Of Rain and Rainbows

We just got back from a week's vacation. The morning we left it was raining, I went out early and took photos of this rainbow which spanned our neighborhood.

We rented a house in Guerneville and friends and family came from far and wide for Thanksgiving (and wine tasting). I worked on a super secret knitting project, finished it and a scarf. Despite the dire predictions of rain, and my being sick, I rode my bike all but one day.

No photos of the beautiful Armstrong redwoods but here's one of my bike camouflaging itself at the bike shop. This is only half of the pink-ness that is Stumptown Cycles.


Thanksgiving is not my holiday. Although I love pie, I don't like eating turkey, the glorification of overeating, or football. Not to mention the whole Indian/Pilgrim issue. Despite the day not being significant for me I found myself missing people who are gone. My father, who has been gone since 2001 and those we lost this year, my grandpa, and my aunt Etta.

I never could bring myself to write about her passing in September. She was my clean-living, non-smoking, favorite aunt and she died of lung cancer.


K and I took the train up to Albany where the memorial service was held. It was too soon after grandpa, and too soon to be losing my aunt. The next day we went to the cemetery where my grandma and grandpa are to add the date of his death. I had never been there before. It was raining and I debated bringing K. He had questions like "will we be dead if we go there?" and "will we dig them up?"


It was low-key and fine. We caught the train the next morning and K cried over leaving his cousins.

Back to Thanksgiving in Guerneville. A lot of the trip involved scenes like this:

My darling child had been home from school sick the whole previous week. He also woke up between 4:30 and 6:00 every day of vacation. We still love him.


One afternoon I rode out around the bend to see this rainbow over the vineyard. The next day we saw a double rainbow coming back from Sebastapol.

This post is all over the place but I have to mention that during the sick week, when I was wondering how I was going to make it, this fine fellow arrived.

He came bearing gifts of rainbow wool and more.


We came back to our apartment to settle back into the routine and culture shock of an old kitchen and small space. I found out that the pastor who confirmed me, Howard Kreiselmeyer, had passed away. He was also too young.

Rain and rainbows, that's how it goes.

Biketacular

I rode the Princess Promenade last month in Sacramento with my sister J. It was 55 miles and she really pushed me to go faster than I would have. It was thankfully cool. One of the high points was seeing wild turkeys on the trail. One of the low points was driving around looking for Denney's and getting stuck in Old Town Sacramento. I should know better. I also discovered that all La Quintas are not created equal.

It was great to get away for a night, and spend time with Miss J. Instead of patches they give out medals at the end. Kind of neat. I would do this ride again, but it is a long way to go. Hopefully it will coincide with Lambtown again.

By the way, they had a chocolate fountain.


The bike season is winding down, and I've started running. Not sure if I want to start doing 5Ks again. I need to see what's coming up.

It was good to do organized rides again. It really is challenging to find the time to train to do the long rides. The Cinderella is on April 2nd. If I could keep up with 30 mile rides now training for that wouldn't be so bad. We shall see.

My Favorite Things...

... are pink

When presented with the challenge of knitting my rejected sari silk yarn, my friend Erica knit a pouch, and then gave it to me. The hot pink bow makes is especially awesome. I hope her hands have recovered.


I love this cyclist!


Speaking of bikes, I've got a new addition to my pink one, a coconut drink holder. Perfect for a coffee cup, or, I suspect, a beer can.

(I just Googled this item, and was thrilled to find it described as "super tacky". Don't worry, I didn't pay $25 for it, it came from a clearance bin in of all places, Moscow, Idaho. Where you can ride on the sidewalks legally.)

Cinderella Classic 2010

I just got back from riding the Cinderella Classic. My first time was 1998, haven't done one in about six years. It is a metric century for women only put on by the Valley Spokesmen club. The relatively flat loop winds around Livermore, San Ramon, and Dublin. Lots of livestock and wineries (and horse trailers).

I guess I kind of kept my training a secret, inasmuch as not blogging about it is secret-keeping. I had some reservations that I would be able to do it. Mainly, having time to train and the means to get a new road bike. But my husband put up with the increasingly long Saturday rides, and someone paid me back some big bucks, so it came together.

It was rough training though. It was hard to get rides in during the week. It rained a lot. I got sick. And my pink bike is heavy (and so am I). I got the road bike only a month or so ago and was nervous about getting it tweaked just right.

