Quilt Colors

I've decided (with a LOT of help from ARA and S) on the fabrics for this year's raffle quilt. I'm very excited, as I'm doing a different pattern, one that is new to me, but is sure to be a hit. Because I said so.



As you can see, the dog also took an interest in the fabric. Don't worry, they've since been washed (the fabrics, not the dog).

Summer Kickoff!

The day finally came! I met some of my mentees and was able to catch up with my friends from last year. I have a pretty easy job this spring, of.say, as several of my mentees are previous mentors, and most are alumni!

I'm looking forward to the ride next week...an easy 15 miler in Roswell. My strategy, as long as it works, is to train on Fridays and use the Saturday GTRs as recovery days.

The bikes in the shop for a tune up and some minor adjustments, and brake levers are on order. It is time!

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Pre-training ride: 28 January

Today B and I went for a ride along the Silver Comet -- another nice, slow ride to get the legs moving (and to discover I didn't really fix the technical problems like I'd thought). It was an amazing day, so warm and sunny and only a little bit of wind (which was probably what we generated ourselves).

I'm REALLY looking forward to riding this season. I can hardly wait!

Stats:

Maximum speed: 21.7 mph
Average speed: 12.2 mph
Distance: 20.80 mi
Time: 1.42.12

I'll be in great shape to go an easy 15 miles along the river at the first GTR. Woohoo!

Special Fundraising Shout Out!

I would like to extend my sincere thanks and massive props to SARAH HANCOCK! For two seasons, she has been one of my top donors and, perhaps more awesomely, the absolute FIRST to answer the call for donations.

Thank you so much, Sarah, for your support and encouragement on these rides, and for being so quick and generous in rising to the occasion. I appreciate your following my progress here, even with the long off season.

All that remains is "designing" a thank-you card that will live up to last year's!

Oh, and raising 1400 more dollars : )

(Also, it occurs to me now that you're the Sarah who commented, saying that Fletcher was an awesome place to visit. Ha!)

Let the FUNdraising begin!

It's official -- I opened my fundraising website today, and I can't wait to see the ticker climb Climb CLIMB and explode out the top as we, together, meet and exceed my goal of $1500 raised to help in the fight against blood cancers.

Please visit my page, via the link in the widget on the right of this blog, or go there directly by clicking here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/fletcher11/mlutzi

That's me, mlutzi, and I can't wait to start this journey anew with so much support from so many people!

Season Opener - Silver Comet

I rode yesterday with N, which is always enjoyable. It was a brisk (read: fng cold) 38 degrees on the Silver Comet, and I swear it had to have been windy, and not just due to the wind we generated ourselves.

It was a great ride and a really nice way to officially kick off my season.

Stats:

Maximum speed: 20.9 mph
Average speed: 13.0 mph
Distance: 17.25 mi
Time: 1.19.23

As I told Andrew: it's on.

The seasons starts anew... and a book review.

And so it begins: the snow and ice have melted from the roads (thanks to yesterday's drizzle), making them navigable and clear. I rode to school this morning, in my official (mental) kickoff for the new cycling season. Tomorrow is the mentor training session, and I JUST heard from V that she's thinking about joining the TEAM this season (alas, for Tahoe, but it's still Very Exciting)!

What a great day!

Aside: last night I read a book, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. It is simply an amazing book, and I couldn't put it down. I finished it at 3:00a this morning, sobbing more noisily than I ever have done over any media before. I'll let you in on a secret: it even scared the dog. I highly recommend this book: I could even cry now just thinking about how lovely it is.

The Fletcher Flyer

Well, folks, another season is upon us (though the scene of completely iced-over roadways would suggest otherwise). I was selected to be mentor for what I expect to be a fine group of athletes for the TNT Summer 2011 cycle season. We will train with the team for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (Lake Tahoe), but will ride a little closer to home: The Fletcher Flyer, in Fletcher, NC.

See the Active.com website for ride details. Proceeds benefit the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club.

I am incredibly excited to be able to give back to TNT this year, both in fundraising and in volunteering to help so incredible an organization.