OK, now that's more like it

[Lise]

The weather today was near perfect for a ride. 66 degrees! What a difference from 41 and biting wind on Saturday. Today is overcast, some wind out of the south and west. I took off in bike shorts under running tights, a silk long undershirt, tech long sleeve shirt, light vest, and wool socks. By 3 miles, the vest and tights were off. By 8 miles, the silk shirt was off. It was perfect after that. I'd taken my small Timbuk2 bag, and it all fit.

I was going to put the new bike on the rack and drive south, looking for a good place to park and ride along the less-travelled part of the lakefront path. Realized that I didn't want to spend the time hauling out the rack, putting it on the car, etc. So I just rode over to the lake and north, 5 miles from my place to the turnaround at the northernmost point. Flying. I am so powerful on my fabulous new bike! I think. Ahem. Coming south I encountered a little thing called "wind", which was pushing me going north! But I rode into it, really not bad, went south to the dog beach at Belmont, and stripped off one of the shirts. Stretched, drank some water, came on home past Wrigley Field, where the Cubs will play this afternoon. 12 miles altogether. A good start to the season.

The guy I'd been seeing for a month disappeared without a trace this week, and my heart's been feeling pretty bruised, if not exactly broken. I know he's not dead, because he's still online, looking for love. He kissed me goodbye last Monday morning, exchanged some light emails...and vanished into the vapor. No response to my last email or phone call saying, "How's your week been?" First time that's happened to me. I did not see it coming. I have enough dignity to just let it go. I am so grateful that I have my bike, and some years of biking and triathlon under my belt. No matter how weak, naive, dumb, unattractive (fill in the yucky thought) I feel when I think about him, I feel strong, smart, and hopeful when I'm riding 22 miles a hour on the gorgeous new bike I earned. I have a race season planned. I know that by the end of it, I'll be stronger than I've ever been, in both body and spirit.

And I look forward to meeting someone like the wonderful men I hear about here on the TE board. You'd better believe I'll let you know when I do!

[Nanci]

If he's the kind of guy that can just vanish without even saying "Hey, this isn't working for me" then he's a loser anyway. I'm sorry...(Hey, but what about that bike shop guy???)

Nanci

[Lise]

Seriously. Not man enough to say goodbye? Certainly not man enough for me.

I do think I'll go back for my bike fit "check up" on a day when Dennis is there...thanks for the reminder, Nanci!

[Running Mommy]

What Nanci said!!!
Hmmpph.. I just don't get guys sometimes??
Well as they say in Australia ( Or England- can't remember).. Keep Yer pecker up!!!
You are one awesome woman and deserve nothing but the best. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason...
Stand tall and and proud!
Denise

[mtbdarby]

Lise, awesome ride! I was out today mapping a bike route at work thinking I should be riding instead, hehe. Good for you on getting out.

As for the guy. Gee, didn't biker chick start a thread once on dating?? If it's any consolation, my last one ditched me at 3 weeks via email at work because I wouldn't sleep with him. Losers abound out there so we're looking for a special breed of man that can handle wonderful women like ourselves (you pat yourself on the back and get yourself down to the bike store).

On the bright side, I've been dating paramedic guy for a month now and so far so good. So there is hope for us cycling singles. Keep your chin up!

[CorsairMac]

Well as they say in Australia ( Or England- can't remember).. Keep Yer pecker up!!!

actually that would be MidWestern USA ma'am...and you would have my ex-trucker husband in right about now for not only Knowing that expression but using it!! I mean ------ You're a GIRL!!!!!

[Lise]

Thanks, ladies. Denise & Corsair, you crack me up. I'll endeavor to keep the ol' pecker up. ummm...whatever that might mean in my case! Darby, glad to hear things are going well with paramedic guy. There's hope, always hope... and there's the bike.

[betagirl]

Excellent ride. And yes, I felt that wind today too. But for some reason it wasn't too bad because I was in shorts and a short sleeve jersey today.

As for the guy, bah. I know it hurts and you'll work through it. I hate when guys are like that. I dated a guy for a while, and actually thought he was "the one" (long story) and he just fell off the face of the earth. I mean seriously, just grow some balls and dump me. It's so childish. What others have said is true, but it still stings doesn't it? It certainly has nothing to do with you as a person though. He's the one with issues.

Cheers

[Fuji Girl]

He's the one with issues.

+100,000,000

[Lise]

I mean seriously, just grow some balls and dump me. It's so childish.

This is what I'm saying.

I thought this guy had potential to be "the guy" for me...well, he puts up an excellent front. Pretty hollow. I must say I'm glad he showed his true colors now, and not later, when I'd really opened my heart.

Sorry to hear about the moron who left you. Is there maybe a large crack in the earth we don't know about? Well, I have joined the cadre of women who have been inexplicably and ignomiously dumped. I'm grateful for the moments when I laugh.

And yeah, that wind...somehow, not too bad. You know we're real Chicagoans! Thanks again, guys, er, ladies!