Newport Coast

Quick ride down PCH to Newport Coast and back home through Back Bay. A pretty strong ride that we cut short due to the painful dry air. That kind of air is really hard to breathe and makes your lungs and chest feel all raw. Michael snapped a picture of me on my bike. I'm in my drops like I'm racing all fast, but I'm only going 2 mph.

Getting Back on the Bike

It's been a while since Michael and I have really had a serious ride. Last night we rode to watch the OC Crit and Tuesday we went around Back Bay and Irvine until one of Michael's spokes flew out and we rolled home easy. Two weeks ago, August 7th, was the last big ride we did- 4 hours, 60 miles, 2600ft of climbing. I remember we were sleep deprived that day and rode like @!#$, and I'm still feeling tired today. Losing a little sleep each night makes the deficit hard to get out of. We are definitely looking forward to our next vacation.

I picked up the old steel bike I've had since I was 10 from my parent's garage and turned it into my commuter. It took an entire day to clean 10 years of grit and dust of it and to take off the dork disks and excess reflectors. I finally have a bike that I can ride around without worrying about it getting stolen. I took it to my dentist appointment the other day and he had a good laugh about how I couldn't decide on where to park and lock it up.

The weather has been great. Summer came and the days are fiercely hot. I can't wait for the long Sunday ride with some good friends.

Pearl Izumi Barrier Convertible Jacket

Just got my new Windbreaker + Vest! Woohoo! After shopping around for weeks I found out about Convertible Jackets! Now I've got two garments in one to accommodate for the crazy weather changes we are having in Southern California and the never-dissipating marine weather. Yes! It's a vest with sleeves (more like a shrug/bolero) attachable by zippers and a Velcro piece on the back of the neck. (You can see the velcro tab in the 3rd pic.) Pretty smart IMO. It's a bit baggy around the torso for a S(33-35" chest), but fits well enough to negate an exchange through the Postal System.

Ironically I've mostly been riding indoors since Michael's wheel exploded (well, it's just out of true, hahaha) and for various reasons revolving around life's mishaps...

Anyway here it is!

Affliction

Some girls like Louis V and Jimmy Choo, I have a hardcore incurable affliction to Assos of Switzerland. My friends call me the Bike Swag Queen for all the the custom pieces added to my bike, but no one knows the extent of my swag-grab-a-holism. It's an addiction that I think stems from the satisfaction of that "I just HAVE to HAVE that now" feeling (for less than what it's supposed to cost, if that's any justification at all); the satisfaction of the consumer's thrill. Jerseys, bibs, jackets, accessories, and even water bottles round out my current collection, and currently I'm on a hunt for a wind shell.

In other news, my camera flew out of my jersey pocket on PCH around Corona Del Mar and a car smashed it to pieces. I was able to recover the memory card, but I certainly won't be uploading pictures for a while. I've also been doing the good ol shop ride, watching the Great Park Crit, and some long weekend rides.

Things have really slowed down since the Earth decided Summer days needed to behave like Winter and since the Tour ended. I guess it's just a sign of the encroaching end of the sport's season. Fortunately I was able to get my hands on some sassy Assos winter gear. Go go empty bank account!