The route is in!

The title says it all, the route has been announced and it's definitely not without it challenges (uh, can you say hills!)

Glenwood to Davenport - check out the route here: http://ragbrai.com/2011/01/29/this-years-route-glenwood-to-davenport/

So as I'd said previously, we are not going to do the full route this year. I'll admit when I was getting excited text messages about the route (and had drank a couple margaritas) I thought why not do the full week again! But then I read about the hills of day one being 1000 ft more in elevation than last years first day, I decided otherwise.

We plan to start our journey by heading to Altoona on Wednesday night to go to the festival and hang out with our Des Moines area friends and then start riding the next morning. So that means 3 days, Altoona to Davenport.

The interesting thing about this year is that it is ending in Davenport the same weekend as Bix, I'm a little unsure about that because honestly its CROWDED in Davenport that weekend. I'm sure though they have a plan to make it all work, and I'm kind of excited to end in basically my hometown. That also means we can go to Bix fest and listen to some great Jazz music at the end of the ride so I'm pretty pumped up about that. I just hope we have a bit more energy to enjoy it than we did at our end of week bonfire last year... Basically my Dad made us this great bonfire, my aunt and uncle and family friends came out, and all we wanted to was sleep, haha.

Other than that, no actual bike buying or training updates. As I look at my ankle that I managed to fall on a few weeks ago I think that no training will be getting done until I have it looked at by a doctor, and I can't have it looked at by a doctor until I have insurance, but really that's a whole other topic for another time. The real point here is that it definitely doesn't look right and I fear further injuring it while training and I think a foot and ankle doc will be able to tell me exactly just how much training I can do. So prayers that it's just a bad sprain and it is healing and I can be back at the gym soon!

Hard to believe I started this process last year with a broken wrist/hand and no bike, and this year I have a questionable injury to my ankle and no bike, oh wait that's not hard to believe at all that is pretty much the story of my life.

And the worst bloggers ever award goes too....

US! Or me more specifically because this was my crazy idea. But anyway, I would like to make more of an effort to blog more and so this is my first try back.

So, we did it! We did RAGBRAI! I think we all had totally different experiences and perceptions at different points throughout the week but I think that's what made it even more amazing. I'll give you a recap of my week...

Saturday (day before the ride starts): I'd say I was a bundle of nerves, though I was really really excited. We road tripped across Iowa with our escorts Mackenzie Lorenzen and her friend Richard, and it was a blast. Especially since we started the day with Hardees breakfast! We got to Sioux City, set up camp, and then tried to get our bikes ready for the next day. This was easier said than done but we learned very quickly just how helpful and awesome the other riders are. We even met a guy who's done it ever year for 25 years and now leads a group of kids of the Des Moines area, very cool guy. Then we went to the kick off which was great! Sioux city really threw a great party, and Smashmouth performed! (haha.) After enjoying some of Smashmouth's "hits" we headed back to camp and packed up our bags so we could get an early start the next day. Oh and Andrea and I got "branded" by team rough riders (aka, he stamped our chest) welcome to RAGBRAI!

Sunday (day 1) Hill day: We started the day with bike issues, Lex's brakes weren't working and Andrea was having a gear issue. I surprisingly had no problems. So we got a bit later of a start and then we met the hills of day one. Let me tell you, I very quickly had a WTF was I thinking moment. Needless to say I didn't have a great day one, I kept over heating, felt dizzy and ill, so I finally I decided it was time to call it quits for that day and hop on the sag wagon. The good thing about that is I was able to meet up with Jen Rundall and hang out with her and Mike! They were awesome hosts, we were able to stay with them and it was our only night not in a tent. We grilled, had a fire, and hung out with a couple other riders we got to be friends with throughout the week Neil and Trent. Love the RAGBRAI camaraderie!

Monday (day 2) Long and flatter day: This day started off much better, we got an early start and I was in a much better mood. I realized that it's important to eat, eat and eat and eat (and drink, of course). My day one issue was that I didn't really eat anything all day. So we ate, we rode, we really had a great time! Until the last ten miles, then, I dunno, I just got in a bad mental state I was tired, sore, angry and just exhausted. I finished, and I had a good LONG cry, haha. I find it pretty comical when I look back but at the time I was just at my breaking point. I called my Mom and begged them to come get me the next day and went to bed.

