A Not So Sunny Sunday

It's been quite an eventful week to say the least.

As I sit and type, the boyfriend is currently under the knife, getting a steal rod placed in his right collarbone (to match the titanium in his back of course). Before we know it, he really will be RoboRob. I wonder if the rods come in carbon fiber... 

The past 3 days have gone on forever. What a trooper he's been. There is no way I would have had the strength to handle the injury as well as he did. After getting patched up, I drove him to the hospital. All was good until we got into the ER. As soon as the nurse came in to check him, I turned the palest of whites and broke into a sweat I started to faint and so the nurse made Rob get up off the gurney and put him in the visitor chair while she laid me down in the bed with my head below my feet. Rob desperately searched for the phone to take a picture (thankfully he couldn't find it). How dare I steal his thunder!

Sunday, at the 3rd Annual NOW Energy Bar Criterium in Carson, CA, Rob was in the final sprint. He held his position as planned and everything was coming together. He was right where he needed to be to get a Top Ten finish. Of course, a 1st place was most ideal, but at this point we were shooting to bank the one more Top Ten finish that Rob needed to upgrade to Cat 3.

That didn't happen. In that final sprint, Rob got tangled with a junior rider and hit the deck like a sack of bricks. I don't know how everyone else in the pack managed to avoid him, but I am so thankful they did.

In case you missed it, here's the video (fast forward to 1:30).

The past 3 days have been spent in and out of the hospital. It's amazing how quickly your life gets turned upside down and nothing else matters anymore. Getting Rob fixed is all that matters now. With his great spirits it's evident that he will pull through quicker than anyone else who's gone through this and will be back on his bike before we know what hit us (well, maybe not as fast as that guy from the Tour de France, but pretty damn close).

Despite all this, I managed to pick myself up a USA Cycling license. Why not? Seems like the practical thing to do. It was actually more of a "in the heat of the moment" purchase so that I could discuss Rob's situation with the Technical Director at USA Cycling (can you believe they wouldn't talk to me because I wasn't a licensed member - OH NO YOU DIDN'T). But in all fairness, after we weeded through the initial banter, they ended up being pretty helpful. Kudos for restoring my faith USA Cycling.

So what did I learn? Bicycle racing is an EXPENSIVE hobby (doesn't mean I will quit before I start), and USA Cycling has an insurance plan if you get injured during a race. Just be sure to get it reported by the officials otherwise it will be another level of hell added to your life. No bueno. 

So now I have a license. I guess that means I better get on my bike and start training so I can catch up to the lovely ladies of H&S Bicycles!

- Keep on pedaling. I'll be out there with you all soon!

Lycra is For Lovers

Who knew lycra could be so amazingly comfortable, sexy and fun? When I first started riding, the one part of cycling that was holding me back was the lycra. I have never found it to be flattering, even on the fittest female form. Maybe I was wrong. It can't all be that bad, right? It's a men's sport and that is clear in many of the kit designs I have seen out there.

In my mind, this is how I would look in lycra.

Well, I admit that maybe I was wrong about it all along. It's not that bad, and if you are willing to make the splurge, it can be amazing. Especially when you have someone like Jenny, the Graphik Deziner (check her out peoples of the cycling world) designing the kit. She just finished H&S Bicycles 2013 men's and ladies Giordana kits and they are AMAZING. H&S opted for the pricer Giordana brand this year and so far, nothing but rave reviews. They're comfy and the SEX APPEAL?!?! Apparently there are some guys in their H&S kits now breaking PR's on Strava.... Hey... we can dream but I would have to say there is a correlation between feeling sexy and riding faster. I know a lot of ladies in the group have purchased the new kit. It's time to try this theory out!

When I first was getting used to the idea of lycra, I started out simple with the Pearl Izumi Sugar shorts, as I know I have mentioned many times. They are a great short, however, originally designed for spinning. What I love about them is the short cut, so when I ride in the summer I don't get that funky cyclist tan. Eventually I upgraded to Pearl Izumi's Elite Cycling Bib. I felt like an idiot. These shorts are comfortable and designed with a female form in mind. Can it get any better than this?  Apparently so!

