Smelling the Roses Ride

 

I had been pushing myselft, specifically my quads with lunges, squats and then the brick the day before, so I needed a recovery day.  The weather however was still beautiful and there was just no way I could pass up what could perhaps be my last chance to ride outside this year.  I have some unfortunate family stuff going on right now, but I felt a short recovery ride would help clear my head.  I quickly changed into cycling my cycling gear and my trusty steed and I set out.

I chose a flat loop that had no climbing in it and would take about 45 minutes.  The plan was to keep my heart rate under 130, but from the moment I left my house it was in the 130-140 range.  Undoubtedly, adding to the situation was my sore lady bits.  Apparently, my lady bits are just like a muscle -- can't just go out there and ride for nearly 2 hours without having some residual.  You can forget HTFU, I need to "harden the crotch up!" (HTCU!)

As I gingerly, pedaled up Glenwood I came up on a kid on his BMX bike riding on the wrong side of the road (against the traffic that is) and without a helmet.  I could only shake my head in dismay.  I whole heartedly wish there were stricter cycling laws in Ohio, especially after my own little body meets car, body meets cement episode.  To make matters worse the kid started pedaling harder trying to "race" me on his side.  I was very happy we were approaching the drug store where he was going and I was turning the opposite direction.  It's like riding and defcon 1...all the time!

I began to relax a little after about 20 minutes and my heart rate started trickling down.  I soft pedaled frequently and felt at times like I was barely moving, especially when I hit the spots with a headwind.  I tried to look around and just take in the scenery and the fresh air.  As I made my way back, I did 4 hard pushes of anywhere from 1-3 minutes at the end of my ride.  I pulled in the driveway breathing hard, sweating and de-stressed. 

By The Numbers:
Bike: 12.01 miles, Time 46:59, Avg 15.3 (with stops), Ascent 343Ft, Avg HR 143 (with pushes) 136 (without pushes), Max 182

Let's Get It Started -- Again

Officially past the 2 week mark and stir crazy does not even come close to depicting the amount of restlessness and mild case of insanity I've acquired.

It never occurred to me that the "resting" for 2 weeks would be the most difficult part.  Thankfully, the weather broke THIS weekend and I took the Joker out for a 28 mile ride (only the second one since Rev3) and I even (wo)manned up and rode past the crash site (GULP!!)

The light was read when I got to the fateful intersection.  I spent the few minutes I had brushing away any thoughts of angst I had.  It had been a freak accident (one I never wanted to experience -- EVER).  My heart was pounding in my chest and my mouth was dry.  I took a sip from my water bottle and debated turning left, instead of going straight.  I was up in front of every car so they HAD to see me (right?) it couldn't happen again.  When the light turned green I took the path most crashed (by me) passed Mario's with no cars passing me, let alone riding a white Aztecs side panel before crashing head first into the passenger's side door and richocheting off the cement ground with my face.  Nope, I just pedaled right on by. 

When I got home I managed a 3.5 mile trot through the grass around my neighborhood with 2 sports bras (like usual) with minimal bouncing and no pain.  After 2+ hours of working out I still hadn't suffered enough, so I threw in some lunges and crunches for good measure.  A sense of normalcy, had started to return to my life. 

By The Numbers:
Bike: 28.79 miles, 1202 feet of climbing, 1:45:13 (with stops) avg 16.4 mph max HR 177, avg HR 158
Run: 3.47 miles, 32:49, avg 9:27/mile, max HR 187, avg HR 172
Wgt: 139 lbs. ( I gained about 5-6 lbs. since surgery -- grrrrrrr!!!!)

Testing? Testing?

**This is the wall in front of my bed**

As I continue to sift through my stack of nursing notes in preparation for the NCLEX, my fears eb and flow like the sea.  At times I feel completely prepared, if not over prepared and at other times I don't think any amount of studying will ever truly prepare me for this f*ckin' thing! 

