silver ride report and updates

[silver]

Mr. and I had a great ride today. We've had a tough winter/spring with Mr. losing his father and other issues that we have been dealing with. Also, the midwest weather has been rather uninspiring, with rain, snow, cold, wind, and floods. So, needless to say, we've not had the opportunities for the riding that we would have liked.

So, we today, we had one day free in Gulf Shores, AL with nice weather. I've been anxious to get a longer ride in (with all that's going on, I've not had a ride longer than 50 miles this year) I like to work up by 10's and 15's in ride distances. So, I was hoping for a metric century. Mr. was somewhat unmotivated, so we made him a bail out plan if he wanted it, with the understanding that I could go on to get the 62 miles in.

We did two loops of the west end of Fort Morgan Road and finished strong. We averaged 17.3.

Then we spent some time on the beach and ended the day at Tacky Jack's 2 for some "Mexican Garbage" beer and wine.

It was a lovely day!!

Other news from the Silvers:

I am now officially LCI #1950!!!! It was a beast getting everything put together to get to the seminar and the weather was so cold and windy and rainy the weekend of the seminar that I wondered if I'd ever want to ride again. But I did it and accomplished a year long goal. Now I'm planning to do put on some training classes and starting to think of my next goals which include wrench and fit certifications.

This past Sunday I completed my first triathlon of this season (my fifth ever). This was my first "longer than a sprint" triathlon. It was 1500 meters swim, 40k ride, 10k run. I got third place in my age group! I'll get Mr. to post a picture. I hadn't had the opportunity to train the way that I would have liked for this tri, but I decided that I'd plow through anyway. My biggest obstacle was the swim. It was my first longer swim, in "real" open water (meaning not a little bitty lake) with waves and wetsuit. I told Mr. to expect me out in an hour and I finished in 35 minutes. This was a triumph for me.

So, that's what's going on with silver.

Mr. has been working hard. I'll get him to post an update.

So, go ahead, ask questions, give me your update, silver hugs to all! I love y'all!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/etsterling/102_1083-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/etsterling/102_1087-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/etsterling/102_1091-1.jpg
My wave started 20 minutes later than clock time

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/etsterling/102_1092-1.jpg

[makbike]

Silver,

Congrats on your tri!

Are you and Mr. Silver coming to Kentucky for the Horsey Hundred?

[Melalvai]

That sounds great. I'm quite a bit envious, of your LCI and your triathlon. Hopefully some day I'll get there, at least the LCI.

[silver]

We are planning to!

[Mr. Bloom]

Silver did awesome!

I rode the Tri Riding and Running course before the competitors got to it. The wind at beach level was fierce and for Silver to have maintained the average she did on the bike was outstanding!

I almost missed Silver because she was so fast in the swim - very impressive. The white caps in the sound were whipping due to the wind, and I'm quite impressed with how well she did.

The Tri-volunteers did really great - particularly for a first event. With the Naval presence in Pensacola, there were some gung-ho volunteers and competitors. EVERYONE was great!

After checking out of the Condo, we went to BIKESPlus in Pensacola after I had two days of flats (after my rides were complete...). They were outstanding as well. I now have Kevlar Tires:rolleyes:...worth it to me to avoid flats since I usually ride after work when darkness could be a problem...and repacked hub bearings...

:mad:Then, we were seriously REAR ENDED by a Pensacola driver:mad:...With three bikes in the van, our rental options were limited, so with a few newly drilled bolts and :pDUCT TAPE:p holding the bumper on - we're driving a wrecked van back to Indiana tomorrow...I'm going through my unpretentious, I really don't care what people think phase:):D but I didn't want the complication of leaving a car 700 miles from home for a repair...:(

[Red Rock]

Wow!! What a story. Congrats on the Tri. Someday, I will do a "Sprint" but not quite yet. I am glad you made it back home safely with the car in one piece. At least no bikes were injured, or you all for that matter.

Good luck in getting your distances in. Your doing better than I am.

Ellen

[Zen]

Great shots!
Did you cut your hair short?

What we've been up to?
What come immediately to mind-
One TE'er hit by a car, one got married, some of us concerned about being seen as poseurs or Fredas, and others went kayaking and looked at birds :D



.

[Velobambina]

You are awesome, E!

[OakLeaf]

Way to go Silver! Great job on the tri and getting your LCI!

And y'know - if you can't fix it with duct tape, it ain't broke.

[indysteel]

Congrats on your latest tri, Silver and I'm glad the both of you got a nice day of riding in.

Are you still planning on doing the Horsey? I hope we can get together. It looks like I may be going down there by myself.

Be good!

[SouthernBelle]

Great Job. I pride myself on driving ugly vehicles. But even I don't have anything duct taped!

[Jo-n-NY]

Silver, congratulations on the tri and becoming LCI.

The pics are great!!!

~ JoAnn

[sundial]

CONGRATULATIONS SILVER!!!

What an outstanding job in your meet! I know it's been a tough training season for so many because of the uncooperative weather. Well, you just stepped up to the plate and knocked that baby outta the park. :)

Forgive me for asking......what is LCI? :o

Mr. Silver, as always you are there to save the day.

[silver]

I did get my hair cut shorter. It's a little longer than shoulder length and dyed back to my natural brown. but in the pictures it's pulled back in a pony tail.

And LCI is a League Cycling Instructor. this is a certification program from the League of American Bicyclists. It focuses on safety and riding technique and gives credentials to teach several League safety classes. The Seminar to get the certification is somewhat strenuous.

