Letter to my insignificant other

[smurfalicious]

So I rode today, without my well meaning insignificant other. He wants to try the trail tomorrow, so I thought I'd make it clear to him how I felt about that trail, and riding it with him. I grew some ovaries! And it describes my glorious "ahhh!" moments I had today I figured yall could appreciate.



Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 21:23:58 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Hillary Carter"
Subject: My ride and the like
To: ************


I wanted to tell you a little bit more about my ride today than what I could convey in a few minutes over the phone. In fact I had planned on doing this right when I got home but being that excited does take a lot out of ya, and a nap sounded really good.

Like I said, I was only planning to do the short loop, but I decided that seeing as how I have the whole day, why not just go for it. From the word go the trail was just pure fun. There were a few things that demanded my attention, but they were well spaced and breif enough that they weren't torture, but still gave me a
dash of confidence.

My right calve did start protesting so I found a nice shady spot and hung out. It was so peaceful out there, I just took it as a blessing to have a rare moment to just sit and reflect, or think about absolutely nothing if I so chose. It hit me right then that after years of working at the stables the type of trail and the surrounding vegetation normally would have bored me to tears, but today, getting there on my own efforts, I suddenly had a whole new appreciation of it.

As I trucked along I realized those little things along the way had really improved my faith in myself. At my own pace I could calmly pilot myself through two stumps I would normally get so nervous over I'd wreck into them and have to bail. If the better line went
through two rocks I mentally logged where they were, went forward and through them with ease. Oh, sure I ate it when I thought for certain my line was far superior, but overall, my confidence began to soar. I made it up hills I thought I had no business messing with, even made it up my first hill that politely
reminded, no demanded, me to get some weight on my front tire.

I felt absolutely awesome about myself, and my newly unearthed skills. I say unearthed because at least you knew they were there all along, I was just a little, a lot, incredibly timid about busting them out.

I was rewarded immensely for my efforts as I got to the top of Peterson Ridge. There spread out in front of me was nearly the entire Cascade mountain range in varying states of snowcover. I was so in awe at the beauty of it, and how hard I worked to have this unfold before me. It never ceases to amaze me what a
beautiful area we live in, but what was special about this was that it was a view their for everyone. It wasn't just available to those with enough money to buy a view lot, it's there for everyone.

Coming around the "lollipop" trail I was equally taken by an enormous pumice formation on the left, and the kamikaze chipmunks. I almost failed to notice the monstrous rock, but once I did I had to stop and stare. Some people probably will never appreciate the beauty of a desert, but in my mind, they're missing
out.

On the way down I did my best not to live on my break levers. It still scares me a bit, but I'm starting to have enough faith that I can live it up. I'm learning to just let it rip when it seems fun, and sometimes just because I think the fear is good for me. My dear
friend Chris in CA says I get this look about me when I'm just totally thrilled with what I'm going. Last time it was seen was when I was buried in my headphones on his turntables making a feeble effort to through down some disco house. As I came down the last hill, onto the huge berm and into the dry irrigation ditch I prayed, stuck my butt back as far as I could and as I hit the berm and didn't die, a big ca-ca eating grin came across my face, I stuck my tongue out and just let her rip.

Needless to say that was the most fun, and best waste of a day I've had in ages. I was giddy, so stupid happy and incredibly proud of myself. I got to the park and the whole world just seemed so perfect for a while. And that is what I would give anything to share with you. So I'm a little hesitant to take you out
there because I'm afraid if you're in a big old hurry it just won't be the same. It was pure stupid fun, and I don't want that ruined by trying to see how fast we can get it over with. Know what I mean?

Soooo, let me know what you wanna do. =)

love and cookies
-HillBill

i did not design this game
i did not name the stakes
i just happen to like apples
and i am not afraid of snakes

[bounceswoosh]

(nice ani quote)

Firstly, it wasn't a waste of a day! Sounds like a great day!

Secondly, don't I know that rushing thing. Last time I was out on a challenging (to both of us) trail with my husband, he explained to me that he didn't mind stopping to give me a breather, but he *did* mind stopping any longer than we had to. "I came here to exercise and spend time with you, not to look at the scenery!" said he. I am still baffled by how that sentence could make sense to him.

Ride some with the s.o., some with other friends, some just with other women and some by yourself. They're all different and all good. But be careful when you're out there by yourself and make sure someone knows where you are! It's no good to end up unconscious on an empty trail.

Nice letter.

[Waverly]

I really liked your letter. I think it explained exactly why I am enjoying this new found past time. I have a road bike and I love riding up and down the country back roads around where I live and just checking out the scenery. It is such a sense of accomplishment making it up those big hills! I hope your letter accomplished what you wanted it to as well!

Jessica

[gabrielle]

Originally posted by bounceswoosh

"I came here to exercise and spend time with you, not to look at the scenery!" said he. I am still baffled by how that sentence could make sense to him.

WTF??? Why else be out there but to look at the flowers & eat berries. The exercise is secondary.

