Registered: 2012 South Florida Tour de Cure...

Just registered for the 2012 South Florida Tour de Cure!  

My first Century!  

Now to get started on the $200 minimum fundraising!

It's not cyclocross - I just want to cross the damn road!

FB status:

County road project:  put up a guardrail to prevent cars from going into the canal.  Great idea!  No break in the guardrail for pedestrians/cyclists to cross the street.  Duh!  2 calls to my county commissioner... it's now being fixed.  Unreal.

Next event: looking ahead to 2012...

I decided my next event will be in the spring, and it's the biggie!  I am going for my first full Century ride in March at the 2012 South Florida Tour de Cure!  So freakin' excited!  Early bird registration this week!  Yeah!  ;-D

Upgrade decision...

Specialized Tarmac Comp SL2 Compact 105.  

As usual, the guys at my fave LBS, Bicycle Generation, were awesome!  They let us ride a bunch of bikes, answered all of our questions, and gave advice when we asked for it.  When the dust settled, a friend and I had put money down on two different Tarmacs.  He is single and can spend the money to go up to the Ultegra, while we have a kid who occasionally likes to eat and someday will go to college so I was happy to get 105's.  The hubby plans to upgrade next year.  Love ya babe, but you're a runner and I'm a cyclist.  As such, I get to upgrade first.  ;-D

I liked a few bikes, but from the moment I got on the Tarmac I knew that was it.  After just a few pedal strokes I started saying, "Oh shit, oh shit," out loud because I knew I was about to drop some dough.  Maybe I was partial to the Specialized frame and quality since I love my Allez.  Either way, I think it was an excellent choice for me and I'm really happy.  The only thing that will make me happier is paying it off and bringing that baby home! 

Lighter, smoother, faster!

Avoid Common Road Hazards - Bicycling.com...

Great tips on avoiding common road hazards, courtesy of Bicycling.com...

http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/injury-prevention/how-avoid-8-common-road-biking-hazards

Upgrade research...

Yeah, I'm getting the itch.  Or, actually the "drool".  I am starting to really drool over some carbon fiber.  It started a few weeks ago when a friend said, "You've GOT to take my new bike for a spin!"  It was a Trek Madone with 105's.  Uh huh.  It was smooth.  It was light.  That baby begged to go faster.  

Since then I've looked at Trek Madones, Specialized Tarmacs and Roubaixs, the Felt AR5 and F5, and bottom of the bucket Cervelos.   

I think I'd better start saving my pennies... ;-D

Livelong for Livestrong ride - can you say "clusterfuck"...

10/2/2011... Livelong for Livestrong... complete clusterfuck.

I did the Metric Century, but it was not pleasant.

Where to begin?  Route was a mess and not well marked.  At one point, route took us through a really shitty neighborhood in some part of Miami.  During another stretch we were riding along an interchange to the interstate.  That meant we had to ride on the shoulder, not the road, and vehicles were passing at about 60 mph.  Never found any rest stops, supposedly there were three of them.  Never saw the "police escorts" and SAG we encountered were as lost as we were.  Along Miami Beach, had to constantly fight with public buses over the right lane.  Either they were behind us honking or ahead of us choking us with bus exhaust and fumes.

On the bright side, we did hook up with one SAG motorcyclist who was also unsure of the route.  We basically asked around, found some helpful local club riders to give us directions, and found our way back to Gulfstream in Hallandale Beach.  Funny thing was, I told the moto guy and two other SAG drivers that I refused to ride back through that shitty area again.  I wanted them to give us another "safer" route.  One guy made a call and they told him to have moto guy escort us back through there.  Moto guy said he wasn't really happy riding through there either... reached into a pack on his motorcycle... pulled out a gun and stuck it in his waistband (retired NYPD).  That was when I told him I was riding wherever the hell he was going.  Luckily, we found another way back anyway, but I was really happy to have him riding nearby.  Besides, we joked around and it was a great way to vent our frustration. 

Anyway, in general, I expect alot more for my suffering.  But, I did the miles and raised money for a good cause. 

24 hours later I received an apologetic email from the local organizers of the event, zMotion/Zimmerman Advertising.  In a group email, they admitted to the problems I listed above and blamed it on outsourcing certain responsibilities.  They promised next year would be better.  Still don't think I'll be back for this one though.  Plenty of other events out there!