I Knew This Time Would Come

Most people don't understand the burden of being right all the time. :)

I know myself very well. That means being brutally honest with myself about my annoying habits, personality quirks and personal challenges. When I decided to take on this cycling trek, I knew that I faced some obstacles. The first, of course, was the physical one. I don't have the body of a cyclist and I had to convince myself that I was even capable of doing this. Although I had my doubts, many friends stepped up to assure me that my body didn't determine my abilities.
However, I also knew that this wasn't going to be my biggest challenge. That would be the mental ability to carry through the next year preparing. I do thrive on routine but that also brings about boredom for me. I knew there would come a time when I would just be bored mentally pedalling through the kms. That time has come-this past week. I've tried the iPod, I've tried doing different routes and paths, I've tried different cycling buddies, even the computer and math calculations are not stimulating me. My limit is 2hrs on the bike. Most of the time is spent thinking about how much longer I have to do this until I can get back to my deck and finish Harry Potter. It's the "How much further/longer?" syndrome that plagued us as children during the family car rides.
I'm open to your suggestions, encouragements and prayers. I need to over-come this so that I have that skill next year during the tour. What do I do?

The Absurd Becomes The Ordinary

It was just a month ago that I headed out on the bike-hike-bike run with Rob and George. It was an overwhelming goal. I was nervous and worried. With the guys much needed encouragement and support I did it.
A month has passed. A lot has changed. Including the new bike-now known as the Black Pearl. Daily rides have become routine. And surprisingly, the Komoka Bike-hike-bike is now something I do a few times each week. Who'd of thought?
So much that has come from this decision has been pleasant surprises. My church community has been extremely supportive and involved. My friends constantly cheering me on and checking up on me. And my body not giving out. That this daily routine and exercise has really become ordinary and routine.
I have been truly blessed in life in so many ways. I wonder why I'm still surprised at the good things and people that are given to me.
Next year, I will be half way done the Sea to Sea challenge. I wonder what will seem ordinary and routine then that today would sound ridiculous? I wonder what blessings this holds in store for me? I wonder whatever can I do to show my gratitude for all that I am being given?

Go ahead...make my day!

I've worn this scent for years. I like the company that makes it and the oil is much less harsh on my skin than alcohol based perfumes. Most people identify it with me.

Yesterday, on my ride home from church, another cyclist turned off a side street and was riding behind me. I moved over so that he could pass if he wanted. Instead I heard him say something. "I'm sorry. I didn't catch that." He moved up beside me and said, "White Musk." I smiled and confirmed, "Yes." He smiled and sighed, "Ahh, fond memories. Thank You." Then pedalled on his way.

You're welcome. And thanks, you made me smile too!

A Friend comes home.

The Schwinn is back. I have missed her.It was last week that I took delivery of the Black Pearl and left the Schwinn at the shop for a tune up. It was also a way to force myself to adjust to the new bike. I'm glad it I did it. I'm feeling better about riding the Black Pearl but there was something missing as I came home to the empty spot where the Schwinn usually parks.
She's had a tune up so the ride was smoother than ever. And it's not just her coming home to me, when I slide onto the seat, I feel at home with something I love. I love this bike and how I feel on it. I don't want that to change. Oh yeah....I had a computer installed on the Schwinn. I'm hooked!

It's all about the numbers....

Alright. It's day 4 on the new bike and we have a name. The Black Pearl. We're still getting use to each other but I'm confident that things will work out. It's like having a new person in your life and working out the boundaries and comfort zones.
What I am really enjoying is the computer. I might have to get one for the Schwinn. It gives me all sorts of data to process in my head. I know what my average speed is. The first few days it was 14kms/hr but has increased to 19kms/hr as I adjusted to the bike. I know how long I have been pedalling, what my max speed is (top speed 38kms/hr-cool), when my speed is increasing or decreasing. I'm finding that my speed is actually slowest when I first get on but as I go it steadily increases. I have proven that an increased cadence in a lower gear is actually faster than gearing up. AND I know exactly at what speed while going up a hill I lose mechanical advantage and can walk faster( 10kms/hr).
I've also realized just how much more cycling I do than I thought. Yes, I do my regular training runs each morning( this weekend was 40kms a day) but I hadn't been clocking my regular commuting, the running errands, the additional treks to baseball and stuff. Turns out I'm often doing 50kms/day. That's encouraging.
This month is all about trying to increase the distances. I think I have max out my morning run as getting up before 6am is not a reasonable expectation. What I will start doing is a ride in the morning and a ride in the evening. The goal by the end of July will be to be consistently doing 50-60kms per day. Let's see how it goes.

