2010 Events

My planned events for 2010 are:

January 1: Rescue Run 10K

January 17: Reverend Horton Heat @ The Black Sheep


(Tentative) February 3--? Escape to Belize

February 12: MY BIRTHDAY. Rumor has it there is a party planned for another
Lincoln baby in Manitou Springs, I’ll be crashing that party.

February 13: Manitou Springs Mardi Gras celebration. I will apologize now to my liver for how I will be abusing it that weekend.

March 6: English Beat and Fishbone @ Gothic Theater in Denver

March 7: English Beat @ Belly Up! In Aspen

June 5: Highlands Ranch “Tune-up” Triathlon

June 6: Elephant Rock Cycling Festival – Century Bike Ride

June 13: Mini Ha-Ha Triathlon

June 19: 20 Year High School Reunion (ouch!)


June 26-27: MS150 bike ride

July 25-31: RAGBRAI


August 15: Muddy Buddy


August 29: (two conflicting events)
Irongirl triathlon (my first open water swim tri—If I chose this event)
Venus De Miles 65 mile bike ride

September 4: Tenderfoot Mountain Triathlon


October 17: Nike half marathon in San Francisco. (Can you say tuxedo clad Firemen with Tiffany’s necklaces for finishers?—YUM!)


I did not list my snowboarding weekend plans. Let's just say every weekend and some week days January-March 2010 will be in the mountains taking advantage of my pass.

A Sign

In Denver last week I saw this in a shop window...

I like it

Justice NOT Served

Today the woman who killed Jayson and EJ was sentenced to 3 years in prison, which we all know means in a little over a year she will be free again.

You can read my blog from this horrible incident here.

Our judicial system stinks!

June is Bike Month

Get out and roll on two wheels. You'll like it! I Promise!

Memorial Day Weekend Recap (Long)

Memorial Day weekend had plans for one adventure, in return I had many I did not plan on. This blog will come across as a montage of personal accomplishments, reuniting old friends, being true to myself and my family.

It started early on Thursday evening in my home town, visiting with my parents and my old buddy (BC) at one of our old college haunts.



Funny how coming home can feel just like that. Across the bar as I waited for BC to join me I recognized a face but could not put a place with it. Then it dawned on me, it was Suzy…Suzy who taught me to tap dance to the Beastie Boys while we were both part of the dance department at CSU (talk about some shuffle ball change…). A few moments later, another old college friend (Kimberly) came in and sat right next to me at the bar. I have not seen Kimberly since we celebrated my college graduation at this same bar in 12 years ago…(really? That long ago? Scarey!) Kimberly had no idea who she sat next too, to her she was sitting next to some random stranger. I looked at her and said “Hey lady!” She looked at me with a blank look, then she recognized me, followed by a scream and a hug that pretty much tackled me off my seat.


After spending some hours in Elliots, BC and I did what we do well, walk around old town FTC and discuss all the changes in life we have experienced over the years and plans we have for the future. Finally long after my bed time, BC and I hugged, departed our separate ways while I peddled away on my bike I yelled across old town square ‘I love you!!!’ to hear a reply on the other side of the Square ‘I love you too!!!’ Some things just feel right. The love we have for each other is completely plutonic and a special bond we share as surviving our adolescence and early 20’s together. Also, it is when I am with BC I am reminded of all the crazy stuff we DID survive. For instance, once in an adrenaline rush I lifted my car to save his life (so I thought—he really wasn’t under the car when it fell off the jack)…True it was a Honda CRX, but still, I tore every muscle in my body for him. That is another story all together…

The next morning I got up early to go on a road bike ride with my dad and one of his cycling buddies. We met up at the Jiff Store, road “My Nemesis” hill around the south end of the reservoir to Horsetooth Park and back to the Jiff store, where my dad and his friend loaded up the car and I opted to ride my bike home, making a small detour on the way.

I hate this hill!!! Our relationship started early when I was a kid and tried to tackle it on my dirt bike…Ever since I get a huge sense of accomplishment every time I get to the top…sometimes I find myself yelling “Spank that, hill”—it’s kinda weird I know…


While on my way to old town, I chased my own train…It’s not the Iron Horse, but it was as close as I would get to riding against a train on Memorial Day weekend :)


On the way home I stopped by Kansas City Kitty, a very cool little shop owned by my childhood friend Chip, his wife Christi and her business partner. If you ever find yourself in Fort Fun you MUST stop in and see them. They have a very cool little shop full of fun, lovely stuff

After I got home and changed out of my lovely spandex I took off to the North to Cheyenne, Wyoming to take advantage of Sierra Trading Post’s Memorial Day sale.