The test is based on what a new nurse knows.  Who is this person?  I don't know half the stuff she knows.  She had to be the chic that ruined the curve in school and had no life -- b#tch probably never bonged a beer in her life or trained for a marathon.

The test is computer adaptive, so depending on how I answer the first question will determine my next question and so forth.  The idea is to get a bunch of the easy ones right (about 15-20) and get up above the competency line then if I miss a few I am still above the competency line. 

The minimum I can take is 75 and the max is 265 questions.  I have 6 hours, which is way too long.  If I am not out in less than two hours it's probably not a good sign.  Shutting off at 75 doesn't tell me if I passed or failed.  If I make it past 75 questions that means I am still competent and the computer has not yet gauged my knowledge base (it's not that big--snicker, snicker).  If the test shuts off at 76+ questions and I got the last one right, I passed, if it shuts off on one I missed, I failed.  No pressure. 

The minimum also includes 15 questions that don't count for or against my score, of course I don't know which ones they are.  The state boards are trying to determine if the information is being taught in nursing schools yet and it should be a valid question they can utilize on future NCLEX exams (like we don't already have to know too much information). 

There are also these questions called "Multiple Multiples."  They suck!!!  The question will be something like ...

A client takes HCTZ for treatment of essential hypertension.  The nurse should instruct the client to report which of the folloing.  Select ALL that apply.

a. muscle twitching
b. abdominal cramping
c. diarrhea
d. confusion
e. lethargy
f. muscle weakness

You don't know how many you need to pick, you just know if you don't pick all the right answers -- it's wrong and if you pick all the right answers + a wrong answer -- it's wrong.  The good thing is these questions indicate high competency and if I get them I way above the competency line and I will pass.

UPDATE: There were 30 of us in my cohort in the fall of 2009.  One quit after 8 weeks, one failed out the 3rd semester and one dropped down to the traditional program after the third semester.  Twenty-seven of us made it through the acclerated program and of those twenty-seven, five of us have taken the test and passed.  Here's hoping I join those ranks shortly!!

Riding Dirty soon to be White and Nerdy

It's hard to believe my 3 weeks hiatus from hell, errr I mean KSU is nearly at an end.  It went by so much faster than I would have imagined (DRAT!!). 

After the last race I ran, I had resolved to taking some time off in hopes my hamstring and foot would heal up and feel better.  It's definitely improved, but it's only been 2 weeks so I am still anti-running at least through September.  However, I committed myself to at least cycle as much as my butt would tolerate. 

Last week I spent 4 days riding 88 hot, sweaty, spandexy miles mostly through Aurora and Shalersville.  AH even came out one night and dragged me through a hard 24.5 miles.  I normally ride this route between 17.5-19.5 mph, but his easy cadence of 80ish made me feel slow and I desperately tried to hang on his wheel saying to myself "No chain motherf*cker, No chain" just like Lance Armstrong does.  I was rewarded with my fastest time ever 20.5 mph...WOOT!!!

I was hoping to break 100 miles for the week but really who makes plans and sticks to them when you are on vacation???  Instead of a nice 2 hour ride on Sunday AH and I ate wings and cheese fries, watched Avatar and Terminator Salvation and pretty much spent the day laying around.  It helped that my "brittany" as some call it was super sore and chafed from all the miles of riding. 

This week I managed to get out for my loop on Monday at a hard effort and rolled through at 19.4 mph all by myself.  My butt was still sore, so I started applying Neosporin to the area as the chafing resulted in some unspeakable nastiness.  The good news is the lymph nodes down there that usually swell were NOT swollen.  Yes, I know perhaps this is a gross and dirty conversation, but I can't be the only girl that this has ever happened to! 

Tuesday, I chose a nice hilly route that had some nice climbs in Bentlyville and I switch backed a couple roads up and out of Chagrin River Road.  I only managed 17.8 mph, but I just wanted to make all the climbs, while preventing my heart from exploding out of my chest.  The Neosporin had definitely helped, but the bumps on the way home up Liberty were certainly a bitch!!

