bicycles

Snow Day

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It snowed all day yesterday and a little bit more this morning.  It is actually snowing right now. We were a part of that big spring snow storm that worked it’s way across a large swath of the country.

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The view from my house

Just a reminder, it is supposed to be spring.

In fact, today is the first day of my husband’s spring break. We planned on going to the track everyday this week. Timing each other’s flying 200s, practicing drills, working on drafting (for me), and other fun track stuff that makes you hurt so good and crave protein and chocolate cake.

Alas, that is not to be. At least not today.

I took the opportunity to practice riding on the rollers.

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More accurately, I took the opportunity to be mocked by my husband and two-year-old.

I have finally progressed out of the doorway and into the hallway. I can also ride in the drops. However, riding out of the saddle is apparently out of my reach as is riding for more than 5 minutes in one stretch.

Hopefully, I can improve on that sooner rather than later. It doesn’t look like winter is giving up without a fight so I am not going to have a bunch of beautiful days to ride on the road or track anytime soon which means the rollers are in my future for quite some time. Especially since our trainer broke and we are sending it back. Ugh!

To all of those of you with good weather, enjoy it for me, to all of those that are enduring the snow, happy shoveling!

New Cog

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It was snowing sideways this morning so I felt it necessary to make chili and stay inside where it was safe and warm.

Then I got a call from my friendly bike shop that my cog had arrived in the store….. So I felt it was necessary to bundle the children up and pick up my prize; a 16 tooth Dura Ace cog.

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As shiny as flat black gets

My new cog doesn’t have over 10,000 miles (Thanks, Hubby!). It isn’t warped from being used with an old worn out chain found on a $20 thrift store bike turned fixed gear conversion (Thanks, Hubby). My new cog is pretty awesome and was installed on my bike in less time than it took me to write this post (Thanks, Hubby).

Now I need to get off my butt and take this bike for a spin! Inside, of course, where there is chili.

Goldsprints Recap

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So earlier this week I mentioned goldsprints.

It was so much fun. Ridiculously fun.

I brought my kids and some brownies. They brought a Farside book. Eventually everyone had a look at that. There was also lots of friendly competition on stationary bikes.

I ended the night with a 12.7 second 250 meter sprint. Pretty unbelievable, right? That gave me the ladie’s top spot for the night. It also made the pain a little more bearable the next day.

My friend used his phone to capture that race. I am the mound of maroon sweater at the right.

Hopefully you can make it down to goldsprints next time (March 12th at 7 pm). Otherwise if you are not in the StL area see if you can find some goldsprints of your own.

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!

 

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.)

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.

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.