After giving my credit card a workout in Wyoming I headed home to watch my niece graduate from my alma matter (FCHS). Followed by a wonderful dinner with my parents.

After dinner, when I was getting ready to retire for the evening I got a text message from another old friend who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. He and his family were passing through Colorado Springs the next night and they asked if they could stay at my house.

Uh sure…I headed home on Saturday to frantically prepare my house for three house guests I was not prepared for. The evening was spent telling stories, new and old, catching up and eating pizza. Also, I made them take the bottle of Jagermeiser that was left in my freezer after his last visit over three years ago…

Speaking of Pizza, on my way home on Saturday I discovered Abo’s is now in Loveland!!! Abo’s was my favorite pizza in my youth. It required a drive to Boulder’s Pearl Street mall to be able to abide. There were many afternoons missed of school for Abo’s pizza…



Sunday I finally got some time to myself. Fun Tina and I headed to Territory Days and were rained into sitting in Meadow Muffins and observing from a far, with cocktails in hand.

Monday I enjoyed a Rockies game with my brother, sister in law and two wonderful nieces.

Coors field pic taken by Hailey

Coors Field pic taken by Natalie


Natalie and I

Some serious baseball fans

Hailey and I

Me and my two favorite little princesses

What an amazing weekend!!!

Random Adventure: Weekend in Fargo, ND

I left Colorado in one of our infamous spring snow storms. The kind that dump multiple inches of wet, slushy snow that our dry earth soaks up and wants more. Unfortunately this is not fun to drive in and I almost wrecked my car on the way to Denver International Airport. Whew, glad I didn’t, thank goodness I have mad winter driving skillz—thanks dad! After a delay or two I was able to board my plane and sit on the runway. By the time we were de-iced, and ready for take-off it was the same time we should have been landing in Fargo. Luckily we had an uneventful flight at 1:20am we landed. Jason gets Rockstar Points for staying awake almost 24 hours and still greeting me with Bubble Yum, Green Tea and a welcoming smile at 1:30 in the morning. Fargo has great wildlife in the airport to greet you while you claim your baggage, here is my new friend the buffalo. (He likes it when I pet his bum) Saturday Jason gave me the local’s tour of Fargo, we went to the worlds largest sporting goods store, where they had a Ferris wheel inside among other activities like this shooting game.
Me with a gun (even if it is a toy) is like handing a Trig Calculator to a St. Bernard. What the heck am I supposed to do with this? We visited the Hjemkomst Center, and admired the Hopperstad Stave Church Replica…Very cool! We took a side trip up to Detroit Lakes Minnesota to see Jason’s home town, visit with his friends and meet his godson Hunter (what a little charmer). Then we ventured to see if the lake was thawed enough for some kayaking, it wasn’t. So instead we went to eat Nachos… My Godzilla impression over the nachos… Sunday we spent riding bikes around Fargo, taking a helicopter ride over the flood area, and general playing around including my first geocache experience. I recently learned that my grandparents met in Fargo. It was neat for me to be in the historic area of town and imagine my grandparents being in the same place so many years ago. Like the historic movie theater. I am HUGE in Fargo! And strong... Before this weekend I always thought of Fargo, ND as cold and boring. After this weekend I have to say “Notsomuch”. It is a lovely little city with great parks, lots of areas to ride bikes and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. Fargo get a big high five and a circus act rating from me! Also, huge props to my friend Jason for being such an excellent host and tour guide!!! You are a Rockstar!!! I never dreamt that switching seats on a plane could lead to so much fun and future adventures.

Ragbrai Lessons and Pictures

Alright I have been home a week now. Here is my Ragbrai assessment with pictures.


Our team, Morning of Final day. We don't look too bad for clocking in over 400 miles at this point. Plus, we are still smiling. That is a bonus

I had a fabulous time. A few things I learned.

1) Iowans have to be the nicest people in the whole wide world. At any time someone that lives in Iowa will gladly talk to you, ask you where you are from and offer encouragement. Sometimes they even offer showers too. With clean towels to boot!
By the fan fare we had you would have thought le Tour de France was rolling through towns, kids would high five, and families would be sitting in their lawn chairs waving. It really is amazing! Even farmers would set up HUGE Slip and Slides on their lawns to offer cyclists a break from the heat in the afternoon. Upper torso clothing optional. Everyone I saw kept their cycling shorts on. Wet Chamoix just adds that much more enjoyment. Luckily these slides were usually close to the overnight towns. So the final part of the bike ride that day wasn’t too far.


