Super Saturday!

This weekend my Vanderkitten kit arrived and just in the knick of time!

Saturday was my first race of the year at the Lake Orion High School Super Saturday Fat Bike Race!

After a week of extreme temperatures, it was refreshing to wake up to a balmy 30 degrees and it made selecting gear way easier!

The drive to the race was a little dicey as wet snowflakes began to fall, but I made it there alive and in time to check in and pre ride a portion of the course.

The first section of the race took us up a sledding hill and then down the other side.  My warm up attempt to ride down it gave me my first fall of the day so I chose to run down the hill using my bike as an anchor/stroller during the race (this worked out quite well!).

The first lap out, the trail was in somewhat of a rideable state but by the second and third lap it was more like riding through mashed potatoes.

This actually seemed to work well for me since that is exactly like what many of my commutes home have been like over the past few weeks!

One thing I am happy to report is that many of my fat bike misconceptions have been officially aired out.  I had these images in mind that everyone else was riding through snow with little issue and climbing hills without dismounting their bikes.

That is not the case and now I feel like I can let go of the anxiety I had about "doing it wrong"!

This race was a lot of fun and a great way to start the season! Steve and Ben did a great job putting the event on and I'm looking forward to putting this event on my calender for next year!

Polar What?

Being on the other side of the polar vortex feels like a tropical vacation.  I never knew I could appreciate 20 degree temperatures, but I can honestly say that I am finding comfort in the warm blanket of Michigan winter.

While car pooling with co workers to a work function, I pointed out my tracks on the nearby embankment.

The snow makes it very easy to identify the amount of foot traffic that passes through Clinton Township and normally it's fairly impressive.  During the storm, it was pretty limited and for at least two days, that shoulder was my private lane.

My captive audience wasn't really sure how to take my proud ownership of this real estate, but it made me feel slightly sad to be stuck inside the car.  Almost like i was cheating on my bike by not riding to the meeting.

This past week on Wednesday morning I encountered a bear of a head wind coming in to the office.  It took me three hours upon arrival to connect the dots that the reason my eyes felt so tired was because of my commute.

At some point commuting crossed the border into being something that "I do" and not something that I think about.

Arrival times are planned and calculated based on weather predictions and Google maps (bike map option).  I pack an extra layer of clothing and emergency fish for each journey without hesitation.

When i leave work at night, no matter how crazy or frustrating the day was for me emotionally, by the time I roll into the driveway...the stress is gone.

There's an unpredictability to the future and I don't know how many days I'll be blessed with this opportunity to ride to work.  I try not to let the fear of it being taken away suffocate what it is for me right now.

Plus...now I get to look back on the great polar vortex of 2014 and reminisce about my epic ride through -13 degree temps and climbing 8 foot snow banks to make it home.  Legend....wait for it....dary!

Pack and Pedal Part I

Since I started commuting by bike, one item that I've had to sort out is how to carry my essential "stuff" to and fro.

When able, I arrange to have a bag transported to my destination (thank you husband!), but for the day to day commute this isn't feasible.

I've been sporting a back pack for most of the year (husband calls it my black turtleshell) and this is okay, but not great when carrying heavy items.

It's also a big pet peeve of husband and he's been petitioning daily for me to try some sort of rack system.

Enter the "pack and pedal" by Thule (www.thule.com)!

I've started using the handy bike wallet on the handlebar of the Farley.  Not only is it lightweight and barely noticeable when mounted, but it doubles as an air bag when crashing into snow banks :-)!

I was able to pack a spare tube, co2 cartridge, extra chemical warmers, emergency fish, tire lever and a multi tool.

There's a convenient pocket in the front for your cell phone, but because I have the world's largest phone (Galaxy Note 2) I'm using this as a place to stash an emergency blanket and chap stick.

Once we stop having epic snow days and I stop falling all of the time, we're going to mount the panniers to the rack so I can try them out...stay tuned!!!

Make sure to check out the Thule website to learn more about their line up for the Pack and Pedal group and if you're looking to pick up these items you can find them at my favorite bike shop, American Cycle & Fitness Royal Oak!

These Are The Days Of Our Lives!

Over the past 14 days I've raged between being madly in love with my fat bike and despising it for every pound it weighs.

With mounds of snow higher then my knees, I found myself on the side of the road last week, cursing the very thought of winter commutes and all things associated with them.

Ten minutes later I was through the worst of it and in love again.  

These are the days of my life...

Five years ago I would never have imagined myself out on a dark, cold Michigan winters night trudging through the snow...in the opposite direction of home...on purpose.