Tuesday (day 3) HOT HOT HOT!: So I woke up in not a good mental state again but decided I had to push through this day, I mean the hobo museum was in our future! I started out with the intention of quitting at the end of the day, but then we got to the first town we were eating breakfast in, and I read a message my little brother sent me and it still makes me tear up, he told me not to give up and he was proud of me and honestly that's the reason I kept going. I realized I didn't want to quit, I wanted to say I rode it. I also decided it was time to do what I wanted to do to have fun and not worry about others. So day three we had fun! We met real Hobo's in Brit Iowa! Had some beers ate some delicious RAGBRAI food and just enjoyed the day. OH Lex also had sun poisoning on her legs and couldn't be out in the 105 degree heat and sun so I took one for the team and sagged the rest of the day with her ;). What can I say I this was my vacation for the year and I was going to have fun! That night the overnight town was Clear Lake (so pretty). We got to relive the 90's with some live music from Spin Doctors and met up with Dawn, Andy and Oakley. That over night was the first Thunderstorm of the week, and the night we realized our tent was set up wrong and sides kind of blew in and there was a drip that landed right on my forehead, think water torture.

Wednesday (day 4) Pasta Dinner: This was by far my best riding day. The weather was perfect, the scenery was beautiful and the food/drinks were delicious. I can't remember a lot of specific things from the ride that day so I'll move onto the night in Charles City. This is when we realized we should ALWAYS try to go to the pasta dinner that the local church or school is undoubtedly hosting in each town talk about delicious and worth the long line. Plus, it was kind of nice to eat something other than festival food. We went downtown to the festival after and I was able to meet up with my brother in law and his team. Had a great time at this festival, listened to the worst cover band in history (which made it even better) and there were these crazy people running around with a clown punching bag balloon and it was hilarious, though definitely a had to be there moment.

Thursday (day 5) Delaney and Addison day!: This was to be another long ride, but I'd already decided that I wasn't riding the whole day because I wanted to spend time with my Sister and niece who were driving the route and picking up Mike. This is the day that Lex and I stopped at a van on the side of the road selling brownies that if you purchased you got a free beer, score! So we ate our brownie, had a couple of beers (2 beers on RAGBRAI = tipsy Abbie, good times!) then rode to Parkersburg. We headed to the beer garden and met up with Jen and De! So much fun! Delaney and I danced to the band and played and then we drove onto Dyke. We picked up Mike and they dropped me off in Waterloo. Waterloo = worst campsite ever. Oh well at this point I was able to sleep about anywhere. In Waterloo we went to my college roommate Laura's place and hung out with her and her husband, and most importantly got to meet their 1 month old daughter Addison! Oh we also did laundry which was very necessary at that point.

Friday (day 6) rain rain go away!: The theme of the morning was rain, and lots and lots of it. But we made it to Guttenberg and met up with my good friend Diana. She was selling some oh so delicious pie, and we sat and sat and sat, trying to wait out the storm. While waiting, I kissed a frog, and I still cannot believe I did that. Long story short while waiting and waiting, we gave up and decided we rather just take a nice dry car ride to Manchester and spend the day with Diana (and baby boy Mount set to arrive the following October.) It was a fun day though not a fun discovery was that my bag had been thrown in a puddle and EVERYTHING was wet. Yes, that was the only day I was to lazy to bag everything, good one me. So deciding to call it quits for the day was a good thing since I had to hang up everything to dry! We went down to the festival early, had some drinks, and ate lunch with Diana before she had to head back. That night we went back to the festival, met up with my brother who rode that day and ended the night listening to the Nada's, met up with Neil and Trent again, and watched as a group of people attempted to pick up beer cans off the ground with their mouths balancing on one leg. I really thought I was going to see someone loose a tooth. I also saw the best shirt ever, it had a bike on it and said "My other rides your Mom".

Saturday (day 7) "One more hill my a**": This brings us to the last day, it was pretty bittersweet. I couldn't believe at the beginning of the week I thought we'd never get there, and then all of a sudden it was the last day. The last day definitely had it's ups and downs, and no I'm not just talking about the hills. The day started with breakfast in Dyersville, THEN we rode to the Field of Dreams, and even though I've been it was still a lot of fun! Well then the hills started, some were long and slow... some were practically a mountain (ahem, Potter's hill) and there was always one more despite what the locals were saying. Just when it seemed were going to "coast" to the finish we discovered Lex's tire had a slow leak that was no longer very slow. The last 8 miles took FOREVER, we had to stop several times to air up her tire, she couldn't ride larger hills because of to much tire pressure, and finally we got lost! Well it all ended well, we ran into someone that escorted us to the dipping point, met up with Andrea, and realized we just finished our first RAGBRAI! Cue the rush of emotions that came with that and we waded into the river and were basically in shock that it was all over. That night at my parents we toasted champagne around the camp fire and relived our week. At the end, unlike the beginning, I realized I cannot wait to do it again.

