January 4, 2009
WHY DO WE RIDE?
Last night we had our annual Harford Velo Cycling Club x-mas party at our home. I always enjoy seeing everyone out of their helmets, sunglasses and cycling clothes, drinking a festive cocktail as opposed to having a nutrition bar with a power bar chaser. No matter who you talk to or what you talk about the conversation always seems to circle back to cycling.
Now rewind to the past 6 weeks of my life. I have been working out, spinning, lifting, etc., BUT I have not been on my bike. I am completely and totally embarrassed to admit this.
First the excuses:
1. A horrible case of bronchitis that took me to the doctor 3 times in 6 weeks.
2. Major meds that included antibiotics, an inhaler, mucinex, sudifed, benadryl and cough syrup.
3. Four children involved in school, dance, gymnastics, soccer and many other random things.
4. Christmas shopping, wrapping and non-stop partying.
5. Driving to Ohio, flying to Chicago and spending weekend at a waterpark.
Mind you, all the above was fun and it's just part of life but to perfectly honest I never really felt well enough to ride. Whatever the case may be I didn't get out much at all and that sucks. After talking to all the cyclists at the party I was really missing the moments I've shared with my beautiful Madone and all the perks of riding that come along with it.
After the party ended the Loveman asked me if I was going to ride in the morning. Yes, I did. I got up early, prepped my bike, put on my gear, put in my toe warmers (I'm a wimp) and got ready for a ride outside with the club. It was so nice. It didn't matter that it was cold and windy outside. It didn't matter that I had tons and tons of snot and mucus running down my face, and it didn't matter that my booties were duck taped because the zipper was broken. All that mattered was that I was out riding with friends and it felt great. God, I love to ride my bike. I really need to do it more often.
May 20, 2008
BIKE TO WORK DAY
Last week was Bike to Work Week. Last Friday, May 16th, was Bike to Work Day. Bike to Work Day is celebrated across the country and is getting bigger every year.
Bike to Work Day
participants help raise awareness of using alternate forms of
transportation which promote clean air and reduce traffic congestion.
Biking to work also improves your health and saves you money. Kind of a no brainer, right?
The night before Bike to Work Day I asked my son Liam if he had any desire in participating in the ride and rally with the Loveman and I, reminding him that I would be waking him up at 6am. Of course he enthusiastically said yes, which is exactly what I had expected him to say.
The next morning it was pouring rain and the Loveman suggested that I not wake him. I knew if I didn't wake him that he would be very upset so I went into his room, told him it was raining and asked him if he still wanted to participate in the ride. He said said yes, just like I thought he would.
We rode into town in the pouring rain and he couldn't have been happier. When we got to the rally people were snacking on bagels, donuts and bananas and drinking juice and coffee. Liam was the only kid there and he was taking it all in.
A few announcements were made, awards were given out and then there was a raffle. There were lots of cool prizes as well as a new bike for the grand prize. As they announced the final number for the new bike Liam held tightly onto his ticket. Low and behold they called his number! He couldn't believe it...actually none of us could believe it. The bike shop owner told him that he would take the adult size bike back to his shop and let Liam pick out a bike his size. What a happy day!
He rode all the way back home in the pouring rain and as he got ready for school he said, "Mom, this was totally worth getting out of bed at 6am." Now if my kid can do this so can you. We all can make a difference if we try. Now hop to it!
February 11, 2008
OH GOD, NOT THE BIKES!
When I called home last night the Loveman said that we had just lost power. Then he added, “There are a lot of sirens and fire trucks coming up our road.” This is pretty much how our life is where we live. We have a lot of trees and the power lines are above ground so if it gets a little windy we inevitably lose power. Last night it was super duper windy and the temperature was dropping quickly.
As I was driving up our road the driver coming toward me rolled down her window and was in a complete panic.
Unknown Driver: (screaming) Where do you live?!
Susan: 514. Where do you live?
Unknown Driver: (still screaming) I live at 512!! I’m your neighbor!
(I looked a little surprised as I had never seen her before in my life. Clearly, she was my new neighbor.)
Susan: Oh, hi…what’s going on?
Unknown Driver: (Still screaming even louder) A power line went down in our yard and there’s a big fire and it’s moving up the hill to our house. The fire trucks are here and everyone needs to evacuate.
