Thread Drift

[OakLeaf]

Yikes Helene! Hope he heals up quick. Any more, I'll pull for an entire ride before I'll draft a squirrel.

[Helene2013]

Thanks for him.

Husband was last in the peloton. This other guy had been warned by the ride leader at the beginning of the ride to stop zigzaging. Husband learned a lesson. He is no longer riding near cyclists that he has not seen in a ride and knows how this new one does in group. He will also keep a bit further behind if he has a choice. His group leader filed a formal complaints too but was replied that the 2 new guys were good cyclists! Heuh! They never saw them in the club before. And if you are used to a peloton, you don't zigzag or break for nothing. But 1st ride is also very touchy as everyone is not into the "feel" of a ride. He was also told that he will be "protected" by other members he knows so he can feel he rides safely. But for now, no club ride for a little while. He has to heal before.

I'm no fan of tight group rides. I guess you either like or not. I prefer to ride just the 2 of us, even if I don't go fast or tire more easily. I ride for fun, not speed.

They are even talking about cycling just a few of them, out of the club, since they ride well together and feel very comfy between us. It does not mean you'll never have an accident, but when you ride with people you trust, it makes a ride much more enjoyable.

[Trek420]

Helene2013, Wow, glad that hubby is ok. Like you I shy away from group rides and am picky about whom I ride with and near. Let's get Mr zig zag a fender with a sticker "warning. I brake for hallucinations"

I've decided to get back to the dojo. There are several Aikido dojos near us. I picked one to examine more closely, observed a few classes, talked to some senior students and finally with sensei, the head instructor. Introduced myself as an old, slightly outa practice, outa shape nidan (2nd degree black belt) and all said "cmon down and start training."

So I've now been to a few classes. Their style's a little different than what I've been doing since about 1980. But I should be able to adapt to it and its good to be back. Then the other day I get an email from someone at the dojo. Normally one or more of the students will take on administrative jobs, responding to correspondence, book keeping et al. In it she says as a new student I should be attending the basics class. Alrighty then, basics? Basics are always good to do but stick with beginners class for a month for a nidan?

So I'll go back and confirm with the head instructor. It was my understanding she wanted me to just fall in but if their tradition is different alrighty then.

[OakLeaf]

I was glued to the window of the plane on my flight home on Friday. I realized it was because I really still hadn't been back since December, on an emotional level. We came back before heading to Boston, but I had an 11-day turnaround (DH just a couple of days more). I just left my suitcase open on the living room floor and swapped out the contents.

I keep saying what a hassle spring marathons are. That must be why five of the seven I've run have been in the spring. D'oh.

[Crankin]

Well, it does seem like a better plan than coming from Florida, where you might have a 40 degree temperature difference to acclimate to! Now, you can relax and get on with everything else. At least you could just leave your open suitcase out, to pack for the Marathon.
Trek, I'd be really upset about the mixed messages you are getting from the dojo. I hope it works out.

[ny biker]

It's been years since I've had a cold this bad. Five days in a row doing almost nothing, staying home except for a few errands. Last night I started taking a decongestant, mostly in an attempt to keep it from turning into a bad cough (I'm getting post-nasal_drip sore throats at night). Unfortunately it's only a somewhat effect decongestant, but on the other hand I don't want the sleeplessness and other side effects of pseudoephedrine. And I feel so tired and even have some muscle aches. No fever though, and no reason at this point to think I need to see a doctor.

Boo.

[OakLeaf]

Ugh. Hope you feel better soon.

I still swear by black elderberry extract. I've tried EVERYTHING for colds - pharmaceutical, herbal and homeopathic - unlike most of it, elderberry just works, and I get no side effects. It works best if I can get on top of it as soon as I start feeling run-down, but it will definitely speed recovery. Quantum Health is my favorite, but it's getting harder to find as people realize what a bargain it is.

Take care of yourself.

[Trek420]

Trek, I'd be really upset about the mixed messages you are getting from the dojo. I hope it works out.

Well, it's kind of amusing really. Aikido, being a traditional art is a bit like stepping away from the hubbub of the modern world and into feudal Japan. So you bow at the door and step into a world where there's all this elaborate etiquette. Class by class it's mostly who starts a teqnique first, it's not as if anyone is committing sepuku if they do it wrong.

I don't want to step on feet, "I'm a nidan and I get to do this this way". But this A person who wrote me is likely waaaaaay under my rank and experience and really should have checked with sensei before she told me to go back to basics. I'll just talk to sensei and expect to clear this up. And then, there is a saying in the peaceful, nonviolent, supportive, protective, respectful, safe art of Aikido. "There is no revenge in Aikido. But there is "my turn"".

So I'll find A and just train a bit with her. That should clarify my rank.

[Pax]

So I'll find A and just train a bit with her. That should clarify my rank.

Does that mean you get to hit her with a stick?