Tidal Rhythms...

Yes, it's been very quiet of late. Winter is a season of slumber and introspection (unless you're a skier). But without the serene beauty of snow-covered hills (accompanied by a crackling fire, a hot toddy and a warm heart--two, if you're lucky...), we wouldn't even notice the arrival of springtime. Can you tell I grew up in California?

It's all about balance--the ebb and flow of life.

It's been a wicked wild winter for Yours Truly (I love alliteration!). I am a seeker, a spirit in motion, and I learned several Life Lessons during this, my first "off season." I piloted a heavily-laden U-Haul truck over the Rockies in late December ("Kidz, don't try this at home..."), cast the demons out of my beloved titanium road warrior (under the tutelage of Bates McLain, brother Celt and Master Velo Exorcist), and lived to tell about it. We unraveled the mystery that had the Campy "experts" stumped, and somewhere Tulio Campagnolo is nodding and smiling benignly. If you want to hear "the rest of the story" (and as all my friends can attest, I am nothing if not a storyteller), you'll have to buy me a pint. Money well spent, I can assure you: "There I was ..."

Warmer days are just around the corner and we'll all be out there eatin' up the tarmac and getting fitter by the day. And we'll all have plenty to blog about soon enough. So many potential crashes, so little time! (I'm just yankin' yer chain.)

See you on the road...

humph!

****SIGH**** I wish someone else would post to this blog....or tell me they are not interested. Pish!

Love/Hate Relationships

I love my bike. The feeling of the pedals eating up the ground under me as I tootle along country roads, the sounds of nature, the air in my lungs as I gasp whenever I climb a hill - it's all good.

I hate winter. The more I love my bike the more I hate winter. It's cold. It's brown. This winter has been especially hard for me because it has been just a bit too chilly to really enjoy cycling outside.

I love my trainer. Sort of. I can at least get on the bike and pretend I am out riding.

I hate intervals. They really hurt. But I can tell I am getting stronger - if only by teeny tiny increments.

I love my ipod. It is at least a little distraction to the monotony of said trainer.

I hate mean people. The ones who rob us of everything from possessions to happiness to security.

I love longer days. They give me hope.

I hate it that winter still has two months to go.

I love Arizona in the winter. Uh oh. That sounds way too much like a snowbird. But the high plateau of southeastern AZ in winter is warm-ish during the day and cold at night. Perfect. BTW, it's not all that hot in the summer either - at least, not Phoenix-hot. (And....well...it's a dry heat:)

I hate laziness - that disease that infects folks who won't get up off their chairs and DO SOMETHING to make themselves healthier; those who continually complain about aches & pains and not feeling good. You know who I am talking about - people who consider a Super Bowl party or watching NASCAR on TV a workout.

I love running. Never thought I'd say that. I have never been a runner. Not that I am much of one now, but a good 3 - 4 miles at a time is wonderful. Ditto all the positives I said about cycling, without the pedals.

I hate trash on the side of the road. Why can't people leave it in the car until they get home, then put it in a trash can?

I love a day off - even if it has to snow to get one.

I hate getting behind when I have a day off.

I love the way I feel right now - I have worked hard to get here and I intend to stay here for a very, very long time. Losing 25 lb. is not easy, but it sure is rewarding. I'm much stronger and I feel so much better - and I get to throw all my "fat clothes" away!

I have a little sign in my car that says "play everyday". I intend to. What about you?

Winter.

As a cyclist I'm not a big fan of winter. As a skiier, I love snow. But there's nothing good about snow in denver, or cold weather for that matter. No road rides since sometime in December, and tons of trainer time. That doesn't make for very good ride reports, but I figured I would post something and at least remind everyone: Spring will come!