Rain, rain, GO AWAY!!!!

Waking up this morning brought two immediate thoughts: 

1 - RAIN!!!! YAY! We need it, it sounds lovely outside and the smell is just fantastic. 

2 - RAIN?!?! UGH! Thunder? Lightening? I'm not going to get a ride in today. UGH. Double UGH. 

It's not that I won't ride in the rain - but there's no way I'm going to ride in lightening. Maybe it's safe, maybe it's not. I don't want to find out that it's not safe while on my bike though. It looks like we may be in for an all day soaker. And, since I don't have a trainer yet, I can't ride inside today either. 

I am ready for a day to ride in the rain though. This beautiful Sugoi rain jacket arrived at my door this week and it's begging to get a go. 

So, resigned to no riding, I grabbed my coffee and headed for my protected balcony to read online and just ponder some thoughts. My legs are burning a little from yesterday's ride - so this unexpected downtime to just enjoy myself alone, with my coffee, is welcomed. And sitting outside while it's raining is really just perfect. I put my Mumford & Sons Babel album on shuffle and felt relaxed. 

I have a friend who sent me a text yesterday. "Hey Crazee, check out this song and video - it's my motivation to you. Keep going girl!" I immediately was won over by this song. Check it out - you won't be disappointed. My favorite part of this song? 

My Body tells me no, but I won't quit

Cause I want more, cause I want more

My Body tells me no, but I won't quit

Cause I want more, cause I want more

I have a feeling that I'm going to need to pull this song out quite often in the near future as I get more serious about training. There's going to be times when I'm going to want to give up - throw in the towel - just STOP.

Now, I've stopped and started and started and stopped a lot of things in my life. I successfully finished a B.A. in Psychology and an MBA in Marketing. I won a Budding Entrepreneurship competition over a 2 year period for a program on reducing health insurance rates for employers by introducing wellness programs to employees. I never finished scrap booking my child's life - I got to 3 months and gave up. Didn't hold my attention I guess. I kind of regret that but can't find the gusto to pick it up again. I've participated and even starred in musicals. I gave up trying to make it to Broadway. (That one didn't last too long anyways).

But cycling? There's something burning deep inside of me that tells me that STOPPING this won't ever be an option. Every time I pick up a cycling magazine; every time I watch cycling on television or watch a documentary or show on cyclists and races; every time I shop online for bike parts, accessories, put my credit card information in to complete an order; every time I put my feet on the pedals: I get pulled in just a little deeper.

It's a love affair, really. And I must be in deep because I've even stopped buying Diet Coke. SAY WHAT?!? I've been drinking Diet Coke since the age of 10. Numerous cans or bottles or fountain sodas per day. My rule now? I can't buy it to keep it in the house. The only time I can have it now? When I've finished a ride. And only one at that. Here's the best part: I don't really miss all of that caffeine or carbonation. My love of the bike is outweighing the consumption of Diet Coke. Shit girl, you're too far gone now.

So, last night I went to a birthday cookout. I went with a friend I've had for about 6 months. He just finished the Peddler's Jamboree in Columbia, MO (ICK, MIZZOU) this weekend. He's introduced me to another friend, Matt, who is also a cyclist. And guess who was at the cookout? OTHER CYCLISTS!

BIKE NERD HEAVEN.

I met one guy who was in charge of this year's Bike to Work Day in KC. (I had to miss this ride because I was in North Carolina for work). I met a couple who are also, like me, just getting started in cycling. The discussions about cycling was music to my ears. Plans were made to do an Urban Bike Ride this coming Thursday in the Westport/Crossroads districts. WAY SUPER EXCITED. This will be a ride of enjoyment - and not for racing or timing - but the experience will be a first for me so I'm stoked.  Riding at night will be fun. I hope the rain stays away because I just checked the forecast for the week and rain is on the table every day this week.

All in all a great time last night. I may have just found a new group to ride with on occasion. WOOT!

Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.

~ Mark Twain, Taming the Bicycle. 1884

This cycling adventure is opening up a whole new world for me. My eyes are WIDE open, my mind is ready to absorb and learn and my heart is BURSTING with love for everything I'm about to experience.

This rain doesn't dampen my spirit - it ignites my mind and soul. Because soon enough, the rain will stop and give way to the sun. And my ass will once again be in the saddle - ready to RIDE.