Susan: (short pause - still while thinking she's a bit nutty) Thanks, I better go get my family.
As I pulled up to our house I could see the smoke and the fire in my neighbors yard. There was definitely a fire, no doubt about that. I kept the kids in the car and ran in to get the Loveman and Seamus. He put Seamus in the car and we ran next door to get a little closer look at the fire. There were about 8 firemen and a few trucks. They were trying to use rakes to put out the fire (that was all over the yard) as opposed to water, which was a good move.
When we drove out onto the main road we noticed that it had been completely closed down.
That's never a good sign. As we headed out to get dinner we looked at each other and laughed. What else was there to do?
Jim: Oh well, so we lose this house in a fire.
Susan: It’s funny but I don’t even care. Been there, done that.
Jim: Yeah, I hear that.
Susan: I’m hungry. Anyone hungry?
Monkeys: We are!
When we got to the restaurant we had a beer and chuckled a bit. We had lost our home 3 years earlier during hurricane Isabelle. It was truly a nightmare. It just seemed a bit ironic to think that maybe it was about to happen yet again but this time in a fire.
Susan: I could care a less about anything we own.
Jim: Me too.
Susan: It’s just a house and some stuff.
(Long pause followed by a gasp)
Susan: Oh my god, not the bikes! We totally forgot about the bikes!
We headed home shortly after and the fire was fine but we had no power all night. It was 50 degrees when we woke up this morning and everyone was sneezing and their tootsie were cold...but you know what? At least we still had our bikes!
It's the little things in life...
February 8, 2008
DON'T WORRY ABOUT SWEETNESS
I have been getting an overwhelming amount of emails, phone calls and inquiries about the future of Sweetness. I never had any idea that everyone cared so much about him. It warms my heart. Because of your concern I thought I would write a blog letting you know what is going to happen to him.
I'm actually thinking about auctioning Sweetness off on ebay. Just kidding! I'm not selling him on ebay, at a garage sale or in the black market. I am not giving him away to any of my friends (even though many of you have begged me on several occasions). I am not putting him in the attic and I am not taking off any of his components and swapping them with friends like trading cards. I am keeping him!
Sweetness has a lot of sentimental value for me. I worked hard for him, I won him and I love him...especially the paint job. I will use Sweetness as my "spare bike". Did I just say that? Wow, I'm beginning to sound like a bit of a bike snob, aren't I? I can take him when I travel, when the weather is a bit questionable or when I go riding with a friend and they want to try out a fine specimen of the WSD workmanship. I promise, he will be put to good use.
Sweetness will be with me forever, so take a deep sigh of relief and don't worry your pretty little heads.
February 3, 2008
THANK YOU SWEETNESS
I'm starting to feel a bit of guilt. Yes, because I am a Women Who Rides and I have gotten two of the nicest bikes in the world over the last 6 months. Sweetness has been soooo good to me. He taught me what it was like to ride the cadillac of all bikes without ever looking back and also taught me how to excel as a rider and enjoy the ride. I love Sweetness.
Part of me is afraid to get on my new Trek Madone 6.5 WSD. Here's why...when I do, I may like it more than Sweetness. I kind of feel like I am about to cheat on my lover and I know in my heart its wrong but I know it is going to be better than ever. Do you understand my inner struggle? I am sad and torn but excited at the same time.
I want to share some of my favorite photos of Sweetness in honor of all that he has given me. Enjoy, just as I have...
January 20, 2008
I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN MAKE IT
I love Sweetness, my 2007 WSD 5.9 Madone, and I always will. I love to look at him, ride him and introduce him to all of my bike junkie friends. He really is incredible and has been so good to me. I still look forward to every ride I take with Sweetness.
As part of being a Women Who Rides we get to demo bikes and sometimes even keep them (i.e. Sweetness). When I started this gig I was told I would be receiving a the 2008 WSD 6.5 Madone. I still can't believe that I am going to be getting this bike! I've heard that this bike is out of this world!
I have been doing research and checking out what the word on the street is from those already riding this incredible bike. I want to know what kind of a ride I am in for. I found this article on Team Estrogen's website and it says it all! Now I can't wait to get mine!!!! Lighter, faster, stronger...it's a dream come true! Check out this review and if you have a Trek WSD 6.5 Madone, let me know what you think so I can share it with the world!
