By pamster on
10/26/2008 8:46 PM
If you haven't figured out yet that two of my passions are cycling and music, then you're a little slow. This weekend was one of those times where I got to do both - but I was on the other side. I didn't get to belt out a tune nor did I ride. I watched. Both of those things.
I've been part of a committee of 6 who have been meeting since March to plan a conference that took place this past Friday and Sat. My main pre-conference job was to find the band for both days - right up my alley. We eventually settled on a group from Indy and after this weekend, we're buds. Marc, Lorin, Cory and Bryan - you guys totally rock and I so enjoyed being your roadie/gopher. The best part was that I was one of the cool people who carried a special radio except it would have been better if I had one of those teeny microphones attached to my sleeve like the secret service. So I got to hang with them, talk music lingo, fetch beverages, scooby snacks, and I even had to go on a search of the dark scary corners of the...
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By pamster on
10/12/2008 12:18 PM
Bike maintenance. I suck at it. I'd pretty much rather play leapfrog with a unicorn. But when I rode last week EVERYONE heard the horrible clicking noise coming from my bike and we were all annoyed. I needed new cleats so I thought I'd start there. I changed my cleats and hopped on my bike yesterday. Lo and behold. No noise. Whew. I'm so glad it was that easy. But not so fast. About 25 miles in my ride yesterday it started again. WTF? I started out riding with a group but eventually everyone wanted to get away from me. I know I didn't stink. I brushed my teeth. I didn't launch a snot rocket on anybody. But the bike noise was loud. And if I could get away from myself I would have. It was driving us crazy. But before the others rode off to be with quieter people, they all weighed in as to what they thought the problem was. Bottom bracket. Pedals. Those were the top two choices. They also told me how I needed to dismantle, clean, repack, etc. HUH? Let me break this down for you. I can change...
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By pamster on
10/1/2008 9:20 PM
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By pamster on
9/26/2008 9:11 PM
So I dream just about every night. Last night was priceless. And it involved cyclocross. Picture Webgirl and me riding like nuts. We were in an open field so most of it was flat terrain but I do remember it was rainy and dreary. And we were in some kind of race but there were no other competitors. Or at least they didn't start in my dream. Were we that far ahead of everyone? Of course we were. Team of Two. Hey.....it's my dream.
At one point we climbed a steel staircase with our bikes on our backs slipping and sliding every step of the way. Then we rode across a metal grate that took us to an elevator. Again.......my dream so work with me here. We're on the elevator not really knowing what we'll find when the doors open. The elevator stops, we pick up our bikes, the doors open and......wait for it.....it's a PARTY!!! That's what I'm talking about. All kinds of LBC people were there but we're still racing. No time for us to chit chat. Hold up. There's music! Sweet. But it's not Five...
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By pamster on
7/27/2008 4:12 PM
So that’s what my bike has been saying to me lately. Before I go any further I have to share some lingo I hear all the time at work. With some 20-something co-workers. Instead of “know what I mean?” It’s “smell what I’m steppin' in?” Instead of “goodbye” it’s “holler atchya face”. That info will be important later on.
Back to bike neglect. This music/cycling juggling act of mine has been harder than usual lately. I figured I could juggle those two things pretty well in addition to my real job and other things I’m involved in that I won’t even mention here. Well I suck at juggling!!! It’s cool though when both worlds collide which will happen Aug. 23. My band is playing for the Tour de Cure charity ride for Diabetes research. When I pitched the idea of providing post-ride entertainment to my band, they immediately said yes. I said it again. Slower this time. Sawyer Park. Outside. Aug. 23. 11am – 1pm. We’re used to......Bar. Inside. Air Conditioned. 11pm – 1am. Smell what...
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By pamster on
7/13/2008 6:45 PM
Anyone who knows me at all knows that I’m NOT a morning person. I always wanted to be but have never been. My parents can tell you nightmarish stories of trying to get me out of bed in the mornings to get to school on time. Just not going to happen. So when I do arrive early for an activity for work or pleasure – it’s forced behavior. Especially those 6am spin classes.
So a long-time friend of mine has recently gotten into cycling and asked me to ride with her for a bit. Sure! We’re to meet at her house at 8am. Huh??? Let’s make it 9 and I’ll probably by there by 9:15. The alarm goes off – GET UP, GET OUT! It’s going to be hot and humid today. I checked the weather forecast before I left and was reassured that the rain wouldn’t come until later in the afternoon. Fabulous.
We’re leaving her house, sun is out and as we head out we hear rumbles of thunder. WHAT??? Weather forecasters suck. I want their job where I can be wrong 98% of the time and keep my job. I look...
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By pamster on
7/1/2008 12:30 PM
Mosquito bites - check, bruises - check, worked on my tan - check, great time - CHECK
OK - so my triathlon weekend of hiking, mt. biking and canoeing looked more like sleeping, eating and rocking - in a huge rocking chair on the deck overlooking the lake with a honkin' mug of coffee in the mornings. I wish I had some brilliant report of actual activities but I don't. It was pretty uneventful but that's good. It was refreshing to do the hiking, biking and canoeing without looking at my watch tor thinking I had to finish in a specified amount of time. Watch?? I didn't even wear a watch! And no rain - that was sweet.
I do have to admit I'm a tad on the competitive side so once my partner and I were in the canoe, another canoe containing a couple pimply-faced prepubescent boys wanted to challenge the "old folks" to a little race. Needless to say we smoked 'em! We were ready for heat #2, they declined........sissies.
It's been awhile since I've been on my mt. bike and the trail was pretty...
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By pamster on
6/26/2008 4:58 PM
If you haven't figured out yet - my blog entries are song names.
No I didn't get dumped.....yet, but give me a few weeks. No I didn't dump my road bike. We actually kissed and made up (read my first blog entry if you're lost). It's been fixed/repaired and moved from the car to the cool indoors. But it will have to stay indoors because I'm choosing another bike this weekend. A woman's perogative. Heading north on a little road trip; self-imposed triathlon adventure and a small solo singing gig (my apologies to the other Four Easy Pieces). The triathlon adventure is composed of hiking, canoeing and mountain biking. There's storms in the forecast. HA!!!! I laugh in the face of weather.com. So stay tuned for a road trip, triathlon report when I return. If it really does rain then I ain't telling ya what we did! Or if it's a total disaster I'll block it out of my memory bank and move on a to new topic.
As I was running errands this morning preparing for my weekend, I looked in the rearview...
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By pamster on
6/19/2008 4:52 PM
Two of my passions are music and cycling - true Rock 'n Roll - get it? I ride my bike a lot and sing/play keys in a local rock band, Five Easy Pieces. Walk into my living room and you'll see two keyboards (the ones that make music) an acoustic guitar signed by Alison Kraus, 3 bikes, bike paraphernalia thrown on the floor and oh yeah - a couch and a TV. I do have to warn you up front that I'm pretty certain I have adult-onset ADD so getting off-track in a blog is a given. And I'm sitting outside typing this (gotta love wireless) so if a bird flies by or a squirrel and his/her significant other do some sort of high-wire trapeze act from tree to tree, game over. And don't even get me started on possibly seeing a shiny object because at that point I've checked out. Yep I'm pretty sure it's ADD and certainly not the aging process. I've been told on numerous occasions I don't act my age (40 something). Was that a slam? A friend who is my age was a little too excited about her recent Keds sneakers purchase. ...
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