May 20, 2012
Day 2
WIND
Our group felt great satisfaction at the end of the trek today as we experienced one of evils of cycling: the wind. It is the one weather condition that demoralizes me because I know that I am working for nothing. I am flipping my pedals around as if I am climbing a 9% grade and yet the terrain actually flat.
Wind is unyielding and unforgiving.
It reminds me of Aesop's fable in which The Sun and the Wind compete to see who can get the traveller to remove his jacket. The moral being "Gentle persuasion is stronger than force." This can guide us in determining the best way to ride in the wind.
Your optimum course of action is not to fight it. You will not win. Choose an easy gear and spin as if you were climbing. Even in a crosswind, you will have better control over your bike if you spin at a high cadence. By doing this you will minimize the lactic acid production in your legs and you will be ready to go for it when (or if) the wind eases.
Ok!! Enough advice!
So, how was the group? I guess it can be summed up by the numbers:
Km rode: 54
Daily espresso: 6 Yes readers that is just my consumption!
Dinner courses: 5 (including a top 5 lifetime dessert for me)
Total riding time (hrs): 4
Flat tires: 2 (myself and one other guy)
Bottles of wine at dinner: 2
Riders voted off: 0
I guess the wind did not prevail in our french fable either.
Cheers :)
Thursday 24 May 2012
On our rides, finally
May 19, 2012
I have to say that I am spoiled to travel any other way than on my bike. It doesn't hurt that our guides make arrangements for the transport of our luggage right to our room. The first day of group travel can be a bit stressful as we don't know each that well and like all good reality tv competitors, we want to establish ourselves in an appropriate role. One of my diva buddies made me promise to not over function during the trip. I had shared with her that since I had help bring this motley crew together, I felt responsible for everything from the food to the weather. None of which I can control. We left Avignon by van to rendez-vous (see how I am integrating French vocabulary!) with our bikes and our other guide. As a group, I think I can safely describe us as heterogenous with cycling ability ranging from a daily bike commuter with century rides sprinkled in on weekend to one guy who is a self- proclaimed non-trainer and purposely did not prepare himself for the riding in an effort to prove all of us 'anal athletes' wrong. We also requested a variety of bikes. I, of course, opted for a road bike and brought my own pedals. As much as I love my own ride, the thought of schlepping it through airports and train stations was not appealing. On the other hand, using my own bike shoes and pedals gave me an instant comfort on my stead. At the other end of the spectrum were people who choose hybrids for the more comfortable upright feeling. We rode a lovely 20 km to lunch and then carried on. It should be noted that it takes a special kind of discipline to get back on your bike after a few glasses of wine. I am thankful to my system that quickly metabolizes the alcohol !!! The afternoon was beautiful with rolling terrain and some amazing vistas of classic Provence valleys. We arrived at our hotel in Grignan, a quaint inn with colored themed rooms and antiques dating back 300 years, after a solid 40 km. As it is the weekend, our guides decided, last minute, to stay in and eat at the hotel so during our welcome reception, we were informed that we would have to eat "in the kitchen". The table was set with pretty chantilly cutlery and china and adorned with rose petals. It didn't look like my kitchen. Private formal service ensued and a great meal and conversation was had by all.
So far, nobody will be voted off the island, but the week has just begun :)
train.write.inspire.travel
I have to say that I am spoiled to travel any other way than on my bike. It doesn't hurt that our guides make arrangements for the transport of our luggage right to our room. The first day of group travel can be a bit stressful as we don't know each that well and like all good reality tv competitors, we want to establish ourselves in an appropriate role. One of my diva buddies made me promise to not over function during the trip. I had shared with her that since I had help bring this motley crew together, I felt responsible for everything from the food to the weather. None of which I can control. We left Avignon by van to rendez-vous (see how I am integrating French vocabulary!) with our bikes and our other guide. As a group, I think I can safely describe us as heterogenous with cycling ability ranging from a daily bike commuter with century rides sprinkled in on weekend to one guy who is a self- proclaimed non-trainer and purposely did not prepare himself for the riding in an effort to prove all of us 'anal athletes' wrong. We also requested a variety of bikes. I, of course, opted for a road bike and brought my own pedals. As much as I love my own ride, the thought of schlepping it through airports and train stations was not appealing. On the other hand, using my own bike shoes and pedals gave me an instant comfort on my stead. At the other end of the spectrum were people who choose hybrids for the more comfortable upright feeling. We rode a lovely 20 km to lunch and then carried on. It should be noted that it takes a special kind of discipline to get back on your bike after a few glasses of wine. I am thankful to my system that quickly metabolizes the alcohol !!! The afternoon was beautiful with rolling terrain and some amazing vistas of classic Provence valleys. We arrived at our hotel in Grignan, a quaint inn with colored themed rooms and antiques dating back 300 years, after a solid 40 km. As it is the weekend, our guides decided, last minute, to stay in and eat at the hotel so during our welcome reception, we were informed that we would have to eat "in the kitchen". The table was set with pretty chantilly cutlery and china and adorned with rose petals. It didn't look like my kitchen. Private formal service ensued and a great meal and conversation was had by all.
