Must be a Cyclist...

About a year ago, I was sitting at a table with a few people I had just met, and the question was asked, "What must be present in someone you date/marry?"

Without hesitation, I said, “They must be a cyclist.”

While some women have dreams of fancy restaurants and romantic evenings on the town, I have a much different 'perfect date.' Long bikes ride out to a scenic area with a wine, fruit and sandwiches and skinny-dipping in a moon lit lake. Probably not a first date, but…well…who knows, I can be free spirited at times.

I also do not want to feel guilty about leaving them home while I am out on an 8-hour bike ride on the weekend; I really want them to be with me. In talking to my triathlete/cyclist friends, I have been presented with the downsides of being with someone who trains as much, if not more, than I do. What about children, because I think I do want kids some day, who will stay home with them if we are both out riding? To that I say, “They can come with us,” followed by visions of pulling one of those bike trailers up Pilot Mountain. Imagine how much stronger I could be…

Thinking rationally, which happens ever now and again, I have considered the pros and cons of dating someone who is as passionate about the sport of triathlon as I am. On the other hand, would it be better if they are active and supportive of my training, but could careless about participating in a triathlon themselves.

I think this requires more research...and I am not in a hurry.

My apologies to the roadies...

Being a triathlete, being female, or riding up on a tri bike are not exactly the best ways to make friends on an all male group ride, and being a female triathlete on a Cervelo...I have had to and continue to prove myself on many group rides. One guy, who worked at a bike shop in the next town over came up to me on my first ride with this particular group and was actually trying to tell me how to ride my bike. I am a little hot tempered at times over certain topics and this is one of them! Long story short, he got dropped and went on to ride a few extra miles.

So why all the grief? Why do Roadies have to be such ass holes towards triathletes? This has always bothered me and I recently got my answer when I met a new group of cyclists. Among the group was someone who is an extremely experienced triathlete, much more so than myself so one could easily assume that at their level of experience, their bike handling and riding skills would be near flawless. I was very mistaken.

This person was all over the road. The concept of riding the line was lost in translation from a few inches off the white line to anywhere between the white and yellow lines, and really anywhere. And communicating with other riders, forget it. Although I may be a little over sensitive due to my wreck a few years ago I was scared to death to get anywhere near that rear wheel.

And then probably the number one complaint of the Roadie...Aero Bars. I will admit that I do get into aero position from time to time on group rides, but it is usually with someone I am very comfortable riding with, I am at the front of the paceline, or I am no where near the guy in front of me. This person, later realizing was also new to the group drafted almost the whole time on their aero bars. Riding the wheel of the person in front of you not knowing anything about their riding style or capability isn't exactly a safe position to put yourself in, or the group for that matter.

So to my Roadie friends, I apologize, maybe you do have a little bit to gripe about when it comes to triathlete cyclists, but cut those of us who do know how to ride a break.

Let’s talk about Portland...

Like almost everything for me, there is usually some way a place, event, song, food, activity, etc. etc. can be tie a boy crazy story. Portland is no exception…I can actually tied three separate stories to my favorite city in the USA, although only the memory of one still brings a smile to my face, among other things…

Don't worry, I won’t sour the city or my blog with details of the ass hole that I flew out there for only for him to break up with me soon after I got there. Still a little bitter, but let’s just say karma is a bitch. Instead Portland brings to mind thoughts of a tall hot triathlete, hot springs, a creepy man, stealing roses, 'bathing' in rose petals, and probably one of the more memorable evenings of my life...at least in the top five.

But I digress. So, everyone has those days where nothing seems to be going right, you are tired, and just want to escape, so you close your eyes relax and think (or talk in this case) about something that makes you happy. For me the prospect of moving to Portland with one of my best friends is my current 'happy place.' So...'Let's talk about Portland'...As previously stated it is my favorite city in the USA and I have been talking about wanting to move there since my first visit in 2003.

Of course it was love at first sight when I realized how cycling friendly the city and surrounding areas were. One day we drove out to Astoria, and I swear I could have ridden my bike from city center to the coast without fear of someone running me off the road. The whole city just feels so comfortable, I could spend hours relaxing at the Rose Garden. Walking through the city parks. Kayaking the Willamette River. Skiing on Mount Hood...on real snow...I bet they don't have grass in the middle of the slopes on February... And that is only the beginning of my list of things I love about the city and surrounding areas.

So move already...what is stopping us? Well, a few minor details...two mortgages, general lack of money, the booming real estate market, and a plethora of job opportunities, not to mention the fact that I am planning to go back to school. Regardless, within the next two years we hope to join the other Portlanders in the 'City of Roses'. But in the meantime..."Let's talk about Portland."

Where do I begin?

So a friend of mine told me if she could run, I could start a blog...so here I am. She also gets credit for the blogs title, since apparently all my friends think I am boy crazy and obviously love triathlons.

And the reason I have never tried to start a blog...Where do I start? What should I write about? What do people want to read about?