A Girl and Her Bike(s)

Sometimes what you really need is a coffee and photo op ride...

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 02:04:20 -0400

Sometimes what you really need is a coffee and photo op ride with a good friend. (Taken with Instagram)

These are the best kinds of rides.

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 01:54:49 -0400

These are the best kinds of rides.

Bike rides with new friends makes for the best of Sundays.

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 05:54:20 -0400

Bike rides with new friends makes for the best of Sundays.

The best thing about a basket bike? Everything. Duh. (Taken with...

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 23:37:52 -0400

The best thing about a basket bike? Everything. Duh. (Taken with Instagram)

I ride this bridge all the time and I still can’t get over...

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:36:00 -0400

I ride this bridge all the time and I still can’t get over how beautiful it is. Or how annoying the tourists are.

Today’s cruise with a homegirl was so rad. It was crazy how 4 months ago she kicked my ASS on a ride, and this time around my unemployed ass was the one hustling. Being able to ride every day has really made me a better cyclist in every sense. Stronger, more confident and overall better bike handling skills.

(Plus, check out how much better I look in kit!!!)

So basically, the moral of this story is quit your job and ride your bike. Your legs will thank you for it.

Change of Pace

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:08:27 -0400

I’ve been in the outdoor industry for 6ish years now.

That is 6 years of learning about running, cycling and anything and everything fitness related. 6 years of technical jargon about “moisture wicking fabrics” and “9, 10 and 11 speed cassettes.” 6 years of pro deals, bike flipping and new running shoes every few months. 6 years of clinics, trade shows and studying the new season’s catalogs. 6 years of new technology and new faces and new trends.

And, unfortunately, 6 years of being talked down to. 6 years of the question “Oh, you ride a bike?” 6 years of people telling me I don’t know what I’m talking about. 6 years of people assuming that I’m “just a salesperson” who doesn’t have a passion for the sport/industry she decided to dedicate her life to. 6 years of entitled douchebags who look at me like a piece of meat when I am trying to sell them a bicycle. 6 years of trying and trying and trying and trying and trying not to bothered by this all…..

I’m done.

I need a break from it all. I need a break from trying. I need a break from proving myself on a daily basis.

I quit my job with, what many would say, is “the best” clothing company in my industry. I quit because I was not happy. I quit because I was tired.

Now I’m moving into a new direction. I’m going to start working with one of my other hobbies. I’m going to start working in coffee. I have some opportunities with a roaster/cafe that I love, whose passion I find inspiring.

I am incredibly excited and also very nervous about this change of pace. However, I know that I made the right decision. I needed something to shake me up, and I think this is just the thing.

New beginnings are always invigorating.

I love Northern California.

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 17:31:22 -0400

I love Northern California.

GPOY. Yesterday we headed out at 10, stopped at a back country...

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 17:29:51 -0400

GPOY.

Yesterday we headed out at 10, stopped at a back country saloon at 1, cruised over to this state park and hit some dirt, then stopped into a swimming hole.

Basically…..best Friday ever. These kind of rides are what I live for.

My wall. Feel free to send me more, I’d love to fill it!

Tue, 29 May 2012 05:58:55 -0400

My wall. Feel free to send me more, I’d love to fill it!

Apologies.

Tue, 29 May 2012 00:20:16 -0400

Hey all,

This blog has fallen by the wayside. I was so insanely busy with work, and then I quit my job, and now I am riding. A lot.

So I will try and update it more often, but I can’t promise anything. I am, however, still updating my “regular” tumblr here - emilyraee

Check it out, and stay tuned. Emily on her bike = happy, healthy Emily with little time for interneting, and lots of time for fun.

Happy riding

Watching the TTT w/ Brian Nygaard today....

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:53:37 -0400

I got super stoked to tell him that Fuglsang is on my Fantasy Vuelta team.

(Yeah….I made a fantasy vuelta team. I’m a dork. But I’m already the winner in my mini-league.)

And yeah…..Brian Nygaard came into my work today to watch the Vuelta. Did I also mention how much I love my job???

Best. Job. Ever.

I love this. I miss Austin. Thanks for making me super...

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:53:37 -0400

I love this. I miss Austin. Thanks for making me super nostalgic, John.

Mountain Bikes

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:12:00 -0400

Me: I really want a mountain bike. Like, an old steel one that's super simple, with a rigid fork.

Coworker: Why do you want something heavy like that? Just get something new.

Me: I want to put one of those flat porteur racks on the front.

Coworker: But then you couldn't take it on trails.

Me: I know. But the other day I saw this guy on a rad old Ibis who was carrying a pizza on his bike. I want a bike with big squishy tires that I can carry a pizza on.

Coworker: You are so weird.

Me: Yeahhhh....

The god of thunder.

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:06:05 -0400

The god of thunder.

queenstage: Before team buses with showers, there were basins...

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 06:00:05 -0400

queenstage:

Before team buses with showers, there were basins of water out in the open. Photo from Tour de France 1935 by Robert Capa.

(Photo via Slate)

queenstage: Tour de France by Robert Capa, 1935. Note the flask...

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:15:05 -0400

queenstage:

Tour de France by Robert Capa, 1935. Note the flask in the jersey pocket. What’s in it??

(Photo via Slate)

Hardly Serious with Jens Voigt

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:32:46 -0400

Hardly Serious with Jens Voigt:

Is anyone else religiously reading Jensie’s blog like I am?

This is pure gold….his conversational style allows the reader to imagine themselves sitting across the breakfast table from Jens while he drinks his 3 cups of morning coffee.

If you don’t know, now you know.

Photo

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:00:05 -0400

cadenced: Nathan Byukusenge from Team Rwanda. There’s a...

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 06:00:05 -0400

cadenced:

Nathan Byukusenge from Team Rwanda. There’s a fascinating account of efforts to bring Rwanda’s cycling talents to the world stage in the New Yorker. You can also find coverage of the Tour of Rwanda over at Cycling News which is where the photo by Mjrka Boensch Bees comes from.

cadenced: Raymond Poulidor and Roger Pingeon climb the Col du...

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:47:06 -0400

cadenced:

Raymond Poulidor and Roger Pingeon climb the Col du Galibier in the 1967 Tour de France. Whilst Felice Gimondi would take the stage running from Divonne-les-Bains to Briançon, Pigneon would maintain his hold on the maillot jaune through to Paris. The picture comes from L’Equipe’s Tour de France, 100 ans 1903-2003.