Giordana... If you could talk, I am sure it would be in a soft, romantic tone that would cause me to melt. The name itself sounds so regal. GIORDANA. It gives me chills...

So, here's the new 2013 H&S Bicycles ladies kit. I have to brag, lycra has done wonders for my backend!

2013 H&S Giordana Ladies Kit

2013 H&S Bicycles Ladies Kit

I'm picky and, thank his lucky stars, I love the boyfriend's new kit. Colors are simple and well placed. The design isn't over the top, and the new logo has a hit of softness that, as a lady, I can appreciate.

If you have a favorite big, kit, jersey or short, tell me about it and show me some pics! In the meantime, here are some to make you laugh, courtesy of Tubulocity.com.

Word can't explain... I thought a true cyclist doesn't show?

Not a fan of the diaper-esk design.

He borrowed it from Heidi Klum. I still think she pulled it off better HERE.

So which one has to ride backwards? 

Introducing the Flaming Mangina!

Why? Why, why, why?!?!?!

Grr baby. Not sure what is more impressive. The tiger or the stash.

Tuesday Night Lights

Tuesday is my new favorite night of the week. I started riding more regularly with the H&S Bicycles Ladies Group and it's filling a void that I have been craving to be filled! It's more like a Bikin' and Bitchin' sort of night, well at least for me. AND I LOVE IT. Sometimes it is not about pace or getting the fastest Strava time, sometime we just need to talk, vent and practice the art of harmless gossip! 

Before the group I would ride alone, or occasionally with Rob, Boyfriend and Bike Shop Owner Extraordinaire. I love to ride with him but I always feel guilty for holding him back. This is his sport, his passion, and he does well. I'm new, slow, occasionally lack good form and sometimes put my front tire on backwards (it happens, okay. I'm not ashamed!). I appreciate his patience but I wonder how he tolerates me on the bike. Sometimes I annoy myself! If I am tackling a hard climb I will never quit, but if I am struggling you better believe you will hear mean bitching and moaning the whole way! For example, the second time I rode La Tuna Canyon, I rode with some of the H&S Ladies. We left at a different time then the guys, and they eventually caught us and beat up the hill. Boyfriend Rob was night enough to come back down and ride up the hill AGAIN with me. However this time he did the whole damn thing while doing a wheelie!! A freakin' wheelie! I could barely breathe and thought I was either going to throw up or pass out and there he was, making it all look like a walk in the park. I love the man but COME ON. 

I'm a single mom (well single mom in a relationship), I work full-time (in TV Production no less: 10-12 hour work days anyone?) and I'm trying to make time for it all. If I could ride 5 days a week, I would, but it's not going to happen, at least not with this schedule. Long gone are my Friday nights and I couldn't even tell you the last time I stayed up past 10pm. It's hard to find time to ride but Tuesday, Tuesdays are my saving grace and I will do what I can to make it happen. Don't get me wrong, I hate riding at night. When the lights are out I can barely see a foot in front of me and I'm always paranoid I am going to miss seeing something on the road that might take me out. But it is all worth it! Sure, we could be hanging out at the bar, sipping cocktails, but this is a MUCH better way to spend time with your friends. Sometimes, it doesn't even feel like I am "exercising". I gossip and vent, and burn 500 calories. I'll take it!

With these night rides, it's crucial that you be prepared.  I'm not. Ha! But that's okay, because that is what my NEXT blog post will be about. Stay tuned ladies, I am going to scope out the shop tonight and make a Fall/Winter Night Riding Wish List!

In the meantime, if you're a Lady Pedaler out there riding alone, find yourself a group to ride with. It's will change your riding experience completely (you'll find yourself riding more and pedaling harder). H&S Bicycles ( be sure to LIKE it on facebook ladies!!) created a group based out of the shop and we always welcome new riders. Riders range from brand spanking newbie cyclists to kick ass super fast riders who I admire and long to keep up with their pace. Trust me, you'll fit in just fine. If you live somewhere far, far away from us, check your local shops, or even try Meetup.com to see if there is a group out your way. And if there isn't? START ONE.

Pedal on, Ladies!

