Carpe diem....

There is just never enough time to do all of the things I want to do....train for future events, go on bicycle rides, ride my motorcycle, visit family and friends, read a good book, try new experiences, excel at work....and I knew from the start that keeping up with this blog would prove to be a daunting task. Yet, here I am, still hanging on thinking I will come back to it, and today, I am here if only for a little while.

This weekend was full of work and commitments, but I did manage to steal some time away just for me, to ride unencumbered on my motorcycle, alone with my thoughts and the sun and wind on my skin as the miles roll away under the two wheels.

I like finding murals and posing my bike in front and snapping a few pictures. I also like churches and post offices. I like seeking out the new and unusual ( I have noticed this in my dating rituals as well...but that's a story for another day....)

Pictures from recent weekend rides....

Riding the Talimena Scenic Byway and the Pig Trail in Arkansas

Over Memorial Day weekend, I took my first long ride on my motorcycle. There were 11 bikes and 13 riders in our group from Southern Cruisers. I have had my motorcycle over a year now, and this would be my first extended day ride on my own bike. My total mileage for the 4 days was 1343. The temps were hot, and I was the only woman riding solo (two were riding two-up with their husbands), and I had the smallest bike, a 2011 Triumph America 850.  I have to admit I was a little leary initially after talking to a coworker who also happens to be in my riding club. He couldn't help but be amazed that I would even consider such an undertaking since I had never ridden much over 200 miles in one day. I also had never really ridden twisties at great length. I had dropped my bike in gravel within the first month of ownership, and  do not own saddlebags, nor at the time, a windshield. For now, until I have more miles on the road,  I am a fair weather rider when I am riding..no rain, no wind, no gravel, and no riding at night. I am night blind and there are far too many kamikaze deer in these parts. I love riding but am absolutely unwilling to become a statistic. So, one can understand my co-worker's amazement that I would even consider such a ride.
I became a little nervous after our talk and texted my friend who was leading the ride. I have known this man for 17 years and he even helped me in picking out an appropriate motorcycle which would suit my needs. I asked my friend if I was biting off more than I could chew in wanting to ride the Talimena Highway and Highway 227 in Arkansas. He assured me that the ride wasn't "technically" difficult and that, because of my "athleticism," I would have no problem with the endurance aspect of the ride. After our chat, I was in all the way.

My friends took me to a really cool, new cycle shop outside of Gatesville where I had a pretty neat windscreen put on, and it too me a while to get used to having a windshield. I kinda liked the clean lines of my Triumph America and it does feel differently to ride with a screen that without. Since I am a biker on a budget, I had a friend loan me motorcycle luggage and several people offer to tote it for me on their bikes. I am a lucky woman.

                                                                   Starting out, Day 1 in Nolanville

The plan was that on the first day we would ride to Talimena, Oklahoma, about 350 miles. The next day we rode to Harrison, Arkansas, and the last night, we planned on stopping in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. We stopped in Eureka Springs as well, and I had no idea it was such a biker's haven!

I had no troubles at all riding the distance and the straight-aways every day. I truly had no idea what to expect, and day one seemed pretty easy since we stopped about every 2 hours for a water and potty break. We got to our first hotel in Talimena and then went out as a group to eat at a cool little place called Pam's Hateful Hussy Diner. We ate and laughed and had a grand time.

                                                A stop along the way..............a friend and my bike

                                                             Gruesome find...

                                                         Death by Harley................

                                                        Clowning around....fun times!

                                                           Taking it easy.

                                                  Dinner in Talihina, Oklahoma

                                                     A dessert in the desert???

To be continued.....

More pictures from the ride....

Brock.... R.I.P. buddy!

Jailbreak, Diva Dash, Hell Run and Danskin 2012

The last few months have been crazy busy with work, working out, doing events, finding time for friends and family and riding with my motorcycle group. In the past couple of months, I have done 3 adventure races and a triathlon. I have also gone on a 4 day, 1400 mile motorcycle trip through the Ozarks, and I have changed jobs. Whew!!! I decided to take a few, quick minutes, tell a fraction of the story, and post a few pictures.

In March, several friends and I did the Jailbreak Run in Austin. It was a course filled with numerous obstacles ranging from jumping hurdles, climbing tires, going down a huge slide, crawling through mud pits and rolling in sand, a treat called "The Powdered Doughnut." 

First the mudpit.......

The things I'll do for a medal!

 Then the roll in the sand...AKA "The Powdered Donut."

                                                                           We did it!!!!

                                                         The Jailbreak Medal!

Next up in April was the Shape Diva Dash. Several friends and I headed to Austin for this adventure race geared only for women.  Again there were obstacles all along the course. As a warm up activity the sponsors had teams compete in a tug-of-war contest so that the winners could be entered to win a free pair of shoes.  My team won, but none of us won the drawing for the sneakers afterwards.

                                                       Getting ready for WAR!!!!!!

                                                                    Victorious!!!!

The following weekend, a group of us drove down to South Austin for a lovely little event called the Hell Run. It was mud pit after mud pit after mud pit with a few fires to jump over and walls to climb. Not for the faint of heart!

Yup!!!

                                       Mud pit right before the finish line.....

This past weekend, June 3, 2012, I did my 10th Danskin Triathlon. It was the best medal ever, and of course I had a great time. I got to have my picture taken with Sally Edwards at the end of the race. It was awesome!!!!

                                                  My bike setup....

                                        My friend and me after the race....

                                                     Close up of the medal...

At the finish line, I got lucky enough to have my picture taken with Sally Edwards, the First Lady of Triathlons! I was so excited!!!

                                           Sally Edwards and me, Danskin 2012, Austin

In August 2010, I got to meet Dave Scott at the Rivercities Triathlon in Bossier City, Louisiana.

In October of 2010, I got to meet world class triathletes Hunter Kemper and Sarah Haskins at the Toyota Triathlon in Rockwall, Texas.

This weekend, I have a 5K on Saturday and then will be making the 3 hour drive to Las Colinas for the Wounded Warrior 10K. It is one of my favorite events to do because it supports such a worthy cause.


Ok....off to get ready for tomorrow. Keep moving!

Jill