<![CDATA[Women's Cycling Discussion Forums - Open Topic (non-cycling)]]> http://forums.teamestrogen.com/ en Thu, 23 May 2013 14:11:10 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.teamestrogen.com/images/styles/Luburox_Blue/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[Women's Cycling Discussion Forums - Open Topic (non-cycling)]]> http://forums.teamestrogen.com/ Hehehe I start a job at a bike shop http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51715&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 23:18:12 GMT Oh boy oh boy.
I made a few bikes go tiiiiiiimber on the displays because I am short! That was embarrassing especially in front of a few customers. I'm still trying to figure it out haha.
I'm still learning. I've volunteered at a few bike shops before but this is totally different because people need you to walk them through everything.
Job isn't commission based so I don't have to sell anything. When I volunteered at the bike shop most of the kids already knew what they wanted and we had pretty simple stuff...it was a community bike shop with mostly refurbished parts.
The shop I work at now sells mostly Trek, Del Sols, Dahons, Masi and bmx bikes (which i know nothing about).

Does anyone have any tips? I'm definitely not a fast learner. ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) amyp http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51715 Tornado Alley members? http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51707&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 08:29:54 GMT I know we have members who live in states that have had terrible storms these past few days - when you get a chance check in and let us know that you are ok! I know we have members who live in states that have had terrible storms these past few days - when you get a chance check in and let us know that you are ok! ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) Catrin http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51707 Does anyone have a SPOT device? http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51702&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 15:08:32 GMT Hi all,

I've been given a SPOT (Satellite GPS messenger) to use when on fieldwork with my job, as we're often out of cell phone range. I haven't quite figured out how to use it though, despite my best efforts at deciphering the enthusiastic manual.

So as usual I turn to the friendly and knowledgeable ladies here. Anyone here have and use one actively, for sending ok messages or tracking their progress? I seem to recall someone mentioning it as a potentially useful safety device when cycling out of cell phone range. ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) lph http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51702 The Orphan Black thread http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51699&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 16:26:28 GMT We've had a Dr. Who thread. Since Orphan Black follows Dr. Who on the Space channel I was wondering if anyone else is watching it? It's one of the more imaginative new shows on the Space channel, which has been going downhill a bit lately. (Endless re-runs of Stargate and ... Castle??? Castle is a science fiction show?)

It's a BBC America production, filmed in Toronto, with a lot of Canadian actors. So, if you have BBC America, you might get it.

It's getting exiting, although there are few plot holes. Having grown up in a neighbourhood with a lot of immigrants, I find it hard to believe that Felix and Sarah would still have such strong English accents if they'd been brought to North America as children. Their gardian, yes, but kids lose their accents very quickly. Still, I suppose it's the only way to distinguish between a lot of characters played by just one actress. ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) nuliajuk http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51699 Short-term housing ideas? http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51686&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 22:01:30 GMT I'm running out of ideas, so maybe you all can help me?

I have two interns coming in from out of town for 3 months this summer. They will need short-term housing that is furnished. We investigated corporate housing, but all the options are extremely expensive. Even the crappy-ish places are $89 - $99 per night. Both interns will have a $750/mo stipend for housing plus they will be making a salary. Both are responsible graduate students and I assume neither will have a car (I know that one won't, I haven't confirmed with the other one yet).

We've tried craigslist, sublet.com and uloop.com with no luck. I've put something up on the bulletin board at work (such as it is) but I don't expect that to really pan out.

Any suggestions on places to find short-term housing? ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) GLC1968 http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51686 Do you shop with a group of women? http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51663&goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 03:12:12 GMT Last Thursday, was a girls' night retail event in one of the neighbourhoods. A marketing event with discounts at various stores and restaurants, to bring in more business.

I went by myself. I noticed women in pairs or a group, window-shopping and chatting up with the retailers who offered snacks and cookies, etc.

