I couldn't resist snapping this picture while at the River City Market in downtown Kansas City this weekend. I absolutely adore it. Because, frankly, helmet hair is NOT sexy (at least not my helmet hair). But living to see helmet hair is oh so important.
I had a friend on twitter last week send me a picture of his helmet post-crash. It was a Giro helmet and it saved his life. You can see the cracks in the helmet that came after his crash.
His dome was left unscathed because he had his helmet on. I'm thankful for that Giro helmet with the cracks in it because it meant he is living to tell the tale of helmet importance.
So, starting you off with a soap box moment tonight. Wear that dang helmet, kids. Save your skulls.
Busy week this week for this CrazeeCyclist. I'm leaving for a much anticipated vacation on Thursday to Chicago for an adult trip. I'm very excited about some relaxation but also a little hesitant about being off of a bike for 6 days. However, I'm not going to beat myself up about it because I've done so well over the past 8 weeks and I deserve a little down time from my hectic life to just be around friends and enjoy the great city of Chicago (which I've only ever visited once before). On deck? A rooftop Cubs game (it's been on my bucket list for years), Navy Pier, Rush Street, some Chicago deep-dish pizza and a Chicago dog and much, much more.
However, I can tell you that the NEXT time I visit Chicago? It will look much different. The next time I go I want to ride the city. EVERYWHERE. I've read about some great Chicago bike rides that one can do and I really want to experience that soon.
Last night I did the 12 mile SPIN! Pizza ride in Overland Park again. There wasn't as much of a turnout as normal because the rain right before the ride probably kept some of the regulars away. However, it was a beautiful night for a ride, despite a little humidity. I ran into my new friend, Stacie, again and met some of the riders for the Boulevard Cycling Team. (In fact, one of the Boulevard riders cut in front of me in line to register and ended up winning the Bike Source gift card that SHOULD have been mine! - I definitely gave him some guff over that one!).
There was nothing spectacular about my ride last night. Just a 12 mile ride that allowed me to add "miles ridden" in my book and yet another night to get on my beautiful Ridley to build up my skills and my leg muscles. Unless you count the THIRD Queen of the Mountain award I got via Strava last night! Seriously, I never get tired of getting "crowned!"
My speed was up on this particular stint and the time to complete the stint was down. I will take it!
Additionally, my speed overall for the ride was up to 13.0 MPH. I'm trying to work up towards an overall average goal of about 14.0 MPH per ride when the wind isn't a horrible factor. Baby steps. I will get there!
And, nothing really different about the elevation for this ride because I've done it three different times now. I do love this Monday night ride though because it does have some climbs that test my abilities as a cyclist.
Here's the link to the ride: (basically the same info as the pictures that I posted)
https://www.strava.com/activities/61052372
(By the way, when I ride in two weeks on the Monday night ride? I'm doing the 20 mile course. It's time!).
What I did appreciate about last night's ride was that I was able to work with my coach a bit on my left gear shifting. Last week's Monday night ride (the night I threw up all over Overland Park), I was trying to work a bit on my left gears by myself which proved all tricky, both due to my not feeling well and the fact that I have very little experience.
The beauty of riding with another, experienced rider is their knowledge of the road and the bike itself. My coach was able to give me pointers about when to shift, what to try, what I should feel like, what the bike should feel like, etc. I have so much to learn and I appreciate all of the other cyclists who can impart their wisdom and experience on me. Oh, and their patience. Because, let's face it, I'm such a "Fred." (Don't get that reference? Look it up under cycling terms). I don't want to be a Fred forever - but I do have to pay my dues.
Something new that I'm loving? Skratch Labs drinks mix. I bought some last week before my last SPIN! Pizza ride and tried the pineapple. It was really good. Last night I did the raspberry mix. Even though I hate raspberry flavored anything, the flavor was very light and I actually enjoyed it. Big bonus to me today? I tweeted at Skratch Labs last night with this picture and this morning they started following me and even asked about my ride last night. Thanks, Skratch Labs for making me feel like a princess today!
Tomorrow I have two meetings with cycling sponsorships. I'm very excited about seeing what transpires over the course of the next two weeks regarding sponsors for both the women's and men's cycling teams. We're currently trying to wrap all of that up and vote on a new team name. BUT - I've recruited ANOTHER women's team member - so good things are happening right now! Our team is going with Hincapie cycling kits this year and I'm getting fitted for mine tomorrow night. Stoked.
I was officially introduced as the newest team member and captain of the women's cycling team via email on Monday. THIS IS FOR REAL NOW! I couldn't be more excited. My overall goal is to have a great time doing something that so many of us have in common. As a captain, I want to provide an example to other women about just getting on a bike and enjoying the ride - whether racing or riding charity rides, I want the women in our team to come together doing something that we all enjoy. I also want to use my position within the team to be a learner as well. Great leaders don't just lead. They watch. They listen. They take the time to look to those who have "been there, done that" and talk to those who can offer advice, knowledge, wisdom, bits of humor and hold others accountable. I want the members of this cycling team to hold me accountable. I want them to teach me. I want to learn from them.
And something else I learned yesterday? There is a Tour de France fantasy league. Like fantasy football or baseball or NASCAR. OH EM GEE! How FUN is this fantasy league going to be? It's the Who's Who of Cycling! And I get to pick a team!
Only one problem: I have pretty limited knowledge of the Tour de France competitiors. Sure, I'm learning some of the cyclists through reading and watching cycling events (like the Giro). I know the big names (Froome, Contador, Nibali, Cavendish, Sir Bradley Wiggins) but I don't know details. I don't know who the strongest climbers are, who the sprinters are. I know team names but I don't know much about their composition or which cyclist each team is putting their highest hopes in for Le Tour.
Enter VELO magazine and this specific issue: (PERFECT timing, Velo!)
PERFECT plane reading material. I'm not only excited to read this to "bone up" to pick my Tour Fantasy Team - but the Tour starts in 2 weeks and it's wonderful to have this as a guide to build up my already excited brain about everything that this race will entail. It can't get here fast enough!
And, while I'm on the subject of reading, I want to make a recommendation to anyone who might be thinking about starting cycling - or anyone who wants some general knowledge about cycling.
THIS book:
Think of this book as the "Cycling for Dummies" or "Cycling 101" book. Except 1,000,000 times cooler. I truly enjoyed this book from start to finish. Everything you need to know about the Peloton, your gear and riding strong. This book covers 3 sections: The Experience, The Machine and The Lifestyle. Chapters include topics like basic and group riding skills, challenges for women, crashing, racing, organized cycling events, bike maintenance, bike composition, bike geometry, clothing and accessories, gearing, diet, training and more. All of this in ONE simple, easy to read book.
Tomorrow I'm putting my Speedplay pedals on my bike. I do plan on getting one last ride in on my Ridley before vacation. It'll be inside, on the trainer, so that I can practice clipping in and out of my pedals with those beautiful new clipless Giro shoes. Better to try this inside in front of NO ONE than try it in public and crash and burn in front of others (at least this first time).
And after this vacation? I start SUFFERFEST. Serious training. Hard, long hours. I'm going to figure out my thresholds and where I am currently and where I am aspiring to be or want to be to get ready for racing. It won't be easy. It's going to downright suck at times. And I cannot wait. I'm motivated, driven, passionate, nervous and excited.
I leave you with this: (because it's OH SO TRUE)
I have always struggled to achieve excellence. One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it's not going to be satisfying. ~ Greg LeMond
Happy Cycling!
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