Grateful :)

Eight weeks ago today I had a bike accident commuting home from work less than a half a mile from home. The past eight weeks have been very challenging but there have been so many blessings upon the way. Many of those coming in the form of friends, family, and many meaningful relationships which I have been able to develop since being off of work due to my injury. Long story short, be grateful for what you have today, because you don't know what tomorrow will bring.  Smile, stay positive, and always be thankful.  

I am so thrilled to be back riding my bike, and cannot wait to partake in many fun activities with my amazing bike team in the next several months. 

2nd day at the new job, 1st day commuting! - Bike Storage 101

As cliche as it is, my commute this morning was a dream come true!  No seriously though, it really was!  After hearing about my company's corporate office moving to Broomfield and then seeing the campus first hand last summer (after buying a house nearby), all I could think of was "man....I've gotta find a way to get a job there and bike to work. I just HAVE to!"  Apparently, good things come to those who work their tails off, refuse to take "no" for an answer and keep their goals in sight.  Finally, after a lot of work and some intergalactic alignment, everything fell into place to make this morning possible.  As awesome as it would have been to commute on day #1, that simply wasn't feasible (darn those boxes of files and pictures and random "office things" anyhow!), but I knew day #2 was meant to be!

Before moving to the my new "home", I did some recon about bike storage because my biggest concern about commuting to work was, "where am I going to store my bike?!?" A few phone calls and several emails later, I learned that my company has 6 bike lockers outside the main entrance.  I walked right by them the first time, thinking it was an electrical box or something bc you'd never imagine it was meant to hold bikes!  So on day 1, I sniffed out the bike lockers, discovered that my lock would fit perfect (always a good thing to test out before making that first trip!), and also accustomed myself with the on-site gym (I'm one of those lucky ones who can rent a locker to stash all of my personal/shower items so I don't have to transport them back and forth!).

I'm quite thankful to work for a company that values its active employees and has provided these awesome storage units.  Plus, they're pretty neat!!  The bike fits perfect inside and has a heavy duty handle which fits a MasterLock just fine!  Although I was fully prepared to stash my bike in my cube with me, I'm grateful that my ride can stay outside in a secured area.

Looking forward to many more new adventures and lessons that commuting will bring!
 

Love love LOVE my Cannondale CAAD10 and my bright Marmot commuter bag!

Look how snug the Green Machine is in his temporary home! 

Back at the track

After a five year hiatus from track racing .... I attended the BVV cert class part I yesterday and it felt really great to be back on fixed fears with no brakes making left hand turns ;) 

It was cold and grey and I was so thankful for my amazingly warm champsys thermal cycling bibs. Delicious!! 

Exploring new trails

I LOVE days like yesterday.  The sun was shining, the grass was so green from the weekend of rain/snow, and it just felt like the perfect afternoon to say "the heck with cleaning and painting inside, I'm going riding!"  So that's exactly what I did!  It wasn't about watts and intensity, it was just about getting outside and exploring! 

 For 10 months at my new house, I've seen this trail crossing close by and thought "hmm.....wonder where that trail goes".  Yesterday I found out and I'm so glad I did!!  Turns out, this new trail takes me to an awesome park which is close to my favorite local burger joint and my dentist (guess which one I'm least excited about commuting to...haha!)!  

Just a little reminder that, you never know where the trails go until you take that first step/pedalstroke to find out!    

So get out there and start exploring!!  :-)

More Estrogen Please!

Let me start by saying, those of us who live in CO are truly blessed!!  We're blessed in that we're surrounded by (what I consider to be) the most amazingly beautiful scenery in the world, unbelievably great weather, and the most talented women in the cycling world!!  

I have never felt so welcomed than when showing up to a ladies event and talking to some of the nicest ladies on the planet!!  And the best part is, it's not discipline specific!  It doesn't matter if it's the BRAC's women's road clinic, Beti Bike Bash MTB race, VIDA MTB camp, BRAC women's CX camp or (the most recent) the Boulder Valley Velodrome's ladies taste tester, the women are all super nice and extremely helpful! No matter where you go, you're surrounded by gifted, friendly and amazing women!  And don't get me started on the endless happy hours, women's bike maintenance clinics, and ladies' nights at numerous bike shops.  As I said..we're truly blessed (ok...maybe even a little spoiled).  :-)  

As a woman, some times, trying something new can be super scary, let alone trying something new in the cycling world.  We constantly see national champions, Olympians, and world-renown cyclists all over the place out here, so yes, when it comes to trying a new sport/discipline, some of us are little bit timid.  I've found over my years of cycling that riding and training with women is a whole new experience and I find it's the most comfortable atmosphere in which to learn a new skill.  Don't get me wrong fellas, I enjoy trying to keep your wheel on a hammerfest training ride or while doing hot laps at the track, but there's something about being surrounded by my lady-friends that just makes it more fun and less....well...testosterone driven.  And WAY less intimidating!  

I find that the majority of women in the cycling arena naturally support each other and want to help one another learn and grow and this is exactly what I found last year at the Boulder Valley Velodrome.  I was so blown away by the community that the BVV had created in it's first year of operation, that I volunteered to help with Monday's women's event.  Being totally new to track cycling myself last year, I knew EXACTLY what the women on Monday felt when they walked up the ramp and looked at the track....sheer panic and fear!  