Then I realized how RARELY I go window shopping with my good female friends over the ...um...decades. Happens once a year, with a sister or friend. Some years, never.
I wondered if I was missing something but honestly, I'm at a point I really don't spend more money on stuff I don't need. And when I really need stuff, clothing, I like to take my time looking, trying on clothing....without wasting friend's time while I dither away on my decision-making.

I've moved several times across Canada. I rarely see my family members, my closest friends, that when I see them, I don't want to distract precious time on sharing important news and thoughts about ourselves, with the distractions of window shopping. So it's lots of time at a café, restaurant or at someone's/my home. Fortunately my friends and family are like myself. That's just me too.

Maybe I can't multi-task. :o ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) shootingstar http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51663 Finally--after unstuck elevator, etc. http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51655&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 12:45:53 GMT Our building elevator was fixed..finally. I haven't been able to bring down the bike through the staircase in the last 2 sunny summery days to go cycling. Have been bringing up my bike to my suite because underground garage parking lot door controls are not working for nearly past wk.

I know, I know..but my bike though lighter than other bikes, I still can't hoist it upward on steep flights of stairs. I live 7 stories up. These are times I wish I was taller...

But anyway, back on bike.. ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) shootingstar http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51655 The Difference Between Dogs and Cats http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51636&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 12:53:33 GMT I laughed so hard, my dog came over to comfort me. I'm sure he thought I was crying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=Oq8nYgnE93Y ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) Muirenn http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51636 Family members getting into cycling, exercise http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51623&goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 03:40:48 GMT So dearie has had his well-loved, well-used touring bike (titanium) Miyata ready to donate to local non-profit community bike co-op. But as it turns out his daughter and her boyfriend realize they had better get into some exercise. He (in his early 40's) was interested to get back into some light cycling around town for transportation. He did used to bike for transportation decades ago, so not unfamiliar.

So the 25 yr. bike was given to him. Always a great thing a well used, well-loved family bike gets passed over to another interested family member! Dearie gave some extra bike parts he had on hand too.

On the other hand, his daughter is not comfortable cycling...she's been experiencing dizzy spells in past few weeks. So it'll be yoga/pilates for her. She's in her mid-30's. ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) shootingstar http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51623 Back from vacation and celebrating http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51612&goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 22:57:09 GMT It has taken me four days to catch up with real life, detatch the very clingy dogs and cats ( mom youy went away and left us with strangers!) and download the photos from our trip. We thouroughly explored San Francisco, rode a cable car, ate too much dungenes and blue claw crab and celebrated... It has taken me four days to catch up with real life, detatch the very clingy dogs and cats ( mom youy went away and left us with strangers!) and download the photos from our trip.

We thouroughly explored San Francisco, rode a cable car, ate too much dungenes and blue claw crab and celebrated the 40th anniversary day by riding a couple of rental bikes from Pier 39 ay Fisherman's wharf to Sausalito across the Golden Gate Bridge for a grand total of 12 miles. We have plans to make this an every ten years event until we have to be dragged across in trailers behind the bikes.

A quick reprise. There are several bike rental companies including one that rents electric assist bikes. We opted for one called "Blazing Saddles" for obvious reasons. We chose not to go with the expense of a road bike rental, but took the lowest price range which was a comfort hybrid with a rack, front bag, wide comfort seat, front and back shock absorbers,helmets, wide tires Why a comfort bike?- because it was a bit less than the other bikes and we were only planning on doodling along. The bikes were ok except for the fact the the front and rear gearing was opposite of our road bike gearing, ie the rear derailleur was on the left and the front gearing was on the right. Fortunately the brakes were the same as on a road bike. Unfortunatly, I didn't really figure out the gearing until I had walked up the first 1 1/2 hills. After that it was fine and I granny geared up the other two hills with no problem.

The rental fee included a trip back from Sausalito on the ferry so it was a nice little package and came to $100.00 for the day for the two of us.