Today's ride was not as hard as the first time I did the Cinderella on knobby tires in the freezing cold, but it was pretty hard. It was cold and the wind was strong. I look forward to reading other blog posts about it. The best part was spending the night alone in a motel last night, with a king size bed all to myself.

66.5 miles. 5 hrs 50 minutes on the bike. Total time 6 hrs 40 minutes. This was easier at 29 than it is at 41!

Now to figure out which other nearby metrics (or less) I can do this year.

Tour de Peninsula

I did the ride, got the t-shirt.


Oh my gosh, it was only a 21 mile ride, but it was an accomplishment after being out of anything other than tootling around town for over three-and-a-half years. There were a couple climbs on the route I was familiar with both of them. I was nervous about the first one because I couldn't remember how steep it is, I remember the end being tough. The other I have done at least 75 times, which is reassuring.

Yesterday afternoon I went for a little spin to loosen up for today and I had a hard time on a couple hills that are normally fairly easy, so I was really nervous last night. I laid out all my gear, checked the bike and tried to get a good night's sleep.

I woke up with sore legs, that never happens, not a good start! But I also woke up with a better attitude. If I had to walk on a hill I would do it. At 5:45 I was in ride day auto-pilot. It all came back to me, including the nervous stomach.

Not much to tell about the ride. It was a beautiful overcast morning, my favorite riding weather. I got there really early, a little too early. I hate the standing around waiting. I was at peace with whatever might happen, and my dorky self in tennis shoes on slightly knobby tires. Then a woman waited next to me with my old bike. A few years newer but same color and model. There aren't a lot of them around exactly like that, people were admiring it. She said it was a little much for the riding she does in triathlons. I wanted to steal it, to be honest.

The ride was nice, lots of flag people, cops and closed off streets in San Mateo. I made the first climb fine, not as bad as I remembered it. A few folks were walking it, or resting half way up. The next part was through Sawyer Camp Trail, which was closed except for the riders. It smelled like manzanita, and was such a treat to ride through virtually alone (the 30 and 60 milers had a different route at that point). We came to the camera and the woman behind me said "Photo op - unzip your shirt". How did she know me?

Then the annoying thing happened. I was about 1/2 a mile from the climb that they neglected to mention, but I knew was there. Feeling good, I hear a voice say "if you raise your seat your legs won't cramp up". I said "thanks". He repeated himself and I shouted "thanks so much!" Yeah, thanks for assuming that because I am large and not on a road bike that I am ignorant. I am well aware how much my leg should extend. Have you ever ridden 480 miles across Alaska and slept in a gravel pit? It is so nice that you are teaching your son about bike riding, but you know what, I don't want your unsolicited advice. I noticed that you took a break and didn't pass me until a mile from the end, were your legs cramped? And nice ancient white helmet from the 80's.

By the way, it's not a seat, it is a saddle!!!111!! Unless you were talking about my seat. In which case, ewwww.

Anyhow, I did the long, steepish climb, then it was all downhill. Got back, and there was an insulting, brutal little uphill to the finish. Did it. Got my t-shirt and left.

Another Saturday

Wow, it's Saturday again. Time just flies by. Here are a few updates.

My Kid and Railroad Geekiness:

The littlest Viking turned three last Saturday. I present my humble attempt at a Thomas the Tank Engine cake.


He liked it.


It was a railfan kind of day. First we drove to Martinez, where one can see Amtrak trains and sometimes freight trains. There's also a farmer's market, so we had a picnic. Remember the Martinez beaver controversy? Well, I just read that there are now minks in town as well.

We drove home the long way so the birthday boy could nap, and ended up at Tilden Park. He woke up on the curvy roads, so we decided to stop and take him on the little steam railroad for the first time. What a great surprise that was for him. This photo shows him pretending to take a picture.


Then we came home for pizza and cake and presents. We now have Percy, Diesel, Bertie, Alfie, and Spencer on our personal Island of Sodor.

Knitting:

Not much to report. I have been working on items for our Christmas in August sale next Sunday. Once that's over, I'm ready to start the leg of my first Garden Gate.

