Team Tinkerham

Oh dearest.

2008-03-09T10:10:00.003-06:00

Something I discovered, when you're frantically training for an athletic event-- you don't have a lot of spare time for meandering posts. I attribute my lack of posting to either having my butt on a bike saddle, or my butt at the YMCA, or having my butt at the office.

Last Saturday was the Spring Breakaway ride. My second attempt at a metric century (100km, or 65 miles roughly). The first time I got lost. The second time we had brutal, brutal 30mph headwinds about 3/4 of the route. I don't know exactly what the mathematical ratio is to effort perceived/exerted to headwinds= distance. All I know is that the wind made it super duper hard!! I sagged about 9 miles out of sheer exhaustion in the middle of the ride. Surprisingly though, I got off at the next rest stop and started pedaling away. Most people did not do that once they got on the sag wagon. They rode it all the way to the finish line.

After Mister and I hit the last rest stop (he caught up with me, as they made him sag-- he was dead last because of my snail pace)-- we traveled onward. Some dude came pedaling up behind us. He quickly panted (to Mister), asking how much further it was. Mister said "7or 8 miles, or so". The guy sped up and got ahead of us. He started doing what, I have a bad habit of doing which is - pedal pedal, coasttttt, pedal pedal, coastttttt. Turning around to keep checking to see where Mister and I were. Finally, a light bulb goes off in Mister's brain.

"That guy is worried about beating you, Lady!" duh. That happens frequently. People who are on their last wind, as long as they beat the fat chick they're happy. Guess what guys, I spend anywhere from 6-10 hours a week cycling or exercising. I'm not in great shape-- but I can now go the distance on a bike!! So, I let the guy wear himself out trying to beat me. Then I pulled out my last little bit of strength, and took off ahead of him, while my drling Mister distracted him and chatted him. I am pleased to report that, indeed, the fat chick beat the guy. We were at the car loading our bikes by the time he pulled into view! Muahhahahaah.

The perverse lesson that I learned is that, there are always people better on the bikes than you-- and there will always be someone that I am better than. *snort*
I, too, have people that I peg in a crowd and determine I need to beat them-- without them ever knowing. I'm particularly guilty of that with old people at the YMCA. It is slightly sick that I'm willing to compete with a Grandpa at the Y-- but tht's just how I roll. Adorable CW thinks that is messed up, but bah! Everyone does it.

Next rides coming up (look for me on the long routes, so you can beat me without me ever knowing!!)-- Tour de Houston and Katy Ram Challenge.

My apologies, for my wayward ways

2008-02-25T22:01:00.002-06:00

I have been running around like crzy since the start of the new year. I completed 45 miles on the Frost 50 ride. It lifted my spirits immensely. 1 year previous I barely completed 17 miles.

Been doing a few long rides here and there. A couple weeks go I was going to do my irst metric century, but I got lost! I only completed 36 miles-- before my truck magically appeared in the horizon. Next weekend we have another ride in the same area-- I'm hoping I don't get lost again.

I finally opened a little store on Etsy!! www.tinkerham.etsy.com
Check it out. All proceeds go to MS Society!

I joined the YMCA, and seem to be making progress there. It just got too cold here for voluntary outdoor activity. I got a team jersey for Sun and Ski Sports, lemme tell you that I look like a neon sausage!

Lastly, I should be getting a triple crank and clipless pedals in the next couple of weeks. I'm a big kid now!

Last minute tax deduction?

2007-12-27T10:14:00.001-06:00

If you're looking for a last minute tax deduction, may I humbly suggest the MS Society? http://www.ms150.org/ms150/donate/donate.cfm?id=206509
Here is a link so that you can donate a little money to the cause.

Thanks for reading!

Merry Ipod Christmas!!!

2007-12-26T17:33:00.000-06:00

Mister and I gave up our YMCA membership because we were flat out not going. We might get a trainer so we can train at home on crappy weather days. The only thing I think I will miss might be a spinning class or two.

Mister got me an Ipod Nano for Christmas. It's pretty spiff. I know it probably isn't a good idea to cycle in traffic with the earbuds in-- so I found this thingy from iHome. http://www.ihomeaudio.com/products.asp?product_id=10186 It is a portable speaker set that looks like it takes up a water bottle cage worth of space. I'm not sure how much it weighs or how well it works, but it is an idea. I think I found some other speaker accessory possibilities. It just doesn't seem like a good idea to be in and out of traffic with headphones on.

