What I Listened to This Week

What I Listened to This Week

I really love podcasts. I listen to them when I'm riding, hanging out in the house, commuting and they even make their way into my bed with me when I'm trying to turn off my anxious thoughts as I fall asleep. I really miss being in college and having a captive audience of people who had to listen to my thoughts about current events, pieces I had listened to or read. That's why I decided to hijack this blog that I had been (slowly) updating with my bike adventures. Here are the two most recent podcasts I've listened to below:

Cash, Sweat, and Tears: The Big Business of Fitness

Material World (Bloomberg News)

I've certainly noticed my fitness wardrobe expanding this last year, so I was drawn to this podcast focusing on the fitness industry. Peloton got a plug, as well as Buddhify. I'm intrigued that Peloton is distancing themselves from the the bike industry and looking to expand to off the bike activities. The Buddhify interview challenged me to think about access issues related to the fitness industry - how what you wear to the gym/on the trail/etc is a symbol of your class.

Episode 28: Me, Me, Me

Hidden Brain (NPR)

Well, it wouldn't be a piece about the "me" generation if they didn't mention the Kardashians, complete with an audio clip. This week featured and interview with Jean Twenge, who focused on the myths regarding the need for high self-esteem in order to achieve success. The interview had a bit of a pop science feel (correlation doesn't equal causation folks!), but Twenge challenged me to think about the concept of over-confidence. I can't help but link it to the pressure to raise the self-esteem of my generation. What pushed me to review this podcast doesn't come until towards the end of the interview, when Twenge touched on expectations not being met in the 30+ crowd, and their resulting unhappiness. It turns out when you tell kids, "You are special and can do anything!" over and over they start to believe. But when these same kids grow up and don't feel like they are making a difference and are all that special, you're left with some disillusioned adults.

Ear graphic made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com 

clipless adventures to come

The past couple weeks have been filled with short trips around town. I did get a fit done at a nearby shop from an awesome friend. I'm looking forward to seeing how the new setup will make my riding more comfortable/efficient. 

On the same day as the fit I decided it was finally time to go back to working on riding with clipless pedals. I had started awhile ago, but then badly sprained my ankle (we're talking months to recover that sucker!) But I have no excuse now, other than not wanting to damage my ego as I know it will involve some less-than-graceful stops. But, I can do it all in these lovely gems:

#winwin

Adventure 4: My living room

There's been a lot of stress in my life lately as I work through some career decisions. But, I was excited to distract myself with some basketball and a ride on my trainor. Can I say how much I love being married to my own personal cyclist advisor? He adjusted my bike for me on the spot. Love it! I finished my ride much more comfortably - and Golden State won #winwin

I also tried out new bibs. These went on crazy sale, so I picked up a pair. The pads were a little awkward while standing, but on the saddle felt great. I'm loving the halter - it made it easy to take on/off. The stitching at the top of the halter was my least favorite part (it wasn't full stitched across), but it had no functional impact on the bike. I'm picking up another pair while they are on closeout for sure.

Purchased at Western Bikeworks

Adventure 3: Bike date

Adventure 3: Bike date

A fun quick neighborhood ride. My guy has been working crazy hours, so I was excited we were able to do something together. 

Adventure 2: Evelyn Schiffler Park

Adventure 2: Evelyn Schiffler Memorial Park

It was just me tonight, since my riding partner is working a closing shift. I decided to follow my physical therapist's advice (notice my sweet KT tape featured above?) and keep it lowkey, so I headed over to the neighborhood park. Being the history nerd I am I wanted to know who is/was Evelyn Schiffler, and why did she have a park named after her? 

After some intense googling, I found out that Evelyn Schiffler Memorial Park was formed around 1976, from land that was donated to parks & rec by the Schifflers and other property owners. It's had multiple updates, with a particularly big facelift in 2013 thanks to a bond measure. The park is around ten acres and has a skatepark, picnic areas, a pavilion, play structures, basketball courts. My favorite part is a 2 acre wetland with a boardwalk running through it. I also discovered at the exterior of the park, there is a space for community gardening.

Sadly, the internet didn't provide me any information on who Evelyn Schiffler was, so I think my next trip will be the library.

Adventure 1: Farmer's market/Library

(1) my stash / (2) my favorite booth at the market

A pretty leisurely easy ride, roundtrip 2 miles. I'm in this weird place where I've owned a bike a long time, I'm married to a "bike person", but I still can't really bring myself to feel super comfortable on my bike. Continuing on with my list theme...

Things I'm trying to conquer

1) Shifting

2) Getting over having a poorly fit bike most of my life, and accepting that my feet shouldn't touch the ground when I'm riding. That mistake was corrected awhile ago, but I'm still not confident stopping and gracefully getting off my saddle.

3) The time I was most active in my life, I was 40ish pounds lighter. I'm pretty sure I feel every single pound I've gained every time I go up a hill. This is more of a mental barrier than a physical one.

4) Feeling more comfortable riding near cars. I realize this comes with time, but I don't trust them and I don't entirely trust myself on my bike.

5) RIDE MORE.

Alright. I'm going to eat some strawberries.

Introductions are made best in list form (Updated)

This is the story of me and my bicycle. I've had some ex-bicycles, but we weren't that close. This new relationship began on my 30th birthday, introduction courtesy of my awesome husband. My goal is that this new relationship grows into something beautiful and strong:

Alright, that's probably enough anthropomorphizing my bicycle for now. 

The purpose of me starting this rusty blog up again:

- I want to add some variety of voices on the internet. There are a lot of really amazing dude-written blogs out there for cycling. There are also a few lady-written blogs that are rad. But there aren't enough of them, and there are even fewer written from a beginner's perspective. Go Team Ovaries!

- I would like something to document my journey. I'd be lying if I said I was only doing this to become a better cyclist. I am also doing this because I want a killer body. I am doing this because I don't want my future-kids to be able to out-cycle me. I don't want to sit on the sidelines anymore. I want to feel strong.