfortunately brought up the new overpass off of Bryan Dairy that is currently being created even as we speak.
I had seen the monstrosity on the couple of occasions I have driven to the Interstate, I just honestly choose to ignore it for the most part.
Currently - from what I hear; Exit 30 on I-275 will include a new overpass that will take people right to Bryan Dairy instead of having them drive on Roosevelt.
Sure, it's great for cars commuters; but it's horrible for other method of transportation. And that's what infuriates me.

Why can't this area, instead of creating a gazillion overpasses to accomodate the sprawl - DO SOMETHING about the sprawl?? And if they can't - then why can't they look into more efficient methods of transportation...say Mass Transit or a Railway or something.
This entire AREA has become nothing but 8 lane roads (that don't need to be 8 lanes..I'm sorry, but if they had just looked into making more options to mass commute people across the bridge to Tampa, then they wouldn't have to make Ulmerton (for example), from 4 to 8 lanes. have you been on that road after rush hour? It's DEAD - hardly any of that 8 lane is fully used EXCEPT for at rush hour time).
It's bad enough that in order for me to get home SAFELY, I have to drive my car to an area PAST three entrance and exit routes of interstate. Every single road in this area people think is a freeway/highway...even when it's not. We've got four lane roads going through NEIGHBORHOODS. With kids playing in the area.
It's just not smart. We're talking over and over about the oil spill here and how we need to find alternative energy sources, yet we're still condoning that everyone in this area HAVE A CAR in order to survive..it seems almost like a wasted effort.
You wanna talk about being less dependent on gas? Then shut up and get on a bicycle. Or take a walk to the store that's 1.5 miles from your house. Sure it'll be hot - sure it'll be uncomfortable..but your body will adjust. You think I ENJOY being a hot sweaty mess when I come into work and all the cleanup I have to do when I get there so as not to offend? No I don't really. But it's SO worth it to be more fit, enjoy my time on the bike, have an alternative method of transportation, and be one less car on the road.
So no; talking to me about how cool an overpass isn't really a good idea.
The only thing I see that overpass as being right now for me?! Is a reminder - that I need to move out of this area and to more cycle friendly areas that WANT to embrace alternative options for transit.
/end soapbox.

Has nothing to do with biking, but I really want to share my favorite kinks song

Awesome

There's definitely something to be said for having the wind at your back, pushing you across the bridge in the afternoons.

Made it over the bridge in 45minutes thanks to that. God Bless TailWinds :)

40% chance of rain tomorrow - I think it'll still be good to ride in again...

A view of my ride in and back home everyday for those that were curious

Click on the view larger map link below to see the whole she-bang...you can also click the title of the entry as well to re-direct.



View Larger Map

HONK!! HONK!!

I don't know who determined it was ok for people to HONK at cyclists on the road, but seriously, it's not doing your case any good. I'm a cyclist..in the road, not swerving. I am aware of my surroundings. You don't think I can't HEAR you car coming up behind me? You don't think I can tell how fast you're going or which lane you're in. My job is to be on GUARD at all times so as not to get clobbered by a car. YOUR JOB IS TO PASS ME - GIVING ME THREE FEET OF SPACE BY MOVING OVER (Required by law) and to not disrupt my ride. Honking your horn while passing, only STARTLES THE CYCLISTS and thus MIGHT cause them to weave. OR definitely/for sure make them your worst enemy for giving them that scare.

Now I on the other hand, have taken a different approach - just so you jackholes don't ruin my day. I have decided that instead of honking to just either a) let me know that you're there (even though I CAN HEAR YOU COMING FROM 5 MILES BACK) or b) cause you're upset that you have to move that steering wheel over just so to give me room...I have determined that you are my cheering squad. So if you hear me yelling WOOOO YEAAAAAA GO TEAM MEEEEE!!! when you HONK and pass me - sorry if that's not what you wanted, but I'm not going to let stupidity ruin my day.

I am on top of the world when I am cycling, there is nothing you can do that can ruin how good cycling makes me feel.

When are you people going to chill the eff out?

Two cyclists stabbed after holiday ride; one in critical condition

A driver confronted a group after one yelled at him.

Posted: May 31, 2010 - 12:14pm

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3939 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida

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By Matt Galnor

An annual Memorial Day bicycle ride landed three men in the hospital — two cyclists who were stabbed and the suspect who’ll be charged in the attack.

One of the cyclists was in critical condition Monday at Shands Jacksonville, said Sgt. Robert Hurst of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Police did not identify any of the three men Monday.

Hurst said police have varying accounts of what happened just before 11 a.m. in the parking lot of Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Kent Campus.

Jim Wright of Orange Park was among about 25 riders in the front group and said everything started when the cyclists finished their 60-mile route and pulled onto the service road leading into the college — the starting and finishing point for the ride.

A man driving a pickup truck brushed up against one of the cyclists and another rider started yelling at the driver, Wright said.

The driver followed the group into the parking lot, got out of his truck and moved toward one of the cyclists, Wright said.

When the driver, whom Hurst said was in his late teens or early 20s, bumped his chest against the cyclist, another rider punched the driver in the face.

The driver then stabbed the cyclist who punched, and slashed another rider who tried to break it up, Wright said.

None of the witnesses who spoke with the Times-Union saw the knife and Hurst said it was not recovered.

The man then got in his truck and took off. Robert Brown, another cyclist, chased after the truck and yelled the license plate number to someone else in the group, who saved it in his phone and called police.

Wright grabbed a spare tube for a bike tire and wrapped it around the first cyclist’s wounds to try to stop the bleeding until rescue units arrived.

“You can fix anything with a tube and a spoke,” Wright said.

The driver called his father, who went to the scene and told police where to find his son, Hurst said. He was hospitalized with injuries to his face and will be charged with aggravated battery, Hurst said.

The driver is cooperating with police and told his father he was jumped by a group of cyclists, Hurst said.

The two cyclists were among more than 100 riders in an annual Memorial Day ride sponsored by the North Florida Bicycle Club, ride director John McDowell said.

Most of the cyclists who gathered after the ride have their own horror stories about being flipped the bird or getting ice tossed on them by motorists, but that’s usually as far as it goes, McDowell said.

“We’ve had threats like that before,” McDowell said, “but never anything like this.”