Sportstracker

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Paul's Ride for Life - 53

Fabulous day for a bike ride. Nice and sunny and warmed up nicely. Was running late so playing catch up, which I was able to do by the second rest stop. Got to draft a little bit as packs went by and Tim pulled for a bit until we started an incline and I fell off the back. The ride back started off fast on the downhill but I was ultimately slowed by the false flats. Still made decent time and felt great. A good day on the bike.

Paul's Ride for Life - 53 by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details








Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Three Little Words

Three years ago today, I heard three words that would forever change my life: "You've got cancer." The words rang in my ears for a few minutes before they sank in but once you've become a member of "the most exclusive club that no one ever wanted to join," you have to take action and take your life back. Six weeks of chemo and radiation, two surgeries, countless scans and biopsies later, and I'm still here, better, stronger, more focused, and really happy to be alive.
It's amazing how such a diagnosis can have such a positive effect on your life. I don't recommend going out and getting cancer but it really does bring into focus what's really important in life and, more importantly, how precious every day, hour, and minute are.
Life is such a wonderful gift. Live it to its fullest. Enjoy its blessings. And fight like hell against its obstacles. Every day is the first day of the rest of your life. Don't waste the opportunity you have to make a difference. I'm thankful everyday that I have another day here on this earth to live, love, and even gripe. And thanks to all of my friends and family who have been there to support me. I can never ever thank you all enough for all that you've done for me.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

NOVA-CBG Tulip Ride (Partly) and Shiksa's Fit

A little cool and windy but beautiful day for biking. Set off on the Tulip Ride and lo and behold, the Di2 battery went dead, dead, dead. Luckily, I was in the big ring and big cog so it was a decent gear to be stuck in. Turned back after we got to the NPS Tulip Garden but forgot to turn on the Garmin so I lost about 2 miles before I realized it. Came home to swap out batteries with Ruby and set off to FreshBikes for Shiksa's bike fit. Put my "big girl" Speedplay pedals on, got new shoes and cleats, swapped out the stem and seat, and we were dialed in nicely. Getting out of the Speedplays is way easier than the Keos I used long ago and even easier than the SPDs I've been using. Now I have to put them on Ruby too. All in all, still a good day.

NOVA-CBG Tulip Ride (Partly) and Shiksa's Fit by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details









Sunday, April 14, 2013

NOVA-CBG Tour de Cookie

Bit chilly to start but still had a good time on the inaugural Tour de Cookie. I tried to eat cookies along the way and did at the first stop but when they were coming fast and furious, all I could do was stash them away in my jersey pockets for later. The hills of Travilah, River, and Seneca Roads did not disappoint but they were actually manageable. So I think I earned my damn cookies, especially after taking a wrong turn by being too literal with the directions on the cue sheet and doing a few loops just west of I-270 before I figured out how to get back on course. I did, sadly, miss one of the cookie stops in the process. Oh well. And we had an excellent post-ride brunch/lunch with some tasty drinks at Matchbox. Definitely a fine day.

NOVA-CBG Tour de Cookie by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details














Saturday, April 13, 2013

NOVA-CBG Cherry Blossom Redux

Lovely morning for a casual ride to visit the cherry blossoms with the Meetup group, followed by a lovely lunch at Guapo's. Shiksa showed herself off, the little diva that she is. I think I'm really gonna like this new bike.

NOVA-CBG Cherry Blossom Redux by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details
























Thursday, April 11, 2013

Shiksa and Me and the Cherry Blossoms

Rode Shiksa to work to show her off and so I could do some riding in the afternoon. Left work early to go see the blossoms at the Tidal Basin and Hains Point. Then had a nice ride home. The Shiv climbs better than I thought she would, probably because she's lighter, more aero, and my speed is faster coming into the uphills on rollers. Not too shabby.


Taking the Shiv to Work to Show Her Off by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details

Shiksa and Me and the Cherry Blossoms by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details