Spinning:

I want to do a proper Tour de Fleece entry, with all the stats. In the meantime here is a pile of everything I spun during the Tour de France:

I spun a lot of yarn and learned a couple new things. I also watched a lot of the Tour on t.v.

Cycling:

But the best part was my commitment to riding my bike every race day. Even when we went on vacation I managed to ride the exercise bike at the motel, thanks to the tv in the "fitness room" and my sister babysitting.

I'm feeling stronger after three weeks of riding, it is a little easier taking K. out on the bike. He really enjoys it. I got him little cycling gloves (and new sunglasses for me). He signals when I signal and is in charge of the bell and waving. Last week we took a ride out along the Marina from Fort Mason to Fort Point. He demanded I keep riding and then he fell asleep.

His seat sits on the front of the bike so it has a low back. It was interesting riding with one hand on his chest holding him up. People always smile and wave at us. We are hard to miss. Quite the bike fashion "don't". I believe you should pick one color and stick with it, so I have a pink bike and helmet. But I wear neon a neon green vest or jacket for safety. And I couldn't bring myself to get a pink helmet for my boy. So before you know it, you are a rolling neon rainbow.


On Sunday, the last day of the Tour, I zoomed down to Safeway because I forgot to get ice cream. I got a few helium balloons, tied them to the bike and rode home. I've never had cars give me so much room before! Not the Champs Elysees, but it felt good to have stuck to riding for three weeks.

I signed up for an organized ride tomorrow that benefits the San Mateo parks. I'm doing the 20 mile route, which is humbling after all the metric centuries I've done in the past. As it is I'll probably get my butt kicked by the few climbs. Oh well, got to start somewhere.

Dork-a-saurus

I caught a glimpse of myself on the bike with the kid in a store window. My have things changed since I used to be a "roadie". Dork does not begin to describe it. I forgot to mention one the other problems with having his seat so close to me. I can't stand up and ride on hills. You never forget how to ride a bike, but sometimes you have to adapt.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle...

...and now I can a little bit more. I gave the iBert front-mounted child seat one more try. I still have to ride a little bow-legged, and the saddle has to be too low, but at least it is ridable. And K. enjoys it enough that he puts up with being bundled up and wearing a helmet. He rings the bell and pretends we are a fire engine. It's nice that I can see what he's doing and talk to him and touch him, unlike if he was in the back.

I'm still looking for ways to make it better. I'm short so I have a small bike which means the seat sits back really far, close to me. I can't step off the saddle and over the top tube, I have to stand over the saddle. Our first ride, before I lowered the saddle was a bit harrowing, I could only stop if I put my foot on a curb. The seat also pressing on the shifter for the cogs, making it a little hard to shift.

We've gone out a couple times, not super far, 30-45 minutes, but that's better than nothing. Carrying an extra 25lbs makes for a good workout. I'm glad I have the super low gears I scoffed at.

Funky Junky Monkey

Things have been kind of weird this past week. Up and down. I keep composing blog posts in my head, but not writing them down. Maybe a good thing. I have one good day and then a string of bad ones. Some issues I keep working on get out of control. Too many things get out of control and it all seems hopeless. Going nowhere. Deep thoughts like that.

We did go to the Giants Stitch 'N Pitch on Tuesday and it sucked royally. Due to external factors, mainly. This was the kid's first ball game and we had him pretty primed for it. And I was going to see knitters and maybe find some Ravelry folks. The bad thing was that it was a 7:15 game.

Well, I decided we would get there an hour to an hour and a half before the game so the little one could see the ballpark, which has a cable car, and slides, and great views. And maybe see batting practice before heading up to the nosebleed seats, then just watch a little of the game. Public transportation had a total breakdown and it took an hour and forty-five minutes to get there, and it was time to find our seats. On the way my husband got a phone call about a big problem at the job site. So we got there frazzled and bummed out.

I got my hat, and I don't care if you Ravelers think I'm greedy, no goody bag. We went to our seats and there was no way little K. was going to sit after being so good on the horrible trip there. I got my knitting out, Mr. TVP ran him about at bit. Then he went to make calls to deal with the problem, leaving me with a wiggly toddler. K. actually had a good time, his beloved fire boat sprayed water at the beginning of the game. Then there were two home runs in the first inning with all the hoopla. And random screaming and clapping! And I bought ridiculously expensive hot chocolate and popcorn from the roaming vendors.