After some opening comments and ground rules by the coaches, I spent some time helping a few ladies get acquainted with their track bike and reassured them that having no brakes on a fixed gear bike was completely ok.  Then we divided into small groups and slowly worked our way around the apron (flat part of the track....for those who haven't yet experienced the awesomeness of the BVV).  After a few laps and some pep-talking, we started making our way onto the track and before I knew it, the 3 ladies on my wheel were all smiling, laughing and pleading not to stop!  It was amazing!!!  The same 3 women who walked in that night, scared to death and never having ridden a fixie before, were now begging to go back out and ride higher on the track and faster!!!!  Who would've thought!?!?  If I'm being honest.....me.  :-)  The safe and comfortable atmosphere that the coaches and other experienced riders created that night made it possible for those 30 women to overcome some major fears and to do something that they never expected!  It was just a joy to see everyone leave that evening more confident, proud and smiling ear to ear!  

I'm convinced that as long as we continue to work together, open our hearts to those trying something new, check our egos, and embrace this sense of community, that women's cycling will continue to flourish here in CO. 

Back in the Saddle

Ahh...spring is in the air (well...despite a few lingering snow clouds) and what better time to get back into the swing of things and spend more quality time on 2 wheels!  Over the last year, commuting for me was put on the back-burner due to a job change, buying a home and moving further from work and not being familiar with my local roads and trails.  Fortunately, the warm weather, great friends and a potential job relocation have all renewed my commuting and adventurous spirit!  I think it was the perfect storm of good mojo, which was exactly what I needed to get out of the fast lane and into the bike lane!  

Admittedly, it wasn't an easy transition and excuses flowed like wine, but with the support of my teammates and a few close friends, my sense of excitement has returned and I've been pedaling my way around ever since.  In preparation for my new job, I convinced my fiance and our friend Gary to go with me as I explored the trails between home and work.  Having seen my future commute, I was so excited that I wanted to start the new job NOW!  I want to cruise along the 36 bike path with everyone else!!  However, corporate America doesn't move as fast as I'd like, but I didn't let that discourage me.  I decided that the best way to get in the habit of commuting wasn't to wait until the stars aligned and everything was perfect and easy.  (If you know me, I don't do easy!  It's not my style!)  Instead, Gary and I worked out a buddy system where I drive part way, meet him and we bike to work together!  Brilliant!!  Not only do I have someone who can show me the safest routes to work, but I also have someone to hold me accountable!  No more "ehh...I'm just too tired" or "I'll ride in tomorrow."  Nope!  I know he's waiting, so you can bet, I'm getting my tail up and out the door.  Funny because there hasn't been a single day where I've arrived at work on my bike and thought "ya know, I really wish I would've driven my car today".  Not...ONCE!  

Moral of the story...the best way to create is a habit is to start TODAY!  Even if you're unsure or slightly afraid of trying a new route, ask around!!  With so many cyclists out there, there's sure to be someone who knows how to get to where you need to be safety.  I'm willing to bet there are more "Gary's" out there who'd love to have you tag along on a ride!  :-)

Buff Classic TT

It wasn't my first bike race. It wasn't even my first bike race of this season, but I felt like a total beginner at the Buff classic TT last weekend. I was riding a new Cannondale Slice TT bike, I had a super cool new Kask bambino aero helmet and some pretty fast Zipp wheels. Although I definitely had the gear to ride fast, I proved just how slow you can go even with all the fastest gear.

The course was a 12 mile straight stretch from Lyons to Boulder. There were some rolling hills and some fast straightaways.  My start was slow. I always start slow and figure no big deal because I would make up time on the hills. The first hill came and I was really excited, until I realized I was moving at tortoise pace. Two ladies flew by me and I started to panic. They were at least 30 seconds ahead of me and we were only at mile 3.  I got out  of my aero bars and sat-up. I thought maybe I could pedal harder if I was in a more upright position. My mind was racing at this point and I was willing to try anything. When I sat-up I went a bit faster, but didn't gain enough speed to catch anyone. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I was pedaling as hard and as fast as my legs would allow and I wasn't breathing hard. Clearly something was amiss.  I really started to think, and when I really started to think,  I realized that my legs were crunched up and I wasn't getting the benefit of my entire pedal stroke. I might as well have been riding my old pink Barbie bike with glitter paint and metallic streamers blowing in the wind. I begrudgingly grew out of that bike in 5th grade. After my realization my goals changed significantly. I went into the race hoping to finish well. I ended the race hoping to beat someone- anyone. I came up the last hill  and saw Cheryl and Rhonda at the finish. Their cheering gave me a burst of renewed resolve. I finished - and I didn't come in last. Goal complete.

I explained my seat issue to Rhonda and a very nice man at the finish. They confirmed that my seat was too low. I felt like a total beginner. I came home and my very mechanically inclined husband  re-fit my bike. He moved a bunch of parts and adjusted a bunch of pieces. Hopefully my next TT is a better success. I don't want to just look fast, I want to ride fast too.