I am, however, comfortable enough to wear them out on the closed trail in the park. It is a closed loop for cyclists and annoying roller bladers. I also decided I wanted a good playlist or when I'm out there. I came across playlists at http://www.spinning.com/instructors/page.asp?id2=4609&id1=6 and also at Fitness Magazine's website http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/fitness/category.jhtml?categoryid=/templatedata/fitness/category/data/1156344442690.xml&psrc=fitplaylistwo

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! I sure did.

2007-12-22T19:14:00.000-06:00

We went out and donated bicycles to kids today. a total of about 18, 000 bikes were given away all over Houston. Our group personally gave away about 4,000 bicycles. There was a core group of about 4 of us that were dedicated to adjusting all 4000 bikes to the kids sizes and doing minor repairs. It poured or the first 2 hours we were out there.

I am exhausted and bruised. I spent 6 straight hours on my feet bent over at a 90 degree angle wrenching, ratcheting, lifting, and fixing bikes. I was the only female with tools, and I swear to you I almost killed me some menfolk. The male volumteers would tell me HOW to do it. Would take the bikes away from me to do it. I I yelled for folks to come to me for adjustments, they'd walk to the Mister first if we were next to eachother. It was an INTERESTING social experiment. I had 8 yr old boys telling me how to do it. It was an exercise in patience, too. It was also pretty dangerous. They warned us that when we ran out of bikes, we would need to haul ass out of the neighborhood. Some of the other locations almost had riots.

I was pretty disenheartened when I realized some of the "volunteers" thought they deserved a bike, and basically stole one. It made me sick. I ddin't relize what was going on until too late. There were also kids that came through several times getting several bikes, and then selling them to the crowd.OVerall, I am so glad i did it. I hope my skills with a wrench made the people realize that a girl is just as handy. Hopefully my bruised hand will recoup nicely over christmas. The meat of my palm is one giant red bruise.

I really think they should have had water and food out there for us-- or else told us to bring a snack and plenty of water. I am so dehydrated and having horrible back spasms.

My first bike ride

2007-12-18T16:33:00.000-06:00

So in January 2007 I did my first big event ride. I was absolutely terrified. I had the wrong type of bike (a single speed cruiser), and was totally unprepared. I dsent the email below to my friends regarding this epic bike ride. This was before i blew out my ACL in March.

The spacing is jacked up-- but I'm lazy.

Yesterday I had my first big ride (that I had been training for) and it was kinda like I was in the special olympics. I swear.Most of my fears came true, but they weren't that bad...It was 40 degrees and windy, in other words, totally miserable for bike riding. Half the course you had to pedal into the wind (and I had a LOT of trouble)Mister wiped out on the first corner, then came from behind, and beat me by a good 1.5hrs. He was going so fast bc it was so cold, and he was just wearing shorts and a tshirt.He told me I wouldn't be the only one on a cruiser bike, but he LIED. I was the only one on a bike without gears (which totally sucks in the wind!!!), I was the fattest person out there, and yes, I was DEAD LAST.I couldn't figure out why this truck was inching behind me until I asked them what the problem was.... It is to protect the last rider from getting nailed. I kept having to stop, and ppl would come up and ask if I was ok. It was really embarrassing. Every single person on the 20 mile route passed me. But when I finally made it to the finish line (as everyone was packing up and leaving) they all cheered for me. People who were driving away rolled down there windows and stuff, too.At one point I did start to cry bc the weather sucked, I was tired, and I felt dumb.But it was worth it, and I can't wait to do it again.I completed an athletic event. An event, even my scrawny husband had trouble with!

Been a little while!

2007-12-14T17:57:00.001-06:00

Time flies when you're traveling, eating like a pig-- and generally getting ready for Festivus type things. I've been on a few 20 mile training rides, nothing major or hardcore. I really need to light a fire under my butt-- as I've got 3 months, 4 weeks, and 1 day to get my ass in shape. I'm terrified, quite frankly.

Tomorrow we're planning a ride, but the weather is supposed to be kind of nasty-- so I suspect it will be bagged. I won't ride in 40 degrees and raining.

Some cool events I am slobbering over in anticipation-- Wednesday Dec 19th, we're going to the Elves and More Bike Build session. http://www.elvesandmore.org/ Their mission is really bad ass. They build bikes, and then will be delivering them to randomly chosen neighborhoods on Dec 22nd. I will also assist in the delivery. I am wayyyyyy excited.

I've been on the receiving end of charity in Christmases past-- so I love when I have an opportunity to give back. I will also learn how to build a bike on Wednesdy night. They're very short on this year's budget-- it only takes $40 to get a kid one of these bikes. If you have a little bit of extra cash, maybe think about checking out their website and dropping them a few dollars. I know bicycling has revolutionized my life. Maybe a bike can change a child's?