We rode past all of Fisherman's wharf and out along the water side to the Presidio on bike path. Then we hit a long but not horribly steep hill and a shorter steeper hill, both of which were highway but the traffic was light ( we rode on a Monday but I'm sure if had been a weekend it would have been crazy.) The two hills and a bit more of false flat and we were on the bike/walk path on the east side of the bridge. Things were a bit congestd right at the beginning of the bridge because of the pedestrian traffic but when it sorted it self out, it was easier to maintain a nice easy 3-5 mph and since we were on the East side, we had a full view of the city scenery. They trade to paths to alternate sides depending on the time and day. Since we hit the bridge at 10:30, the wind was fairly low and there was no rush hour traffic. The ride was smooth except for at the points where the spans came up through the bridge, then you had to do three short sides of a square and the was the possibility of someone coming in the opposite direction coming around the corner at you. Luckily there were only two of these.

The other rough spot was at the Sausalito side where the connection between 101 ( the main route on the bridge and the coastal road was being reworked. This required that the bikes be walked down a steep set of stairs (with a narrow plank ramp for the bike,), across the ravine below the bridge (amusingly or perhaps seriously marked as a Tsunami zone) and back up an equally steep stairs on the other side . Having hefted the bike and knowing that it was about twice the weight of my road bike I was prepared to try it with a death grip on the brakes. Fortunately there were a couple of helpful, handsome young construction workers there to help anyone who needed it, with their bikes. I availed myself of the help and learned that the bikes are deliberately heavy, non carbon, to avoid easy theft. We then rode down the hill to the coastal road and climbed back up the headland towards Susalito, covering another couple of moderate climbs and the a nice downhill coast into the town of Sausalito.

The town itself is right against the headland hill and only about three blocks wide. We rode through the town to survey it, stopped at a couple of bike shops, walked through the central plaza,park, square, fountain... and found a seaside seat to have a glass of wine and some bread and cheese while waitingfor the ferry back to SF.

The ferry ride stopped at one island in the bay which is a national park (Angels Island, and stopped at another to pick up some passengers, then went back past Alcatraz to the Fisherman's Wharf where we unloaded oursleves and the bikes. It was a short 1/2mile ride through the tourists to return the bike and we got back in time for a cleanup and a nap before a celebratory dinner at The Cliff House( a Victorian bath house for Sailors that has been converted to a restaurant.) The view of the ocean and the sunset was rather spectacular.

We spent another 4 days in a rental car going up the northern California Coast as far as highway 1 would take us. We went through a couple of Redwood forests, drove out to a light house and saw Elephant Seals and pups on the protected beach below, saw some petrified redwoods and then cruised back down highway 101 (Pacific Coast Highway) through the two wine vallies of Napa and Sonoma, and flew back home again.

I could say a lot more but I will let the pictures speakClick image for larger version.  Name: P4260412.jpg  Views: 20  Size: 71.5 KB  ID: 16203Click image for larger version.  Name: P4290132.jpg  Views: 28  Size: 42.8 KB  ID: 16199Click image for larger version.  Name: P4290121.jpg  Views: 24  Size: 111.2 KB  ID: 16200Click image for larger version.  Name: P4290120.jpg  Views: 45  Size: 35.9 KB  ID: 16201Click image for larger version.  Name: P4290116.jpg  Views: 22  Size: 51.2 KB  ID: 16202

the captions should be: Sea lions at Fishermans Wharf, the anniversary couple, view off of the bridge to the shore, Marni and the Sag Guy on the bridge with Alcatraz behind, the bike path and one of the bridge supports.
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]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) marni http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51612 My obliques are so sore... http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51604&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 14:29:35 GMT It feels like my ribs are bruised! They aren't.

Monday's workout was killer. For a change of pace we did heavy weights, low reps and A LOT of push ups! 325 push ups! I did about half as regular push ups and half on my knees.

