Free wheeling
Sometimes the weather really is too good to stay inside and knit, and anyway, how could I just leave this beautiful machine in the garage? Yep, that’s the Serotta Ti, and she’s one-third mine! (Happily, my neighbor is willing to accept an installment plan.) Isn’t she gorgeous, raspberry sorbet pink and all? I *heart* her. You’ll have to forgive the iPhone photo; the SLR really doesn’t fit comfortably in the back pocket of a cycling jersey. You’ll also have to forgive my glowing lobsterishness. This is about eighteen miles into the twenty-six we covered on Sunday, which is the longest I’ve ridden in quite a long time, and that’s just how my face gets. I match my bike!
It was the first time I’ve seen Cathedral Park, under the St. John’s bridge—a very promising spot for picnicking above the river. We didn’t picnic, though; we were travelling light. But we did stop for tacos at Por Que No? on the way home, which made for a perfect afternoon.
Evenings are being spent working on the Frost Flowers cardigan. Those of you warning me to ditch it now are probably right, but my mother would tell you I’m awfully stubborn. Apparently I am also optimistic to a perverse degree, because somehow I’m still holding out hope that I’ll really like this sweater when it’s finished. I’m just getting comfortable enough with the double-sided frost flowers motif that I can work on it while I watch the Giro d’Italia coverage. I’m tickled that today’s Cuneo to Pinerolo queen stage takes the peloton through the mountains where Mr. G and I travelled to see some of the Olympic skiing in 2006. The race went right through Oulx, the town we hiked and glissaded down to after the women’s freestyle was cancelled for too much snow and the buses couldn’t get back down the mountain, and through Sestriere where we saw the men’s downhill. What beautiful country it is up there. Motivation to get stronger at riding the hills!
Posted: May 20th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Seriously, now I feel the need to go and hit the eliptical. You are too stinking cute. And as for smiling after 18 miles (for a moment there, I did hope you only meant 18 minutes of riding, but that was just to make myself feel better)…
Posted: May 20th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Your stubbornness reminds me of how I finished one of my first big cross-stitch projects (a very long time ago). Three people said I wouldn’t be able to get it done. That was all it took and between being obstinate and stubborn I worked my way through.
Frost Flowers might be wonderful once the knitting and finishing is done. The yarn might wear better than it knits and be a joy to don on a cool spring or summer evening. Who knows?
Posted: May 20th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
That is the cutest darn picture of you I’ve seen in a long time! I miss you, and you guys have to come out and see our HOUSE some day soon. xoxoxo
Posted: May 21st, 2009 at 5:00 am
What fun! I’m glad you’ve gotten a new riding partner too! 🙂
Posted: May 21st, 2009 at 7:06 am
If you made it as far as the bridge, I hope you went the few extra miles out to Sauvie Island. It’s a beautiful ride, despite the traffic!
Posted: May 21st, 2009 at 4:28 pm
What a good girl you are – and a lovely bike!
There is nothing wrong with stubborness as long as you also have a nice level head along with it. Good luck!
Posted: May 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 am
What fun–and what beautiful scenery!
Posted: May 25th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Congratulations!!!! You look so happy with your new bike. I wish you lots of tailwinds as you eat up the miles. 🙂
Posted: May 29th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
i love this picture! i am a bike ride lover (though i prefer to cruise around at a steady pace for 10-20 miles…still…) and i love seeing other people’s joy at riding! i also love seeing those runners doing the steps behind you…