So this brings us to today, while we aren't doing the full week this year, we are doing 2 to 3 days, and I learned a lot from my first ride. Just a few of the lessons:

1. Train for RAGBRAI... seriously. Don't listen to the person that says "what, you don't have to train, it's easy!" Because it's not easy.
2. Put on sunscreen constantly because you will get sunburnt.
3. Butt butter is a life saver.
4. Disposable toilet paper wipes are useful in numerous ways.
5. A corn fields makes and adequate bathroom and port-o-pottys are unavoidable.
6. Have the right bike and equipment.
7. Eat as much pie possible.
8. Don't worry about your hair, there's nothing you can do.
9. Rather than packing a towel just spend the extra bit in each town and rent one.
10. Do whatever you have to do to make the most of your week, do the 100 foot water slide, jump off the rope into the carp filled pond make it one of the most memorable experiences of your life!

I start this next journey towards RAGBRAI 2011 in much the same condition I was in at the beginning of my 2010 journey. I have to buy a bike (mine was stolen a week after last RAGBRAI.) I have an injury, my ankle this time. And I'm still babysitting to save money for that new bicycle! :)

2011 Route is announced tonight!

The pictures are from each day I described.

It was bound to happen

Considering everyone that reads this most likely knows me well enough to know just how accident prone I am this was bound to happen eventually.

So here is how it all happened:

This slew of nice, hot, and humid weather we've been having has been awesome and great training weather for RAGBRAI. So, I like every other Chicagoan wanted to take advantage of it. The evening of May 17th Alexis and I decided to get our bikes geared up and hit the trail. The ride to the trail was surprisingly uneventful and easy, considering riding down Irving Park is not always a walk in the park, particularly on game days. We get to the lakefront path, me leading the way, and sure enough its packed. We decided to head south on the path, weaving our way around runners, walkers, dogs, and those dreaded roller bladers. We were trying to get our pace up a little bit so were not the slowest riders on RAGBRAI. We were making pretty decent time and had just gotten past Belmont Harbor when it all happened. There was a roller blader in front of me that was kindly taking up 75% of the path, and as I was approaching her I kept saying "left, left, left" trying to get her attention, but to no avail. My only option was to speed up even more and quickly pass her in the oncoming lane before the bikes coming towards me caught up. I started pedaling hard and turning my bike when I completely lost control, I couldn't figure out what was happening and quickly realized I couldn't stop, my only option run myself into a tree and that's exactly what I did, I went front end first into a tree. After coming to a VERY abrupt stop I hopped off my bike in complete shock and embarrassment. Alexis came flying up to me, and everyone in the surrounding area stopped to make sure I was ok, and a guy handed me my pedal, yes my pedal.


After calming down some, and having a little cry (mostly as a result of the shock)I pulled myself together and figured out what happened. The way it happened was a perfect storm of events, as I was speeding up to pass the roller blader I jerked my front end to the side to turn and pushed down extra hard on my left pedal, this caused my pedal to fall off which is when I lost control, as I was careening out of control my chain came off, and a little icing on the cake a stick flew up into my brakes and that is why I couldn't stop. Through out this my leg must have gotten mangled in my bike though I honestly don't know exactly how that happened, all I know is I looked down my thigh was bleeding and I had an instant bruise that I could tell was going to be a doozy. Alexis thanks to her soft cloth helped me clean up my legs and then got to work trying to figure out if we could repair my bike enough to ride home. I sort of just stood their awkwardly, holding the cloth to my cut, still crying a little, and becoming more and more aware of everyone riding by watching us.

Alexis worked hard to get my pedal back on but quickly realized it wasn't going to happen without a wrench, which we didn't have with us. My cousin Jen came to the rescue and she met us with a wrench, but that was a no go my pedal was not going back onto my bike luckily though she has a large SUV so it fit nicely in the back. As I hopped into the car to get a ride home I sat down and instant pain. I think this was when my body finally was fully out of shock and I could feel the extent of everything. More and more bruises were appearing by the minute but the worst of the pain was in my tail bone, that was what took the full force of me running into the tree full speed. By the time I was home I could barely walk and I couldn't sit down at all.

I'm sure you're all wonder yea yea yea, but what about your bike?! Well, Jen was nice enough to keep my bike overnight and then drive us to REI to have them take a look at it. They were able to get my pedal back in and fix the other, I guess it was only a matter of time till I lost the other. I'm sure you're also wondering "who put you're bike pedals on, its time to sue!" Well calm down, because I put my pedals on (oops) and rethreaded them in the process (double oops), so now if I ever need to get new pedals or take them off I may have to completely replace the crankshafts, which are expensive, like it would cost more than my bike to replace both. So here's to hoping I never have to replace them! And pat on the back me for being awesome and messing up my bike. All in all though it only cost $15 to fix, I jarred the front fork lose hitting the tree at such force but they were able to tighten it, and they had to true the tires but that was it. Phew!

