I love Mondays!

I actually look forward to Mondays, especially 11:30 a.m. on Mondays! That's when I get to pay a visit to two of my favorite friends, Janusz and Nancy. Janusz Mazon is the man responsible for keeping my beat up, tired ole body on the bike and pedaling week after week. I am not a woman of many frills and treats, but this is one luxury I allow myself in which to indulge. It is not really an indulgence, but rather a necessity.





After years of mountain biking abuse and 2 unfortunate encounters with cars, chronic pains and injuries slowly ate away at my ability to ride at the level to which I was accustom. Over the course of 10 yrs, I have been through a long list of chiropractors, orthopaedists, physical therapists, and massage therapists. Each one helped to a degree, but the injuries always returned.

Janusz has been the light at the end of the tunnel I've been searching for all these years! Even though he is Ballet Master with the Georgia Ballet, he still finds time to run a successful chiropractic practice. Having spent the better part of his life as a professional dancer; principal dancer with the Hamburg Ballet and touring extensively around the world, I figured he could relate to me as an athlete. It has made all the difference! No, this is not a commercial. I'm just a happy camper.






So every weekend, I thrash my body to the limit knowing that Janusz will work those kinked up muscles right
back into place. He's better than any massage therapist I've ever had, and I've been to many. But what really pleases me is how much I've learned from him; serious stretching that has made a huge difference, and strengthening exercises. He has armed me with knowledge to help myself, so that I can take responsibility for my body to help avoid these chronic issues that have plagued me for so long. Yea, I love Mondays!

Mondays I also get to ride recovery pace. I can do whatever I want. Today I took out the Euro bike for one last spin. I entertained myself by taking pictures with the new camera we bought for the trip and trying to find any flowers that had survived the present heatwave.







Thanks to our lovely "Comet" trail, I can ride through neighborhoods and on to the trail all the way to the mountain without a huge fear of getting hit by a car. It took my 2 accidents before they decided it was worth putting it in, but that's better than no trail.






This delightful Monday was capped off with a surprise visit from some ole cycling buddies that have moved away to Asheville. Back in town with a new baby, we got to hook up for dinner. I miss my riding buds, but we still have fantastic memories of epic rides, trips, and races. Now there's a new generation of mtn bikers on the horizon!

Karen and Marvin's new addition, lil Max.



Don and Terri's slugger, Jack.


Here's to happy Mondays!

Nimbelwill Rain Festival

This weekend was the Nimbelwill Mountain Bike Festival in North Georgia. The poker ride has always been a favorite of Raja's, so we cleared the calender for the all important event. Saturday was to be an easy 3 hr road ride so as not to burn out the legs for Sunday's festivities.

We rounded up 5 of our roadie friends for an early morning ride. I fell for the oldest trick in the book, "we're tired of hammering, just want to go easy." Yea, yea, wish I had a dime for every time I've heard that line. My legs were still heavy and not yet recovered from the week of climbing. I stuck to my guns and kept my heart rate where I wanted it, while watching the hammerheads pull away on every climb. It was still a nice ride on new roads for me, and I always enjoy these guys' company. Satisfied that we got in exactly 3 hrs for the day, I spent a good hour stretching and rolling my legs to prepare for Sunday.

We arrived Sunday morning bright and early, ready to map out a strategy for getting the most "punches" for our poker hand. Roger managed to get a map early on and poured over the punch locations to plan our our route. He knows every one of these trails; mark one, advantage for us.



We started at 9:30 and had 4 hrs to get as many punches as possible (8 total possible). Of course, the wild card punch was at the top of the long delightful climb up Winding Stair. After a quick diversion to get a punch on NoTell, we started the lovely climb up, up, up. Things were going along swimmingly. We reached the top, punched away (well, Mike was so excited about being the first up that he forgot to punch his card), then turned around to descend back down.


I was flying down the road, when all of a sudden, Mr.Bee decides to make a bulls eye between my legs, to my.....AAAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!


Ouch! Thanks alot, Mr. Bee!!!! I almost ripped my shorts off, but I remembered Mike was behind me, so I thought better of it. I popped an Allegra in my mouth, and tried not to focus on the PAIN! I can't emphasize strongly enough how much I believe in immunotherapy. Being in my 4th year of getting monthly shots, I no longer have to be afraid of getting stung. I used to be allergic to all stinging insects, and had to carry an epi pen. But I no longer have the reactions since I have been getting the shots. So, if you are allergic, go to your allergist and get started!

Our plan continued to work out great, with Raja leading the way. We got punch #3, #4, and were on our way to #5. At this rate, we're going to get 7 for sure. Then, KaBoom, Crash, Bolt of Lightening, drops of rain. Hmmm. A passing thunderstorm to cool us off? After 10 minutes of rain pelting down harder and harder, it became evident that our plans were going to change. The trails turned quickly to mud, slippery, ice slick mud. Glasses became useless, eyes became useless, brakes were useless, THIS is useless!

We found punch #5, barely, and continued bravely on with valiant thoughts of no surrender. Secretly we were all thinking something else. As we approached the climb/descent leading us to punch #6, Raja spoke up, voicing our thoughts. We ditched our efforts and headed back to camp. But as we neared the camp, it was obvious that it wasn't raining near the last punch. We had enough time to make the Black Falls punch before the 4 hr deadline. All was not in vain!

3 hrs 8 min, and only 27 miles, a bee sting, 10 lbs of mud, and soaked to the bone.
You gotta love mountain biking! I can only think of one Nimblewill Festival that I've done where I didn't ride in the rain. Either '95 or '96. The year I also won a mountain bike! This year I got a decent hand, and won a Yakima bike rack, and Raja scored a bike computer!

Do not adjust your screen:
That's Mike, in the above picture, riding in the rain before it
really started coming down!

Euro bike shakedown

With less than 2 weeks before our Italy trip, it is crucial that I get the "Euro bike" in riding order. Raja has transformed my hardtail from a singlespeed to a gearie with 1.25 slicks. This will enable me to ride some of the gravel roads on our routes as well as the pavement. But we will also be able to switch out the tires to fatty treads for a day of mountain biking if we wish.

Last night I took the Litespeed to ride on the Vinings recovery ride. Expecting to be lugging around a bag of cement, I was pleasantly surprised at the ease I had riding it in the pack. Raja had removed some of the spacers to lower the stem, putting me in a more comfortable position. Last night was the final test, and I think I'm ready to give Italy a go on my "Euro bike."

Just got in an early morning ride in order to beat the heat. Started out at 7:30 tackling the hills in the neighborhoods, then met up with Kev and Robin at the mountain. Legs were still a bit tired from last night, but I managed to pull out 5 repeats. Although they weren't at as hard an effort as normal, I still got in a good workout of 2 1/2 hrs. I should have been riding the Litespeed, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. How could I pass up a 17lb road bike for hill repeats up Kennesaw mountain? I need to weigh the Litespeed, or better yet, maybe I'd rather not know.
(Edit: found out it weighs in at 26 lbs. Ouch.)