So far, nobody will be voted off the island, but the week has just begun :)
train.write.inspire.travel
Sunday 20 May 2012
A Return to Provence
Hello readers,
Again you find yourself wondering where is my favorite blogger. It is a good news/bad news story (good for me and, well you know the rest) What follows is an excerpt from my journal that I am writing while cycling in France for the next week. I will try to protect the identities of the innocent (emphasis on try). Please enjoy this post. I will be adding more as the week goes on :)
May 17 2012
Day 1 A Return to Provence
I am sure there is no one in my immediate circle of acquaintances or, even anyone that I spend more than 15 minutes with, that has not heard me regale the amazing experience that my husband and I had in Provence in 2011. Deciding to return was the easy part (ah, duh!). It was more difficult to imagine how the trip could be even better or close to it! I guess it all came down to what we truly value in this lifetime: friends and family. The 2012 edition of our trip won't be as random as the last time. Last year, we booked with a fantastic company, Great Explorations, and took our chances as to who our fellow cyclists would be. We found ourselves with three other cyclists with whom we meshed very well. This year we invited a few friends and my brother-in-law. All have some touring experience and all are up for the challenge. The only thing left in question is, will we get along? Now I don't want to set this up as the next Canadian reality show but stay tuned :)
Again you find yourself wondering where is my favorite blogger. It is a good news/bad news story (good for me and, well you know the rest) What follows is an excerpt from my journal that I am writing while cycling in France for the next week. I will try to protect the identities of the innocent (emphasis on try). Please enjoy this post. I will be adding more as the week goes on :)
May 17 2012
Day 1 A Return to Provence
I am sure there is no one in my immediate circle of acquaintances or, even anyone that I spend more than 15 minutes with, that has not heard me regale the amazing experience that my husband and I had in Provence in 2011. Deciding to return was the easy part (ah, duh!). It was more difficult to imagine how the trip could be even better or close to it! I guess it all came down to what we truly value in this lifetime: friends and family. The 2012 edition of our trip won't be as random as the last time. Last year, we booked with a fantastic company, Great Explorations, and took our chances as to who our fellow cyclists would be. We found ourselves with three other cyclists with whom we meshed very well. This year we invited a few friends and my brother-in-law. All have some touring experience and all are up for the challenge. The only thing left in question is, will we get along? Now I don't want to set this up as the next Canadian reality show but stay tuned :)
Tuesday 8 May 2012
Four Word Life Path
Happy Tuesday,
I can hear the deafening screams, "Where have you been!!!!"
As a friendly reminder, I promised myself to only write when I really had something to say. I have been listening and researching 'blog culture' and there are well defined camps divided by the main issue 'Is what you write about pertinent/interesting/relevant/etc?' This only reinforced my commitment to only write and post when it felt right. That was my attempt to apologize for not posting recently:)
I have been in questioning mode over the past few weeks. It strikes me in spring as the invariable inquiries from friends and training buddies start popping up, "Hey Norma, are you racing this year?" I usually skirt the conversation and never really give a straight answer as if I am not even thinking about it.
The truth is. . . . it is ALL I am thinking about!!!! Well until I heard a fantastic interview with another sister (or should I say sistah!). Gail Simmons was on CBC radio speaking on the morning show Q about her new entry on her CV as host of Top Chef Just Desserts. This is not a foodie blog so I will cut the important part of the interview (the entire podcast is definitely worth a listen: Gail Simmons on Q). She shared a story about how she got to be a TV host and food taster which to most of us is the dream job. Gail was visiting her mom and one of her mom's friends right after she finished university. While trying to answer the age-old question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" her mother's friend offered some advice: think of four things that you love to do. Simple, right? With no attachment to order or job prospects she slapped down: eat, write, travel, cook. And then she shared how she was doing exactly that.
How is this related to "my race season"? When I heard her four words, I knew what mine were and I also realized that we all have four words and they create a path for our lives and our careers. If you had no attachment to what is logical or what will bring home the bacon. What are the words that excite your soul? The four things that would complete you and keep you engaged and enthused about your life?
What are THOSE words?
Mine came to me in a flash and I realized that although racing has been and may still be a vital part of my life, it is actually the training that I love. The feeling of accomplishment after a tough set; the satisfying latte after my hard ride. These are the threads that make up the fabric of my life. So my answer to the question about my race season:
train...write...inspire...travel
Find your words :)
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