Pink Cycling

"Babe, I want a new bike.”
“You mean you want a road bike?”
“Yep!”
He nodded. “Okay, we can go take a look at some.”
“And it has to be pink!”
He gave me an amused, but very knowing glance. “Okay, if that’s what you want. Might be kind of hard to find, though. There probably isn’t a high demand for good quality road bikes that are pink.”
“I don’t care; I at least want to try to find one.”
“Okay, we can look.” He smiled again, knowing his wife all too well.

It all started about a year and a half ago. I’d always enjoyed riding my bike as a kid and also as an adult on rare occasions, but in February of ’07 I decided to challenge myself and train for a 65-mile cycling event. For years I’d wanted to physically challenge myself to something I never thought I’d be able to do, and believe me, I never thought I’d be able to do that. Especially when the furthest I’d ever gone on a bike before was 20 miles and I took a 2 hour break at the halfway point. So I gave myself 6 weeks to train and the day of the event I excitedly started off on Old Faithful, my blue mountain bike that I’d had for almost a decade. How clueless was I?? I had no idea how ridiculous it was to attempt such a feat on a heavy bike designed for rough terrain. At the time I didn’t even know the differences between mountain and road bikes, except, of course, those scary super skinny tires. I’d at least had enough sense to put road tires on my mountain bike before the event, but they were the fat ones because I was scared to try riding on the skinny ones after years of fat, supportive tires. The day of the event was long and exhausting but I’m proud to say that I finished and enjoyed myself most of the way. That, after all, is part of the reason for doing something like that, right? The picture above is me after the ride enjoying a well-deserved beer (and I don’t even like beer). Note my lack of real cycling apparel. :) But none-the-less I felt invincible. Especially when the next day came and I wasn’t even sore. That was when the above conversation with my husband occurred.

We went bike shopping that very day and did not find anything pink in the road bike sections of the two stores we visited – the only pink was on the kid’s bikes and the adult beach cruisers. Those cruisers were so cute I was half tempted to buy one of those instead. But after a lot of searching my hubby finally found me a great bike on the internet that was shipped here from the UK. I’ve had it over a year and I love it. It is PINK. The first time I took it out I was so excited, and it was only once I was on the road that I realized just how conspicuous I was. But I started getting compliments from lady riders and interested stares from some of the men. But I don’t really care what people think of my bike, or if they think it means I’m not a serious cyclist. I’m not a serious cyclist. I just ride for my own enjoyment when I feel like it and I’ll train for an event when I feel like it.

I did another 65-mile ride this spring (yay, it wasn’t just a one-time fluke!) and actually have a couple of cycling jerseys and a pair of real cycling shorts (butt pads and all!) so I’m slowly adding to my collection of cycling gear. Right now I am training for a 75-mile event… which is in 5 days. Wish me luck!!

P.S. I’ll try to post a picture of my pink bike soon.
P.P.S. I bet chili dogs and training don’t mix… oops. :)

Chili Dog Craving

Yesterday I read something about a chili dog and I instantly started craving one. I wasn't about to give in to the craving, though, and managed to get through the rest of the day without making one. But today someone mentioned going to a ball game and eating ball park food so that instantly brought me back to the chili dog. This time I had to have one. I just couldn't shake it the rest of the day so at soon as the clock struck 5, I left my computer in my home office (where I work sometimes), proceeded to the kitchen and fifteen minutes later scarfed down a delicious chili dog, complete with cheddar cheese and tomatoes and green onions on top. Yum! I usually try not to give in to my cravings, but once in a while you just have to, right? :)

The Amazing Race

Does anyone else love this show as much as I do??? I've watched my fair share of reality television (Project Runway, The Next Food Network Star, The Bachelor, etc.) but The Amazing Race is one reality show that I would actually do myself if I found the perfect partner to audition with. I mean it has drama, action, and excitement. And the best part is you get to travel all over the world! See places you probably wouldn't ever otherwise see and do things that typical tourists would never do. I watched the premiere of the 13th season (Sundays on CBS) and it didn't disappoint. Eleven great teams that promise an interesting adventure. Although I haven't decided who my favorites are yet... too early in the game. Maybe I'll let ya know in a couple more weeks. ;)

By the way, did you watch the previous season? If you didn't get a chance to, check it out on the travel channel on Wednesday evenings. I was truly impressed with the winning couple and felt they really deserved to win. I'm usually a pretty sweet, understanding, and sympathetic person, but the winning couple really humbled me on more than one occasion. Lessons to be learned. I didn't even get into this show until a few seasons back and once we started watching, my husband and I couldn't figure out how we had gone so long without ever seeing it. We were instantly hooked! If you haven't tried it, I recommend you give it a go. :)

Finally Fall?

Okay, I know the first official day of autumn was last Monday, but unfortunately it feels nothing like fall just yet. At least not for those of us that reside in sunny California. I think the high today was 92. Ninety two. Yes, you read that right. It's the end of September and we are still having 90 degree weather. Although at least I'm in Northern California where we actually have seasons and I am grateful for that. I love summer and wearing sundresses and flip flops but I also get super excited for it to cool off so I can start wearing cozy sweaters and fun scarves. It 's been too hot for me to even wear those cute "summer scarves"! But they say we'll be in the low 70's by the week's end so let's cross our fingers for that. At least the mornings and evenings are much cooler so that is a start. And this morning, while driving to an appointment, my windshield was splattered by twelve whole raindrops from the one, tiny, gray cloud directly above my car. True, it was blue skies everywhere else, but at least it's starting to feel a little more like fall is approaching. Hopefully it won't be long before I start seeing views like the one I attached to this post. :)

Greetings!

Hello everyone! My name is Jessica and I decided it was finally time for me to start my own blogging experience. I love to write and be creative so I figured this was a simple way for me to express myself. I have plenty of thoughts and ideas running through my head pretty much all of the time so hopefully some of you will find them interesting and maybe even a little entertaining. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and I hope to see you soon!