2) Iowa is NOT Vegetarian friendly. Unless you are content to live off corn, Pie and Iceberg lettuce salads. The best dinner in towns can usually be found in a church or a street vendor selling spaghetti. Unless you are lucky enough to find a pizza joint. Luckily there was Pastafari and Peanut butter jam ont eh route every day. Nothing is better than a made to order PB&J and cold milk break while on a long bike ride.
I did however find vegetarian chili dog on day 5. Now I remember why it has been over 20 years since I ate a chili dog. It was terrible! But I needed food and who could pass up this picture opportunity?


3) Miss Bick and I are still great travel partners, however by the end of the week our tent did have a funky foot smell. Conveniently stinky foot smell night coincided with water bottle margarita night, so we didn’t notice the smell of our tent. (in our defense the humidity in Iowa was intense and our tent was packed away wet every morning from all the dew, the stinky foot smell we are convinced was the tent…not us.)

Our home for the week, Day 1--before funky smell:


3) Super hero capes DO help you climb the big hills in Iowa. Miss Bick and I sported capes two different days.



5) Cows can be vocal if you try to feed them. Here I stopped to try to pet a cow. Why? Because that is what one would do in Iowa, right? The farmer came over and called her cows to the fence. The cows were very vocal with what they thought about all these cyclists going by. They also have terrible breath.


6) When encouraged to evacuate camp because a storm is coming near. It is a good idea to evacuate. One night we were woken up by fire trucks at 2:30 in the morning telling us a storm with high winds and hail was near. The next morning, we learned, even though we missed the storm, a tornado touched down in the next town and reeked havoc on a farm. So maybe the night spent in the basement of a town’s auditorium wasn’t so bad.

7) Peeing in a cornfield is sometimes better than the Kybo’s in the next town.

8) Kybo = Porta Potty. In Iowa everyone calls them Kybo’s—I don’t know why.

When asked "would you do it again?"

Answer "HELL YEAH!!!"

Questions: "Next year?"

Answer: "uh, let me get back to you on that. I still crave the "lay on the beach and do very little" vacations..."

I'm Home--Ragbrai Successful!

471 miles, one crazy sun tan, and random allergic reaction and lots of great memories.
I am home.
More updates later once I get some pictures to post and I unpack my gear and get some rest...

Ragbrai Day 1 Report

Setting: Harlan, Iowa
Time: 8pm
Miles ridden today to get here: 58
Temp: Much better now that I am sitting in an air conditioned trailer stalling around on a computer taking advantage of free internet access (did I mention Air conditioning?)
Plan for tomorrow: wake up, pack up camp and be on the bike before 5 am for minimum 87 mile day. Seriously considering doing the century loop.
Status of my bum: Not too bad...yet
Beers waiting to be consumed tonight: a few

Over all the experience has proved to be everything I hoped. Before arriving in Iowa my biggest fear was the heat and humidity. Now I am learning my biggest challenge over the next 6 days will be nutrition. Iowa still has yet to really grasp the concept of vegetarian cuisine.

Okay, my computer time is up. Hopefully I will get to update again later

Ragbrai Countdown

A week from today I will be on my way to Iowa. For a relaxing week of riding my bike (~460 miles total), camping in random little towns and hanging out with my Super Girlfriends!!! All in the lovely state of Iowa, where I hear the Mosquitoes are in full effect and the heat and humidity is showing no mercy.



Sometimes I am left to wonder about how and why I make certain decisions in my life…

MS 150 2008 Part II

E and I finished riding 80 miles on Sunday at 2 pm, hung around the FRCC campus that was the finish line/expo area for about an hour and a half eating, collecting our baggage and changing clothes before heading home. We pulled into The Springs, collected my doggy from day camp and headed to E’s house. We pulled into the driveway at 5 pm. By 5:05 pm we were fast asleep. Woke up for a brief time around 1 am to unload the car, put our doggies to bed, and go back to sleep until the alarm so rudely awoke us this morning. I guess we were a little bit tired.

There were a few changes to the ride and route this year. The biggest being that they put a cap on the ride, making it about half the size it was before. I still don’t understand why they would ‘close’ a ride for charity. One would thing the organizers would want it to be as large as possible. This gives me something to research. This years ride was 3700 people, compared to the 7000+ it was last year. It started and ended at Front Range Community College in Westminster. Instead of going to Carter lake this year, we by past that area. My only guess is people didn’t like the steep climb up to the lake. Personally I was sad not to go that way, true it was a steep climb up, but also a great descent down afterwards. Gravity baby, Gravity…

At least we still had the killer climb at Horsetooth Reservoir and on day two I got to attack my childhood nemesis again, the climb up the first dam at Horsetooth Reservoir.