Now its a week and a half later, my tail bone still hurts a lot, but my bruises are healing rapidly and I'm able to wear pants again. Mostly now its just mental healing which will take some time but I'll get my confidence back, accidents happen and this may not be the last one for me. I know I'm lucky it happened on the path and not in traffic, and I know I'm especially lucky Alexis was right there. It's great to have riding partners!

Poll question

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/05/11/bicycle.wars/index.html?hpt=C2

I just read this article on CNN and found it interesting, it discussed Bicyclist vs Cars on the road. It also listed the top 10 most bike friendly cities, whoop whoop Chicago for making the list!

I often hear my friends that drive complain about the bicyclist for not following the rules of the road and not showing caution for the cars around them and am curious, what is everyone's opinions on the matter? What could be done to make it easier for everyone? Pros? Cons? Feel free to comment and get a discussion going, yes, all 6 of you that are following our blog.

I'm especially curious as I'm just getting used biking in the city, and am hoping to soon start commuting to work this way. Alexis and I are going to take a class at REI on bike commuting that focuses on making it a safe, fun, and efficient way to get around, I'm really excited about it!

Speaking of REI, I'm falling in love with that store, awesome helpful staff, tons of stuff to look at, and great classes. I highly recommend you stop in sometime if your near one just to look around.

Last night the SoPo Spinners went out on their first ride together! It was great and I must say, the lake was gorgeous last night at dusk with a storm rolling in from the distance, makes me feel so lucky to be able to ride on such a beautiful path. I wish I'd brought my camera!

Ok, that's all from me. I hope to get some pictures of my bike and the comical building process up within the week.

Thanks for your comments and feedback!

~Abbie

BLOGFail

So, I'm declaring a blogfail on my part, I got totally out of it.

It could have been because I didn't feel like a lot was happening on the RAGBRAI, Bikes, Training front... or it could have been just laziness (I vote the latter of options.) BUT as luck would have it, I'm back and am going to try to rededicate myself to this blog because really tons has happened!

1. FINALLY got a bike. Its a Diamondback Flatbar Road bike. Basically a hybrid. I really love it, my only complaint, its navy blue. Why do you ask is that a complaint? Oh, because as Lex put it in her blog, I wanted a "girlier" bike. Luckily for me I happen to know a pretty talented Auto-body mechanic AKA my Father, who could probably "girlify" (that is an Abbie original word) if I want it. So who knows maybe on RAGBRAI you'll see a completely original bike in navy blue with hot pink stripes.

2. We were chosen in the RAGBRAI Lottery! I know I know, this is a bit redundant from Lex's earlier blog, but um, deal with it. Oh and I don't think my words were that I had an "uh oh" moment, I think it was more like an "oh shit" moment. The "oh shit" being that we are actually doing this and I haven't even gotten on a bike since probably my sophomore year of college. TIME TO POWER TRAIN.

3. So I started training, well kind of. More like I started at least riding my bike. What I discovered is that when people use the phrase "it's just like riding a bike" in reference to doing something you haven't done in awhile, starting riding again really is "just like riding a bike." Except, that I may be a little wobbly because I'm still getting used to road tires, and I have to learn what gears to be in when, etc. Also, I've never ridden in a busy city before (or any city really for that matter.) Surprisingly, that isn't really so bad, the hurdle I have to overcome most right now is my left wrist. I was foolish to think when the doctor gave me the "all clear" for all activities and said I'd healed well from my little stumble on the ice last January that it wouldn't bother me at all. I was wrong, it really bothers me, like a lot, Andrea and I rode just 7 miles the other day and I had to call it after that because my arm wasn't allowing more. I'm not going to use it as a deterrent, hopefully with enough training and adjustments I can figure out a way to ride semi-comfortably. I'm going to try a wrist brace, and adjusting my handlebars, if neither of those work I'll try to consult some biking experts and see if they've had a similar experience and what they did. Speaking of any experts out there with suggestions??

But what I have learned is that I really really enjoy biking, a lot. Outside of the arm (and slight butt) pain, its been a great experience already. Monday we were able to ride to drop off our rent checks, and get some groceries, all of which took a lot less time then when we walk. Tuesday, Andrea and I rode to the lake, and it was gorgeous riding with the lake on one side of us and the skyline on the other. It was really relaxing after a couple of stressful days, I can't wait to ride a lot more. Eventually I'd like to bike to work... if I ever get used to the city traffic!

I'm going home this weekend, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD! After that though I will upload some pictures of my bike and the assembly process and the first ride. Shout out to Alexis and Mike for helping, or basically doing it for me!

OH the most exciting news of all, the SoPo Spinners are now roommates! Andrea moved in last week! Love it!

