[Megabeth]

As been said before…Clovis.

I got fitted after I busted my arm and my riding style and way I sat completely changed. He fitted me and figured out one of my legs is shorter than the other. I now have a little shim on my cleat.

He never forced a purchase out of me. (Although, I walked away with a new set of handlebars.) He took his time, was relaxed and explained everything he was doing and didn’t mind me asking questions one bit…

So, yeah, Clovis.

[Megabeth]

If you haven’t already, ladies are invited to join the Women & Bicycles Facebook Group, too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WomenandBicycles/

[Megabeth]

Done!

[Megabeth]

I send apologies to lovely Team II. I’m on day seven of an 11 day work trip in California. Only managed to squeeze one ride in here in San Diego. (I have managed to run **gasp** all other days, but this ain’t called “Freezing Bunions” so I guess those don’t count.)

Hope everyone has fun at the Happy Hour and Bike Show festivities!

[Megabeth]

@Tim Kelley 45490 wrote:

Sounds like a job for our Events and Outreach Coordinator.

Oh no, don’t be silly, she’s nice and clean, too…

Also, by “sandwiches”, I meant, “Cafe Asia”, but, too late….offer is off the table. I’ll just bring lots of wipies and paper towels. I gots this.

[Megabeth]

I had no problems on the streets in Arlington…until I got a flat going down Courthouse hill….at speed. Had to walk the rest of the way to work. And, now lunch time will be spent changing a greasy grody tire. (Meanwhile, here I am looking all cute in a dress and boots today, oh well.)

Wonder how many sandwiches it would take to bribe Tim to come over and change the tire for me so I can continue being clean. Heck, he can even add the assistance to “Look what Bike Arlington did in March 2013!” update….

[Megabeth]

At the WABA annual meeting, I believe women made up more than 50% of the attendance! (Hard core considering the buckets of rain coming down on Monday night.)

I’ll be attending the Women Bike forum on the 4th. I’m really looking forward to it – and thrilled that something as awesome as this is going to be going on right in our backyard.

[Megabeth]

I just wanted to take a moment to say that I know there were a lot of late night phone calls, meetings, conference calls, in-person trips to Richmond, talking to staff, and other communications happening regarding all of this. There have been so many moving parts, last minute changes and surprises. Through all of this, we have to remember, for many of the folks involved they are volunteering their time on top of their full-time jobs, family and other committments to help try to push things forward for the cycling community.

That said…

I want to give a hearty THANK YOU to everyone involved in these efforts during this VA legislative season. While not everything went completely in favor of cyclists, we do appreciate everything you do! Thank you!

[Megabeth]

Sitting on the trainer does hurt the sitz bones more than being on the actual bike in motion. I think it’s mostly because you can coast, shift in your seat, stand up, wiggle, etc. on your regular bike. The trainer is just a one trick hurty pony.

I agree with Tim: time and get thee a nice pair of women specific bike shorts.

Keep an eye on your seat itself. I did a seat switch last year and angels now sing hallelujah with just that one small change.

If it continues, splurge on a professional fitting, your seat angle and positioning can really make a difference.

[Megabeth]

I did the Medio route (77miles) and the aid stations were well placed and well-stocked once I rolled up on them. (Although, I wish there was someone at the top of Reddish Knob to say, “YAY!” when I finally panted my way up, but the awesome descent made up for that.) The medio route got most of us to the last rest stop before the Alpine folks made it so we didn’t run out of anything.

It’s an awesome ride through some beautiful countryside. I swore halfway up Reddish Knob, as I was winding and wobbling slowly up, that I’d never do it again…uh, yeah, I think I’m most likely signing up again in 2013.

[Megabeth]

By the way, I have to give a shout-out to the woman that answered the phone at Senator Favola’s office this morning. I’m sure she heard from a lot of us today, but she made me feel like she was genuinely interested in what I had to say nor did she rush me. She took down my information and repeated it to make sure she had it written correctly and would pass it along. And, she gave a hearty thank you for calling. I hung up from the call just feeling happier about my day. I unfortunately didn’t get her name, but wanted to say a public kudos to her.

[Megabeth]

Saw no other cyclists on my ride in down Clarendon Blvd. this morning. I suppose Tim was out there somewhere with his very warm-blooded child, but it was quite lonely when I was riding down the street…

By the way, the lobby of our building is about 20 degrees. I felt colder getting my breakfast this morning than during my ride in. But, wearing a ski mask really doesn’t fit “business appropriate” attire…

[Megabeth]

Hrm, that does looks interesting. I’m going to be out of town, otherwise, I’d check it out.

Interesting that the invite talks car parking but no mention of bike parking. I do know there is an outside bike rack near the entrance of the gold parking garage. Not sure what’s around the blue parking. Paging dasgeh. Paging dasgeh – I know you know where to bike park around there (which I do know is unfortunately very limited).

[Megabeth]

I believe the aye-aye is most appropriate. I must admit look like that aye-aye after my morning commute and I pull off my skull cap…

[Megabeth]

After I busted my arm and could get on the trainer, I became a fan of Sufferfest.

Each video takes you through a different series of slow spins, hard grinds, sprints, cool downs, etc. The video is of an actual race and there is usually some story behind what you’re doing or goading messages like “Don’t let that Euskie guy beat you at the top of the mountain!” or “The pack is gathering behind you, don’t let them get you at the sprint!”

It’s self motivated. Just watch the video and go. I just prop my laptop up in front of the bike.

When you are riding along there are different noises that will sound to tell you to either speed up, slow down, or get a new instruction so you don’t have to stare at the screen the whole time. (Which is good because towards the end I usually have my head down and I’m whimpering.) They also have a graphic that tells you what cadence you should be doing at what intensity. And, the music is really good and matches well with what you’re supposed to be doing.

There are slow down sections built in to catch your breath and grab your water bottle, but then it revs up soon thereafter.

By the way, the one that features women pro-racers is probably the toughest one I’ve done.

[Author]

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