Ever look around at your life and realize you do very little socializing that doesn't revolve around bikes? Sometimes I wonder if it's a problem, like what would I do if I couldn't ride anymore? Who would I talk to? How would I get my jollies? Would I become the Frida Kahlo of cycling, painting tortured interpretations of my lost cycling days?But that's neither here nor there. Last weekend was all about my little bike world.
Friday night was the Hellyer Hoedown, sponsored by Velo Girls and La Dolce Velo. Lorri asked me if I wanted to help, and I asked for a spotlight position. I was assigned bell ringer. Lorri said all I had to do was ring a bell and look cute. No problem. I've been cute for years, and my bell ringing fingers work. turns out I had to pay attention to the racers and the laps, too. Then there were three different guys giving me three different directions promising to coach me through it all. I thought it must be more complicated than it seemed, being there was so much seriousness in their eyes. Add to that Lorri using kinesthetic sexual innuendo to model bell ringing, and I was dust. Turns out it was simple, but I still did it wrong. By the time I figured out it was simple, and the first guy to give me directions was the only one I should have listened to, I was fired. I got canned from the dumb pretty girl job. Never mind that Facebook has me listed as 62% intelligent. I know I was wrong for this job because there was no creativity involved, and a lot of paying attention. I am very bad at being serious, meticulous, and paying attention. But my outfit was super cute. Okay, I can pay attention to matching colors and lines.
Saturday, woke up lazy and laid around for a while because I knew I had to wait for Jimmy to finish putting his new ride together. We finally got it together at 3:00. Off to Demo to see about the fire damage. We parked around the corner from the road closure, and were almost on the bikes when we were told by some riders that the road was open. In the car we hopped and drove down to the gate. Riding up Highland, we saw a lot of ash and fire crews doing clean-up. On Buzzard Lagoon, we were passed three times by CDF trucks. We thought we were free to cruise up the climb without another stop when we 
were confronted by a skunk family. The mother skunk bailed on the babies and they united against us. Jim and I were chased by four or five fuzzy little fur balls. I couldn't believe we were being intimidated by baby skunks, but they knew the power of their spray and brought it on. When they were satisfied that we were truly afraid of them, they ran back into the bushes. After a lot of "Let's see how we feel"s, at the top, we rode Braille. I had no mojo. The dirt was really dry and slippery, and I was really tired from the baby skunk chase. On the drive home we were confronted by a road block where none had been before, and had to go the long way home through Corralitos. It wouldn't have been so bad surveying more fire damage, except we were starving.
were confronted by a skunk family. The mother skunk bailed on the babies and they united against us. Jim and I were chased by four or five fuzzy little fur balls. I couldn't believe we were being intimidated by baby skunks, but they knew the power of their spray and brought it on. When they were satisfied that we were truly afraid of them, they ran back into the bushes. After a lot of "Let's see how we feel"s, at the top, we rode Braille. I had no mojo. The dirt was really dry and slippery, and I was really tired from the baby skunk chase. On the drive home we were confronted by a road block where none had been before, and had to go the long way home through Corralitos. It wouldn't have been so bad surveying more fire damage, except we were starving. Again, trying to be lazy on Sunday in the hopes of resting up for the laundry, watching a
movie in bed, ring! Nic wants to go on a road ride. I suggested the pie ride, and off we went. All was well and good. A chatty pace, for 25 miles of rolling climbs ending up at Gizdich pie! Nic had a Dutch Berry and I had Dutch Apple. Nice pie and coffee talk, then off for the 18 miles of flats back. All was well and good until a mile from home, Nic and were brazenly riding side-by-side so that she was lifting her front wheel over the drainage grates. Apparently our conversation was that important. Inspired by her boldness, I compressed my bike and lunged up to clear a pothole. I learned really quickly that there is a difference in the reaction when compressing a steel frame compared to a full suspension bike. I got higher than I thought, and came crashing down hard on my left side. I have some elbow abrasions and a little hip scrape. My left side shifter needs lots of love, now. So does my neck.
movie in bed, ring! Nic wants to go on a road ride. I suggested the pie ride, and off we went. All was well and good. A chatty pace, for 25 miles of rolling climbs ending up at Gizdich pie! Nic had a Dutch Berry and I had Dutch Apple. Nice pie and coffee talk, then off for the 18 miles of flats back. All was well and good until a mile from home, Nic and were brazenly riding side-by-side so that she was lifting her front wheel over the drainage grates. Apparently our conversation was that important. Inspired by her boldness, I compressed my bike and lunged up to clear a pothole. I learned really quickly that there is a difference in the reaction when compressing a steel frame compared to a full suspension bike. I got higher than I thought, and came crashing down hard on my left side. I have some elbow abrasions and a little hip scrape. My left side shifter needs lots of love, now. So does my neck.Misadventures and bikes. Even if I didn't ride, I'd probably still have misadventures. It's just my way, I think.
