Tail Winds

Some days when I am on my bike it seems that all the stars are aligned. Yesterday was one of those days or so I thought. I hopped on my bike to head home after work and it was as if I was flying. My legs went around effortlessly, my lungs and heart seemed to be humming along in perfect sync. I floated by others as if they were hardly moving. It was blissful. I though "I am getting so much stronger, I can start racing now!" Then I turned North and headed ever so slightly uphill. I slowed and my legs began to burn a little and my back began to ache. I shifted down, a guy with very hairy legs, in his aero bars, loaded down with panniers passed me. Maybe I am not ready to race or maybe I can race if there are tail winds, only down hills and I have the perfect wheel to tuck behind. But, where then would the challenge come from? How would that make me stronger or better? It wouldn't. *sigh* It does hurt to get better, it takes getting beat to want to improve. At least for me, even if what is beating me are my own expectations.

As for yesterday, I will take it. That few moments of sweet harmonious riding and feeling good about what I was doing is enough to know where I want to be next time there is no tail wind and I am truly climbing. I will do it with confidence, strength and endurance, I'll get there just you wait.

Bike to Work Day!

1st, what about Bike Home from Work Day?? I didn't have time to stop and get any goodies this morning I was late. I was however ecstatic that I was actually biking! Unfortuantely, my hiatus from the bike had other complications, like my locker in the HSB that I have had for 5+ years. Appearently since I haven't been in there as often I missed the note saying that on May 9th Building Management (BM) was doing "spring cleaning" meaning "remove your lock and belongings or we will cut off your lock and through out your sh*t!"
Alas, Wednesday I biked in and found my lock gone and all my shower supplies including towel, hairdryer, good shampoo, deoderant etc. gone! Called BM to see if they still had my stuff - No they trew it out, this coming from the UW who is all about reduce, reuse, recycle! So I re-purchased or brought in all new stuff and picked out a new locker since as it turns out most >50% of the lockers have had locks on and not been open since as long ago as 1996! Spring Cleaning may have been in order so others could stash their stuff too. As consolation I biked in today in just my kit, sun on my arms and legs that is worth something, never mind the entire bathroom worth of supplies on my back. :)

sudo R&R ~ AKA moving in

We moved into our Mazama cabin this past weekend. I had hoped to go for a ride on Sunday but alas too much to do and little people anxious to explore the valley. It was beautiful and warm. The wild flowers are beginning to bloom. The views from the upper meadow just steps from our place are breathtaking. Riding will come soon enough. My back is still recovering. At least I can commute now and I am trying to swim regularly. Knowing all of the opportunities for recreation in the Methow valley is making eager to get back and to get strong again.

View from the main floor

Can't wait to have friends out to stay with us. It is even better when shared with others.

Thanks so much to the generosity of our friends Micheal and John for spending their weekend helping! Thanks to our new neighbors Tim and Kathy(still building their dream house) for saving our ass, not to mention a 30' U-haul and our electrical service from disaster! We are so fortunate to have this place to go to now. If it weren't for having to make money and my girls and our friends I think I could drive over that pass an simply stay. I guess a owe thanks for all the good stuff in Seattle that keeps us here so that when we do drive over Hwy 20 we appreciate going there that much more.

A very tired out puppy!