As a kid we lived an the base of this hill and on our dirt bikes it was a grueling hill, one we rarely accomplished without a rest or walking our bikes at one point or another. For the second year in a row, I spanked it! Childhood vendetta resolved once again.

All in all it was a great ride and I felt stronger than the year before. Less than three weeks from now I’ll be on my bike riding across Iowa…WAHOO!!!

MS150 2008

For more than 10 years I have been actively involved with the National MS society. I have attended many walks, both as a volunteer and a walker. Tomorrow I am participating in my second MS bike ride, peddling my happy ass over 150 miles in the span of two days.

Multiple Sclerosis is a nasty disease that affects people near and dear to me. For me to ride my bike for two days is nothing like the challenges I see people I care about deal with every day of their lives. Challenges that most times go unnoticed because they battle silently and strongly while living lives that make people envy them unbeknownst of the struggles they face, with a disease that attacks people in the prime of their lives. For this, it seems almost selfish I get to do something I love (ride my bike), to raise awareness and money for this cause.

The weekend schedule is:

Tonight: Drive to Boulder tonight to stay at E’s best friend’s house. (Thanks E and J for letting us crash at your pad )

Tomorrow:
Wake up at 4:30
Get to start in Westminster around 5am
Get set up, check in over night bag to go to Fort Collins by truck, eat. Wake up.

6:00 am: Start peddling

Pedal some more

Have a snack

Pedal

Eat a snow cone at Carter lake (I hope the snow cone stop is there again this year)

Pedal

Pedal

Pedal

(you get the point—maybe have a snack or two)

Arrive in Fort Collins, high five my brother as he is volunteering on the route.

Ride onto campus of my alma mater (CSU).

Collect overnight bag, ride to parents house… Drink Margaritas on newly constructed deck…Go to sleep

Sunday:
Repeat Saturday’s adventure in reverse. Minus the margarita. That would not the be the way to start the ride on Sunday morning—Instead move margarita consumption to my porch on Sunday evening after I retrieve my dog from doggy camp.

To all my friends and family that donated to me for this ride I thank you more than you know! Without the support of you all I would not have been able to raise the money required to participate in this ride, and with each pedal stroke I’ll know your contributions are getting us that much closer to finding a cure for this horrendous disease.


Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

My Mental Health Vacation

The last week of May I took off of work for some personal mental health time.

The vacation started off with a small adventure to Angel Fire New Mexico for E’s bike race. He took Fourth in his class and for the first time I got to see him on the podium. (when he uploads the pics from his camera, I'll post them)
In the meantime, here is a bike he wishes he could race on...


We came home on Memorial day and the rest of the week I spent working on my landscaping at my house. With the help of a girlfriend (JH) we laid down close to a thousand square feet of landscaping cloth, commandeered a truckload of ‘free’ mulch, loaded, unloaded, and distributed the mulch and ordered 3 tons of rock.



JH was my consultant behind my landscape plan. I have always admired her yard, and when she offered to help me I took her up on the offer. Without her help, expertise, sweat and muscle that is no way I could have gotten as much done this week as I did. Not to mention the pile of very cool rocks she hauled over to my house to create the border around my bulb garden.


As for the ‘Free’ Mulch we got. There is a program here in our town where the parks department offers free mulch to anyone that hauls it away. Unfortunately we found out after loading up ‘The Battlewagon’ to the brim we were not at the free mulch pile. The free mulch pile was about 100 yards away, behind another fence we didn’t see. OOOPS Who knows what mulch we stole…If anyone from the City parks department is reading this, I’m sorry….



Here is what Three Tons of rock look like in a pile



and here it is almost completely spread out…I am about 95% completed.

After moving rock on Thursday and Friday I took Saturday off of doing anything too physical, instead I worked out my credit card at home depot gathering all the supplies I will need to build Sasha’s dog run in the back yard. E and I went out to dinner and then it was home and to bed early since we were leaving for Castlerock at 5:30 am to ride in the Elephant Rock Bicycle Festival.

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this bike?

We were both debating if we would do the 65 or 100 mile course, after starting towards Monument and fighting a headwind the.entire.way, we both decided 65 miles would be the way to go.



We met up with my friend’s boyfriend (WC) about halfway through.


Unfortunately my friend (LW) had to drop out early and SAG to the finish line due to her IT band in her knee giving her fits. She was super frustrated and hopes this won’t affect our trip to Iowa later this summer. LW, WC, and I are all meeting Miss Bick in Iowa for RAGBRAI in July.

Now I am back to work and good thing too...My body has been crying for a break.