The Addiction Spreads

I know someone who got a new bike this weekend (because her current bike tried to kill her and it was finally taken out back and shot . . . it was never truly loved and, frankly, how she ever was able to climb hills on that thing was a mystery to me . . . that frame geometry was just wrong, and the thing still gets great reviews as a comfortable ride . . . that's just wrong).

But the new bike, oh it will be loved. It's been named "The White Purl" and will be getting a pink basket with a flower on it. Maybe that'll tell you whose it is. And, yes, it's another cross bike. It will provide the road feeling with the rugged ability to ride on crushed lime with some 32s. We're hoping that we'll be able to ride down to Augusta for our seventh anniversary. It's only about a 26 mile ride from the Page extension bridge and there are some neat little cabins right on the trail.

I think I gave that away.

I'm pleased, though. In addition to this bike, Matilda's new bike and four friends who have all purchased new bikes, I can say that I feel good about spreading this addiction. And I'm hoping to get to ride with my father-in-law around Carlyle Lake before the summer's over.

Oh, and last week I tried desperately to run into The Ditty Bops while riding. We had to miss the show, so I hoped I could at least see them bopping down the KATY Trail. Turned out I missed them by ten minutes. If I hadn't refilled my water, I would have seen them. But I would also have looked like this. Turned out okay, though. Sounds like Amanda wasn't in the mood to be seen anyway. Not that I would have talked to them. I probably would have yelled my support and kept riding.

Because I'm an idiot.

P.S. My previous month record was May at 487 miles. This month I rode 523, which doesn't include rides around the neighborhood with the kids. Oddly enough, July also knocked out 8 of my top 10 fastest rides, which now range from an AVS of 17.35 and 18.0 mph. I'm not ready to start in a race or anything, but that's a significant improvement over last year.

My progress has been interesting. If you look at my monthly tallies, I've been slowly tacking up the miles (mechanical issues notwithstanding). Though, to be fair, January through March contained a lot of indoor training (though a surprising amount of outdoor riding as well).

My cumulative numbers are interesting as well. I could end the year with roughly 5000 miles under my tires, depending on how November and December shake out temp wise (I'm a wuss, I won't go if it's colder than 48 . . . why 48? My lungs hurt below that temperature. Go figure . . .).

Of course I track all of this. Doesn't every one?