JimK:  Gonna ride all the hell over Madison, CT tomorrow in the Summer Breeze Century Ride for Autism. The plan is to do the 100k “metric century” course.  Dressed like this:

That right, ladies. That’s right. It’s okay to stare.   I know, it looks ridiculous but when you plan to be in the saddle for 5-6 hours, you WANT light, breathable lycra, trust me.

I spent last week riding pretty hard…

This week has been far fewer miles and far less intensity. Savin’ it up for tomorrow.  Jasmine is ready:

Note the red saddle. That is a Selle SMP Strike Extra. I’ve been thinking that is the saddle for me for awhile, and found this place online where you can “rent” one…they give you back the deposit when you return it.  Didn’t know it would be red. Throws off the whole color scheme! It feels so much better than the Giant Unity saddle that came with the bike. The older saddle is comfortable, but gives me really bad chafe after anout 30 miles. So I’m taking the new one on the ride. I just wish it was blue or black. Could be worse…could be pink!

Which brings me to the fact that I haven’t explained “TEAM BUGSMACK” yet.  You all have seen me talk about gnat23 before. She comments here sometimes too. Well, she’s amazing. Name a way a person can be awesome.  G’head. I’ll wait.

Yes, she is that. Yup, that too. Yes, also that. Oh yeah, she’s definitely that. Oh, did you forget to say generous? She helped me slide a payment onto Jasmine’s bill, and the bike is now officially mine. Thank you, gnat, you RULE. You kicked Death Ride’s ass. You constantly inspire me to go further and faster.

So gnat is now my “sponsor.” Bugsmack is her domain. Pink is her signature color, like, in a way that fucking no one has ever had a signature color before. Hence:

Also, she told me I needed a mantra to beat the hills on the course. Hers was “Toughen up, Princess.”  Now it’s mine. I am TOTALLY going to yell that at myself when I find myself dying on the 2000-odd feet of climbing I’m going to have to do.

So, early in the morning I’m’a drag my fat ass to Madison and ride 100 kilometers. By the way, if you want to see just where I’ll be tomorrow morning, the course is here.  And now…bedtime. At 10PM. HOLY OLD DUDE, BATMAN.