Warm wishes to all!! Happy cycling!!

Thankfulness ensues.

2007-11-25T12:07:00.000-06:00

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!!!

2007-11-19T19:04:00.000-06:00

Check it out!!!

Novemberfest- tough ride!!!

2007-11-13T20:53:00.000-06:00

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

2007-11-11T12:06:00.000-06:00

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!!!

2007-11-07T19:16:00.000-06:00

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

2007-11-03T10:22:00.000-06:00

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.

Moonlight Ramble -- Tour de Donut

2007-10-29T18:19:00.000-06:00

Me and 1500 of Houston's fine cycling denizens went out at 2am on Sat night (ok Sun morning). It was a pretty cold ride. There were a lotta folks out there not used to riding in packs. I'm not great at pack riding myself-- but I'm alright at screeching "slowing" and "stopping" appropriately. Note to you Memorial Loop folks-- uhhh it would help if you'd do it too. I was almost in a pile up on the Ramble and tonight on the Loop.

I don't wanna be in a pile up. I have enough troubles without borrowing more.

Mister and I signed up for the Sun and Ski Sports MS 150 team. I was surprised no one from the Metro bike team signed up (besides us). There are some perks to the Sun and Ski thing, so I'm hoping we'll get good support. I'm aalso hoping we can fundraise money for it. We've each committed to raising $500/each.

Sunday is the Tour de Donut . http://www.tourdedonut.com/ There is a 28 mile race that Mister is doing. For each donut he consumes, it knocks 5 minutes off his time. He can, conceivably, finish before he starts. There is also a 55 mile route. I'm not racing. I am torn on whether or not I want to attempt the 55 mile ride or not.

The farthest I've gone is maybe 30 miles in a day. I'm averaging 12.5mph-- which is still slower than I want to be. I have no idea if this route is going to be hilly or not. I'm afraid I'll do the 55 mile route, get 30 miles and then use the SAG Wagon.

I've still got a few days to think about it. I know Mister will finish wayyyyyyyy before me. He will have to patiently wait in the parking lot for me to finish.

Moonlight Ramble Tonight

2007-10-27T19:06:00.000-05:00

I'm excited, tonight is the Moonlight Ramble at 2am. The 2am thing is kind of scary-- I hope Idon't get hit by some drunk moron!

Weekend with no car- bike:1, jeans: 0

2007-10-26T18:49:00.000-05:00

Hmmm. I did it. I only cheated a leetle by having pizza delivered Friday night. I stayed at the house pretty much all of Saturday. On Sunday I did several errands on the bike. Over all I think i was pretty successful. I kept wanting to start Christmas shopping, but since I don't have any panniers on my bike-- I was pretty much SOL. I alos got my jeans caught in the bike chain, and ripped them. Oops.

Random Good news:
I think I've lost another 1.5 inches on my waist since October 1st!
I am cleared from my knee doctor to train for the MS 150-- and he is muy impressed with my mad cycling skills!

2007-10-20T11:59:00.001-05:00

Finish Line Girls Sculpture
http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail.html?item_no=7447254
I am totally in love with this sculpture from Terry Bicycles. I simply adore it.

2 mile challenge- so far- sort of good

2007-10-20T11:34:00.000-05:00

OK, so I biked to breakfast yesterday. I worked from home. Then I walked to the bar, and had a couple of pints and then walked home. Then I had a pizza delivered. Um, that was sort of not cheating about the car thing. I didn't drive anywhere!! So today (after eating the pizza), I plan on tootling around quite a bit. After I get cleaned up.

I wish I had a map of the bike routes in my area, so I can avoid major streets. Gah! It is scary out there, and I really tend to defer to Mister's expertise. Part of the reason I'm glad he is out of town, is that maybe I will learn to trust my instincts. That is hard!!!

Clif Bar 2 mile challenge- modified

2007-10-18T17:40:00.000-05:00

I've been hemming and hawing about starting a new household rule. Bicycling to anything less than 5 miles away. So far, I haven't done it. I mean, sometimes I run errands on my bike-- but most of the time, no. Living in Houston is kind of a challenge, since it is not so bike friendly. I think I heard once that owning a Ford F150 is a status symbol, not a BMW.