Thanks gals for your continued encouragement.

I saw IFJane's wedding pictures! What fun! But who got hit and are they OK?

[Mr. Bloom]

Are you still planning on doing the Horsey? I hope we can get together.

We'll be there...We're staying at the Hampton Inn again. Maybe we can meet along with Makbike again and at least start the ride together (before everyone leaves the middle aged Mr. Silver in their dust)

[BeeLady]

Wow -- that's great on your triathlon and LCI. You are an inspiration! And all that great support from Mr.!

[indysteel]

We'll be there...We're staying at the Hampton Inn again. Maybe we can meet along with Makbike again and at least start the ride together (before everyone leaves the middle aged Mr. Silver in their dust)

Absolutely! I'll PM you, Silver and Makbike as the date approaches to figure out a meeting place and time. I'm staying at the Comfort Suites.

[IFjane]

Silver, I am VERY interested in the LCI - what details can you give me regarding the certification? I want to do it during the summer or next fall, if possible. (I am a member of LAB but haven't investigated much yet.)

Congratulations on the certification AND the tri!!! How awesome! You are an inspiration. And thank you for your good wishes - we had a great time - in a "tacky" sort of way! :rolleyes: (I love you, Mom):cool:

[Zen]

MM_QFC! and her friend were hit.
Damnable drunk driver got a twofer, so to speak.
You can read about it here-
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=22987



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[silver]

Silver, I am VERY interested in the LCI - what details can you give me regarding the certification? I want to do it during the summer or next fall, if possible. (I am a member of LAB but haven't investigated much yet.)

Congratulations on the certification AND the tri!!! How awesome! You are an inspiration. And thank you for your good wishes - we had a great time - in a "tacky" sort of way! :rolleyes: (I love you, Mom):cool:

I really encourage you to get your LCI! It's a wonderful learning experience. For me one of the biggest obstacles was that there were not classes in my area.

First, you must take the League Road 1 class. It's an 8 hour class. Then you atttend the LCI seminar. It's 2.5 FULL days of instruction and on bike time. Prior to attending the Seminar you must study and pass a pre-test. Also somewhat intense.

All the info in on the league website. PsyclePath and TrekJeni are also LCI's. There may be others here that I don't know about.
http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/teach/

[PscyclePath]

Silver, I am VERY interested in the LCI - what details can you give me regarding the certification? I want to do it during the summer or next fall, if possible. (I am a member of LAB but haven't investigated much yet.)


Here's the link:

http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/seminars.php

You need to have completed the League's Road I course with a score of at least 90% in both the written exam and road test. The next step is to register for one of the LCI training seminars. The fee is $200, then they send you the pre-course packet, with all the various student and instructor manuals. At least a week or two prior to the seminar you have to turn in your written answers to the pre-seminar exam, and score at least 85% on that.

The LCI seminar is at least 21 clock hours of instruction, generally covered in two or three days over a weekend. The seminar is focused strictly on how to teach cycling; you're expected to have the course content down pretty well before you show up for the seminar (which is what the advance packet and the pre-seminar exam are for.) In addition to the classroom instruction on teaching methodology, nearly half the course is spent out on the bikes -- just like most of the League coursework. There are a couple of structured rides where your riding and vehicular cycling skills are evaluated, and every candidate must satisfactorily teach each one of the parking lot bike handling/hazard avoidance drills, graded by your trainer and your peers. You will also practice teach one of the subject modules in the Road I curriculum, graded by all your classmates and your trainer. And there's a night ride, where you learn to teach that part of the Road II and commuting courses. It was tough, but awesome. I did my seminar in Louisville, KY last year, and it was three days of bike immersion. I parked my truck at the hotel when I got there Thursday night, and didn't fool with it again until I started it up to go home at Monday early dawn. Everywhere we went, everything we did was on the bikes.

The LCI certification process is designed to produce competent cycling instructors, but it also gives you a very solid foundation and experience for working in bike advocacy and related projects like Safe Routes to School and Complete the Streets.

Now we just need pix of Silver in that pretty blue and yellow LCI jersey...

Tom
LCI #1853

[Mr. Bloom]

Now we just need pix of Silver in that pretty blue and yellow LCI jersey...

Now all she has to order it.

This just in: I think there will be a Road I course in Bloomington on May 31 and Silver may assist. SilverSon will be a participant and I'll help out as well.

My humble condo is available to anyone traveling to the course.
:rolleyes:I can accommodate up to 35 lined up like sardines on the floor!:rolleyes:

[mupedalpusher]

I was glad to meet Silver when she was in Columbia for her LCI. I too am an LCI and assisted with the classes. I don't know how the other local LCI's felt but I for one would gladly help host another class here.

mupedalpusher (aka Pam Thorne) LCI#1756

[IFjane]

Wow - this just sounds awesome. I can't wait to get started. Unfortunately it will be fall before I can commit the time. Stay tuned - I hope one day to have an LCI #, too. :)

[silver]

I was glad to meet Silver when she was in Columbia for her LCI. I too am an LCI and assisted with the classes. I don't know how the other local LCI's felt but I for one would gladly help host another class here.

mupedalpusher (aka Pam Thorne) LCI#1756

I KNEW I was forgetting to include someone important! Of course, MUPP is an LCI! she was MY LCI on the Road Course! The Seminar was awesome and intense, and very rewarding. hopefully TE will be adding a few more to the ranks, soon.