We're Back!

The Knee brothers and I are back in action!
That's right Surgery Knee, his brother Mr. "Tried to be a bad ass" Knee (known up until 2.5 weeks ago as Good Knee) and I were out makin my bike Go. Go! GO! tonight.

8.5 miles at my regular pace *throws fist into the air victoriously*

Oh and yes, I did incorporate the disappointingly tiny park I found yesterday into my ride tonight - well kinda, there were too many walkers so I rode along side of it and took a few pictures.

Captured almost the entire park in this one shot - told ya it looked bigger on the map!

A New Park

Find a new park to ride in.

Of course I accepted my challenge - gotta change it up every now and then, keep it interesting
All my gear ready, bike loaded up - I'm off.
Had this park entrance not been on Hwy 6 I would have ridden my bike there, but it was so I didn't (not brave enough for Hwy 6 yet...may never be)

It looked real nice on the map - it'a a small route but if I do a few laps I should be good.  

Whoa!! 

Did that sign just say something about alligators?!  

Couldn't have...well if it did I'm sure there will be more signs posted.  I drove the mile and some to the parking lot (no more alligator signs posted) - looked to the left to check out the bike path entrance...dirt.  What?!  How is this listed as a bike path when the first ten feet worth of path has so many dips and crevices a bike designed for that terrain would have issues with it! *sigh* Fine!

Pulled up my map app and looked for a new park - gotta hurry, it's lookin like rain.

Found one!

Headed out of the park but before leaving I drove past that sign again...

Shut the front door!! 

It did say something about alligators!!  

I was no longer upset I couldn't ride in this park!

Took the scenic route through Sugar Land to get to the new park

The sky was getting darker - this was not good!  

Find the park. Find the park! Find the park!!

Things start looking familiar - whaddaya know - I've been riding past the neighborhood this park is in for weeks!  As I weave through the neighborhood I'm getting excited to see the park.  What a let down.  It was so tiny.  Looked bigger on the map...

but then, they always do *bummed*  As long as I was there I may as well make the best of it.  

The Plan - take a lap around the park (good for maybe half a mile) and then cruise through the neighborhood.  Off I went...

My reality - pouring rain!  I was across the park from my truck and the skies let loose -pedal faster!!  Bike loaded, no sense in rushing now, I was soaked head to foot.  Got my drippy drenched self in the truck and headed home...course on the way home the rain let up, didn't stop but wasn't pouring anymore either - I could have ridden in that! UGH!  Felt better when it started pouring again after I got home.

It wasn't a total wash, I have a new route now - well a newish route...instead of staying straight and turning around at Hwy 90 I'm going to go left and incorporate this itty bitty park into my ride this week.

Find a new park to ride in.

Longest. Five. Miles. Ever.

That was the longest five miles ever!
No, not cuz my knee hurt (it didn't) *\o/* <~~cheerleader cheering my knee not hurting 
It was the longest ever because I was going soooo ssslllooowww
Not that I'm a speed demon on a regular day mind you, BUT today was 2 minutes per mile slower than my regular pace. I know, right?!
It was a bit aggravating at times - had to remind myself to celebrate being on my bike *\o/* <~~ celebrating
By about mile 3 I got past the "any slower and I'll be standing still" feeling and had the "out for a Sunday stroll" pace down.
Got home, got in the house (without a limp! *\o/* <~~ she's busy today!), grabbed my ice pack, 15 minutes later it was time to face the rest of the day...still without a limp! *\o/*  *\o/* <~~she brought a friend
I will take it easy on my knee the rest of the day, but damn that ride felt good!
I am a happy girl!

Tour de Cure Canceled

That was the message I woke up to this morning - ride canceled.
DAMN $#@&% RAIN!!!
While I respect their decision, I can't put into words how disappointed and sad I was.

The first five hours of my day were an emotional rollercoaster - woke up at 5a (without an alarm mind you) totally pumped and ready to ride, then read the text - all routes canceled - I cried. 
The emotions that followed for the next few hours were all over the place! Disappointed, sad, angry, proud, sad again, *rain started falling* understanding, tears falling with the rain, back to proud of what my friends, family, and I did together for the ADA and finally...acceptance (with a small side of bummed out, just a tiny one tho)

Around 11a I threw my Red Rider jersey on and headed out the door to the Tour de Cure Family Fun Fest (all the "after ride" stuff still took place)

When I arrived Rider's Village looked like a ghost town.  The majority of the tents looked just like the tent for Team Red - Houston...empty.  (Team Red is the team I ride for)  I felt bad for the folks that worked so hard pulling all of this together.

They had the start/finish line up for pictures...so of course I took a picture *grin*

While not riding today was a huge disappointment, my friends, family and I raised $600 for diabetes research! $600! Raising money for the battle against diabetes was the main goal...mission accomplished!

I can't even begin to thank everyone appropriately for all of their support that is given freely on a daily basis, but especially the support these last four months as I got ready for today - they inspire me and make me want to be a better me 

I will find a ride to participate in and will wear my Tour de Cure Red Rider jersey for all of us! In the meantime I'm keeping my chin up, moving forward, and most definitely looking toward Tour de Cure 2014!

"Every time we ride our bikes, we are doing Tour de Cure."

Reasons Riding 10 Is Better

A week ago today I mysteriously injured my knee.

I know! 

Could the timing have been worse?!  

OK I realize I'm being a Drama Queen.

It could have been worse, but this was pretty bad in my book!

In the last week I have been unable to walk without crying at times - had to wrap my knee and struggle through the day at work - ice it down at lunch - use a crutch to get around.