Something new

Over the weekend, I spent some great time with my friend Lindi, sewing new bedding for her 3yr old daughter, Becca's bedroom. We were excited and thrilled with the fabrics and colours and couldn't wait for the completion. Becca had another outlook on the whole matter. Turns out she has a problem with change. Becca prefers the familiar, the cherished, the tried and trusted. Whether it's clothes, furnishings, toys or spaces, Becca will choose the old over the new. The new actually stresses her out to the point of tears. So let's just say Becca wasn't exactly open to the exciting project her mom and I were enthusiastically working on.
The last few weeks, I have been working with my friend Steve, on staging his house for selling. He has been very open to changes and investing a lot of time and money based on my advice. However, there have been a few pieces of furniture that although perfectly functional have severe aesthetical challenges...such as this coffee and end table set.
Steve didn't see a problem with them...they met his needs and he had had them since he had moved out of home(20yrs ago) Why spend money on new ones?
Both situations ended with the doubtful parties succumbing to the change and actually admitting that they liked the results. Becca finds the new bedding really cuddly and Steve has some very stylish accessories for his living room.

Today, I'm being challenged by change. Today, I take delivery of my new road bike.



It's a good bike. But, like Steve, I hate spending money on something I'm not convinced I really need. Especially a lot of money. I'm trying to be excited about it. The gang at Cyclepath gave me a great deal and are doing my maintenance for the year leading up to my departure for free. I'm trying to be more excited. Trying to make it more cool( it has a computer, a rack to mount a basket, I'm thinking since it's black and silver that I might take it as a pirate theme, Skull & Cross bones valve caps, Steve suggested naming it) George already thought it sounded cool...why wasn't I excited?
I'm surprised too. I like new. Clothes, people, toys. But like my mom, I'm also a sentimental pack rat. I hate to let go of things I love. I guess I'm not ready to set the Schwinn aside. To give up the hope that we would do this adventure together. I'll have to get over it. Maybe a photo shoot with Robin....get my mind with a picture of me on the new bike(I could call it the Captain Jack!!!( I love Johnny Depp) or the Black Pearl or Sparrow).
It'll be an adjustment, the feel, the movement, the lighter weight(that can't be good- more centre of gravity issues AND it's taller!!!)
I'll keep you posted. I hope that like Becca and Steve, I will be pleasantly surprised.

It could have been a bad thing....

The weather changes. Yesterday was the first day that my ride wasn't in the sunshine. Today...The first with rain. It was tempting to skip the jaunt today. To sleep a little longer after a long evening and a restless night. But I needed to get out. To work off some energy, let my head go for a few hours, escape. It was a soft, warm rain that I pedalled into. The kind that is refreshing and enjoyable on a camping trip. I had to take off my glasses as the drops falling across them made the world more blurry than without them. I had a Monet perspective of the countryside as I glided by. I have conquered the Byron hill. Slow but sure, I can even make it up in the rain. I wish all challenges in life were as easy to overcome. I didn't even mind being wet, my hair forming ever tightening curls that only the hand of God can produce on my head. As my tears mixed with the rain on my face, I felt the stress being released from my heart. Many people have mentioned that I might loose weight throughout this preparation- I'm glad that it is coming off my shoulders first!
Finally, dressed for work and covered in my black rain poncho and red and white helmet, I stopped into the church office. George and Anita were amazed at the coordination of my snazzy shoes that perfectly matched my helmet. I guess even as a geek, I need to be a fashionista. Anita was so pleased "Beautiful and Functional! I Love it!" And as I rolled into work, Mark chuckled "Soggy geeks rule!" Thanks Anita and Mark....You made my day!