Wednesday I rested and yesterday, while I was hoping AH wanted to come over and ride again, he texted me saying he was feeling fluish.  Great!  I was on my own until I remember BH led a ride out of LifeTime.  They were planning to ride 25 miles, so I told him I would pick them up at Hawthorne and Sulpher Springs.  I got there in about 28 minutes and kind of rode around in a small loop waiting for them.  It was less than 10 minutes before him DM and 3 other guys came flying by!  I told him I could ride almost 18 mph through the hills and he said I would be fine, but as they flew by I hammered to try and catch them.  There was no pace line and it seemed every man for himself.  I guess some etiquette rules were being broken and some "man" stuff was going on as we raced up Chagrin River Road.  It was okay BH helped me out by letting me act like a leach and stick to his wheel.  I had picked them up at about 8.5 miles into the ride around 7pm, so I knew I would have to ride HARD to beat the darkness home.  We rode up to Berkshire where the ride was meant to go but DM basically called BH out to ride up Old Mill and since I was the only girl, well I wasn't taking the easy way out and hung on BH's wheel until the climb started.  DM is way too fast for me and he suggested we take it in our easiest gear and ride it like a hill should be ridden.  That sounded like a great plan.  I got dropped by the 3 guys, but that was by far the best I had ever climbed Old Mill.  I wasn't hurting or out of breathe.  It was about 7:40pm.  We were running out of time.  I figured I had until 8:30pm to make it home.  We rode down Gates Mills to Brainard and then to Harvard where they split off.  DM and BH were worried offering me a ride home in a car, but come on!!  I knew what I was getting into.  I checked my computer.  I was at 25 miles in 1:29:xx.  It was time to GO!!  I turned my ipod back on and just started jamming on the bike.  It is completely flat or downhill with the exception of one climb up Miles Road.  I just kept pushing and thinking "Go you p*ssy!!, Go!!"  It was nearly dark I had to take off my sunglasses, not to mention I could feel the air temperature dropping.  I hammered away until I pulled in the drive in less than 35 minutes.  I checked my computer...38.1 miles total.  Holy cow!!  That was a race pace for me (and yes it felt like it too).

Hopefully, I will be able to get in a few more rides this weekend, along with working Friday, Saturday and Sunday (LAME!!). 

And then Monday, it starts again.  I can't believe it's been a year already and I am in my last semester.  I miss my classmates and without them I would not have made it this far, but the amount of studying and research, not too mention test after test after test...yuck!!  It will certainly be the hardest semester thus far, but this time off has really de-stressed me and I know I can hang in there for 16 weeks...or there is always the alternative

Either way I am gonna have to HTFU!!!

My Sunday "Fringe" Ride

It is admittedly true that I have been living for my Sundays and sunny skies, just so I can get out for my weekly bike ride (I usually run too, so I guess it's really a brick). Either way the amount of exhaustion or pain I feel during the workout is a far cry from that of the pain my school work brings me. I am elated too that I can endure a 3-4 hour workout still. This week the ride was just a tad shy of 2 hours with about an hour running.

I headed out east on Pettibone Road and ended up in some podunky area and came upon this!!!

What in the heck was it? Had someone genetically crossed a zebra and a bull?

Then right after I saw that,I saw this ...

I felt like it had turned it's head to look right at me. I gulped and pedaled on hoping I was not going to be unknowingly completing the trilogy series for the "Wrong Turn" movies. What was wrong with a normal scarecrow's head?

As I quickly pedaled away I could only wonder, did Northeast Ohio have it's own Walter Bishop?

Lost

It's the running theme in my life the last few weeks.  All the work along with the bumper schedule I am on is constantly pressuring what few brain cells I have left to keep me in line as to the when and where of each day.

