Month: February 2013

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As a woman that is just getting into the competitive aspect of cycling, I do notice the lack of women participants. I do not notice any lack of enthusiasm, though, for the sport. I am hoping that after this year maybe there will be more women on the road, track, in the mud and on the sidelines cheering each other on as the sport gains momentum in Saint Louis and everywhere else. Keep cycling!

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This post continues our series: Top 5 Worst Arguments Against Gender Equality in Pro Cycling. Our first post focused on getting readers up to speed on the fact that gender inequality exists in pro cycling. In this post, we address the burden that has been placed on women to make women’s cycling popular.

Women’s Pro Cycling is Unpopular Because Women Aren’t Fans

(a.k.a. the “Women’s-Cycling-Is-For-Women” defense)

This is an important claim to address because it’s one that all women’s sports must contend with in general—not just unique to cycling. This is the argument where people assert that women are responsible for the popularity of women’s sports.

This doesn’t make sense and all one has to do is look at the fact that women comprise a large portion of the fan base for other popular male-dominated sports (e.g., American football, baseball).  So when you think about it, it’s a rather…

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Weight Lifting Hurts, sometimes

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Last night was a lifting night.

I hurt then and now…..

While attempting to leg press something I did from last week, my legs gave out.

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I don’t know if 631 kg is enough, my boy

I know I’m not Chris Hoy, but I felt terrible. My legs turned into jelly and then my husband went off and was leg pressing like crazy. I had to find someone stronger to help spot him just in case he couldn’t do it because I’m not that strong.

At least I increased my deadlift and military press.

 

Sponsored Track Cyclist?!

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So, I can formally announce that I am a sponsored track cyclist riding on the Elite team for Mike’s Bikes STL. You read right. This lady is on the elite team.

How did this happen?

Luck? Maybe…. Yeah, lots of luck.

Awesome bike? Couldn’t hurt, right?

…. Yeah, I can’t think of any other reasons…

However, that doesn’t lessen my excitement. In just a couple weeks track clinic will be starting and then 8 weeks later… TRACK SEASON STARTS!!!!

Just a little something extra to keep me motivated, because sometimes Lent just isn’t enough….

Though, I haven’t actually been a lazy cyclist. I’ve been practicing on the rollers, which aren’t for the weak of heart, or abs, or legs, or elbows. I put a sprint segment on my commute to work and took off 7 seconds. I even lifted weights by myself yesterday since we had a track meeting last night and it wouldn’t be possible to lift with the hubby.

But I digress, I am a sponsored track cyclist and that is pretty awesome.

Good riding, everyone!

 

Valentines family bike ride

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Dolan AND trailer

It is beautiful today so to celebrate our love on this Valentines day we went on a family bike ride. Also, my husband is changing my flat tire because I apparently ran over a nail. What love?!

First Ride

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So, my bike was finally built up on Friday evening after an invigorating weight lifting session. I didn’t actually do anything but cuddle my sleepy daughter and struggle to stay awake, but even in my lethargic state it was pretty exciting to watch my husband put everything together. 

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Now that I’m complete… what are you going to name me?

I didn’t get to ride it until the next day, though. Then it was too cold and windy and my husband apparently broke his quick release skewer on his road bike, so the family bike ride that was scheduled for Saturday was scrapped. Instead, I rode it up and down the block while my son straddled his bike and said he would rather be inside on the trainer.

For those two minutes I was on my bike, though, it was amazing. The ride is so smooth. I know I have never ridden anything like that before, but seriously…. I’ve never ridden anything like it. The best part? This bike is mine! I can ride it all I want when I’m not afraid of getting her scratched up or ruining my race tires. As a reminder, I need to change my tires. I know my husband said I could ride them on the street, but I just don’t want to do that.

This morning I rode to work with her (still trying to figure out a name/correct pronoun). I can’t get over how smooth and responsive this bike is. I just need to hold up my half of the bargain and when Lent starts tomorrow not be a lazy track cyclist. I practiced this past week but I need to figure out a good rest day. Saturday or Sunday? I think Sunday will be better considering that I will be traveling this summer and lots of those events are on Saturday. It is better to figure this out instead of having a rest weekend which is what usually happens.

My Dolan is Complete!

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After waiting a week with the frame in the house, my bike has finally been built up. I can’t wait to ride it all over the track! (Sorry if the picture isn’t superb, but this was posted from my phone because I couldn’t wait to show her off.)

Penrose Future

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So, it looks as if a crisis was averted last night at the meeting. We appointed a track director, track promoter, people are signing up to be a part of a committee that will run the track, I believe the head official was chosen or at least given a nod. It was very productive but it looks as if there is still a lot of work to be done to keep the track going and to get it into shape for the future.

Someone threw out a figure of 1.2 million dollars. That is how much it will cost to completely re-do the track; to make sure that it doesn’t become Mr. Bumpy face again. There are major infrastructure issues under the track that have caused it to become bumpy, so to me it makes sense to re-do the track instead of spending $300,000 to repave the surface just to have it become bumpy in five years. Of course, we would have to somehow raise 1.2 million dollars. A daunting but worthy task.

As an aside, I totally wasn’t a lazy cyclist yesterday!

Lent Pledge

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For the next forty days I promise to you, my yet unnamed ninja bike that I will work everyday to make myself worthy of you by not slacking off with my track training.

That means I won’t  decide to do a sprint workout at 9:30pm only to realize that I am exhausted and only do one measly 15 second sprint. It also means that I won’t stay in bed watching Alice in Wonderland instead of lifting weights on Monday nights. It means I will actually do my recovery rides and I won’t complain AS much about how boring it is. It means I will eat more chocolate cake.

I love you ninja bike, even though you are still sitting in a box that has now been moved to the dining room. I have my crank set now, though, so you will be put together soon and I will make myself worthy of you.

I will not be a lazy track cyclist.