I Did It!

[mtbdarby]

Ok ladies,
I keep reading all of your wonderful accomplishments and I've been feeling like a slug over here so I made like Nike and Just Did It - I commuted home from my new job - a mere 28 miles! It was a gorgeous day Tuesday and my biking buddy agreed to pick up my 4 yo from daycare. I hopped on my beau-utiful Trek (Nanci, I think I'm gonna call him Forest - as in Gump - because I can ride to my hearts content on him like he just ran for a year).

Anyway, it took me an hour and 54 minutes to get home over rolling hills and about 10 miles of heavy city traffic. I saw turkey, quail, emu, horses, cows and deer on the way home. I ate a package of lime jelly bellys, drank my water and deflected several bugs off my teeth and felt like a million bucks when I got home! One goal down, here's what's coming up....

Saturday I will ride my first 6 hour mtb race solo . http://www.wemseries.com/GEARS05.html My biking buddy called this morning and will most likely head to the race with me and ride the mens 6 hour. Yippee! It's over 3 hours just to drive to the race and I would appreciate the company.

June 4th I get to meet Madisongirl at the Big Ring here in Wausau. http://www.wors.org/schedule/event.php?event=9 I'm planning on riding in the women's citizen class for my first WORS race.

I've been yearning for an adventure so here it is. After pming with SJCzar, I'd decided to ride GRABAAWR - 490 miles in 7 days at the end of June . http://www.24-9.com/ And she'll be riding too so I get to meet another TE woman! I'm so pumped up it's ridiculous but I just had to share this with you guys.

And all this will get me ready for my big race at the end of July - 24 hours of 9 mile http://www.24-9.com/ I will be deciding after this weekend if I'll be riding 12 hours solo or as a 4 person team.

Thanks for listening and for posting all your goals and accomplishments. It helps me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things which is what I want, I just sometimes need a kick in the dupa to get going.

[cindysue]

that's fabulous Darby,

It's a great feeling to get out of your car and bike to work. I have a similar commute - 25 miles with hills, etc. You can't always take a full two hours to do it, but it sure feels great when you can. Good luck with your upcoming races!

[Quillfred]

Hey congratulations, you are an official member of the Commuting Club. What a daily distance that is. Think of the money you're saving and all the fun you're having.

[Geonz]

I'm impressed. Just do it -- a lot to that "just!" but you made it happen. Sweet!

[VenusdeVelo]

Good job mtdarby -- i know that feeling of trying to pry yourself out of winter (and unfortunately spring) in Wisconsin and getting into full swing!! Good for you. I am moving back to WI June 1 -- and hoping your story inspires me as well to get moving on goals!!

Always looking for friends to ride with, so PM me if you want to ride (road or MTB, just getting back into MTB so a little "sluggish" at the moment )

Keep it up!!

[mtbdarby]

Thanks ladies!

Venus, where are you moving to? I'm in the middle of the state.

Weather is obviously a big factor in commuting, but the biggest factor for me is guilt. I'm a single mom and I have my 4 yo during the week so that's my time with him. If I commute - even one way, I don't get to spend any time with him and I have to make arrangements for someone to get him from daycare. That means he's with someone other than me for 12 hours a day and I struggle with that. I only get him 4 nights (mon-thur) and friday we're on the road to bring him to his dad's so it's a huge factor for me and I most likely won't commute much. But it was fun to get one under my belt!

[VenusdeVelo]

Hey Dar, Moving to Milwaukee (south east part of the state) -- forgot, I think you're in Wausau area? Or near there? We've been looking at places to ride at 9 mile and such and go thru that area on our way up to the inlaws near Chequamegon.

We should see if we can do any events and meet up, or some weekend ride...TE girls alive and well in Wisconsin!

[RoadRaven]

Well done Darby - and great to see your goals spelt out here

I have found posting them here at TE quite a motivator...