Hail Queen Julia

Posted on by Lindsay
So I got an email this morning: I understood the TRL reference, but I did have to Google it to figure out how one does a TRL-style shout-out. Apparently this is what it means to be old. Next I will be confused about The Facebooks and then start asking people to chew my food for me. I wanted to fulfill her request, but needed a picture to go along with the post, so I Googled her name. A Twitter handle popped up (@MsJuliaSteele...NSFW) along with an assortment of related results. And WHOA. THAT IS NOT MY SISTER-IN-LAW. My sister-in-law would describe herself in many amusing ways, but it is likely that none of them include the description "ASS WORSHIP QUEEN OF ATLANTA!" But because she is my favorite sister and because she joined me in laughing recently when our waiter described a steak preference as "warm and pink on the inside", this may have ...continue reading.

A Happy Anniversary

Posted on by Lindsay
My cycling career began seven years ago today. It was the second race of the Wednesdays at Wakefield mountain bike race series, but my first race ever after only owning a mountain bike for a few weeks. Clipless pedals still freaked me out. I distinctly remember the race not being very fun; it felt like taking an activity I enjoyed and adding urgency to it. Why would I want to do that? Life is urgent enough; why do I have to ride fast too? [caption id="attachment_5190" align="alignnone" width="600"] Wakefield Park, circa 2007. This outfit and my posture are amazing.[/caption] But then the results were posted and it turned out that I'd finished 3rd in the beginner women field. WHOA. I placed, which meant I was actually decent (!), but also that two women had ridden faster than me. I collected my bronze medal and free water bottle and then went on to let ...continue reading.

Never Gonna Give You Up

Posted on by Lindsay
There have been a lot of things that have gone wrong this season. I've struggled, cried, freaked out, and lost my head a few times, but in the end, I have come to this: I love to race my bike. It is easy to love racing when it is fun, when things are going well, when your results and your physical health are glowing. It is another thing entirely to come to the brink of quitting, to fail repeatedly and be totally broken down, and then claw your way back and decide you still love racing. I still love racing. Love training. Love riding. I am still here. Some people will probably remember me as the fragile person that imploded for several months this year. The rider with the eating issues who cried at race starts and backed away from challenges. I can't change everybody's minds. You can't win 'em all. But ...continue reading.

I can go for miles if you know what I mean

Posted on by Lindsay
I like bike racing again! It didn't happen overnight; rather it was a progression from the Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic through the Air Force Cycling Classic to the end of the North Star Grand Prix. But that's a story for another post (which is code for "unmotivated to write about feelings at the moment"), so instead here are some photos from the weekend. I would put them on Instagram, except that I am making a point to never have an Instagram account since it seems to really bother a lot of people that I don't. Sorry. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Vimeo, and Gmail will have to suffice. Oh, and it is not true that "bitches love Pinterest" because frankly I am ambivalent. Foodgawker, however, is another story entirely. Anyway. Photos from Philly: [caption id="attachment_5171" align="alignnone" width="600"] Scoots and I camping at the start line watching bemusedly as a dozen people frantically ...continue reading.

Disembarking The Sad Train

Posted on by Lindsay
If you read the last post here, you know that things this season have been challenging. There have been tears, defeats, disappointments, and a half dozen occasions in which I was chased by terrifying dogs on rural roads while thinking UGH JUST BITE ALREADY. It has been a difficult time. After coming home from the Joe Martin Stage Race, I intended to take some time away from racing to clear my head. I did take a break...if you consider the 12 days I was scheduled to be home prior to flying to the Tour of California Circuit Race a break. I went to California because the ticket was already booked and it was an opportunity that I felt like I shouldn't miss. It was a fun trip, so long as we don't count the hour in which I rode in circles with 108 other women while making unhappy faces and feeling miserable. Then ...continue reading.

This is a post I wrote a month ago

Posted on by Lindsay
Today is stage three of the Joe Martin Stage Race. I've written cue sheets, packed race snacks, laid out today's kit, and pinned race numbers. Also, I'm not racing. At the end of yesterday's stage, I jumped off the course onto the sidewalk 200 meters from the line, passed the finish area, and circled back to turn in my race number to the USA Cycling officials. "I'd like to turn in my number and withdraw," I said with conviction I didn't entirely feel. They looked surprised. "Are you sick?" one of them asked. It was a reasonable question, one I've asked myself over and over lately. "Um, yes," I replied, "in a manner of speaking." And that was it. Now I'm spending the next two days supporting my team from the sidelines before going home to regroup. Yesterday's race was a good note on which to step out; it was a beautiful day on ...continue reading.