Archive for April, 2010

This week is a legitimate “no-training” week.  I’m on the road attending senior receptions at the Upper Iowa University centers in Prairie du Chien, Wausau, Madison, and Milwaukee, WI, and Rockford, IL.  My assignment is to take photos of the receptions and happy grads!

It’s been a fantastic experience–the graduates are so happy and proud of their accomplishment, with several students taking years (double digits) to achieve their dream.  I applaud them all for hanging in there and getting the job done because being a non-traditional student is not easy when balancing work, family, and classes.  Photos of the receptions are on Flickr at   http://www.flickr.com/photos/upperiowauniversity/sets/.

I’m hoping to start a training routine next week, barring a little time to golf, too!  Enjoy your weekend!  Cheers!

Last year, even though I bought my bike off a Wal-Mart shelf, I went with a name brand—Schwinn.  It was a great looking bike—silver—was built for comfort and had plenty of shock absorbers in all the right places.  I even took it to a local bike shop to have narrower tires put on it, thinking that would enhance my ride. 

Needlesstosay, the owner of the bike shop who was helping me was not impressed.  He was polite, I’ll give him that.  The entire time he assisted me he couldn’t help but subtly and continually suggest I buy a Trek or anything but what I had as he changed my tires, tuned, tightened, and fitted me for my shiny new Schwinn.

Let’s just say he was right.  My bike was heavy, slow, and half way through RAGBRAI I was determined next year I would have a better bike… and here it is!

Last night, my friend Carol Aten, also a Team Peacock rider, taught me how to shift it and after leaving her house I took it for a spin.  Had I been wearing my bike shorts instead of a pair of blue jeans and clogs, I might have ridden longer than a half hour.  It rides like a dream—shifts smooth and easily, is fast, comfortable, and looks fabulous!  I can’t wait to start training!

Btw, the RAGBRAI website recommends 1,000 training miles—“this year, not in your whole life!”   With the 10 minutes peddling on Carol’s bike that was set up on her bike trainer, plus the 30 minutes I rode around Fayette, I figure I have 5 miles under my belt already.  Woo hoo!

One thing I do miss about my Schwinn, though, is the kickstand.  What’s up with no kickstand?

2010 Team Peacock Kick-off Party @ UIU men's basketball game, Jan. 30

Finally, spring has arrived in northeast Iowa!  The snow in the ditches has melted, and it’s safe to venture outside once again without a coat…  and time to think about training for the Team Peacock ride on RAGBRAI.

Thinking about it is as far as I’ve gotten, although I did get my bike down off the hooks in the garage this past weekend.  It hung there all winter and each time I got into the car to go someplace, I’d look at it and get a twinge of excitement, thinking, “Can’t wait to ride my new bike!”

Well, needlesstosay, we’ve had a few weeks of perfect bike-riding weather, but it’s just not that easy getting into the groove of training again.  Seems like there’s always some excuse to put it off—cleaning, painting, shopping, socializing, etc. 

I will though…soon…and plan to take pictures, ‘cuz I know you are all dying to see my new bike!  Oh, the suspense… 

Btw, my new bike is Peacock Blue! 

P.S.  Just in case you are wondering, I did get the memo about wearing my Team Peacock gear for this photo–but it was cold Jan. 30!!  My jersey is under the black shirt and vest!  Ha!