So, Christmas is over
and I am feeling a bit harumphy.
I really shouldn't complain,
I mean look at the loves of my life up there!
Who can complain when this is your reality?!!
But...
I always dislike Christmas a bit.
Family drama I try to avoid, and then the guilt for avoiding.
I always feel a bit relieved when it is all over,
ready to move on to longer days
and Summer.
I really shouldn't complain,
I mean look at the weather we have been having!
50+ degrees and Sunny the day after Christmas?
Why...I feel so NorCal...
and YOU KNOW that makes this gal so happy.
So Happy.
I really shouldn't complain,
I have two great adventures planned in the next two months,
and a work trip is brewing to return to my hyggelig.
I have a lot to be excited about.
But then that winter melancholy sets in...
We used to be all about adventuring,
now it seems more like we have been forced to be about maintaining.
In a nutshell, it sucks.
I can take all that damn vitamin d,
throw that sunlamp on in the morning,
think positive thoughts,
plan trips,
but at the end of the day some days,
it just plain sucks.
There, I said it.
Now, on to being less harumphy...
Time to lose the winter weight,
get that head screwed back on tight,
and start figuring it out.
At 40.5, that clock waits for no one...
I am not sure where my hyggelig is headed in 2012.
I have been here for 5 years,
in fact this is post #681.
Typically at this time I take a hiatus,
to focus on life outside of the computer box.
I think I will continue that trend this year.
Right now I have no friday hyggelig's lined up,
no guest posts,
nothing.
I need to refocus.
I've got something pretty exciting planned for myself in January.
Something to teach me new things, take me out of my comfort zone,
to meet new people, to be independent.
I plan to be back here to talk about either how it completely inspired me or
how it completely deflated me. Likely the first...
Thank you to all of you who have stuck with me despite my divergent posts on biking, sewing, biking, family, biking, gardening, biking, art, biking... I may not have a singular focus, be controverisal, like to debate, or a professional bent, but the fact I have been here so long says something about this space. When I discuss quitting blogging with H, he so kindly always asks why I would want to and extolls all the great things about blogging. That's from a man who only tweets. Recognizing what makes us who we are, focusing on what is important, sharing that with others ~ that's what it is all about.
And thank you also to you newbies to my hyggelig. I see you out there, and I appreciate your visits. May you find something in this space in 2012.
For now,
I am officially ON HIATUS...
see you back here in 2012..
For about the last two months of riding season
(which sadly I have deemed as officially over)
I had this nagging problem when I was out riding.
I ride a lot in this zone, and every time I did,
the bike began to have a mind of its own.
In early September I had a cable issue
that essentially turned my bicycle ride
into a fixie ride for a number of miles
until I could limp into my usual shop.
I thought the change in cables after this would solve the issue,
but it kept getting worse.
Anytime I could bring the Trek in, I wanted to ride,
so I just kept suffering through the annoyance.
Finally, after I rolled 1000, it was time.
H and I like to support good people doing good things,
so Trek was taken to a new shop.
I was a bit nervous because a lot of bicycle shop dudes
don't really speak 'girl speak' and turn to the guy to have a conversation.
Especially when they race together during Cross Season,
or so I feared.
Not Dan.
I told Dan my issues, and it was instantly clear he knows A LOT about bicycles.
I asked him to keep the Trek for a few days to really diagnose the issue.
He came back with another cable replacement
and a gold 'tooth' (ferrule).
And then, the snow set in.
So I haven't been able to get her out for a ride,
but I did officially begin my QTT this weekend
and she shifted with grace.
The forecast is predicting Sunny and 53 on Thanksgiving.
I think you know where I will be...
I appreciate that Dan treated me with complete respect.
And when I had stopped to take my cassette picture,
two groups of male riders yelled out "Everything Okay?"
to me as they passed by.
I always appreciate the bicycling community,
the fact that folks have got my back,
and knowing I am not out there alone.
And yes,
I was MORE thank OKAY,
I was on my bicycle and it was a beautiful day.
Trek and I have been together for nearly 4000 miles.
I think in the Spring she is going to need more than a cable.
I am looking forward to giving her some tweaks,
and taking her with me for the next 4000...
I have been 40 for a week now.
I am slowly coming to grips with it.
Now it is time to get back to the
fabulous...
Living in Minnesota is a such a struggle for me.
It snowed today and my super crank came out,
unfortunately I am talking about me, not my bicycle.
But I do what I have done for four years,
I pick myself up,
I get on my bicycle,
and I get on with it.
Despite the fact I had started seriously riding
outside in early March last year,
and all I want to do is give up today,
I hopped on the trainer tonight.
Yeah, I should NOT have to be doing this still,
but the alternative is to gain even more winter weight,
no thanks.
I have actually really enjoyed riding the trainer this year.
It has been a rough winter weather-wise,
and it has been a rough winter life-wise.
Hopping on the trainer after work,
queuing up something that transports me away,
wearing about ten less layers of clothes,
sweating, sweating...
It is all so necessary,
and as life always is for me on my bicycle,
so very meditative and therapeutic.
But that is about the limit of my positivity!
winter - ENOUGH already!
Spring, let's get it on.
It is time to be
40 AND fabulous!
Not all forms of winter bicycle riding involve standard movement and fresh air.
Winter makes people fat. Not phat, but fat.
I miss the Summer Me.
But I have resisted long enough - it's trainer time.
I have always tried to offset my winter weight by some focused indoor activity on my bike, and that has to involve setting it up on a trainer. I have always done this, and even found in good ol' CA I had to do it (it rains A LOT in Marin in the winter - A LOT!).
To keep the boredom at bay one needs visual stimulation during indoor rides - and since we do not have cable, tivo, or a tv in the 'bike/craft' room, I found a great use for my work computer! (why won't Netflix have online movies for a Mac? They are based in the Bay Area for Pete's sake!).
I said it at the beginning of this year, and I will say it again, this movie is one of the best movies I have ever seen.
It is visually stunning, emotionally wrenching, and beautifully told.
I am glad being indoors allowed me some time to unwind, forget about my work frustrations, burn some calories, and watch a movie that leaves me speechless and humbled.
And don't worry...lil'C and I have been dabbling in some outdoor riding too...
