I have pretty much gotten up every day with the mind that I will ride to work.  I have even gotten dressed in cycling-friendly work clothes and shoes.  But for some reason, once I get down stairs, I head for the car keys instead of my bicycle helmet.  Today was the fourth in a row.

I don’t know why it was so easy for me to ride for two weeks straight and now I can’t even manage one day. I think a lot of it has to do with stupid lies I tell myself (but Annie can tell you more about that):

My stomach hurts today.  Riding, fresh air and getting my heart rate up a tiny bit will certainly make my tummy feel better.  I don’t ride.

I’m going in early. What kind of bullshit lie is this?  Because I’m working harder/more at the office, that means I don’t have to work as hard on myself, my health or the environment?  We all know the air/temperature is a basquillion times better at 7 a.m. than it is at 8.  I don’t ride.

I’m too stressed. Another ridiculous tall tale.  Exercise and fresh air have been proven to reduce stress.  I don’t ride.

I’ll start again when I get back from vacay. Can anyone tell me why this means I shouldn’t ride now anyway?  Wow, I’m absurd!  I don’t ride.

But hey, on the plus side, what I have lacked this week in rides, I have more than made up for in lattes from Starbucks (3), far surpassing my weekly limit (1).

Harumph.

So, after I committed to riding every day, no matter what, I was actually really good.  I rode to work every day that week and the following week (although I have to admit, this was only three days because my brother was in town) …

… okay, so it seemed like a lot more consecutive days than it actually was.  But I was definitely on a roll.

Then, on Saturday, we made a surprise visit to see Brad’s parents in Grass Valley, bikes in tow:

don't they look happy?

So, after a nice breakfast (and some subsequent laying around), we went for what was to be a leisurely ride around town.  Now, I’ve been to Grass Valley before.  Brad lived there.  Um, hello, Brad’s parents live there.  But until you try to ride your bike around the area, you really don’t have any idea how many big hills there are.  (There are a lot.  And they are big.)

My bike, cute as it is, is definitely not meant for climbing like that.  (Also, FYI Caltrans, the roads there are crap).  So, what was supposed to be a nice, easy family ride (yes, Brad, I’m calling myself family), turned into a really tough workout for all of us–but especially for the out-of-shape girl with the heavy, 30-year-old cruiser.

After a little bit of nausea and frustration, we all ended up having a good time.  However, as a result, my body just does not want to get back on that bike this week.

And that (in addition to my not blogging in weeks) is why I totally suck.  Part of it has to do with just giving my muscles a break.  But a lot of it has to do with working way too long hours, preparing to leave town for 10 days and general running around all crazy-like.

Monday and Tuesday were a result of feeling poopy and being lazy.  Today is a result of some necessary driving later (yes, driving to get a pedicure IS necessary).

I know I won’t ride Friday because everything will be crammed with trying to catch a flight.  We’ll see what tomorrow brings …

Another dumpy slump.

Our July third ride was so amazing.  It was a super long ride, and we got to spend the whole day together.  Two things we never do.  I wish there were more room in our lives for that.  There’s just not enough rides in our lives and not enough time.

It’s not that can’t/won’t/don’t want to ride by myself.  But it’s so much better when we do it together.

Riding makes me feel really good.  Physically and (more importantly) emotionally.  So, why am I not doing it more often?

I rode to work today (and three days last week).  But why don’t I feel good (emotionally)?

2 ginormously exhausting, driving around town workdays

+

1.5 days of uncontrollable vegging

+

5 days of thunder/lightning storms

=

no bike riding in over a week …

and I am not happy about it.  Will hopefully ride to work tomorrow, weather permitting.