But be careful when you're out there by yourself and make sure someone knows where you are! It's no good to end up unconscious on an empty trail.

Yeah...after my endo when I was lying in the trail for several minutes one of the things I thought about was "OMG, what if I was hurt and nobody found me all weekend!!!"

gabrielle

[emily_in_nc]

Smurf,

Your INsignificant other?

Hmmm....for a minute there, I thought I was about to read a "Dear John" letter!

Emily

[smurfalicious]

Well, little good that did. He failed to call me after work or this morning to schedule a ride for the day. What a punk! Oh well, don't think I'll be needing him for rides anymore anyway! I am a bad arse, and ain't no one gonna tell me otherwise. I'm thinking to celebrate my new found ferocity (is that a word) I'm gonna order that sweet Trashy Cat black jersey with the tiger stripped black section across it.

Bah, I found out he's been talking to his ex lately. Hey, fine by me, if he wants to keep sucking the fun out of everything, he can run right back to her! *laughs* She's the "Huuuuuny, I wanna spend time with youuuuuu! Let's rent a movie and cuddle on the couch," type. Grrr, why are guys sooo intimidated by active, tough, independant girls? Gawh, when I used to cowgirl for a living I could run boys off just looking at them!!! Dorks, all of them.

love and cookies
-smurferoo!

[Pedal Wench]

Get that Trashy Cat jersey. I'm getting one as soon as they get the leopard print one in. He'll be back once he sees that - if you want him back, that is! Go get out there. It sounds like it's more fun without him anyway!

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by gabrielle
WTF??? Why else be out there but to look at the flowers & eat berries.

I always thought it was all about stopping at peaceful old cemeteries and rescuing stray kittens and playing in waterfalls...



Guys miss a lot !

[smurfalicious]

Originally posted by Audio-A
Get that Trashy Cat jersey. I'm getting one as soon as they get the leopard print one in. He'll be back once he sees that - if you want him back, that is! Go get out there. It sounds like it's more fun without him anyway!

Ha haaa! That jersey is really hot huh? I went and looked at it again, and yeah, it's hot. Well, if I officially ditch his butt, I'll made darn sure I wear it to any race/trail/supermarket he might be at. I am bummed though, they're out of it in large. What is with bike clothes, I swear, who is small enough for the smalls? 90% of the girls I see out riding are solid, stout chicas who definately aren't accounting for those smalls!

love and cookies
-smurf

[Waverly]

I have issues with trying to get them big enough so they don't bunch up around my hips but they aren't to big everywhere else. If the jerseys are made for women you would think they would account for that!

Jessie

[Pedal Wench]

Originally posted by smurfalicious
Ha haaa! That jersey is really hot huh? I went and looked at it again, and yeah, it's hot. Well, if I officially ditch his butt, I'll made darn sure I wear it to any race/trail/supermarket he might be at. I am bummed though, they're out of it in large. What is with bike clothes, I swear, who is small enough for the smalls? 90% of the girls I see out riding are solid, stout chicas who definately aren't accounting for those smalls!

love and cookies
-smurf

Ha! And, I'm bummed cause they're out of the leopard one in the small! Can't we ever get a break??? I'm a solid, stout chica who just happens to fit into the small! (My body-image is so screwed up that in my head I'm about 5'9" and 200 lbs, towering over everyone I meet, but somehow, manufacturers play with my head and let me fit into a small!) Let's both get them - whether you ditch his butt or not!

[KkAllez]

I liked those Trashy Cat jerseys until I saw this one. It is to die for. Only downside is it is sleeveless and right now I need to concentrate on fall gear. I still may buy it anyway. It has attitude.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=8020

[emily_in_nc]

Kim,

Buy a Terry Bolero to wear over it (covers your arms but not the design) and you'll be all set!

http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail....s&item_no=1422

or

http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail....s&item_no=1420

No affiliation with Terry, just a satisfied customer. I wrote a "first impression" review of the Bolero over on girlbike.com if you want to check it out. Haven't actually gotten to wear it yet since it's been too warm:

http://www.girlbike.com/reviews/terrybolero.html

-Emily

[Pedal Wench]

Originally posted by Kim
I liked those Trashy Cat jerseys until I saw this one. It is to die for. Only downside is it is sleeveless and right now I need to concentrate on fall gear. I still may buy it anyway. It has attitude.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=8020

I don't like red stuff, but did you see the matching shorts???? I might just buy the shorts! They're hysterical!! Love that!

[Trek420]

emily_in_nc wrote..."Buy a Terry Bolero to wear over it (covers your arms but not the design) and you'll be all set!"

nah, I'm a big fan of arm skins, love them! hardly use my cycling jackets anymore, just vest, arm skins.

I like the versatality. All the way up when it's cold or foggy (lots of fog here), part way down as i warm up, even just one arm, arm skins with the vest or without etc. Looks like the Bolero you can't adjust the sleeves down, only maybe up off the wrists. And if you put it over a vest you have to take the whole shebang off to take the vest off etc.

nah, I'll keep my arm skins.