~Abbie

Re-cap!

So, in case you were holding your breath SoPo Spinners are officially in RAGBRAI! We got the confirmation that we were chosen in the lottery. In Abbie’s words, “Insert the ‘uh oh’ moment here.” Indeed.

So I have been trying to cross train, so that means that I have been going to the gym… not riding my bike.

Yes! I got a bike! Happy Birthday to me! My parents got me a bike! I was so surprised! I love it, and as girly as it is I think it’s so pretty! It’s a 15 inch Motobecane.





So now the real training begins. It definitely helps that we all have bikes and the weather is so beautiful. Unfortunately Chicago doesn’t provide the opportunity to practice hills. Those who’ve ridden before us claim that the most important training is the training your butt gets in the bike seat.

I cannot believe it’s less than three months away…. Uh oh.

Who needs a bike shop?

So as predicted I am a horrible blogger but I accomplished something awesome this weekend so it motivated me to post. About a week and 1/2 ago, Abbie, Lex and I went to a bike maintenance class at REI. None of us know how to change a tire and since we will soon be in the middle of Iowa we thought it would be an important thing to know. Of course we end up arriving at the class late and I don't even think about taking notes while I am there, but I think I understand what we were told to do. So this weekend I had to see if I actually paid attention enough.
Unlike Abbie and Lex who bought road bikes (and are probably smarter for it) I already had a bike, but it is a mountain bike. In everything I have read about RAGRBAI says that riding the entire thing on a mountain bike is not the easiest thing to do. But changing the tires to road tires is supposed to help (and is definitely cheaper than buying a new bike). So this weekend i changed my tires so that I could start training outside again. The last time I tried to mess with my bike I knock the chain off the gears and could not reconnect the front brake, so I was a little nervous to be doing this completely by myself. But I was able to do it all and on my first try! Getting a flat tire was probably my biggest fear for RAGBRAI, but now I have complete confidence that if one of us gets a flat in the middle of a cornfield I can change the tire!

Spring Fever

It’s that time of year again when Mother Nature dangles the carrot of warm weather in front of us and I’m feeling the pressure to get out and start training on a bike. My bike status is that I still don’t have one! Let’s face it, there are too many excuses to fall back on and the one I’m sticking to is that March is a very busy month; birthdays, St. Patty’s Day, Spring Break (my sister’s not mine), MARCH MADDNESS (Go Panthers!)
and it’s still not that nice to go ride my bike. This is of course not true when the evidence is staring me right in the face. Its 65 degrees out! That is amazing! However, true to Chicago form it is suppose to drop 30 degrees and possibly snow on Sunday.



So my goal is to have a bike by mid-April… That leaves me what? Approximately 99 days to train on a bike before RAGBRAI?! Of course there are additional ways to train and I really must dedicate myself to a routine. According to David Ertl, a USA Level 1 cycling coach, great way to train in cold weather (or if you still don’t have a bike) is to take a spin class. Unfortunately my gym does not offer these classes! MB, I may take you up on that offer! I need to continue to get in shape by doing cardio, etc. I only hope that spring fever motivates me instead of distracting me!

- Alexis

To find more information about David Ertl and training:
www.cyclesportcoaching.com

Oh the Madness!

Well its official, March Madness is upon us, and I have only one thing to say GO PANTHERS!!! A bummer that we play Kansas in the second round, but anything can happen and I would accept the destruction of my bracket if it means UNI in the sweet 16 or beyond! You're probably wondering, what does this have to do with RAGBRAI? In short, nothing, I just really love March Madness. Living with Alexis is really what triggered this unknown passion that I had, and I can get pretty competitive about my bracket. I'll admit, I still have trouble remembering all the rules of basketball, and sometimes say the wrong thing when shouting things out in the heat of the moment. I think the reason I never really got into basketball as a youngin' is that I could never (and still can't to this day) dribble and move at the same time, and when it came to shooting the basket I was lucky to hit the rim... so needless to say I was never much of a basketball player. Also, my love of basketball really only pertains to college basketball, have you ever been to an NBA game? BORING! As a bit of a sports nut it was the only time I've ever been more entertained by the little gimicks and shows they put on during it than the actual game.