However. He would not sit still or even stand there. He was all wound up and wanted to run. I was hacked beyond all belief. The whole strategy was to have two adults to wrangle one toddler. Mr. TVP came back in the second inning and we decided we were done. We stopped at the cable car and K. had a blast ringing the bell. A ride down the slide, then we left. The ride home was rotten because K. was still wound up, yet tired, and we were bummed.

All in all I knitted one row on a sock and met zero knitters. Don't want to count how much we spent.

Wednesday was horrible, Thursday was okay. We went to the zoo and had a good time. K. amused the crowds at the giraffe feeding.

The Navajo-Churro lambs look so soft.


Today is the little one's second birthday but we're not celebrating for a few days because I finally figured out what to get him a bit to late to have it shipped on time. No biggie, he doesn't know what day it is.

Yeah, this guy:


This morning K. and I went out on our Friday street-sweeper pilgrimage. Yes, this is my life now, chasing down trucks and heavy equipment.

My mother came this afternoon and I puttered and decided to ride my bike for the first time in probably a year. First I had to change the knobby back tire to street tread. Both were new, so a pain to get on and off. Then I had to change clothes and clean the grease off. I did a final check before taking off to meet my husband for a beer. I spun the front wheel and and it got caught on the brakes. Crap. I reached down to readjust and I see broken spokes. What the h*%%. The last time I had this bike out there was a broken spoke and I got it fixed, and it was just hanging since then. I have never had broken spokes on any bike before.

I was so ticked because I finally got the bike all ready and then this. This is the kind of week I've been having. I thought of the other bike but it has squeaky brakes and would need to be all cleaned up, too, and Mr. TVP was already at the bar. In a last ditch effort I took the front wheel off the crappy one and put it on the pink one. Hallejula. The brakes are really soft, but the back ones are all good.

So I rode my pink bike wearing my pink helmet, cute bike skort, and loose shirt with pink, blue and green embroidery. Things were looking up. I rode the twenty-five blocks to the bar. It was very pleasant and my legs didn't fall off as I had feared. I got to the bar and things were even better once I had a beer and knit on my sock. Made up in part for the bad Stitch 'N Pitch. Then I rode back home. Very nice afternoon.

Bike Quilt

Here is the quilt block I made for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition quilt project.
Mr. V.P. says it looks like I got a message from outer space. Um, well, yes it is supposed to be a bit abstract.

It was fun doing a bit of embroidery and applique. I did a some sketching before I got the background fabric in the mail. I had several ideas around flying, so the fabric made the decision.

Happy Trails

Actually "Happy Roads". I gave my road bike away today. She had several thousand miles on her. We rode around Tucson literally, and across 480 miles of Alaska, not to mention mile after mile of training in Marin and down the Peninsula. Several Cinderellas. A couple of Grizzly Peaks and Grizzlies.

Here we are at closing ceremonies of the Alaska AIDS Vaccine Ride. We rode in snow for the first and only time that week. There is plastic wrapped around the saddle because the freezing temperatures caused the gel in the saddle to melt into a liquid.

I don't ride anymore. I know I could just as easily go ride for 45 minutes instead of jogging 45 minutes, but that's not enough time, at least on the road bike. It takes me that long just to warm up. When I do start to ride again it will be on my comfy pink bike with K. in a kid's seat.

I almost teared up when I was cleaning her off, but it is for the best. She's just hanging next the the clothes dryer and I feel sad that I can't ride anymore every time I see her. It will be a long time before I get to ride enough miles a week to justify having such a fancy bike. And I do hope to get back into riding some day. I want to ride across the U.S. For now I have to be satisfied that there will be enough room on the bike rack so that I can actually pull the other bike down and use it from time to time. And a woman whose bike was stolen can continue with her training for the AIDS Life Cycle. (Edited to add: She just emailed to say she named the bike "Sunshine")

When I was digging for that photo I found an envelope with all my ride patches and a couple numbers. I don't remember what ride this was from but it must have been a cold one because the paper is totally intact, must have been on my jacket, not a sweaty jersey.


It also must have been a ride in the country. Here's what's written under the number:

Why?

Today I finally gave in and started a blog. Why? Well, mainly because I wanted to be able to share pictures with my friends.

To whit...my bike at Burning Man '05