Sunday, February 15, 2009

BRR

All9Yards Pink Cycling team...and a couple others!
Julie S, Hannah, Kristin R, Julie G, Karolyn, Mindy (newbie rider), Kim, Kristin P, Maria (Punk Rock cycling), and Dee

Last weekend Kyle and I participated in the annual BRR ride. The ride is 24 miles and goes from Perry to Rippey. This year we were blessed with 40 degree temps and little to no wind! It was a great ride and we had a ton of fun.

Kyle and a few other riders decided to ride from Des Moines to Perry, so they left around 6am and Julie, Mindy, and I followed with vehicles at about 8am. Kyle and crew made it to Perry about 9:30 and they were ready for more. We were also ready to head out!!

Our first stop was at Breadeux Pizza for a group photo and for some, a pre-ride beverage. Me personally, I like to ride a little before any beverages. Julie, Mindy and I headed out before the rest of the group as it was Mindy's first BRR and she wasn't sure how long it would take her. She did well. The west wind the last 4-5 miles into Rippey got her a little, so Julie and I taught her a little lesson in drafting. JG and I rode fairly close to each other and we had Mindy tuck into our back wheels for some relief.

Once in Rippey, we met up with the other Pink girls and had a beer in the beer tent. Our ride back was a little easier as we had a slight tail wind. It was a great ride!!

Thanks to Mom for driving down and spending the day with Alexa!

Saturday, February 07, 2009

From sledding to swimming...



Alexa just finished up her first session of group swimming lessons. We have been doing waterbabies since she was 8 months old and she loves the water. It was bittersweet for me as I love teaching waterbabies and enjoy her progress she has made with me. But with another teacher she tried some new things and progressed even more!

For group lessons she was in a class of 4 and was at the beginner level of Pike. Her teacher said she did VERY well and passed her to Eel!