Long time gone

Here I go again, trying to get my blog on. And my bike, too. Not only have I not been blogging, I've not been biking. I let myself get fat and lazy, out of shape, and have hardly been on the bike in the last few years. But I'm ready to change that...
It took turning fifty, starting Weight Watchers, and losing my first ten pounds to kick my butt. That, and finding a friendly bike on Craigslist. "Friendly" meaning something I can ride on the hilly roads around here, that will be comfortable, and not a beast to climb on like my recumbents. Oh, I still plan to ride the 'bents, just have to get back into some semblance of shape before I do.

Finally!

Yes, it finally happened! I got my sorry butt back on the bike, rolled off twenty-plus miles today. And did it feel good! I got Jodi to ride with me, at a moderate pace (not as slow as I figured I'd be, but the perfect pace for her to recover from her 50 miler yesterday).
Anyway, it was a hot day in the valley today, broke 90 I believe. I'm sunburned, tired, and a little sore, but so very happy...
Women's rides Tuesday and Thursday, and the Ride of Silence Wednesday - those miles are gonna start adding up :-)

The Joy of Cycling...Feet First

Like I said in an earlier post, I'm one of those odd ducks who prefers to ride the laid-back, feet-first way of the recumbent. I came to the recumbent somewhat reluctantly, though not for lack of enthusiasm for the machines. For though the bike is extremely comfortable, it does require a commitment to really reap its benefits. 'Bents require a different set of muscles than standard road bikes - or wedgies, as we like to call them.

Tribute to the BABBS

BABBS...otherwise known as "bad-ass biker babes"...this is the group of women that saved me from myself when I'd start to spiral into a well of depression and self-destruction. They got me out on my bike when I was wallowing in self-pity, feeling totally lost and alone after a rough breakup. We ride together, sometimes we travel, we eat-drink-laugh together...they're family to me. And even when we don't spend time together, during cold, wet winter months when we're not riding and our lives get in the way and we get bogged down in the mundane, we're all still there for each other. Pick up the phone, call, go for coffee, grab a beer...thanks, ladies, for saving my life.

Can't wait for the weekend

It feels like spring...and I'm seeing so many cyclists out there getting the miles in. My plan for the weekend: get out and ride! Sunday looks to be the day, both for weather and time. So either alone or with some of my buddies, I'll be out there, finally, loosening up these legs. Woohoo!

Time to get back on the bike

After a bit of a hiatus from riding, I've decided it's time to get back on my bike. Last ride of any kind I did was last August, the last day of my Rocky Mountain tour with Sue. I'd hurt my back, pretty big time, and had to lay off riding for awhile - not even the 'bent. Between that and buying a motorcycle, I just never managed to climb back on.
Unfortunately for me...I got fat and lazy over the fall and winter, and now that it's spring, I've got a bit of a long haul in front of me to get back in shape.
So my goals: to ride - commute during the week, do the weekend club rides and the Tuesday night ladies' ride, build my base; to lose weight - a lady never tells her weight, so let's just say I'd like to lose about 25 pounds by summer. Shouldn't be too tough if I start riding regularly, and focus on some healthy eating.
And it helps to have a reason to ride back into shape: I'm looking at the possibility of doing a Canada to Mexico tour in August with my old touring buddy Damion - or at least joining him for a couple of weeks of it. So, away we go! I'll be posting as often as I can, based on my riding, workouts and whatever revelations I have as I whip this old body back into shape...wish me luck!