I can't remember if I am coming or going as I only sleep about 4 hours at a time and when I wake up I am not certain if it is to rise for class, clinical or work.  Just a week ago I drove a few extra miles in the wrong direction to the wrong clinical before realizing what day it was.  I have also locked my keys in the car twice in the last 3 weeks (thank goodness for the hide-a-key).  Not a day goes by that I don't wish for June 25th to get here, so I can be done with this awful schedule.  It is so non-compliant with my life, not to mention with my parents away for two weeks I worry that "The Bails" will be home just a bit too long and try to eat a hole through the wall like he once did as a puppy to punish me for being an absentee owner!  I try to make it up to him by taking him running with me, but training is sporadic at best.

I did get out for a nice bike ride two weeks ago when it was in the 90's.  I meant to go to a family picnic, but had my days wrong and I went to the wrong park.  On my way back I went a new route and got lost for a bit, so with only one water bottle I had to detour to a park to find more fluid before going home.  My lack of seat time reared it's ugly "head" or is it "ass" in this case when my not-so crotch of steal started to become painfully sore after an hour and a half.  Luckily, it was only thrity minutes home. 

I had another midterm this Monday, but felt extremely rebellious as racing season is in full swing and decided after only a few hours of studying on Sunday to go for another bike ride.  Again, I got lost and my hopes of riding about 35-40 miles translated into 49.  I ended up in Mantua riding the Potato Stomp course and then some.  It was the perfect day for a ride and I loved every minute of it, even the minutes after my butt time buzzer for comfort had expired. 

I didn't learn much gerontology that day, but I did learn a long painful ride is still better than any type of studying (especially in the summer!).  Oh, to find my way back to a schedule that is either days or nights with no bumper shift will be glorious.

Ride + Workout

Yesterday after the race and a long brunch, I knew I was full of good mojo, or maybe that was the bacon avocado burrito and hash browns.  Anyway, SBR requested that we support Ride + Workout's relay for life yesterday in Lakewood by donating $10 and sweating your arse off for an hour in one of their classes, so I headed up thinking I if my legs died I could just lower my intensity and "spin" with it for an hour.

I arrived at 1:30p on the dot and hoped they would let me sign up for their next class because I had not pre-registered on-line.  Ann, the owner stated they were just starting another class and I should just hop on right now!  She said to not even worry about the payment or paperwork until after.  She was more than accomodating and I was more than happy to oblige.  She was really great.  I ran back to the truck grabbed my gear and hopped on a spin bike.  I was sweating like crazy within minutes.  We spent a lot of time out of the saddle and I thought for certain my legs wouldn't last, that my hip flexors and quads would tighten up, but like I said I had good mojo going.  After that the instructor, had us doing sprints that were timed perfectly to some of my favorite genres of music.  The jumps sucked, because I suck at them, but they were great.  I kept thinking this is really gonna hurt tomorrow when I run 16, but I just kept on going.  I killed the the 20oz. water bottle I had with about 15 minutes left of the class, but wasn't too worried (again I had good mojo going).  Hell, I even managed to set the flywheel just right through the entire workout!!

Jill, our instructor that day by far provided me with one of the best workouts on a spin bike I have ever had.  The workout was timed perfectly to the music and the workout itself was set-up to target endurance, strength and speed without blowing the rider up in the first 15 minutes.  I am not saying I like indoor riding, because it will never compare to outside, but this lady provides hands down a workout I am willing to suffer through and maybe even enjoy...just a little.  The lady next to me asked if the workout had made me tired and if it was hard for me.  I had to laugh, of course it was!  Just because a person wears a uniform that says they are on a team doesn't mean they are A) Fast B) Have unlimited athletic ability or C) Any better than anybody else out there, of course, I guess it does make you look cool -- hahaha!

After, I donated my money and received a nice little coffe mug.  I told Ann I still needed to run 2+ miles yet that day and she said she had no problem with me leaving my gear at their studio while I went out for a run.  I ended with a little over 10 miles of running (including a 5k PR) and 1 hour of intense spinnning.  I really needed a shower, but I had no towel so I just used some of the extra clothes I had packed to dry off. 

