Clipless Fall - This is What it Looks Like

For your viewing enjoyment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZddUxFzy16M&feature=related

Slow Motion Fall & Clipless Pedals

What I have been told is inevitable... actually happened. Yes I took a big spill due to still being clipped into my bike in the middle of the intersection while crossing the street with a friend. Midway through the intersection I realized that the cars were not going to be so nice and did not stop for us to cross. All the while trying to multitask and unclip. I managed to complete my first slow motion fall while still being attached to my bike.

Big thanks goes out to Megan, who I ride home from work with sometimes as she was laughing so hard the tears started to roll. Falling with a friend present was much less embarrassing than doing it on your own. I chalk it up to anything is better with friends around, even eating pavement.

Update on the fundraising a big thanks goes out to Jackie and Joe as I believe if all my corporate matching comes through my fundraising is complete!

And my bike should arrive any day now :) Things are coming together. Now lets hope I don't eat any more pavement.

Until next time faithful blog readers. Pedal safe!

The bike is in the air!

Two big updates.... my bike is in transit and on its way to chicago :) and secondly I secured a huge bike traveling box for half the cost!

And scored a huge donation from a friend this weekend!

Overall it was one great weekend.

Whats Wrong with your Eyes?

That is the line I heard all day today. Due to an irritation (possible wind burn from biking) I have puffy red eye irritation marks around my eyes. At work today my coworkers were all like "what happened" I myself didn't think it was that bad but I I guess I was wrong.

SO ... the solution was to take two benedryll. The only problem with that is I am currently struggling to stay awake in night class. Hopefully I will make it and not have to go back to the doctor for this redness!

Gear. Gear. and More Spandex

Well. It is official I have become a true, hardcore, wearing spandex, clip in, bike gear nerd. Yes I promised myself I would never do this but the time has come when all the gear including the but pad (that I recently found out is called a Chamois) is worth in when riding more than 10 miles.

Attached is a picture of the bike that B&B is shipping my way in a week! Im excited :)

Anybody up for a long mile ride?

Early Morning Blues

As of today I biked two of the five days to work this week. Which is not a good record. The main problem is sleep. If you have known me for any amount of time you know that I love sleep. It is essential for my body to function and I will sleep continually if not woken. This is a problem when it comes to getting up early for things (aka biking to work).

My main motivation for getting up and biking is to see the breathtaking sunrise that occurs over lake michigan. With the time change the sun is rising at the same time I am on the lake front trail with leads to amazing views.

Any ideas of how to get up earlier? let me know your strategy.

Starting Out with A Bang

Howdy! I write this first post optimistic about biking yet blown away that it is already march. As I started preparing for this summer I was preping to start ramping up training in March quite rapidly but march started off unlike many other months. On March first I was hit by a car on my bike. Most would think this was horriblly scaring but it was not that bad. It did look like a movie and I wish the witnesses had caught it on camera as I flew in the air did a flip and landed on the hood of the driver's car.

With all the action that happened I walked away with three giant bruises. No broken bones, fractures, or even a broken bike.

Welcome to march, welcome to biking a rediculous amount of miles and welcome to the dangers that come with biking in Chicago.

Hope you enjoy this blog as it tracks my journey toward Seattle.

Training update - 10 miles each way from work (once). 490 miles to go.
Fundraising update - $2080 dollars. $2020 to go.

Until next time faithful blog readers.