Speaking of sports, I am so glad I was raised in a family and by a mother that loved sports just as much as the guys did, thanks Mom! Also being raised in a family that regularly loaded up our bikes into the back of the trailer and drove into Davenport to ride the trails on nice Saturday and Sunday afternoons has always made me very fond of bike riding. It's really one of my favorite childhood memories, and it was always such a great bonding experience. I think that is a big reason I'm so pumped up for RAGBRAI. I think I will be even closer with Alexis and Andrea because of the experience. And as an added bonus my brother in-law Mike is riding it for a couple of days as well. He and my sister have been hard at work in a cycling class at their gym, I'm just hoping I can convince Jenni to ride it with him. Also, last weekend my little brother Jacob was visiting for St. Patty's day, he's been riding a bike to work and he mentioned maybe he'd do it a couple of days to. I think that would be great! It would be like old times! Ahh, sports and bikes bringing people together. :)

Finally, on a more funny note, I still haven't been awesome about my RAGBRAI training or exercising in general, but I did try to get myself to the gym a bit more this week, and last night I decided to take a combo class, Hip Hop Hustle and Zumba. If anyone has ever seen me dance, which is scary, they know that I am not exactly um a natural or graceful dancer, I look more like this:



Last night really wasn't any different! And I learned that of all the types of dance I'm DEFINITELY not a hip hop dancer. I did get one pretty sweet move down called the elevator, I'll sure bust it out next time I'm dancing the night away.

While I know these classes aren't exactly preparing me to ride a bike for 7 days straight, they are at least getting my heart pumping a little and I think any kind of exercise at this point is a good thing!

OH I also gave up drinking between St. Patty's day and baseball season, yes I know its only 3 weeks, but I hope that it helps me with a few different things.

1. Hopefully I'll just start feeling healthier and um, less dehydrated.
2. Saving some money towards that bike I desperately need.
3. Motivating me to work out more regularly.
4. Reminding myself who's boss, and that it is possible to have fun sans alcohol.

Now I know that last one sounds bad but I know I'm not alone in this, I think as you get older and you drink more regularly, you forget that you can go to a party or go out and have a good time with out booze... gone are the days of Mt. Dew and Truth or Dare.

I'm not so sure where all the nostalgia came from today, I guess its just one of those days!

Thanks for reading!

-Abbie

PS This weather is amazing, get outside as much as you can! Sure would be nice to have a bike right now...

OH and PPS, the route has been announced, check it here: http://ragbrai.com/data/2010/ragbrai-main-map-2010.php

Cleared for take-off

OH boy, have we been neglecting the blog or what!

Well I really don't have a lot new to report, still trying, albeit somewhat unsuccessfully,to research and save for a bike... I really need to get my butt in gear, because spring is right around the corner, or at least I hope!

Also, I'm suffering from the serious winter blues right now, I'm just so sick of it being cold, and having to be all bundled up, its seriously demotivating. So needless to say I have not spent nearly enough time in the gym. Yes I realize that is an excuse but I really hope that with warm weather, and a bike, my motivation comes back.

I do have one less hurdle, I had my follow-up appointment with my orthopedic doctor yesterday and he has officially discharged me from his care and cleared me for all activities. Woohoo!! So I promise to not make any more excuses like "I can't, I have a broken wrist" because I no longer do.

I guess thats really all from me, sorry for the unexciting update! Keep checking I promise this will get better!

I LOVE THE 90'S!

A word of warning, this post has little to do with RAGBRAI and more to do with a funny story.

This story actually begins several years ago from when Lex and I were in college. I briefly dated this guy, he'll remain nameless, however Alexis and our best friend Amanda nicknamed him 1997, because he unfortunately looked like he got stuck there and never made it out.

Well, lets fast forward a few years to 2 weeks ago. Lex and I were on the bus on our way to the train on a Friday morning, not expecting it to be different than any other day are minding our own business, when I look up, and on walks a different guy I dated, again briefly, a couple of summers ago. He also will remain nameless, however for those familiar with who this is we will call him "Trench coat guy." Why do you ask? Because he wears an almost floor length black duster as a coat, I'm not kidding its straight out of the movie "Say Anything" with John Cusack (a movie I can't help but love BTW.) Me being the grown up I am trying to hide as much as possible and didn't say a word in fear he'd recognize my voice.

So it was during this time of quiet and reflection that I realized I have a problem, I only date in the 90's, honestly, Alexis and I went through a majority of the guys I've dated, definitely a blast from the past.

And now I'm thinking, oh no, can it be that I'm stuck in the 90's am I still a young girl between the age of 7 and 16? My conclusion is yes and here is why:

1. On Thursday and Friday nights, instead of going out with friends like most single young 26 year old professionals do, I babysit.
2. When I babysit I have to let my Mom and know and check in when I get home to let her know that I made it safely much like a young girl would have to do.
3. Why do I babysit? Because I'm saving up for a bicycle.

And here ends why I'm stuck in the 90's as a 7-16 year old girl.