Poking around the other day, I found a Clif Bar Challenge. http://2milechallenge.com/home.html They want people to bike all their errands that are 2 miles or less. They even help you Google Map the area so you can see all the super cool things you can do on bike. Lucky for me I live in Montrose, a pretty hip neighborhood with plenty of local stuff. The only thing is that I wish Google Maps would help me find the smaller side streets, or bike routes, since I'm not quite ready to tackle cycling on Westheimer or Montrose or other bigger streets.

Here's the deal. Mister is going out of town this weekend. I'm working from home on Friday. I have decided this weekend I'm all bike, all the time. If I go anywhere it will be on bicycle or on foot. (I'd look dumb biking to the bar around the corner.) This is the 3 days that I will see how this works out. It might make me housebound. It might make me thinner. It might make me braver! Besides, I'll make sure to stop at Specs on my way home tonight so I can have some tequila on hand. Margaritas and scary movies are definitely on the agenda! Unfortunately, Mister is taking the camera-- so I won't be able to photo all the interesting sights I will see.

Let's talk cycling gear

2007-10-16T19:27:00.000-05:00

I am frustrated at how expensve this hobby is becoming. I dropped over $1000 just on the bike! The clothes are upsetting me -- as I do not want to spend $70+ on a jersey I hope to shrink out of in a few months. Also, let's face it-- the fat chick's jerseys are definitely form over fashion. I have prowled online and found some good links. The team jersey I am currently using is a men's XXXL. Is it so wrong I want something cute and orangey to match my bike?

For plus sized clothes I have found this site to be fun and helpful: http://www.beautypluspower.com/ Lisa knows her schtuff!! She has a whole section devoted to athletic apparel.

Lisa sent me over to Terry Bicycles http://www.terrybicycles.com/ Their stuff seems kinda cute. I managed to find some Terry full length tights through another site on clearance. The tights rock! The other cycling shorts are some I inherited from the formerly fat Mister. My fat squishes out the top and the bottom of them. I am not especially impressed with the padding either. (REI brand cheapish shorts).

Another product I adore is Chamois Butt'r. Buy yourself a giant tube, and then the "trial packs" are fabulous for tossing into your jersey pocket. http://www.athletegift.com/products/chamoisbuttr.htm

I tried the Body Glide stuff, and found that IMHO it does nothing for the chub rub. http://www.gotbody.com/public/b_SHOP_BY_BRAND/BODYGLIDE$1924/p_BODYGLIDE_ANTI-BLISTER__CHAFING_STICK$BGREG.aspx

If anyone has any suggested places I can get cheapish jerseys for my chubby self-- I'm all ears! Thanks!!

26 miles on Saturday

2007-10-15T19:21:00.001-05:00

We went out to George Bush Park on Saturday. The team did about 23 miles. Mister and I pushed and did a whopping 26 miles. I am officially a week ahead in my training goals. I love that feeling.

We are now officially registered for the Moonlight Ramble. I am very excited, as it means I must buy a new light for my bike. Don't want me to get run over.

P.S. In Weight Watcher's news I lost 3lbs this week. I like that game!

Ugh, cancelled ride

2007-10-11T18:36:00.000-05:00

We signed up for the First Capital Ride in West Columbia, TX on October 28th. http://www.wchbt.com/

Then we were also planning on doing the Moonlight Ramble that night at 2am. http://www.totem-media.com/bikehouston/BH2007MBRflyer.pdf

It was going to be a momentous cycling day for me. 47 miles of self-propelled action! Alas, the First Capital one was cancelled. *snarl* That has been the sort of day I am having.

It also looks like Mister and I are the only ones from our Metro Bike Team to sign up and do the MS 150. I was hoping more people would do it-- but I know it is a huge committment and costs a bunch of money. We're thinking of joining a local store's team to get extra training rides in, have support while we're out, and "private bathrooms" in LeGrange.

By the way, if you're curious about this BP MS 150 ride that I'm all hot to trot on, here is a link: http://www.ms150.org/ms150/

It looks like registration is closed now. I'm very glad we signed up early! Now on to raising money for it, training for it, and following through on it!

Getting to know me.

2007-10-10T18:43:00.000-05:00

This is me after one of my first successfully completed event ride. I biked 24 hilly miles. Sorry if my pic is huge and frightening.

This is my Mister Tinkerham. He did the 60 mile route.

This is the Jamis Ventura Elite I ride. It is orange, and obnoxious looking- just like me.

This is the silly logo I made up for myself.

Why did I name it Team Tinkerham? Well, I seem to kind of be everyone's pet fat cyclist. I am reveling in it, too. It also seems to me that it will probably be a team effort to raise the money for the MS Society, get my hiney from Houston to Austin, and generally look after my well being.