Needless, to say I had a really great day of working out and wish Lakewood was on the eastside and that I didn't have class on Monday nights when SBR goes to Ride + Workout.  It really is a lot of fun.

Sunday in June 100K

I did not post about Sunday in June when I arrived home last Sunday, so procrastination immediately struck and as you can see it is now Friday when I am reporting. I am also behind on biking and running due to my chemistry class (who really knows about ions, electron configurations, and what the hell and earth metal is anyway???) I think I am beginning to see a pattern.

Last Sunday, I headed up to Burton to try my hand at a 100k ride. The last one I did was in September 2006 and I suffered tremedously. I couldn't move my shoulders or my lats for a few days and my butt was no better. I thought about the 100 miler, but was apprehensive whether my legs would hold up for my olympic triathlon 2 weeks later. I stuck to the 100k and met up with JP who was also doing the 100k. AY, SY and AP were doing the 50 miler so we rode together for about 35-40 miles (not sure what mile we were at when they broke off).

The first 12 or so miles took us south toward Parkman and basically into Daisy's backyard. The roads were surprisingly flat or rolling! Usually, Chardon, Burton and North Chagrin are synonomous with hilly. While we were on our way to the rest stop I learned AY liked 2-ways better than 4-ways. I had to laugh as we were talking about stop signs, but without the context of the conversation you can see where someone might find it humerous. We stopped for about 10 minutes to refuel. I had packed a PB&J, a honey oat bar and gel in my jersey, so I really didn't need anymore food, but I never miss a meal, so I grabbed a nice sized chocolate chip cookie and "in a flash it was gone. It happened so soon!" I also ate half my PB&J. I hate bonking on the bike and as long as I eat every 1-2 hours..."it's all good!"

Hopped back on our bikes and made the trek to the next aid station which was the start. Less than 2 miles from the 2nd aid station there was a "Y" in the road. You could pick your poison. The right took up a short steep climb. The left was longer, but less steep. SY our fearless leader who was leading at the time chose the right. I had to stand to make the climb, but it was nothing compared to Sherman, Old Mill or Fairmount (you get the picture).

Back at the start we all regrouped and of course, I refueled. I had thought this ride offered lunch, but when we got there I was disappointed to see only cookies, apples, bananans, crackers and gatorade. I mentioned it to AY and she laughed at me and said it would be set-up later in the day and made the following comment...

"You really only do all this triathlon and running stuff so you can eat...don't you?"

The cat was out of the bag. I answered honestly "Yes." I like to eat. What's wrong with that?

We picked up Chuck and Brenda and a friend of AP's wearing a yellow jersey and headed out to for the 3rd part. JP and I were on our way to another aid station but the 50-milers, just made a 24ish mile loop back to the start. Initially, we all rode together as it started mostly downhill, but then a few rollers and small climbs came up and the group started to spread out. The speed was the same as before, but with the hills the effort had increased. I felt only a little uncomfortable as the guy in the yellow jersey pushed the pace but I was able to keep up. AP commented how he thought the yellow jersey was going to the guy's head and we all got another great laugh. We managed to stay together for the most part and make it to Sisson Road where JP and I were to continue north and the other part of our group would break off and go west for the 50-miler. JP and I rode comfortably talking about marathons, triathlons and had an awesome time. JP and I refueled at the rest stop as she didn't want to bonk on the bike either and she didn't have the PB&J like I did ;)

We made our way from Big Creek Park back south into Chardon and I recognized the start and finish of the Maple Sap 5 miler. We road around the square and dropped down a hill parallel to the finish of the 5 miler. It was just as steep. I always like to get a little adrenaline rush on my bike at least once a ride, so I got low on my drops and cruised down at 40 mph (probably could have gone faster if I would have put some more speed on before dropping in, but whatever). Turned back to see JP had also dropped in at a decent pace too. When she rolled up next to me, she told me to my surprise she had never hit 40 before on her bike. She was definitely excited and enjoying the rush. We caught a big group (~20 riders) just before jumping on the all-purpose path. They were riding slower than us so we started to pass them, but there was an arrow indicating right turn. Now, for a while the arrows were right on top of where you turn, so everyone was breaking and the guy in the back of the pack wasn't really paying attention and almost crashed into the lady in front of him, but he managed to avoid it. He did however start wobbling on his bike and for a second I thought he was going to go off the road in the toolies!! He recovered and I asked if he was okay. He said "yes,", but he was mad and yelled up to the front that people need to yell "slowing or braking!!!"

