I'll be pudgy yet another day

Wow...a whole week has gone by and not a single blog entry from yours truly. Dreadful (for me, anyway). I've not lost my blog mojo, I just have been so busy that by the time I get home, I don't have much left. It's the new job with the lingering "new job smell" that's doing it, although I am not complaining. I'm happy to have a job, for starters, and I like the one I've recently been hired to perform. But my schedule has changed drastically, and I'm back to 5:00am gym workouts (love it). This means early to bed, early to rise. Hopefully, I will adjust here soon and my blogging will resume.

My gig with The Examiner has to end, though. I'm bummed about it, but I just don't have the time to dedicate to writing meaningful articles about cycling. They need someone who eats/breaths/sleeps pedaling. As deep as my passion runs for this sport, I want to do it and not always write about doing it except from a very personal viewpoint...i.e. this blog. Articles take more time and consideration - time that I could be spending either on my bike or doing something that keeps me in the shape to be able to ride.

Speaking of...I rode today (of course). I didn't ride far or hard, but oddly, I'm tired tonight. After last week's century ride, I was craving something a little less leg-loaded, and Herb promised me but 40-50 miles with enough climbing to suffer but not enough to wipe me out for tomorrow's butt-burning mountain bike ride (yippee!). He did not disappoint although I didn't end up riding his route. I'll get to that in a minute.






First, the cast and crew: Herb, The Lobsters, Ron (who was visiting from Northern CA), Bill (someone I've not seen or ridden with in over a year or so), Rob and Tom. We all met at The Hub. I had intended to ride there but wanted a little extra sleep, so I drove. I was still late (as usual) and harried. Luckily, a couple of others were a little late, so the timing was fine, and we all took off as a group into the cool morning air. It was luscious outside today, and although a tad warm on the way back, perfect riding weather!







Our pace from the beginning was relaxed, no one in a hurry - nice! We chatted and rode along Riverside enjoying the morning sun's gentle caresses. I was trying out a loaner camera (mine is in the shop) and had the damn thing on the wrong setting all day. I got so few pictures out of the many I took, much to my dismay. But without knowing this (didn't discover as such until I got home and downloaded the pics), I had pulled ahead of the group and was snapping away with my usual pic-taking enthusiasm.

Now, I haven't announced this on here as I was asked to hold off, but now I have permission. Lisa, the prettier Lobster claw, is pregnant. Yup, she's gonna be a new mommy, and, in fact, was pregnant when she was side-rammed by a deer on Angeles Crest! Thank goodness her little bun was safe in her oven that day! - and what a testament to how tough she is.

Anyway, at present, Lisa is near 4 months in her pregnancy. She's dealing with morning sickness and new changes in her body. Riding a bike can't be comfortable for her, but she's determined to pedal. I understand that and encourage her as long as it's safe and she feels up to it. Today, she did not. Instead, she was tired, nauseous and hurting. Lisa will HTFU and push through for the most part and it wasn't until we'd climbed almost to Foothill Blvd. above Montrose that she announced the ride was over for her.



Her plan was to go grab a bite to eat (to settle her stomach) and to wait for the rest of us. As I stood on the side of the road watching her pedal up to me (and just prior to her announcing her departure from the ride), it struck me that likely today would be one of the last Saturdays she'd be riding for awhile. I really like Lisa and will miss her, but babies do take priority over cycling! So, I knew she was near turning around at that point and I had already decided that I'd go with her. I know...I'm not her or anyone's mother, caretaker or body guard. But remember, I was there with her (my contemporary, friend and peer) when the deer crossed the road. The memory of that dramatic experience has not left me, and the last thing I'd want is for Lisa to ride off alone.



However, let me state here - Jason offered to stay/go back with her. He and the other boys came back to find us (Lisa, Herb and I) at Goldstein's Bagels in Montrose. Jason was concerned for sure. But I told him to go ahead. I actually was looking forward to hanging with Lisa, drinking some coffee and just enjoying the day. So, the boys took off and that is exactly what Lisa and I did. We were joined by Alan and Vince, my two Brutos buddies I haven't seen in awhile (what a treat!).




The ride home (to The Lobsters' place) was mostly downhill and flat, and we took our time. It was warming up at that point but nothing unbearable, and the air seemed blessedly clear of any smog (although I'm sure I'm kidding myself!). I rode all the way to Lisa's doorstep, hugged her and took off back toward The Hub. It then struck me that I might be able to meet up with the boys on the way back, so I called Herb. Yup. They were just hitting the bike path home.





"You'd better hammer," Herb told me. Yeah, right....like they wouldn't wait on me - I know them too well! Wait they did (Jason said for 20 minutes, but I think it was more like 5) and hammer I did. Felt great too! Then, once I caught up with them at the end of the bike path, it was a simple retrace of Riverside back to The Hub. There I talked with and hugged Ellen and bid most of the men goodbye. I then joined The Lobsters and Rob for lunch at Portos. No food porn shots, sorry! But, oh my goodness, that Cuban food was good - always is. I tried a new sandwich today (not exactly diet-friendly either). It was sweet Cuban bread with ham, roasted pork, pickles, Swiss cheese, butter and mustard. Oh well, I'll be pudgy yet another day...heh heh.

Another wonderful day of riding with stellar company and weather. What more could I wish for...