Love Your Lady Parts

Ladies, it's time we went there. LADY PARTS! It is not a mystery that saddles aren't forgiving to the lady parts region. There are several things that you can do to make yourself feel unbelievably comfortable down there. For starters, you've made a big investment in your bike and probably got yourself something that cost a pretty penny. If the idea of spending more money on your bike for comfort doesn't sound appealing, you need to stop and rethink the purchase. Don't get me wrong, I'm a coupon clipping, deal hunting, savvy shopper, so when it comes to spending money, I'm hesitatant. I weigh the pros and cons, do a little math and if I can't justify it, then I don't buy. However, your lady parts are worth it! Would you rather be uncomfortable, wiggling in your chair all day at work because the va-jay-jay is all achy and sore from the previous night's ride? Don't even get me started on saddle sores. They can ruin you for days, weeks, maybe even months, making you not want to ride, or be uncomfortable that you are cutting your rides short.

So what do you do?

1. SADDLE UP. Spoil your va-jay-jay to a saddle that makes her smile. I can't stress this enough. A happy vagina is a riding vagina. Go to your local shop (www.hsbikes.com for those of you in Burbank, CA) and get a demo seat, ride and try and ride and try until you find the one that makes you feel like you are sitting on a fluffy marshmallow cloud. I went through two before I found my magical seat and my comfort while riding has taken on a whole new level. What'd I end up with? Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow saddle. Specifically designed for a woman's derriere. If you want to take it one step further, did you know you can actually get fitted for a saddle? Oh yes, apparently when you combine your physical stats (age, weight, height, gender), type of cycling you'll be doing, your INTERROCHANTERIC DISTANCE (ummm.... what?), thigh circumference (Oh HELLLL no - remember my saddle bag chub rub debacle from my last post???) and pelvis rotation, you are given a recommendation as to what will work best for you. Now, if you are die hard and have to do everything 110% percent, then sure, do it, but I think it's a little much for the everyday, casual rider. I think you will be just as successful taking several different models out for a test drive until you find one that FEELS OH SO GOOD.

2. SLIP INTO LYCRA WITH A CHAMOIS (sounds so fancy, right? Your vagina deserves one. TRUST ME). Get your tush and lady parts into a nice pair of cycling shorts with a chamois for all the lovely cushion. And for crying out loud! Leave the panties at home. My lycra of choice is Pearl Izumi's Women's ELITE Cycling Bib. In the beginning I was anti-bib. No reason other than I thought it looked completely ridiculous. I rocked my Pearl Izumi Sugar Shorts and LOVED them. They are great for the summer as they are shorty shorts and are a little forgiving with the ridiculous biker tan you are inevitably going to get. Mr. Handsome Pants (aka the bike shop owner turned boyfriend of mine) kept swearing that "Once you wear a bib, you will never go back.". Being the stubborn A-type that I can be, it took me 2 months to give in (I wanted to be right SO BAD. I'm always right, damn it). I was about to ride my bike 72-miles around Lake Tahoe for JDRF's Ride To Cure Type 1 Diabetes and he kept repeating that bibs are better for longer rides like these. So I caved, and as embarrassing as it was to admit it, I'll sing it from the sky, I WAS WRONG! Bibs are my new best friend! If I could run through a field of daisies in a white summer dress, holding my bib hand-in-hand I would. I am happier than a woman in a tampon commercial. Those ladies are freakishly HAPPY!

3. SMOTHER THE HOO-HA WITH HOO HA.  The most amazing product in cycling that I have been introduced to thus far is Hoo Ha Ride Glide. It's like deodorant in that if you don't put it on before your ride, odds are you are going to be riding alone at the back of the pack (not because your vagina stinks but because she hurts and is hindering your ability to be awesome). Squirt some of the Hoo Ha cream into your hands, rub it on your lady parts, and then rub the left over on the chamois. You'll be overcome with a nice cooling sensation that gives a little numb support and prevents chaffing. Again. Leave the panties at home! As weird to some as it may sound (I admit it, the first time I road my road bike wearing cycling shorts I had on a Victoria's Secret lacie thong and got called out for it). Panties get all tangled, bunched and rub all the wrong places. Don't risk the chaffing and damage down there. Be FREEEEEEE!

These are my 3 splurges that I consider more of a necessity now than a luxury.