I started laughing. I have always believed that it is each and every rider's own personal responsibility to know there riding level and whatch their own ass!! If you can't make split second decisions and control your bike, then 1) dont' f#cking ride that close to the biker in front of you 2) don't f#cking ride that close to the biker in front of you. Your bike,your ass, your responsibility!

We hit the path in the thick of things. About 10 cyclist behind us and 10 in front. We couldn't pass as the entire path was blocked by the people in front and JP, so we stayed side by side and on bike-ups she was able to squeeze in my lane. The group was averaging ~19, so we were content to not advance our position, but then the front pack would start yelling and braking and goofing off with each other dropping speeds to less than 15 mph. JP and I at this point felt it was getting sketchy and irritating, so as soon as there was a gap we sprinted by. Both of us were relieved that crap was over. It was hard to admire anythin on the path with all the other riders changing speeds and riding so tightly. It was like a peleton on a 1 lane road.

Off the path and back on the open road we saw less and less cyclists, but lots and lots of motorcycles. I even saw one of my favorite's, a Ducati 996!! When I looked down at my computer and realized we only had about 6 miles to go. I was kinda sad as it was almost over and I was having so much fun. I even felt great (my butt hurt a little, but I had taken chamois butter to apply at each stop, which helped). I could see the Burton water tower in the distance and I commented to JP that that was our finish. She was doing awesome for a west-sider who doesn't have half as many hills. We started the last long climb back into town. It seemed about 1-2 miles. It wasn't steep, just enough to let you know that your legs had already ridden 62 miles. We finished in less that 4 hours, right at a 16 mph average. I was really pumped. Although my legs were fatigued, I definitely did not push myself and we were right on target (15-17mph average was goal). I even managed to run 4 miles later that day.

After I stopped in to eat some pasta, chicken, garlic bread and salad.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :)

WSD

Last night I went to this place for a "ladies only bike night." I arrived about 5 minutes early so thankfully I did not have time to look around and wish I had one of everything in the place. I did however, have time to grab a piece of veggie pizza (mmmmmmm) and chat with JP before taking a seat up front where I could see everything.

The Trek representative aka Shop Girl was super, super cool. She was well spoken and very interesting. She started off by handing out a flier for this club(before you click, make sure you love argyle:). Then she handed out a Tour of California/Livestrong pamphlet with bike components that were heavily discounted for us for that night only. And finally, I received the 2008 RIDE booklet.

Then Shop Girl began talking about what the true difference between a bicycle and a WSD bicycle is. A women's specific design bicycle is different, unique for women. Many think a women's bike is just made through the "pink and shrink" method: Paint it pink and shrink the size. It is more complex than that. A women's center of mass is in her pelvic/hip region while a man's is above his stomach almost near his sternum. The WSD bikes are designed to have the top tube angle downward as to help alleviate the pressure on a woman's lower back and by moving the center of mass of the bike. The handlebars are also set at a smaller diameter so the woman's shoulders are not spread so widely apart to prevent unnessary tension in the shoulders and upper back. Of course, women are smaller in general so they have also made smaller shifters and brakes for easier handling. All in all it should provide for more efficient and more comfortable ride. She also stated for some of you super shorties (<5'3") that they do indeed make bikes for all shapes and sizes. YAY for riding, but what about racing? Ultimately, when it comes to racing and getting in the best aero position, your ass is grass either way and you just have to put up with the pain. Darn@!#@!

