Cycling Sabbatical (and Gnat's gettin' hitched!)

[gnat23]

I was lucky enough to have a 6-week break from work.

Me and the guy took our road bikes to the Tuscany area of Italy, where it rained nearly everyday. We only got one ride in, oof.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4662130978_d478068c36.jpg


So we packed up the car and drove to Nice, France and did a few rides there.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4662143918_70e9cecf91.jpg


Back in Italy, we hiked around on the one beautiful sunny day, and he proposed. :eek: I'm pretty sure I said yes!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4614093007_d65aab299e.jpg


He went back home, and I went on to Egypt and Jordan to go ride something different for a while.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4663365226_f0b17e169b.jpg


Then I did a Western Spirit MTB trip through North Dakota on the Maah Daah Hey trail, where it rained a lot there too (but not as dramatically plan-killing!)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4693861011_f91bd4c3de.jpg

So, the man is thinking of getting a nice Rapha suit for the BIG DAY, so uhm, what sort of wedding dress can I ride a bike on? :D

-- gnat! (omg!)

[zoom-zoom]

Yay!!! And that ring is beautiful! I love the brushed metal look. I am debating whether or not to have my ring brushed. I had it reset last Summer (lost weight years ago and didn't love my original setting, so decided it made sense to have it completely redone) and wanted it brushed, but the designer talked me into having it done shiny, then brushing it later if I still wanted that look.

Is that yellow gold? It has an almost coppery look to it...very cool!

And how awesome to become engaged during such a wonderful trek...that's an amazing memory in itself. :)

[malkin]

Woo Hoo!!

[gnat23]

Thanks, Kirsten! He says it's "pink gold" and when that became known as an option, there wasn't much else to talk about. :D

He got the diamond (from his mom, daw) inset and the brushed metal as an "adventure ring", since I can be a little hard on jewelry. I've already put a couple of scrapes on the darn thing (hello, rock climbing!), but at least it's hard to notice if you don't know they're there!

-- gnat!

[Tuckervill]

Congratulations!

When I read cycling sabbatical, I thought you were taking a break from cycling! Glad that is not the case!

Karen

[Selkie]

Congratulations! Your ring is beautiful -- unique and very classy.

[lph]

Congratulations, and what a wonderful way to remember the proposal :)

[indigoiis]

After your adventure story last year about doing that mad climbing race you guys did, and looking at all the loving photographs he took of you, I am not surprised to hear he proposed! How very romantic.
And it sounds like you're getting lots of great travel in, too.

[indigoiis]

Here's some dress ideas:

I like the racing stripe here:
http://www.theriocollection.com/gallerypost/small/jewelry135.jpg

Sarong, on the right.
http://www.weddinginspirasi.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/alberta_ferretti_wedding.jpg

Wicked girly and retro:
http://www.bridezunited.com.au/index.php?action=mgallery%3Bsa=media%3Bid=3221

[maillotpois]

congrats!

[Trek420]

GNAT!!!!

You are one of our favorite haven't-met-you-yet folks on TE, and we are both so happy for you! Congratulations!

Nice rock! (and that's how we set our engagement ring... very sensible for cyclists!)

-Trek and Knot

[Jones]

Congrats, I say wear any dress you like and buy/rent a bike to accommodate the dress.

[TrekTheKaty]

Congrats! Great pics :D

[Grog]

Congratulations!

Beautiful pics, too!

My engagement ring (which I don't wear often) is white gold but my wedding band which I always wear is pink gold. The two together look quite unusual and, I think, beautiful. Great choice!

Any dress above mid-calf behaves very nicely on a bike, especially if the bike has a chain guard. :)

[jobob]

Way, way cool.

[Librarygirl]

Congrats Gnat!!

So romantic and lovely - a proposal while cycling in Europe.

I am inspired by your love of pink, by the way. When I started cycling last year I was all - "Oh, I can't go for girly girl pretty cycling clothes and bikes, especially pink, that's so embarrassing." Even though I really am a girly girl!

Well, I now own a pink jersey and I just bought my first road bike in pink! It's so pretty and I love it and am very proud of it!

I hope you find a lovely pink something to wear for your wedding :D

Linda.

[Bike Chick]

Congrats, Gnat! How neat.

[redrhodie]

Wow, how romantic was that! Congratulations!

[bunny_ninja]

Wow! That is awesome! I *would love* it if I were proposed to on a bike.

My ex-husband proposed to me when I had a severe headache for 2 months. I was laying in the dark, in the bedroom, and he came in with a roll of electrical tape. I think he proposed only because he was worried I would die. Ehn. I divorced him for a cyclist :D

And as a present to myself for the divorce paper signing was my Specialized Ruby! HAH!;)

[sgtiger]

Wow, it looks like you're having a wonderful time on your sabbatical. And to be proposed to like that is very sweet. Congratulations to you and your man!

[Tri Girl]

Congrats!! I *LOVE* the ring!!!! :D:D:D

Your cycling sabbatical sounds like a dream!!

[indysteel]

Awesome Gnat! Best wishes to you and your fiance. I hope you have many happy years (and miles) ahead of you!

[bmccasland]

Congratulations Gnat! Like the ring, a more realistic solitare setting for the sports minded set. I can't believe you wore it rock climbing. :eek:

There's always the bride jersey :D:rolleyes: Or were you wanting something that looked more like a real bridal gown? :p

[Chile Pepper]

Congratulations! Love the pink gold.

[gnat23]

Thanks everyone!! :D

Beth, I think The Man has nixed the idea of the tux/gown jerseys in favor of having a Bespoke Tailor deal with outfits (he's currently drooling over the Rapha tailored wool jacket... maybe I should talk to Sheila Moon...)

-- gnat!

[Trek420]

maybe I should talk to Sheila Moon...)

-- gnat!

Does she make this in pink? ;)

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_11600.html

[tulip]

Best Wishes, gnat!

[GLC1968]

Very cool! Congrats!!

[IFjane]

Wow! I have not been on TE in MONTHS and this is the first thing I see! Congratulations, Gnat! My DH & I got married on bikes also - but no dress/tux for us. I had a regular jersey but had an artsy friend make a veil to go on my helmet.

Whatever you decide, make it your own and HAVE FUN!!

[sgtiger]

Does she make this in pink? ;)

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_11600.html

Actually, yes they do. It has the eyelet lace trimmed hem on it which I think gives it a classic romantic touch.

http://store.sheilamoon.com/product_info.php?products_id=29&osCsid=481a0hjp5aol8f2c97tqilf1s1

[Trekhawk]

Congratulations!
Love the snaps and the ring is beautiful.:)