- Abbie

Official- er

We’re one step closer! We are officially registered to RAGBRAI 2010. We got together Saturday morning for coffee and push each other the last few inches off the plank of non-commitment. It feels like a snowball affect, where all of a sudden things are rolling faster and getting larger! We were going to have a vote on what our team name should be but we needed a name to register as a team. It wasn’t easy! There have been so many clever and memorable team names on RAGBRAI and we want to make our mark... but pressure got the best of us. I do think it represents us and I'm very excited to have a team our first RAGBRAI.

SoPo Spinners (SoPo is an abbreviation of Southport, the street in Chicago that after May 1st we’ll all live on)

Now, keep your fingers crossed because we still need to make it past the lottery. Then it will be official! The lottery results are posted May 1st!

- Alexis

motivation....

So I am a little late to the blog game. In typical me fashion I have been "too busy" to blog. Well I have been busy with work and social activities but I could have posted a blog entry. How long does it take really, about 10 minutes? But sometimes I lack motivation to do small things when laying on the couch watching TV is so much easier. That is why I am really excited about RAGBRAI. 63 miles a day is a lot more to accomplish than writing a blog post. If I don't post a blog oh well, but if I don't train for RAGBRAI I'm screwed. I'm hoping this gives me motivation to actually train and so far its helping. I have been to the gym a lot more than I have in a very long time, but it's still tough. Even on Saturday I was supposed to go to a yoga class and instead I took a nap. At least I sucked it up and go to the gym that night.

So here I am declaring my sometimes lack of motivation and hoping to overcome it. I've got 2 girls and a blog to hold me to it. I am going to try and post once a week, and if I don't please remind me of my goal :)

Andrea

Bikes... Yikes!

I am COMPLETELY overwhelmed when it comes to searching for the right (affordable) bike for RAGRBAI. I think I may have ADHD because I can't seem to focus on the research side of it. Let me tell you, its a lot different than picking out your first pink Schwinn 10 speed from the local Wal-Mart.

But none the less I'm trying to weed my way through the wonderful world of bikes (that was almost a tongue twister.) Our friend Marybeth clued us into this great website and it really seems to be pretty helpful: http://www.bikesdirect.com/
So thanks Marybeth!!

Lex has a couple of bikes picked out already, though, I think she should seriously consider something like this! Plus there's even a seat for Andrea when she gets tired of riding her own bike!



What do you think??

- Abbie :)

I would like to recant a previous blog in which I have failed to mention that my mom (pictured here with my dad)did in fact ride RAGBRAI as well. I do remember her riding as my sisters and I claimed temporary orphan-ship sent to live with relatives for the week. Actually, it was great! We always had so much fun.


I have strong memories of my dad going out to train or riding on that stationary bike wheely thing (which we broke playing on, sorry dad). However, both my parents rode in RAGBRAI and I hope they will share their experiences with us so we learn from their mistakes and their many successes! I hope I have as many wonderful memories too!

- Alexis

Unconventional Training

We finally recovered! It’s been a few days since our last blog due to recovery time from our “meeting” last Thursday to discuss RAGBRAI preparations. No no no… there was no wine involved which in retrospect probably would have been a more speedy recovery. We decided to grab dinner and talk about RAGBRAI since my obsession with watching the winter Olympics would have prevented me to pay attention had we met at home. I am going to credit this incident to the fact we are getting so pumped about the challenge of RAGBRAI, we went to an all you can eat sushi restaurant. Great deal! Bad decisions. It would have been fine had we stuck to our original plan of ordering two rolls each, but as Abbie confidently listed what she wanted the judging eyes of the waitress bore into her and we all started to question our choices. “Oh I can eat two with no problem,” states the petite waitress.

How big are these rolls? Dizzy with hunger and after waiting 40 minutes to sit down our imaginations leapt from one misguided conclusion to the next. So, to be safe we each order three rolls.

But wait! There’s a catch with all you can eat sushi! Something fishy with the policy! Ahem… sorry, anyway if you don’t finish EVERY ROLL, then you pay for the roll on top of the money you’ve paid to go through this torture, which now seems like an exorbitant amount. Just that afternoon I had begun to outline a budget for RAGBRAI and the guilt of spending more money just because I couldn’t finish the challenge before me weighed me down more than all the food in my stomach.
So we each took as big of a breath as we could, considering we would have happily passed out right there at the table from a food coma, and finished…every…single… roll!

Well I am going to claim that this experience was part of training… physically yes (because we plan on eating a LOT of pie) but more mentally. Though once again we did not get things done as planned, I’m extremely proud (and since it’s been a few days I can now think about it) that we finished that sushi.
RAGBRAI HERE WE COME!