And then...I see the sparkling of ice and snow under street lights...the twinkling of Christmas lights on homes.  It's breathtaking...

Pair that up with my panting, open mouthed breathing as I plow through the snow on my husker du's and I am a toasty warm happy camper. 

My family had a wonderful Christmas and we're looking forward to an exciting year as 2014 closes in on us.

I'm wishing the best to all of you as you welcome in the New Year...may it be filled with something you never thought you could or would do as well!

Carrie Bradshaw Puppy Tires

It's official!  The last payment was made and I was able to break my Trek Farley (Carrie Bradshaw Puppy Tires aka CBPT) out of jail (layaway) and not a moment to soon...because we have snow on the ground!!!

Husband says I have officially lost my mind after naming my bike after my cat (Carrie Bradshaw) and my awesome 45nrth tires (Puppy Tires).  So I'm going to help toughen it up by going with "CBPT"...boom sauce!

And....

It is official...I had a blast riding in the snow! 

There are some finer points of bike handling that I will need to work on, but overall my maiden voyage went well today.

One side item...pedaling in snow is definitely a good way to stay warm! I was sweating my butt off from one to many layers, but I suppose that's better then freezing.

I'm looking forward to getting out again tomorrow...for now...CBPT and I are resting up!

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things...

Now that we are officially in countdown mode for Christmas, it seems like it's time to start collecting my thoughts on some of my favorite things to be thankful for from 2013.

Obviously number one goes without saying...

1) My husband! - We may not always see eye to eye (SRAM vs Shimano), but marrying my best friend this year was definitely quite clutch :-)

And then...in no particular order...

2) My Bicycle - We've seen some epic travels this year my super fly and I. 

Traverse City to Dewitt...Shelby Twp to Port Sanilac...many, many laps of Hanson Hills, Stony, Addison Oaks, Cannonsburg...

They were good times and bad...but either way I couldn't have done them without my trusty bike.

2014 will have big wheels to fill :-)

3) Sweedish Fish - Oh little fishies...you have become one of my go to snacks for your sugary little boost.  Even if you may make me glow in the dark one day from your red 40 dye...I can't seem to give you up.

4)  Clothes from the Dryer - Who knew that packing your clothes straight out of the dryer, into a zipped up bag would be such a delightful warm surprise! 

CFTD, you make my cold morning commute that much better with your wiley ways.

5) Team Alex - Words still don't do justice to how wonderful and remarkable Team Alex truly is.  I am extremely grateful to have had the experience of being a part of such a great group of people.

6) 10001110101 - When my mind has gone blank and my miles are not finished for the day...I have Clutch to thank for burning this into my brain.

Roll out...

7) The Parental Units - Josh's Parents and my Parents have been epically supportive of my endeavors this year.  I am so thankful to have all of them in my life :-)

8) Arnold Palmer - The tea of the great Arnold Palmer makes me happy.   For less then a dollar, I can celebrate with a glorious refreshment after a long hard ride. 

You are the perfect compliment to my emergency (sweedish) fish.

9)  The Vanderkitten's - Slipping in just  under the wire of 2013...the Vanderkitten VIP opportunity has me stoked for 2014. 

Thank you for allowing me to be a Kitten from the Mitten!

MEOW!

10) The VW Bug - The demise of the Beetle was a blessing in disguise.  I am so happy that my car exhausted itself and left me with the opportunity to commute by bike.

It's officially been 8 months of commuting and aside from the extra planning it requires,  I have to say I haven't minded it one bit!

Overall, 2013 has been a fantastic year filled with friends, family and miles.  I am so thankful that I'm able to wake up each day and enjoy all of these things...

They are truly my favorite!

The Cats Meow!

It's official!  I am an ambassador for the Vanderkitten VIP team for 2014! 

The naked kitties must have been working overtime online putting in the good word for me...meow...meow...meow...

This of course is the perfect relationship for the following reasons:

1) Cats love to get into mischief at night (24 hour racing...check)

2) Cats have nine lives (that's totally going to come in handy on my daily commute)

3) My knee high socks are going to look fantastic with the snazzy kits

4) There philosophy is exceptional:

Since 2005, Vanderkitten has been committed to spreading awareness of women excelling, battling the odds and achieving. From Cycling to Dance, movement has become the hallmark of the change we promote. Vanderkitten has evolved into an organization dedicated to increasing the visibility of successful women and inspiring women by sharing those stories.

This really has me stoked for the 2014 season! 

More news to come soon, but in the meantime make sure you check out the Vanderkitten Racing web page at www.vanderkittenracing.com!