As the week progressed it got better, I was going to be able to participate in the ride after all.

A victory...at least one would think that right?

Nope, not me.  

The immediate picture in my mind was what an epic fail this was.

I was no longer going to be able to ride the 27 mile route I trained the last four months to ride, I have to ride the 10 mile route instead. 

I cried when this realization hit me on Wednesday evening, I cried a lot.  

I've since had a bit of time to try and adjust my thinking and find things to celebrate about riding the 10 mile route - this is what I've come up with:

• I still get to participate
• Shorter route is better for my knee - 17 miles less stress on it
• With the help of my friends and family I have raised $600 for a good cause, yes $600!
• My Camelbak will be lighter since I will only have to fill it halfway
• We ride rain or shine - it's raining now and supposed to continue through tomorrow so a shorter route means I won't have to ride as long with glasses that need windshield wipers
• I won't have to ride as long soaking wet
• A shorter route leaves less time for rain related accidents (slipping around the corners and such)
• It's so muggy outside it's hard to breath - the shorter distance means less worry about breathing...wait, that didn't sound right...well you know what I mean
• Zero risk of overheating and not completing the route
• I don't have to get up as early. I know. I know. I'll be up anyway, but the point is I won't have to be

Mommy's Bike

Today is the 14th and as you know my bike has been in the shop since the 8th - I have not been a happy girl!
I was finally able to go out for a ride this morning thanks to my Mom lending me her bike.  I know, way cool of her huh? Since we have the same model bike there wasn't too much difference between our bikes.

Well there were a few things...

Like the bell - OMG it was so cute! *ding*ding ding* I swear I sang "You Can Ring My Bell" *ding* for at least half my ride! LOL
Mom needs the bell since her riding environment is littered with pedestrians (such problems those pedestrians, always jogging & walking in the way *giggle*)
My riding environment is littered with large motor vehicles...a bell *ding* would have no effect.

Mom's bike has a smaller frame - sat on her seat and my feet were flat on the ground with my knees ever so slightly bent - had to raise the seat a bit - pretty sure that's why Dad marked her seat position with tape.
With a smaller frame comes less weight - damn near slung it out of the truck when I offloaded it, I was expecting a weight closer to my own bike! Surprise! LOL

Funny enough Mom's saddle squeaks - my saddle squeaks - hers has a different sound and adjusting my butt didn't make it stop - depending on where I sit on my saddle dictates whether the squeak is present or not - I was going to WD-40 Mom's saddle when I got home but wasn't sure if she liked her squeak, they do have a rhythm. Mine says 'Go Girl, Go Girl!' Mom's sounded more like 'Ride it, Ride it' or maybe that was 'ribbit, ribbit' - either way WD-40 is Dad's job now.

While Mom does not have a headlight (refer back to riding environments) she does have a nifty mileage 'computer'...I don't know how it works so I couldn't play with it *sigh*
It did automatically read out my MPH tho - that was cool.

Oh and we match with our bike combinations...kinda sorta not really in a way
OK well I thought it was kinda funny, how many mothers and daughters do you know that do that kind of stuff without planning it?  Oh never mind.

Anyway despite the differences it rode the way I knew it would...just like mine. It felt so good to be out riding again. Thanks Mom!

The Place Where The Landscape Ends...

The place where the landscape ends is met by the ferry dock – the smell of the salt water – mist on your face - dolphins breaching and playing – you watch them intently - feeling as free as they do – floating on the water - swaying to the ebb and flow – carefree – no worries – happy – at ease.

The place where the landscape ends is met by the waves tumbling to the beach. The soothing sounds of roaring water. The ends of the waves touching your toes then gone. Gulls fly and call to you - freeing your mind to soar thru the skies – worries fall away – not a care in the world. The warmth of the sun radiates thru the sand up into your body – making your day bright – feeling pleased - content. Holding hands with the one you love as the gulf waters rush over your feet - forward then back. 

The place where the landscape ends is met by the seawall - walking side by side – saying nothing but hearing how much you love one another – love courses thru your clasp hands – blissful – loved – satisfied – you are full – you have enough – life is good – you can face anything together. 

Tumbling waves, warm sand, calling gulls, shining sun, salty mist, the ebb and flow, dolphins playing, the one you love – you are complete and content at the place where the landscape ends.

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That was my day - spent in my favorite place with my favorite person...where the landscape ends...

An Evening Ride

-Sugar Land Honda & Toyota drivers you are rude - I was in the bike lane where I was sposed to be, you had an entire lane, no need to get that close!!
-Sugar Land Chevy & Dodge drivers are much nicer, they swing wide even when you're in the bike lane and they don't have to
-Shout out to the big diesel Dodge truck for stayin behind me and blockin traffic when there was no bike lane, much appreciated
-From my house to Hwy 90 via Burney is 4 miles
-I'm spoiled to my bike shorts - butt hurts without them
-I'm thinkin a gel seat cover would be nice too
-Can't wait for my CamelBak to get here, that's right, it's going on short rides with me too
-Had to fight and pedal hard to get down to Hwy 90, but it was a breeze comin back - no really, it was - the wind was at my back
-I think the Sugar Land cop was bored so he was stalking me - s'all good I was in the bike lane and following the traffic laws, and to answer your question...Yes, I did do a seatbelt check when I first saw him
-As it got a bit darker I found myself impressed with how far my blinking light reflected off things...til I heard the thunder and realized that was lightning flashing, not my light reflecting
-It was so hot I looked like I showered in my clothes by the time I got home
-Totally exhausted...what a great feeling!