Monday, December 27, 2010

Wonderful riding on the island

I enjoyed two wonderful rides in Puerto Rico this week, thanks to my friends Connie and Lizzie and their coaches. The first ride with Connie was one of my favorite routes when I lived in Manati, Barceloneta to Lago dos Bocas through the mountains and back on the beach from Arecibo. It was even better this time though, because her coach knew two great senic and car free roads that I had never seen which we threw in along with a stop for pollo, arroz con habicuelas, guineo en escabeche, y yucca. It was a slow climb out of Utuado after a lunch like that. My riding partner was a junior time trial champion who was a good motivator to watch zip along the beach. All was fantastic except for my poorly chosen combo of bibs and pit stop location. Let's just say ants in the pants and biting.

My second wonderful ride was with Lizzie and it was a blast. We rode with a group from Guaynabo to Florida which allowed for a great run through the small hilly and twisty roads of Montebello. That was a dream! Almost as good as Lizzie (former time trial champ) pulling our group into the wind on the coast. The woman can put her head down and go!!!!!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

What a joy!

First ride on the studded tires this winter. Stepped into my boots this morning to find that in my rush to catch the start of the elite women's cross national race on the internet Sunday - I'd pulled the boots off wet and neglected to dry them. Chilly toes to and from work today.

Riding home in spitting snow in the dark was a bit of a mental chore. I'm finding a new deep appreciation for Christmas lights this year as a positive aspect of riding in the dark. If only they lasted through Feb.!

Thank goodness for the pick-me-up today when I read the new issue of Bicycling Magazine!

A full glossy page was devoted to a portrait of Julie Lockhart from our own NEBC. On top of another master's national cross championship - what a treat for Julie!

Another long article for the issue featured William Medina's Vuelta in Puerto Rico. Great article that made Patrick and I laugh remembering our Vuelta two years ago. I'm happy to see how successful William's Vuelta has been the past few years. The event is bringing enjoyment to so many people!

And two cycle / recycle calendars arrived today with photos of people world wide using their bicycles for transport. Order yours today.