Lighter

Well, I'm going to have to figure out how to post pictures on this thing. I got 10 inches cut off my hair last night and am donating it one of those charities that make wigs for women and children with medical baldness. I'm not sure if I'm going to send it to Locks of Love or the one that Pantene is sponsoring. If any one knows anything about either of these let me know. My hair has been the same for 7 years so this is a big drastic change for me. I haven't cried and I'm over the shaking now. In fact, I even like it.

Loving something that you're not very good at

I love Orienteering. I am not very good at Orienteering.
This past weekend was the Georgia Orienteering clubs' meet at Cochran Mill Park. This meet was the third anniversary of my first orienteering experience and while I'm certainly better than I was on that first outing, I still struggle. Mostly with the scale of things. First I'll over-estimate the distance, way overshoot the point, then on the next one I over-correct by not going far enough. I'm also not very fast. Without other people around me spurring me on I tend to get a little distracted by the woods 'Oh I see a turtle' and forget that I'm actually supposed to be doing this for a good time, clock time that is. I always have a good time, enjoyment that is. Oh well, the Orienteering season is young. Lot's of opportunity for improvement.

Loss of Momentum Regained

I rode the 6 Gap Century a couple of weeks ago. It was an absolutely beautiful perfect day. The morning was chilly but I opted to dress lightly as I knew it would be warming up soon and I didn't want to be bothered with stashing layers later on. I can handle being uncomfortable quite well, a good trait to have in adventure racing. Problem was that we were rushing to the start and I forgot to put on sunscreen. I had possibly the worst sunburn that I've ever had. The top of my left shoulder looked as though I had held an iron to it. So, no riding for me for a week.

By the weekend I was feeling better and joined a couple of friends up in Dahlonega to do the Winding Stair, Fish Hatchery loop on mountain bikes. Another day of perfect conditions but I was really feeling my lack of fitness as I struggled to keep up Ken and Shelley.

Wednesday I got back to bike commuting and loving it. Friday night I visited a friend on my way home and ended up riding home in the dark. With lights of course, but it was still a first. Not as bad as I thought so I'm less worried about the early darkness stopping me from riding throughout the winter. I think I'll get some more reflective strapping just to be on the safe side.

Mean Atlanta Streets

Well, my efforts to become a bike commuter keep going. I have ridden my bike to work for 5 days in a row! Of course it hasn't been without incident. I think the one that annoyed me the most was yesterday morning when I was cut off by a driver and had to take quick evasive action to to the sidewalk to avoid being hit. Then had the pleasure of being scolded by a man walking his dog. Come on, I know that "the side WALK is for walkers, NOT bicycles". I was trying to not get hit by a car! I believe that his scolding would have been better directed at the driver of the car to "Share the Road".
On my way home tonight I met up with an acquaintance and neighbour of mine, Mike. It sure made the ride go by quickly to have some company.
I've been reading a few Toronto cyclist blogs the last couple of weeks.
Any Atlanta bike commuting bloggers out there?

New Habit

I actually rode my bike to work 2 days in a row! I guess I just need to do it for 26 more days for it to be a new habit.
Yesterday I got a flat on my way in and had to walk about 12 Atlanta blocks. In bike shoes. And even though it was morning it was already really hot. So, basically it can't get any worse than that.
It's supposed to be over 100 degrees by the time I'm going home and really poor air quality. It may not be the best idea, but I like to think that at least I'm not making the air quality any worse by driving, to avoid the bad air quality.

Because I'm soooo important

So I'm a bit of blog addict. I read 'em and I comment on 'em.
I imagine the bloggers on whose blogs I post comments may occasionally try to link back to see who's checking their stuff out. There was nothing but a few year old posts. Well that's not really fair is it. So if I'm going to comment, I should post. Just don't expect too much.