Venomous

Today I was considering getting up early and going out for a nice, long road bike ride but one thing led to another and as it started getting later I decided that I would put the brakes on that idea because I was planning to stay home with Zoey while Cicely went to her fashion meeting at 11:00.

Well wouldn't you know it, she decided to take Zoey with her and so by the time I would have been able to go it would have been too hot and already getting windy - no big deal, it was not her fault, I was the one that farted around all morning. Well not really, but I was doing things on the computer, messing with my GPS and so on.

So I spent my Saturday doing things I wanted to do, as well as things I am OK doing over the weekend while relaxing but definitely not riding my bike as planned early this morning. No big deal, there is always tomorrow, next weekend and so on.

Gear & More Gear

Last night after work we stopped by Scheels so I could run in and see if they had any road bike jerseys and possibly another set of the bib type shorts. I love the way the Alpinestars pair that I have now fit and they are very comfortable as well but I need more than 1 pair.

I had tried a couple of the local bike shops but the places that were open after 5:00 PM on a Friday either did not have anything that I wanted or what they did have was very limited as far as size, style and selection overall. I have no idea where everyone gets their gear in this town to be honest. There must be a shop I simply have not found yet that has it all. I see tons of people riding bikes and they all have gear on so they must be getting it "somewhere", maybe online I guess.

Anyway, even though Scheels is not the ideal place to find anything and everything you want when it comes to bikes, they do have a decent selection and the prices are reasonable. The only part I don't like is depending on what you get you may have the same gear as 10 other people on the road. I know, I know - big deal, but it's cool to have unique stuff - you must agree with me on that?

So all said and done I tried on a ton of variations (I cant stand trying on clothes) and in the end I managed to find a new pair of bib shorts that fit well and were not going to break the bank account too bad. Along with the new bib shorts I picked up 2 more jerseys as well. It was  hard decision because I don't want to get something too big, lose weight and have to do it all again.

I also had to keep sending Cicely photos of what I was trying on (she was in the car with Zoey waiting for me). This way I could get a second opinion on it all. So in the end with her help and the moderate selection at Scheels I was able to get out of there in about 30 to 45 minutes and spent only a hair over $200. I realize that probably sounds like a lot, and it is, but in reality at some of the shops you can barely get a bib short for that. No matter, I am happy and should be set for awhile.

Oh I should mentioned because I don't remember if I did or not, but I got the Fox Racing gear in as well on Friday for the road bike. The only problem is that they sent me the wrong shorts, they were supposed to be the bib and they sent shorts. So I had to do some back and forth emailing with them which is a bit of a pain because the place I got them from on eBay are located in China.

I am confident that it should be resolved now and I will have the correct shorts in a couple weeks or so if they get them in the mail Monday. Based on what they were telling me over email, well not email but correspondence via the eBay messaging system (something I could write a huge post about my hate for it) they mentioned that they would just give me the new pair for free and I would not have to bother sending the others back -- very cool of them to do that and much appreciated!

"Uncle"

Last but not least by any means. I did go for a bike ride today on my road bike a little later this evening - around 6:30 actually, thinking that maybe it would be a little cooler outside. I ended up setting a loop up that looked like a good workout and fun at just over 14.5 miles with some nice semi-flat loop sections, into some pretty intense for a newB like me climbs, with a decent amount of downhill payoff after most if not all of the climbs.

Well that was until I hit the newest climb that for some ungodly reason I thought would be a good idea to add to today's ride. Basically after doing the first long climb that I am still working to master btw, I get the usual payoff of a 1/2 mile or so downhill - usually much more. I use this time to catch my breath, have some water and stretch my legs and prepare for the next part of the ride.

Today was much different because just under 1/2 mile of my "relaxing" downhill I had to make a hard left hand turn onto the newest section I added that goes by the street name "Cobra". Holy crap, I was not prepared to do this hill. I honestly don't know if I could conquer it even if I had not just completed 7 or 8 miles of riding before I got to it like I did today.

In the end I only made it up about 1/4 of the way and had to scream "uncle", give-up and clip out from the pedals and hike up the rest of the cliff hill. I have no idea how long it will take me to be able to complete that climb without getting off the bike, heck or if I ever will and that is no joke, it just goes on and on for ever it seems.

Sure, I was and still am a little bummed that I was not able to ride up it today but you know what? It has now set the bar really high for me and I will have something to shoot for from here on out. I am not sure what my plan is to get to that point but it will take time and that is OK. I will focus on some of the more manageable, but difficult hills in the area, and there are plenty, and use them to build up my strength and stamina as well as my technique.

I was on the saddle the entire time today and that will have to be something I work on as well - popping out and standing to pedal and use different muscles. Again, all part of the learning and technique. A lot of the guys will zig-zag on hills like that to make it up them. I considered it, but the street was fairly busy for some reason so I was not about to risk it and get hit by a car.

Hopefully one day I will have post that talks about me defeating the Cobra and how amazing it felt. If that day is in a week, month or year I am OK with it. I can wait and build up to it slowly but surely. I had an idea today that I might be biting off more than I could chew, but I would also never know unless I tried. One things for sure, if I have to keep hiking that hill I will need to get some new clip pads for my bike shoes, those things are not made for walking, especially uphill.

This my friend is my new goal and although as mentioned it may be way off in the distant, I plan to do my best and work toward getting up the hill, making the right hand turn once I do and then claiming sweet victory to myself, only to find the next big hill to challenge me! Crazy I realize but it's all part of the riding - if you don't keep challenging your self, no matter the topic then what is the point of continuing to do it? I dunno, maybe some are satisfied with "good enough. I am one that is not and I am a little stubborn as well - so yeah, I will get there - one day!

1st Swim Day On YouTube

I finally finished the video today that I have been working on. I had taken a bunch of video when Cicely and I took Zoey out for some fun in her new pool that she got for Easter from grandma and grandpa Mendoza. It took me much longer than it should have to complete but I think in the end it turned out really cool, with music and everything.

Cicely really liked it as well which to be perfectly honest is the one person I had hoped would like it. I not only make it for me, her and Zoey to remember the event, but I wanted her to have that to watch when ever she wants.

I am not putting the link on here even though I probably should. I have the video set to "unlisted" because it's more of a "personal memory" and was not sure how I felt about ti being on YouTube in the public searchable area. Not that anyone will find it or go viral with it, but its more of the fact that its a special moment for us - 'nuff said, I bet you get the point I am trying to make.

Cool Down

That will have to do it for me today. I may try to get out and do a mountain bike ride tomorrow before Cicely has to go to this tea party event that she goes to with a friend from work every year or maybe its a couple times per year I don't remember.

Kiddo is staying home with me so Cicely can enjoy time away and I can enjoy some precious bonding time with Zoey! I think I just might have to get out one of her new toys and set it up for her so we can play. I think it will be a lot of fun and a great way to spend any Sunday!

Photo: One of my cool new road bike jerseys that I bought Friday night. This one is made by Primal. My guess is that I will see others with the same one but whatever, noting I can do unless I want to spend hundreds more!