Professional cycling gear: finally, adult-sized clothes available in my preferred color palates.
Note: It’s sort of buried, so I thought I’d just add an opening note that the point of this whole entry, aside from how cute I am in my cycling clothes, is that I made my first 30-mile ride yesterday. This is somewhat less impressive in light of my father’s latest exploits, but we all have to start somewhere.
I got this jersey half-off from Sierra Trading Post, so it was a reasonable price instead of the usual crazy high one. Another cyclist complimented me on it while I was out riding, and she didn’t even get the full effect of my hair.
As you can see, however, it also pretty much matches my helmet. Also oleander.
I love oleander.
Soon after I took this photo of the fancy houses from afar, I discovered I was hopelessly lost. I don’t know why I continue to be surprised every time this happens. Eventually I had to call my sister and give her my location so that she could figure out how the hell I was supposed to get to Arastradero.
I got so lost that I got to see some of these houses up close. Los Altos Hills is full of them.
Of course, it’s also full of hills. This one has been magically flattened by the act of photography, apparently; I assure you that it was nearly vertical. I actually attempted to bike up it and had to give up about a third of the way up–WALKING up this hill was punishing. Then it turned out to be a dead end. Thanks for signing that, City of Los Altos Hills.
I did eventually make it to Arastradero. Apparently this is what lies beyond my turn-off for work–some kind of mini-vineyard.
Once on Arastradero, I actually even figured out where I made that first wrong turn, so next weekend maybe I’ll actually be able to do the route my landlord recommended, instead of random riding around, getting lost, backtracking, etc. At any rate, I still made 30 miles, so I was pleased. The jersey, in addition to suiting my personal style, was indeed very lightweight and comfortable. I’ve ordered a couple more, plus real bike shorts,* from Sierra Trading Post, since they have a bunch of stuff on clearance and they’d sent me an additional 20% off coupon.
The hair in these photos is already out of date, however, as following my triumphant return I redid my dye job–I’m back to solid Atomic Pink, thanks to Cyn. I couldn’t find the vaseline when I was getting started, which led to an unintended second bike trip to Long’s for supplies (you need vaseline to minimize hairline staining), which I have to say I did not really enjoy–I’d sort of been planning to be totally done with biking for the day. I also picked up some bleach wipes and leave-on spray cleaner for the shower, though. Just trying to reduce my environmental impact.
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*In fact, I ordered two matching ensembles, one purple/rose, one orange/coral. Rest assured I will post photos.






July 16th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
If you would like more pink riding gear, ditch the bicycle and get a motorscooter. I swear, manufacturers assume all chicks on bikes want to be clad either in black leather or in pale pink. Blech.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
See, PALE pink is a problem. The only reason I dig this jersey is the liberal smattering of dark/bright orange.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:15 am
Dude, 30 miles on hills is killer. Rich & I did 40 on a flat trail on Saturday, with a nice long break for beer at 20 (we like to bike out to Mt. Horeb, have lunch & a beer and bike back), and we feel sufficiently well worked out after that. Although not totally beat. But if it were hilly — I don’t think I could handle it at this point.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:26 am
hi cabell, haven’t checked in on your haps in a while. i had no idea what state you were even in. welcome to the fabulous world of cycling! ridiculous tight clothing that you eventually get excited about and think you look bad-ass in (at least that’s how it was for me). next week is my ride across iowa! it’s relatively flat but that’s all balanced out by the killer heat and humidity. also i looked at your dad’s blog and i think he’s awesome. toodles.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I take some comfort in the fact that the usual girlyfied color scheme for biker chicks is unacceptable even to you.