Time to move

Spring has been sensitive as to whether it is really making a comeback here. It had warmed up to incredible weather in April and then we got hit with cold and rain again. Heck, a week ago on May 7th it decided to actually snow! Yes, you read that correctly. Snow in May. Three inches. Of course it melted the next day, but with the leaves on the trees just starting to open, flowers budsg on crabapple and cherry trees, it made my heart sink. I pictured a spring and summer with no flowers, no leaves...it was disheartening. Thankfully, everything seems to have made it without too much damage. The azalea decided to bloom anyway, so that's a good sign!

We have had a lot of rain this week and chilly weather (in the mid 40s) but it seems to have turned around. Yesterday it hit 60 degrees and Brad and I got to go on a great ride. It's been tough finding the time, I admit. My work has become more consuming and I have just been wiped out. But it's gorgeous today, Brad is off fulfilling his long awaited desire of a day spent fishing for the fishing opener, and I am planning a ride. I don't want to get too ambitious and overdo it, but I am shooting for 30-35 miles.

These days I am riding my new bike. Yesterday was only the second time I had her out. I realize I have not officially introduced her. Brad gave her to me as a Christmas present and I have been waiting until now to take her for a spin. He set the ordering process in motion right after the Tour de Pink last year, and my main man, the uber-awesome bike dude Corey at Ski Hut, won't quit telling me what a feat it was for him to find her for me. He knew just what would be the perfect bike for me, and I have to say "amen, brother"!!!

Her name is Ruby. I am pronouncing it more like "Ru...Bee!!!" She seems to like it :) Let me tell you, no disrespect to Crash, who is an awesome bike and will still see plenty of ride time, RuBee is ffffffffaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssttt!!! Seriously, the first time I had her out was on a ride with Brad and I actually had to keep stopping and turning around to go back for him! I wasn't even trying to go that fast, it just happened! She's all carbon, so she's a lot lighter. I wasn't used to it, though. It was a very windy day and I was blown around quite a bit. At times I felt like I was teetering on top of an egg beater!!!! But we'll get to know each other better over the coming months, and things will be great. I will post some pictures of her. I need to take some before I damage her. I feel so bad, she's very pretty, and I am such a klutz!!! So, I'll try to get a photo before she is "Alane-ified"!

Like I said my biggest challenge is finding the time to ride on a regular schedule again. It will be easier once the kids are out of school, I think, but I really need to get a handle on my work situation. I'm not good at leaving things unfinished. Now I have to so I can get out and ride! It is so good for me mentally, I am really looking forward to it!

Of course it doesn't help that I've taken on the challenge of putting on our own one day Tour de Pink here in Duluth in September. So if you're out there reading this, visit www.ysctourdepink.org, click on the Duluth ride and sign up! It's going to be a blast!!!! If you're not a rider, believe me, we need volunteers too!

That's it for now... I'm going to go do some laundry, and get ready for a sweet ride!