Shop Girl then moved on to the dreaded saddles. I bought my bike and couldn't take my first saddle so I upgraded it a fancy $80+ saddle in hopes it would literally save my ass, but after 1-1/2 years on it my ass has had it! There are 3 variables for your butt and she says 2 are very variables (the shorts and the saddle).

1) The Shorts... the more panels it has the more expensive and the less stretching the fabric has to do to keep all your business in the right departments. It seems 8 is a good number as it allows the chamois inside to flex appropriately and support your hinus.

2) Chamois Butter/Cream... it's white and like lotion that you just can't rub in. There is a regular and then there are some with menthol to provide a cooling sensation and medicated to prevent saddle soars, chaffing and infection. I wear chamois butter that is medicated and has menthol on rides, trainer sessions and spin class and it's a lifesaver.

3)The Saddle... apparently we are all unique and special just like our mommys said, right down to our sit bones. Some of us are nice and narrow, slim and sleek, others are curvacious and some of us just have a wide load. Although my $80+ saddle was better than the original I was still suffering. I had heard so much that it's going to hurt no matter what and you just have to build up a tolerance to it, so I "sat on" but the pain never became more tolerable, in fact it usually becomes worse and distracting after about an hour. It gets to the point where my legs are fine, but my ass has had it. One can only imagine what one of those 2 hour trainer sessions does to me! It usually redults in 2 days of walking around like I made a porn the night before and 5 days off my bike! And if you thought that was graphic...read on.

Well, not sure if riders know this, but they have lymph nodes that sit between their pubic bones and the skin down there. When mine are on my fancy, but painful seat they become compressed to a point that is painful and swell! It is so uncomfortable. They are the size of lima beans when I am done and it takes a week or so for the pain to reside and the nodes to return to normal size. There is some danger that this swelling can compress the nerves and cause permanent damage down under....uuugggghhh! Thankfully Shop Girl brought along an impression pad that you sit on and it takes a marking of your sit bones. I was green which is in the middle, where I always seem to be..average height, average weight, average income...no wait I am poor nevermind on that one. So anyway, remember the components sale I referenced in the beginning? Well, I found a green coded saddle that was $69 on sale until close of business for $39 + tax, so in the best interest of my ass, I bought it. I have 90days to break it in and see if it helps. If not I can switch it out for another one and try again. This is kind of how my relationships with men are too, try 'em for 90days, if you are not satisfied with the job done down there and they hurt your crotch get a new one and try again...

MOM I AM JUST KIDDING!!!!!

She then went over "how to change a tire." She said she wants to make women more self sufficient and not rely on their cell phones, "Can you come pick me up? I have a flat." Between Crabby Patty and my roommate, I think I saw them change about 15 tires in 2 weeks time due to pinch flats. Crabby patty even flatted so many times one night between the 3 of us we ran out of tubes and I had to ride home to get my truck to come back and pick him up! He also flatted in the privacy of his own home on the trainer later that week. Everything she went over was pretty basic...

How to pop the tire off
Stand on the non-derailer side (not to get dirty)
Don't lay the bike on the derailer side (not to mess up the bike)
Use the bike levers, look for the beads, start at the correct end

Anyway, what I did learn is that pinch flats can occur because there is a sticky rubber tire and a sticky rubber tube with 100-130 psi that may just have a little too much friction and BAM!! Another pinch flat is waiting, so she told us a if you carry a bit of baby powder in a baggy and put some on the tube before you insert it...TADA... no more pinch flats (well, you are less likely to get another one).

And just like that 2+ hours had passed. We all clapped and thanked her.I headed home after paying for my 3rd new seat. It was too late to ride my bike when I got home, but I did manage to get my new seat on. Now, I just need to break that bad boy in.

I was somewhat hesitant to go, but Shop Girl was a great speaker and I would recommend to anyone who rides a bike to attend a bike seminar on anything. You can't not learn something.

So yeah, that was my bike night.