Tour de BBQ 2012

After months of preparation...I completed the 62 mile Tour de BBQ.  OK, so I didn't prepare for months...I was rather ill prepared and it showed when this loser was riding circles around me (not kidding).  There were also times when he literally grabbed my jacket and pulled me up enormous hills because my slowness was killing him.  Or maybe it was because I was crying inside and he knows that...because those are things big brothers are supposed to know.  

 This was at the 22 mile mark.  I was feeling good thinking I had this little ride in. the. bag.  Inside I was thinking the worst of the hills were over with.  In reality they had only just begun.  There is nothing like seeing hill after hill for the next 10 miles and then seeing bikers looping back and coming towards you.  Whoever maps out these rides should know it's a huge kick in the nads to have to go back the same brutal way you came.  Especially if the route is full of hills.  It was crazy and still my brother was riding around like he was Lance freaking Armstrong.  There were a couple points in the ride when I thought I could take no more.  Mile 30 and mile 50 were the worst.  So I put my cigarette out, poured out my vodka, and switched to water (I kid).  We did finish, this was no big deal for him, but so far my longest ride.

after the ride.

Things I learned:

1. Kansas City hills are no joke.

2. It's ok to blow your nose while riding...without a tissue.

3. They call those "snot-rockets" and luckily I didn't get hit by any.

4. Shammy's are shorts with pads in the butt.  I've owned a pair for years but didn't know what bikers call them.

5. Bike gear is crazy expensive.  I had to get cold riding gear last minute.

6. 40 degrees is extremely cold on a bike.

7. My brother is in way better shape than me.  I mean way better shape.

8. It's important to train before these things.  And that means riding more than your daily route.

9. You can burn a lot of calories which gives you free reign to eat a 12 pound donut filled with pudding completely guilt free.

10. I actually got more sore cleaning my filthy house yesterday than riding 60 miles.  Truth.

A sweet Specialized vintage bike I saw at a garage sale last week for $100.  It was too small.

The sweet specialized I will most likely never own...unless I win the lotto...or sell a kidney.

Happy Thursday!  And, thank you Uncle Jeremy for taking me on the sweetest, longest, coldest, bbq filled bike ride!

xoxo,

Amy

Biking KC-I love my city

This is Peggy Noland's shop, next to Spool, and then Birdies.  One of the best streets for handmade.

These are some pictures I took last year on a long training ride in downtown Kansas City.   I love our downtown.  Kansas City just started a bike share program and I am pretty excited about it.  I remembering seeing one in Pennsylvannia years ago and thinking how cool that would be.  I haven't been very good about this little series...or any of my little series for that matter, but stick with me, I promise to work on my consistency...or lack there of...or let's be real...maybe not.  Sometimes life gets in the way. Like taking the kids bowling tonight and seeing how many germs we can mix with pizza.  Seriously fun.  

xoxo,

Amy

Biking KC...a new series

I love my morning bike rides.  I loathe waking up at the crack of dawn and pretty much despise the first mile, but once I start waking up my mood changes and whatever stress I have is scooped up by the wind and is left behind in my tracks.  All of these photos were taken within a 1 mile radius of where I live.  I live in the "Waldo" area which is an older part of town filled with rich Kansas City history and a fair share of old buildings that are still standing and functioning.  There is no better way (in my opinion) than seeing your city via bike.   So, I plan on sharing some pictures of my rides not just to motivate me to ride more...but also to slow down and make those rides more about appreciation of my alone time in the city I love, than about working out...the sound of which kind of makes me want a donut.

Happy hump day!

xoxo,

Amy

Wordless Wednesdays at Jenni from the Blog
Wordless Wednesdays

Pardon the Mess

I chose a really bad time to try to change my blog!  I am working on some things and trying to make it a little prettier, but have to take a break mid construction.  There is queso to be made...and a sand volleyball game tonight (I am not excited about it at all).  I am also recovering from the Tour de BBQ.

That's my brother.  He talked me into it.  I will say, it was most fun, and we are planning on doing it again 2012.  So much fun, it was almost worth waking up at 5:30am the past couple months to train.  Almost.  Happy weekend homies!