Recon Planned–Ashland, MA

Tomorrow I’m heading to Ashland, MA to check out the course for the Mud, Sweat and Gears Duathlon.  I’m doing this for a few reasons.
1.) I’m prone to anxiety–and knowing where a place is and how to get there makes me less anxious.
2.) I want to see what I’m up against.  I don’t think it will [...]

Running Vs. Riding

OK, my last post:  a little angry.  The rain has been depressing.  My apologies.  I’m usually much more cheery   A positive by-product of the terrible weather is that I’ve taken up running again, something I’ve done on & off since high school (3 years Varsity track).  I don’t particularly care for running, but [...]

LIVESTRONG Merchandise on Clearance?

LIVESTRONG  fan?  Yeah, me too.  They have a great message, a great cause, a legend of a representative, and some darn good marketing to boot.  I have a bunch of LIVESTRONG gear from my past three LIVESTRONG Challenge events.  Hats, t-shirts, cycling jerseys, and of course, that famous yellow wristband (I have a box of [...]

Trip Planning: Colorado

It’s true, I’m heading back west again, and this time, I’m RIDING.
And hiking, and horseback riding, and possibly even motocrossing a bit if the rentals aren’t too steep. Colorado is an absolute playground for sporty outdoorsy types like me, and I’m excited to be heading there once again: my third time in the last year.
I’m [...]

Not Your Parent’s Map

How many times have you been lost in the woods?  I can’t count the times I’ve been scratching my head, wondering how I got wherever it was I was.  I’m usually tired, bleeding, muddy, and down to my last Luna Bar.  I’m always out of water.  It’s not pretty.  Heather will tell you.
I carry maps [...]

Accessorizing

I realized the other day that I did not have a few items (for example, spare tubes, how did that happen?) for the Fuji, so I headed down to the LBS to remedy that. While there, I picked up a rear light. The bike shop owner said this model would work well because it can [...]

Another Recruit

You know that feeling you get when you get a brand new bike? It’s the same as when you were 12 years old. That feeling–it’s timeless. It doesn’t go away. Getting a new bike is getting to be 12 again. And nothing much comes close to that feeling.
Except for when you participate and helping someone [...]

No Studs Needed

I made it out for a glorious short ride on Superbowl Sunday. The thermometer hit 38 and I made a break for it, ignoring my sore throat and runny nose. I took the mountain bike which I discovered after lying around all summer unused, is in dire need of a tune up. The shifting was [...]

Santa Delivers

I must have been a good girl this year because I got that rockin’ Louis Garneau Exo-Nerve helmet I’ve had my eye on.  Thanks Mom.  Plus, my little brother got me some great winter gloves by Terry–a gift I wasn’t expecting from him but definitely needed.  No more glove liners under cycling gloves–these will be [...]

Two Goals, Twenty Days

Do you remember when Lance feigned weakness in the 2001 Tour de France…then turned around and gave Ullrich “the look” and kicked his ass?

I do.  And I’m reminded of it when I read about Heather being sick, and off the bike due to shoulder and back issues.  Hmmmm.  Makes me think.
I’ve known Heather for about [...]