Mountain Fire, meet Road Cutie.
Yes I got my first ever road bike and I love it especially because I got a very good deal on it. I do not know how to bargain; I could be car dealers' best friend paying over the sticker price. This time I decided to give bargaining a try. It took a lot of smiles, a lot of trips to talk to the store owner, a lot of creative arguments but it was worth it. I got a great price on an already discounted last year (like I really care) model bike. Sure, there was an even cuter bike, candy apple red, because you all know how much color matters, but it cost over 1k more and I did not think the paint was worth this much. :) I still think the bike I got is cute hence Road Cutie name.
So what am I going to do with this bike? Well, one of my virtual friends, who just a few days ago changed into a real friend, is going to be training a group of women for a 90 mile ride. I know I can easy train to ride 90 mi as long as they are FLAT but no such luck; the ride is supposed to be very hilly. No wonder they call it a Challenge Ride. So I hoped on my bike to see how well I would do on one of my local hills and... I failed miserably. I can run this hill but I cannot bike it without stopping. My confidence that I can train to do the challenge ride in March dropped to zero. JoLynn, who is wonderfully supportive, and I are still talking. I don't want to slow the group down but I am very tempted to do that distance. Whether I do it with the group or not, I will train for a 100mi, and if it ends up that I train by myself, it is just going to be a slower and less hilly course, but I will do it.
And what about my Mountain Fire bike? Oh, it will still be serving me. New Leaf grocery store with good organic produce mostly from local farmers is opening only 3mi (plus some nasty hills) from my house. Mountain Fire is going to be employed full time hauling groceries.
I have a half marathon scheduled for April so I am still running (every day) and hiking (whenever I can), lifting weights (2-3 times a week), rowing (I will learn to like it), and inspired by Andrea, maybe I will be adding swimming to my fitness menu. Isn't it great that I wake up at insanely early hours and have nothing better to do?
Other news is that I am finally, I hope, over my cold. OK, I was not writing about it. I mentioned it once of Facebook, I think. It started just before Xmas with a 102 fever. Then cough, then sore throat, then cough again, then stuffy nose. Somehow it all seemed backwards to me. This thing kept bugging me till today. Today was the first day when I woke up without coughing. Cold morning run, then bike ride beautifully cleared my sinuses. I am still coughing a bit but I can live with that. Hopefully I am done with that nonsense for the rest of the year.
Other news is that I am finally, I hope, over my cold. OK, I was not writing about it. I mentioned it once of Facebook, I think. It started just before Xmas with a 102 fever. Then cough, then sore throat, then cough again, then stuffy nose. Somehow it all seemed backwards to me. This thing kept bugging me till today. Today was the first day when I woke up without coughing. Cold morning run, then bike ride beautifully cleared my sinuses. I am still coughing a bit but I can live with that. Hopefully I am done with that nonsense for the rest of the year.
25 comments:
Good luck with the new bike. I've coached a bunch of newbies to get from nowhere to fairly hilly centuries. You are already in good cardio shape so that is good but the technique and skills that you will gain by riding with a group is important and valuable.
Wow - great riding goals.
Holy cow - that is a nice bike! Enjoy!
Jealous of the new bike! Enjoy!
And go ahead and be inspired by me (thanks) just don't swim like me!
Bike love! Congrats on the new ride AND on your new-found bargaining skills! Love that you are taking on a new challenge; no doubt you will rock it!
I LOVE THAT BIKE! Good for you! Hey, people call me crazy. After reading everything you do - well, I am not saying you are crazy BUT.. ;-) Just kidding! Wish I had in me what you have in you to do all that!
So glad you are over that cold thing - that was too long!!!!
I don't like bike riding... I never get good at it. I am not going to do it unless my bod does not let me run or do other things.. that is the only way I am going to do it OR if I live somewhere that I don't have to drive to the mountains where I could do mountain biking - don't like the roads - especially where I live. BUT, if I lived where I did not have to drive, I would hike! :-)
Jody, I LOVE it when people think I am crazy. I'll tell you a secret, I am not as crazy as it seems.
Hi Ewa! You certainly can ride 100 miles. I have a weightlifting friend that regularly rides 100 miles.
Re your flu: I'm just happy that it didn't happen on the week of your marathon. I wouldn't mind colds/flus too much if I could schedule them in on less busy weeks. :D
:-) Marion
All those hilly bike miles will be great training for you know what in August!! :)
Glad you're feeling better - yay!
Congratulations on your new bike (and your bargaining skills)! Very nice that you will be able to bike to get your groceries, too.
And...I think it is very cool that I have had something to do with the creation of another Arid fan!
That's a great bike! You should definitely visit Holland someday. We are a nation of bikers here.
Holy cow Ewa, you have a hard training schedule with all the things you do. Respect!
Great bike! Take note of Jill's comment...:) I don't think I will do any biking for at least a year and maybe even longer. Enjoy your bike and good luck with the training!
Great choice, Specialized's are everywhere here in Ottawa too! (however, I am a TREK fan).
Good for you to take that step out of your comfort zone. You will have a GREAT time with JoLynne. I can hardly wait to hear all about your upcoming adventures!
New toys always make for a great day. And being over your cold so you can play with your new toy, well you are just ready to have a blast now- Enjoy!
I like to bike. I ride an old cruiser for training I call "Desperado" because it's harder to ride than my mountain bike!
With many of the fitness workouts I do, I've always put doing it ahead of liking it. That's paid off for me :-)
At first I'm glad you are feeling better :)
Of course you will be ready for 100 miles ride and ... it's great to hear you've planned to run a half marathon in Spring!
Have a good training!
Love love the bike!! Hills are a problem only in my head! If I think I can't....then I can't. Now instead of looking at them like they are not something I can do. I now look at them as a challenge. You know something to conquer! Bring it on!!
Keep focused!!
Specialized makes great bikes! Beautiful.
Nice bike!
Glad you're feeling better - it sounds like the same thing our household is fighting.
Your new bike is gorgeous!! I'm so happy you have decided to join me in this training. You will have a great time. The experience will quite possibly change your life. ;)
wow good luck! I just a road bike last year and I love it. Not sure if my rear end could handle 90 miles...maybe one day!
Glad that the cold is over.
You will ride those 100 mi and run a fast half marathon because your training is intensive and complete.
Good luck.
Hi Friend, I tagged you today!
Keep focused!
Nice bike. I can tell you right now with your fitness you will get the hang of climbing. Mentally, you already know what it's like to climb a mountain and deal with the inevitable 3 false summits you are bound to come to, now it's just a matter of marrying that mental fortitude to climbing technique.
The bike looks great. Must be fun. I started riding again after 20 years about 3 years ago. Bought hybrid, mostly for its sturdiness. But one of these days I'll join you with a road bike purchase!
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