Adventures with Chip, MTB

I had to buy him a burrito at Qdoba today, as incentive to drive to Bradley Palmer State Park for some mountain biking with me, but it was worth it. Chip and I had a great afternoon riding trails, getting a little lost, trying to avoid the areas where hunting is allowed... because being mistaken for a deer would be a bad. About halfway through our ride, Chip asked, "How many miles have we gone?" Ha. I was afraid to tell him I forgot to press the start button on the Garmin. "Ummmm... two?"

"That's not right", he replied. Funny how he instinctually knows how far we've gone, and yet still asks me how far we've ridden. Every time. On every ride.

"You didn't start the Garmin, did you." (More of a statement than a question.)

"Ummmm... no?" (He rolls his eyes, shakes his head, and rides off. I then start the Garmin.)

He was in a crabby mood for a short while after that, and later tried to convince me that he was just in a bad mood because he was thinking about school and his annoying math teacher... but really, he was mad at me because I didn't start the Garmin. I didn't have the numbers right. Sigh.

No Garmin, No Rules!

It was a great day for a great ride, though, and always fun to adventure with Chippy, my partner-in-crime. I'm crossing my fingers the new Kona 29er arrives this week. This amazing weather isn't going to last forever!

Strava - Prove it

A bunch of weeks ago, at the Rapha Supercross in Gloucester, I was sitting next to a lovely lady and her husband, while waiting for the next race to start. Caro and Rebecca had just finished their Elite Women's race, and the Elite Men were soon to follow. Pro racer Ted King walked by and stopped to say hello to the woman beside me -- and when he left a few minutes later, I mentioned I had a friend who had a mad crush on him. She chuckled and said, "Who doesn't?" Hahaha. She was great!

We chatted for a bit before the race started, and I asked if she was cheering for anyone in particular. She replied, "Tim. I'm his mom." She was quite proud -- you could hear it in her voice -- and I knew just how she felt. I love watching my boys play their sports as well. I didn't know who "Tim" was... and asked "Tim who?",  and she politely answered, "Tim Johnson."

"Oh." I laughed, "He's a big deal, isn't he?" She laughed with me -- and what a great smile she had. She was just as sweet as can be.

I thought of her today when I read the above quote from her son -- part of the Strava Prove It campaign. Those words actually hit home for me. Maybe this past year fell flat for lack of a true goal.

I've met several pro riders, (a few through Vanderkitten, of course), but Tim Johnson isn't one of them. (He's actually from nearby Middleton). I have to say, with a mom like his, though, he must be a terrific guy. So, three cheers to Tim Johnson's mom and well-thought-out goals.

Day 25: 30 days of Biking, No Garmin No Rules (Sorta)

My ride with friend Carolyn had a twist today when she handed me a "No Garmin No Rules" sticker before our ride. "What does that mean?", I asked... getting a little nervous. 

"You hate your Garmin.", she replied. "It shouldn't be a problem." (True.)

We headed up to Manchester and Singing Beach, which at this point I know the route and mileage pretty well, so I didn't think much of it. We rode at a casual pace, chatting along the way, but not much slower than usual.

We got home in under two hours, but after the ride I felt like something was missing! I couldn't post it on Strava! I started thinking of the credo, "If it's not on Strava, it didn't happen." Oh wow. It nagged at me for two hours.

At 4:30, I needed coffee, so I grabbed the Garmin, rode down to Ocean House Surf and stopped by the beach. 5 miles of poking through town.

Yes. I think I'm a Stravaholic.

#30daysofbiking

P2 Test Day

I'm now at the point where I can't tell if the queasiness in my stomach is from the bug I've been fighting -- or hunger from not eating much food the last few days. (Hard to tell.) Since I wasn't sure I'd keep anything down, I skipped breakfast this morning, pulled my hair into a ponytail, swiped on some lip balm (because my lips are cracked), and off to P2 I went. It's testing day!

Wouldn't you know it, Lila teased me about wearing lipstick to class. (Burt's Bees tinted lip balm, Lila!) I still had my earrings on from last Friday, too, because the truth is, I'm super lazy about taking my jewelry off and I tend to wear those things for days on end... so there you go. Not exactly glamorous but I suffered in style.

My P2 test was fair. No improvement, but I wasn't expecting too much. At least I looked better than I felt!

Snow is coming (!)... and I'm in with some kittens for STRAVA's Stravalentine's Day Challenge on Friday. Bwahahaha... we'll see if I actually have any roads to travel on.

I Love Kudos

It was a while ago that I read The Strava Files in Bicycling Magazine, and at the time, I couldn't quite understand the appeal of Strava or what it was all about. I was neither on Strava, nor did I have a Garmin, and cycling stats and the community aspect of it all just wasn't on my radar.

Since last June, however, I've been uploading my rides, (the data collected from my Garmin gps), to Strava as part of Shayne's coaching. (Or at least I do that when I remember to press the start button on my gps.) It was helpful to get my coach's feedback during the season and receive kudos from the small handful of friends who ride and happen to be on Strava. I've also acquired a few cycling buddies I know only through Strava, who chime in every now and then with a comment or kudo -- And I love seeing their rides in return -- especially Chris S. and Kyle W.'s. They both amuse me, and wow, do they ride!

Since becoming a VanderkittenVIP, I've received even more encouragement and inspiration from my fellow kittens. The girls are amazing. Receiving 8 kudos for my simple 10 mile ride on a Sunday was just so nice. I know it wasn't an epic ride -- (and seeing Chris ride 100 miles that same day makes me shake my head) -- but it's January in New England and the wind off the causeway knocked the stuffing out of me.

Most of the VKVIPs on Strava lately are riding in warmer locales -- California, Arizona, Australia -- but a few are battling the same elements I am. (Candace is in Pennsylvania and had the same rain we had a few days ago.) I haven't recorded my trainer rides or gym workouts, but I might start doing that just to keep track of what I'm doing. I woke up this morning thinking I've been lazy, forgetting that I actually went to P2 yesterday. Huh. I really should write these things down. They say the mind is the first thing to go.

I got 8 kudos on Sunday -- it was a nice pat on the back for my effort -- and I kinda needed it. Thanks, kittens! (And Chris, Shayne, and Lila, too!) You brought a smile to my day.