here I am!

yeah, hey...sorry. The holiday's change in routine, some looming project work and a sick kid have kept me away. I was totally going to put some music up last week, but then I slept till noon on Friday and it was really nice outside after that, so I ditched the blog in favor of enjoying the sunshine.

Anyway, a few things I've been meaning to talk about...

1. The MS150. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but HOLY CRAP, IT'S NEXT WEEK. :) I picked up my packet a week or so ago (#2400!), and I just got an email yesterday about the company jerseys. So, things are starting to come together, but I'm sort of uncomfortable with my team situation. There's been so little communication about ride details, and that makes me really insecure. I've never been good with team sports, big groups, what-have-you, and I'm also one of those people that likes to know exactly how a thing is going to go, especially when I'm doing it for the first time. I want to know exactly where to go and who I'm going to talk to, and ideally, exactly what to say and what their response will be. I'm not so much getting that here.

   For instance, I'm considering an alternate start location so that I can ride with people I know, vs. people who technically work for (or are married to or friends with someone who works for) the same company but whom I have never really met. However, since I haven't heard any details on the ride-day logistics of my team, I don't know whether I can drop off my stuff with the team the day before or if I am required to make other arrangements to get my stuff to the tents if I am not there for the team start. So far, all questions I've emailed to the organizer have been either ignored or answered weeks later, so I'm not terribly keen on sending another one. I suppose I can ask at jersey pickup. Maybe there'll be a flyer.

   Team anxiety aside, I'm getting kind of excited about the event. It's both my longest ride and my first multi-day tour. I need to send out a fund-raising email in the next couple weeks, but I already have enough donations that it will only take a few people to get me over the top. Physically, I'm not as light or as fit as I envisioned that I would be when I first started training, but I'm still way better off than I was then. I can totally do this...I just hope I'll have enough info beforehand to figure out a workable plan.

2. The bike. It's still clicking. Since I did have the bottom bracket cleaned and repacked with the tune-up, that bike mechanic was wrong. I can't really blame him, though, since I think I've narrowed the problem down to the right pedal. He wouldn't have been able to hear it with the bike on the stand, since it only happens when I'm clipped in. (What's disturbing is that he did hear a clicking, or pretended he did...so what the hell was that, then?) When I'm clipped into the right pedal, it clicks. The more pressure on the pedals, the louder the click. When I unclip the right side, it stops. If I unclip the left, clicking continues. Oddly, it also stops when it's raining (which explains why I didn't hear it on the Space Race...by the time the rain let up, the ipod was going.) I think it might be a lubrication or grit issue, or maybe something with cleat positioning. It happened with both sets of shoes, though, so a cleat problem is unlikely.

   Luckily, I have the same model pedals on the commuter bike, so I can easily move them to the Pilot to see if a worn pedal is the problem. I only rode the commuter a couple times before it started in with the front wheel wobble, so the pedals are practically new. If that doesn't work, well, I've been wanting to try a different pedal system anyway.

3. The Betty. I broke down and ordered a Betty jersey at bonus time, because I've wanted one since I first saw it (I forget where...Commute By Bike, maybe?). It was back ordered, but still arrived earlier than predicted. The only place I could find it didn't have it in an XL, so I ordered a large*. It's a little more snug than I'm comfortable with, especially in the arms, and the fit's a little weird through the bust...it's tight across the front, but pouches a little near the shoulders in the back. That could be because the sleeves are so tight, clinging where they shouldn't and making the rest of the jersey drape funny...I don't know.

   Even though I could have used a bigger size, I do like the jersey. The cut is very curvy, which suits me well. Usually, I have trouble finding jerseys that don't ride up on my hips, and this one has enough room even in the large. The houndstooth pattern looks more computer-generated (pixellated?) up close than I expected, but from a distance of 2-3 feet it's cool. And that little pink skull on the pocket? Too cute!

   So I'm torn on what to do with the jersey. It's a tighter fit than I'd like, but honestly? I still look pretty hot in it. If it weren't for the sleeves practically cutting off the circulation to my hands, it would be totally wearable. I'm tempted to just convert it to sleeveless, but I kind of like the pink 6s on the sleeves. So I think I'll just put it in the jersey drawer and try it again later this summer. When I've hopefully lost a pound or two. Or 10.

   (*They have a sizing chart on that page now, but didn't at the time I ordered. That's some info I could have used...L=8-10? Are you kidding me with this, Twin Six?!)

4. The weight. Speaking of losing weight...I don't know, guys. I've kind of lost my focus. I'm sure that comes as absolutely no surprise to anyone who's been reading here for the past few months...all things diet-related have kind of taken a back seat to things cycling. Now that the MS150 is nearly here, though, I'm wondering what to do next.

   Aaaand that's a whole other post, just waiting to be sorted out. Let's move on, for now. :)

5. Wicked! We're going to see Wicked this weekend! I'm so excited...I love me some musical theater, and I've heard nothing but good things about this show.
   

So, that's what's been going on with me. What's up with you?

Posted by Joy at April 11, 2007 11:38 AM