- Alexis

Training day 1

I think it actually was more of a see where I am and lets see how far I have to go. What I learned is I have LONG way to go. I was hoping to bike 10 miles which isn't much when you consider just how many miles are involved, I made it 8, and then I speed walked a couple miles on the treadmill. I think I could have gone farther but my wrist was hurting. That probably doesn't make much sense when sitting on a stationary bike but its crazy any motion jars your wrist some and when its broken any motion hurts. But I believe it is getting better, its just a matter of time, I'm not going to let it deter me. I also kept getting a charlie horse in my left calf, I think Grandpa would tell me to eat more bananas... or drink more milk? I'm not sure but I'll continue to work on that. Even with a slow first day I'm still optimistic that I can do this! (Yes I know its only day 2.)

Something thats really been weighing on me is how I can afford to do RAGBRAI. Riding RAGBRAI isn't cheap when you consider, um, I still don't even own a bike. Plus the fee's for riding, bike clothes (padded bike shorts!), transportation, bike equipment, etc, you get the point. But I have a plan for this, for one, I'm not going to spend the money I make babysitting, that all gets set aside into the "bike" fun. I'm also going to curb the eating out and try to cut it back to 1-2 nights a week, this will probably also help the fact that I need to lose some weight and get into much better shape for this thing! Third, I'm only going to drink "out" once a week, this will have much the same benefits of the not eating out, though not drinking out doesn't mean I can't drink at home or at friends places :). Finally, trying to limit cabbing it to once a week, because that adds up! I put this all out there so HOPEFULLY you all will hold me to it ;).


As far as training goes, I really don't have a specific plan yet. Right now all I plan to do is strengthen my legs and arms, keep increasing the miles I ride, and adding difficulty along the way. This will all be easier when its warm outside and I actually own a bike.

I found this article about RAGBRAI online, I think some of it may be outdated but I think it has some good tips from veteran riders: http://www.wadenelson.com/ragbrai.html

Any other tips any of you have feel free to share!

-Abbie

The Beginning

RAGBRAI… I’ve wanted to do this for awhile now. My Dad used to ride every year when I was younger and I always thought that I would ride it once I got older. Well I’m older.

Let’s just say my track record with physical fitness has been less than stellar. Not to say I’m inactive, or that I don’t try… more like I’m easily distracted and excuses for sidetracking a habit forming exercise schedule are plentiful. Though I confidently declared at New Years that 2010 would “be the year” I was extremely relieved that I would not be going alone. Abbie and Andrea are keeping me motivated with their enthusiasm and this means the likely hood of success has tripled!

There is so much to do to get started!

1.Register (The number of bikers are limited on RAGBRAI by a lottery system; we will register as a group so our chances of getting in are increased).
2.Get a bike! Scratch that, research more bikes then get a bike.
3.Train (I’m not sure how to form a routine yet).
4.Learn how to fix a flat tire.
5.Figure out transportation (Getting to western Iowa).
6.Ummm….. I’m sure there are a ton of things I haven’t even thought of!

We are meeting tomorrow night to discuss some of these details. This is our third attempt at meeting, the last two times the only thing we accomplished was an empty bottle of wine.

- Alexis

How to train for RAGBRAI without really trying...

Ok, so that title is clearly misleading, training for RAGRBAI is going to be intense, hard, trying, exciting, fun, and a lot of other adjectives I don't care to continue to list.

What is RAGBRAI you ask? Well, I doubt you are unsure of what it is if your reading this blog but I will fill you in none the less...

According to www.ragbrai.com: it is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. Heading into its 38th year, RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world.

(Largest in the world?! Yikes! I've got a lot of training to do...)

What does RAGBRAI stand for? Register's (as in Des Moines Register) Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.

So now that your caught up on exactly what RAGBRAI is, your probably wondering why am I writing a blog about it. I decided to start a blog about training and doing RAGBRAI for a few reasons. I hope for it to be funny, interesting, and motivational for me.... though it will likely be none of the 3, haha. Also because this is definitely one of the biggest things I've ever taken on, I mean, riding a bike an average of 63 miles a day for 7 DAYS! This is going to take work... and commitment... and perhaps a little (or a lot) of insanity. So my hope for this is it keeps me on course with my training and goals and somehow, in the end I actually go through with and survive this.

I also hope you find this from time to time entertaining..

OH and I'm sharing the reigns on this blog with my teammates and friends on the journey Alexis and Andrea, so they will hopefully be sharing their thoughts and goals and whatever else from time to time as well.

Were (or at least I am) going to need our friends and families support in this, so we hope to hear from the peanut gallery from time to time with any words of wisdom, encouraging thoughts, or funny quips.

Thanks everyone! :)

Abbie

PS, if you'd please ignore spelling and grammatical errors, I'm not even going to pretend I'm an English major, plus I'm currently typing much slower and with less accuracy thanks to a broken arm (iust another challenge in training.)