Today was also low reps and heavy weights for legs. I set new PRS on leg press, leg extension and hamstring curls. We also did 2 minutes of jump rope, 3 times. I was thrilled that I made it through all three two minute sets without stopping. I don't want to go to work; I want to take a nap!

Veronica ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) Veronica http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51604 Kitty question... http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51599&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 23:36:59 GMT Hey everyone...my male kitty Harley (roughly 8 or 9yo, neutered) has recently had an abrupt change in his voice. This all started a week ago, while out in our backyard with my hubby he encountered another neighborhood cat that must have been sitting in one of our shrubs. According to my hubby,... Hey everyone...my male kitty Harley (roughly 8 or 9yo, neutered) has recently had an abrupt change in his voice. This all started a week ago, while out in our backyard with my hubby he encountered another neighborhood cat that must have been sitting in one of our shrubs. According to my hubby, our cat let out "the most blood-curdling screech" that he has ever heard as a result of this encounter. My kitty has met this other cat before, but he obviously does not like it (we think it's a male). The next day following this incident, my Harley could no longer "meow" like he used to. Let me add that he is normally a VERY vocal kitty...he "talks" a lot! So to have him go from a clear-sounding "meow, meow, meow"...to a very hoarse, raspy-sounding "errrgh" is sort of heartbreaking. I miss his constant meows...it is what defined him. We brought him to the vet that we had been taking him to, and they really sort of dismissed it. The doctor did a quick exam (felt him all over, checked his heartbeat, temp, ears, etc) and asked US what we wanted to do! I was kind of taken aback by that. She recommended starting him on a low dose of prednisolone oral suspension for several days to see if that would improve things. I wasn't really on board with that idea, but honestly, we didn't know what else to do at that point...so reluctantly we agreed to it. We managed to give him 3 doses, before he made it so difficult to administer...that we just gave up. He seemed to improve for a few days, but this morning he was clearly not himself again (very quiet, moping around, not his normal "active" self). We have an appointment with a different vet (2nd opinion) tomorrow morning at 9am. I'm a little worried that it might be something more serious. Has anyone else encountered a larengytis-type of issue with their cat?

Linda ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) nscrbug http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51599 Never too old, vol. ? http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51595&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 16:45:04 GMT Really cool photo essay on masters' athletes.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/pi...?frame=2555913 ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) OakLeaf http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51595 Which Hawaiian island for our first visit to Hawaii? http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51589&goto=newpost Mon, 06 May 2013 18:22:35 GMT This will be our first real vacation (outside of local hiking/kayaking or trips to see my parents in FL) since our honeymoon, 10 years ago. :eek: We have the opportunity to go to Hawaii in mid-June for about a week.

Which island should we choose? I don't know that we'll want to do a bunch of island hopping, and as we've never been at all, I expect that which ever one we choose, there will be plenty to see and do. We like adventure and will not spend more than an hour or two actually relaxing by a pool or on the beach. We'd rather explore - tide pools, hiking trips, sea kayaking, snorkeling, etc. We are also not into nightlife or big cities and my H is not a fan of the Bed and Breakfast set up. Neither of us dive or surf, if that's a consideration.

Any suggestions? ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) GLC1968 http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51589 Pantyhose??? http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51572&goto=newpost Fri, 03 May 2013 20:42:50 GMT Hi Ladies, Leaving tomorrow for jolly olde England. My daughter is getting married there next weekend. Do women wear pantyhose these days? I rarely dress up and the wedding is a small casual affair. I am wearing a dress and my husband says I need pantyhose and I thought they were almost a... Hi Ladies,

Leaving tomorrow for jolly olde England. My daughter is getting married there next weekend. Do women wear pantyhose these days? I rarely dress up and the wedding is a small casual affair. I am wearing a dress and my husband says I need pantyhose and I thought they were almost a thing of the past in spring and summer.

Help!

Thanks. ]]> Open Topic (non-cycling) DebSP http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=51572