Author: funkstitch

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.

Penrose Velodrome Solidarity

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So, my beautiful Dolan Pre Cursa bike frame came in the mail on Friday (with unfortunately a few scratches) and is sitting in a box in the kitchen when I hear that track season at the Velodrome may not be happening…. at least in it’s current form sanctioned by USA Cycling.

The current track director Steven Wilkes will be stepping down and I don’t know what/who is going to fill the void.  There is going to be a meeting tomorrow night at 7 pm at Northwest Coffee in Clayton to try to answer that question. If you are interested in track cycling or the velodrome AT ALL please attend this meeting.

If you want to learn more about the velodrome visit the website.

If you want to help continue the track season in Saint Louis for the entire region, come to Northwest Coffee in Clayton tomorrow night at 7 pm.

Help keep this going!

Penrose Park Velodrome competition

Dolan update

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So this weekend there was a bike swap extravaganza in Collinsville hosted by Trailnet. I was able to pick up almost everything I need to put my bike together when the frame gets to my house, probably on Friday.

I got two sets of handlebars; a set of pursuit bars with the arm extensions and a pair of ergonomic/anatomic (not quite sure which one to call it) Salsa drop bars. I got a Sugino messenger 44 tooth chain ring to match the crank set that I’m getting off my husband’s fixed gear. I also got a stem and even if it doesn’t fit well, I’m only out $10.

I’m getting my husband’s Open Pros and yesterday I ordered some Continental Sport Tires from E-bay. Later this week, I’m going to pick up a bottom bracket from Randy’s Recycled Cycles and try to find a saddle lying around the house that I can use. I love my old Schwinn ladies anatomic saddle but I’ve been informed that it would be ridiculous to have one saddle for two bikes.

I’m so excited!!!!

Dolan Pre Cursa

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I just have to get this out there….

 I ordered my Pre Cursa frameset last night!!!

If you can’t tell, I’m a little excited. I hope everyone has an awesome day because I know I am.

Winter Cycling

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I know I can complain to myself about waking up early in the morning to cycle into the bakery, but mainly it’s the ‘early in the morning’ part.

Today was a particularly beautiful December morning. My paper was waiting on the front step, the grass was tinged with frost, and my bicycle was ready to go right out the door. As I rode North it amused me to see everyone dashing to their cars from their homes as to not get cold. Then the process of defrosting and furiously scraping the windshield and windows began. Scraping furiously because these people are not dressed for this crisp beautiful morning but instead for the warmth of their cars/homes/workplaces.

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Bicycle = no scraping!

Not needing to defrost or scrape makes me appreciate my bicycle more than ever.

When I got to the grocery store this morning I saw one of my favorite security guards partnered with somebody that doesn’t see the beauty in this morning. He told me this was not ideal bicycling weather. I informed him all you really need are gloves, a windbreaker, and something to keep your face warm (something I always forget). Of course, if it is really cold there would be a need for long johns or some polypropylene but it’s not really all that cold outside today. Just crisp.

Snow-covered bicycle in New York

This could be described as not ideal cycling weather.

By the way, I love my God and Famous windbreaker. It really makes all the difference.

Cycling in the cold makes me feel like a child. I come in from the cold with rosy cheeks and want some hot chocolate and maybe a cookie for not getting into my car.

It might even snow this week. That will definitely deserve a cookie.