come on spring!

it's february and spring is around the corner.  it was nice to keep the cycling jacket in the closet today.  a base layer and long sleeve jersey were enough.  although, i was very happy that i opted for the shoe covers.  my toes are always cold.  march (and my birthday) are almost upon us, as well as the spring classics.  more on my birthday later!  some of my favorites are milan-san remo,  paris-roubaix, and liège–bastogne–liège.  can't wait!

two things i love!

cycling and football.   by the way, my fantasy football team has made it to the playoffs!  team pedalphile is hoping for a first or second place finish, and i have to no shame to admit it's for the money.  i hope to have a win this weekend to make the finals next weekend.  who would want anything less?  not this girl, that's for sure!   keep your toes crossed for me!  :)


*update* i made it to the finals!  wish me luck this weekend!!!!

*update 2* second place.  not bad for my first try at this and i'm $80 richer. 

why, i don't even know what to think...

ok, so yesterday (saturday) was another perfect fall day here in dc.  i decided to bike to the pool, swim some laps and bike home.  after the pool, i made a quick diversion to my sister's place to say hello.  i had a glass of wine, it was kind of nice after the work out.  i left her place around 4pm and decided to bike home and get ready for the night.  i really need new brake pads, and had just enjoyed that glass of wine, so decided to not rush my bike ride home.  i kept a nice steady pace and was taking in the beautiful fall leaves lining the city streets.  per usual, i stop at the light at 14th and r st nw, i always hit this light.  i was stopped in the middle of the bike lane, behind the crosswalk waiting patiently for the light to change.  i had just caught it, so i sat there for a good 35 seconds or so waiting for it to change.  i checked out the subaru next to me and noticed the friends seemed mostly uninterested in each other's company.  they were each on their own cell phones with the exception of the driver.  to my right, a woman was stopped on her bike and talking to her friend who was on the sidewalk.  that's always nice to run in to a friend i thought.
so the light changes and i slowly take off and continue biking the last few blocks home.  suddenly, i see this guy come up to the left of me and turn right, cutting me off.  now this is odd, there was plenty of room behind me to pass and make his turn.  also, wasn't he aware that i was moving and why would you make a right turn from the left of someone while you are both on bikes??  i slow down, yet don't unclip.  quickly analyzing how ridiculous this guy's decision was, but then offended because did he really think he could pass me just because i was a girl and he was a guy?  i soon became horrified that this idiot could have caused me to crash.  i quietly, but firmly muttered, "seriously dude?  what the FUCK? come on now" and shake my head at him.  he apologizes profusely, he clearly knew he was in the wrong.  then i realized something, i just intimidated and scared the hell out of him.  i felt proud of myself and i pedaled off.
as i biked, i re-analyzed what the hell just happened.   at first, i felt kind of bad, maybe i was too harsh on him?  what if i came off as some scary bike chick?  you know, the girls with the scars that aren't afraid to go fast and crash hard?  what if it wasn't apparent that i like my face and bones the way they are, intact.  what if he never rides a bike again?  i hoped that wasn't the result.  i then come to the conclusion that he really made a poor decision and could have hurt both of us.  he didn't even have a helmet on while he rode his cruiser with one hand.  what was the point of his decision?  why couldn't he have just waited .2 seconds or gone to the right of me where he had plenty of room?  the level of intensity with which i said those words could have cut glass, although i said it low and was surprised he even heard me.  it was if he had heard my thoughts and felt my annoyance with him.  so, i decided, i didn't feel bad.  do you feel bad when you yell at the car next to you for cutting you off and not having patience?   i didn't have a horn (or bell), i had my mouth and i used it.  keep riding, but have some common sense out there.

r.i.p. laurent fignon

he died at 50 years young from cancer on august 31st.                                                                               

fall is here!

as much as i hate cold weather, i don't think i could be any happier to welcome fall! it's a time for new beginnings. summer was fun, but i let someone in to my life who was a bit toxic. i did the right thing by letting them be in it no more. i was a bit distressed about my decision at first, but soon came to realize that it was the right one. better late than never, right? it's not my responsibility to play "captain save a ho" or whatever the term would be for ladies. speaking of which, help me coin a term!! soo, hello fall! i welcome you with my wool sweaters! maybe we can skip over winter this year. salt on the streets = no good for my bike and cold weather = even colder when biking.