Thankfulness ensues.

My friend Julie sent me the loveliest cycling related ornament-- making Mister extremely jealousE! It was part of an ornament exchange, and her sender also sent her the same ornament. I thought that was pretty fabulous and indicative of how cycling is prevalent in our worlds!!!

Kokopelli Cycling--



One of the best things for me about cycling has been the change in my body. I feel longer, leaner, and healthier-- even if I am bruised at times. Few people understand the metamorphosis I feel I am undergoing. I think these 2 pictures should say it all.



These were taken 4 months apart (almost to the day). I can't wait to see how I change over the next 4 months. It is nice to face your body's changes with anticipation, rather than dread-- like when your pants fit too tight after Thanksgiving dinner.


This year, I am really thankful for my bicycle, my fashion sense, my husband's encouragement, and that I am accomplishing my goals. I'm also thankful my knee surgeon did a really great job on both ACL replacements. I am thankful to the 2 people that donated their bodies so that my knees can function better than ever.

ORANGE handlebars!!!

Check it out!!!

Novemberfest- tough ride!!!

I don't know if I was just not myself Saturday or what. I got a tetanus shot on Thursday, and I woke up Saturday morning almost in tears because I was feeling so rotten. I had already thrown a fit about us doing this ride, so I had no other choice than to buck up and do eeeet!!

We got there, and it was rather crowded and warm. We lined up and started rolling. Immediately I pretty much knew the ride was going to be rough. We had baby hills right off the bat. I've been biking for only 2 months, and I ride mostly in flat Houston. Hills and gears are very hard work! The roads were also bumpy, which tired out my arms.

At one of the rest stops we had to make the decision--- 27 mile route or 44 mile route? I decided to go and challenge myself, and take the 44 mile route. Mister was a fantastic sport. He hung back with me the whole time! Even when I had to walk up a bunch of the hills. Eventually, I had to ride the SAG wagon. I just couldn't quite pedal the whole way. I think I sagged a total of about 5 miles. 39 miles is still about 10 miles further than I've ever gone before!

I sagged in the middle of the ride, and pedaled to the finish line. 3 people before the last rider. I would have been the turtle if I had not sagged. Mister was such a good sport, he sped up when I rode in a nice lady's Yukon, and practically met me at the rest stops.

The last 5 miles were miserable. I was chafed. I was exhausted. I did not have another mile in me after I crossed the finish line. At one point we had a tractor following us. I thought the tractor would pass us, but I was going faster than the tractor! I burst into tears, because I was so happy! I also made another womaan's dream come true of passing someone on a ride. I was the very first person she passed. I'm glad she was happy, and I am glad I pushed myself.


Weight loss news- I lost 2.4lbs this week, and I've lost a grand total of 4.5 inches on my waist since September.

Cycling socks!!! HEEEEEE

It has been a rough week. I didn't get out and ride any after the Tour de Donut. I got a tetanus shot on Thursday, and felt like crap for a few days. I did do Novemberfest (more on that later). When I got home from Novemberfest my husband handed me a little package from Arizona. My darling friend, Geo, sent me the most hilarious pair of socks (cycling ones). They match my bike, and have the Crash test dummy symbol on them-- since I am so accident prone.

PERFECT. I had seen them once before, and had been wanting to get them. I absolutely adore them. It made my really rough ride yesterday totally worth it. Too bad I didn't get to wear them on the ride (MISTER)-- but they make me really happy. Happier than Mister's Google cycling socks make him.

It was really very thoughtful, and I am so grateful to have such neat people like Geo in my life.

Tour de Donut- not dead last!!!

Looking at the preliminary results, Mister was around #68. I was around 250th place. The list I saw had the wrong name by my rider number. Hmmmph. The list only tracked through rider #300. I am so flipping proud I was faster than at least 50 other people. It was probably small children that I beat. My first cycling event I was dead last. I was followed by the turtle mobile. I am so happy I wasn't last this time!!

Mister ate 9 donuts. Ewwwww. I didn't eat any. Ha!

Tour de Donut

I think I plan on doing 28 miles tomorrow. I've had a rough week, and my foot and leg keeps swelling where I most recently had knee surgery. I think it was because I was just on my feet too much for Halloween, but I'm fat and lazy, and tired.

I'm assuaging my guilt with the fact that you get anti-lazy points when you voluntarily bike 28 miles. Mister is planning on riding to win the donut thing. He is planning on attempting to eat 24 donuts. HA! He will never want another donut again.

This morning he's at a Heart Walk, and I'm being lazy. Drinking coffee. Plotting world domination. Possibly cleaning some of our house that is in ruins.

I need to see if Mister wants to do NovemberFest. I want to do it. My friend Joel says it is the best and prettiest ride. I would like to attempt the 44 mile ride.