Excuses excuses

[murielalex]

Sounds like a great set-up, Crankin. I'm really happy that yiu ger to enjoy this chapter of your life!

My thoughts as well.

Right now my fav excuse is that the house is getting out of control so I need to stay in and get those papers back in order. Of course, I'm also quite fond of telling myself that I need to ride, so I can't deal with the paper clutter today. Excuses are so versatile.

[chatnoire]

@Kathi - Those storms were insane. We're more central than you, it looks like, so we only got the noise, no damage.

I used those storms again as an excuse today, but more because of fear that the path would be slippery and covered with debris from last night's storms, hail, wind, etc. We're under a tornado watch again (and it was a warning till 6) so yeah - I was a little worried about venturing out. Especially because the storms can be so spotty here. It can be straight up sunny in one neighborhood, but 5 miles away be hailing/tornadoes/torrential rain. Plus, the flood watch is directly related to the river my trail runs along.

But it's still maddening.

I'd love to find more people willing to get out in the am, as I am blessed with an open schedule this summer. I'm studying for my comps exams in October, and working only 8 hours a week, so I pretty much have no time-based excuse. I'm leery about biking alone though, for reasons I haven't been able to articulate yet. My boyfriend likes to ride with me, and we do 2-3 decent rides a week, but still - I get a little anxious being solely dependent on him as a riding partner. When my best friend lived here, we'd ride (she was my ride partner for my first 1/2 century last year) but she's gone now. (boohoo!!)

[tulip]

2 jobs is my excuse. And nearly weekly traveling. But I enjoy the jobs and most of the trips are short. I can get a good ride in one hour from my house. Intervals help.

[Artista]

In reference to Crankin's and Indy's comments about life circumstances changing our riding focus, I'm much more inclined to trade non-essential responsibilities for riding time after being in a leg cast last fall. Now I appreciate riding sooooo much that I'll live in a messy house if it means that I can sneak in a few more rides that week.

I don't ride when thunder and lightning storms are threatening, though, and I never feel like I "whimped out" even if the storm doesn't materialize.

[Koronin]

Weather is a big one. I still can't tolerate the heat/humidity of coastal eastern NC in the summer without doing anything other than walking to my car, to the house, store, whatever. I swear this is a harder adjustment from moving from Charlotte (more foothills) to the coast than it was from Ohio to Charlotte as far as summer heat and humidity. Plus in Charlotte there was a most definite fall and spring (not as long as up north, but still there). It's not nearly like that here. Also my ears cannot take any wind at all. On a non windy day I have to wear ear protection, so if it gets too windy, they just can't take it.

[Crankin]

I don't ride in the rain, either. Sure, I've been caught out there, but I don't like it at all. Threatening storms, well, I watch the radar, but I also don't feel badly if I don't go and nothing happens. I'll either get on my treadmill, run in the rain, or go to the gym. Wind, well, it's usually only an issue here after a big rain storm, typically early spring or in the fall. I also watch for early AM black ice on the edges of the road, in the early spring/late winter, as that's what caused my friend to crash and break his hip.

[solobiker]

Hey my fellow CO TE friends..those storms sure have been crazy. That is one thing that keeps me inside. Although I have been commuting by bike and in the past have made it home just before the big ones hit.

Aritsta, I am with you on the "messy" house can wait idea. I would rather have fun and experiences rather then a very neat and orderly house. My house is clean..just a little disorganized.

I work with the older population in a rehab setting and see how life is way too short and that I need to take the time now while my body is "young" to ride, bike, hike, climb..etc because before I know it it will wear me out just to get dressed or cook a meal.

[Artista]

I work with the older population in a rehab setting and see how life is way too short and that I need to take the time now while my body is "young" to ride, bike, hike, climb..etc because before I know it it will wear me out just to get dressed or cook a meal.

Probably not as long as you continue to bike, hike, climb, etc.

Yes, Wednesday's storm was brutal. It's Friday morning and we still have unmelted hail in our yard even after getting to about 80 degrees yesterday. I hope that it stays dry for the rest of the weekend so that we can mtn bike. Otherwise I may have to work on those non-essential responsibilities.

[chatnoire]

Otherwise I may have to work on those non-essential responsibilities.

That's what I'm doing today, grrr. The cleaning lady is coming, and I cannot sit around and study while she's here, so I end up cleaning the parts of the house that she isn't doing....So today is going to be inside cleaning. I think tomorrow we'll do a ride, and we're definitely up for the IS-GT ride on Sunday. Hopefully some other CO TE gals will be there?

It's tough for us, because we started biking together, essentially, and we are both students. Boyfriend is taking 6 credits and working full time (and currently trying to beat Diablo 3 )and I'm supposed to be doing my reading, keeping the house clean, and working at the archive this summer. Wednesday's storm threw my whole schedule off. Blar.

(and my yard - crikey. It's a mess even without the storm, but that's another thing I need to work on that's non-essential but essential. We're hosting a big bbq for friends in July and we currently have a dirt yard with weeds. Um....)