January 15, 2008
CELEBRATE
Today was the first day I had been out for a ride since Christmas. Truth be told, I really didn't want to ride. I woke up cold and cranky. I looked outside and thought, "There's no way I'm riding", but with a little bit of encouragement from the Loveman i was ready to go.
Once I was on the bike I started reflecting on life, the holiday season and all of my fabulous friends. Then I realized I hadn't seen a lot of them since before Christmas. Once I got home I made sure to contact each and every one of them to invite them over for an impromptu gathering.
Believe it or not, everyone had the evening free! We had at least 50 people and the kids played in the rain while the adults partied and caught up. I was so happy to see all of my friends. I was in my glory and so was my family.
Here's to the road for opening up your heart. Don't you feel like having a party?
December 25, 2007
MY WISH CAME TRUE
I woke up Christmas morning to the pitter-patter of my 7 year old’s feet. He was happy to inform me that Santa had come to our house. I was thrilled to hear that, as I knew it would have been a sad day if he had skipped us due to bad behavior.
We all received some super fab prizes such as a karaoke machine, a drum set, jewelry and stuffed animals. It was a fantastic morning. Just when I thought my day couldn’t get any better my neighbor and his wife called asking if the Loveman and I wanted to go riding. I couldn’t believe my ears! I had been secretly trying to figure out how I could sneak a ride in all morning. The power of positive thinking really works.
Within minutes my neighbor’s children were at the door ready to babysit our monkeys. The Loveman and I ran out as fast as we could and returned a couple of hours later. It was a beautiful ride and we had many chuckles over all of the “What the hell are you doing on your bike on Christmas day” looks that everyone gave us.
What a fabulous present and what a fabulous Christmas! The four of us had so much fun that we decided we need to make this a Christmas tradition. Count me in!
December 21, 2007
I DID IT!
I got up this morning feeling bloated and a bit hung-over from all the holiday partying I have been engaging in. I immediately started thinking about all of the things I needed to accomplish in the day. As usual, the list was pretty big.
Before I could get moving on anything I told the Loveman that I really wanted to ride Sweetness. He looked at me and said, “Well you can and you should.” With that he headed out to the garage to give Sweetness the once over.
I layered up my cycling clothes complete with toe warmers and booties and off I went for a ride. I rode 20 miles and it wasn’t fast and it wasn’t long but I got out for a ride. It was some of the most relaxing time I’ve had in a while. I was able to think about what I have ahead of me over the next few weeks and as well as what I need to accomplish over the next 72 hours. We’ll see how I do.
I’m already trying to figure out how to get out on x-mas day for a quick ride. It’ll be my present to myself.
October 17, 2007
LIME LIMBO
Yes, I have acquired a new addiction. It is biking.
I used to make fun of the
Loveman for his biking addiction. You know, the way he’s always drooled over bikes, bike parts and cycling gear. Well now I am eating my words as I am turning into the Loveman. My name is Susan and I am a bike addict.
When I visited the Trek headquarters this past July I had the opportunity to meet the Lime bike.
During our breaks I rode it around the parking lot and kind of fell in love with it. 
It has been three months and I have been unable to stop thinking about it since I left the Trek headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin. I am always looking at the Lime online and telling people about how perfect the Lime would be for them when I find a good fit. 
I find myself fantasizing about riding the Lime around the yard with my big monkies while towing the little monkies around in a trailer. Finally I decided to bite the bullet and get one. I told the Loveman and he said, “Well, then I want one too.” Of course he did because he’s a bike addict. I’m convinced if I said I was going to get a unicycle that he would have wanted one as well.
Within hours we purchased a white Lime with pink accents and a silver matted Lime with royal blue accents. The Loveman had them assembled in no time and before we knew it we were chasing the kids around the yard and having a ton of fun.
After a while the Loveman and Liam came up with the game Lime limbo. They were doing the limbo under the badminton net while riding their bikes. It was hysterical…especially when I took the whole net down after catching my handlebars on it as I was doing the limbo. Yes, I am a Lime limbo loser but at least I have something to aspire to. I can’t wait to see what other fun family “Lime” adventures lie ahead! Stay tuned.
