Quilt Progress!

I've made a lot of progress on the TNT quilt - especially given the fact that I haven't had much time to work on it.  I have all the pieces cut, and I started to lay them out.

These are the pieces laid out - there are a few more rows that would have been out of the picture.  You may have noticed the addition of a new fabric (above the bottom yellow row).  I was at the fabric store and had a GREAT coupon and saw this beautiful fabric, I could not pass it up.  I think it really fits in well withe other colors.  I'm really excited about this quilt.  I definitely feel the "sunshine" vibes and I hope that Lake Tahoe hear's our wishes for sun this year!

pooL nevahkoorB (Brookhaven Loop - backwards)

This was week 3 of training - and it was a great ride.  There was a possibility of rain but we were able to avoid that - thank goodness!

I have no stats today :-(  When I unmounted my bike computer, I dropped it on the ground which apparently is another way to reset all the stats.  Oh well.  Speaking of the new bike - I love it!  Riding is much more enjoyable on this bike than the last one.

The ride was a nice 20 miles - it seemed easier than doing the Brookhaven Loop the right way.  I rode with some of my mentees and met someone who works at IHG in the same office park as I do.  On the second loop, I actually had to take off my jacket because I was getting too warm - great riding weather.

Not sure if I will ride tomorrow - it's supposed to rain - not really keen on riding in the rain.  If not, i'll hit up the gym and get some cardio in!

Beginnings of a Quilt!

I'm really getting excited about this years quilt.  Cutting and laying out the quilt pattern has just reinforced how much I love the fabrics I found.   Between yesterday and after work today I cut all the strips for the quilt.

Strips sewn 2 by 2

Next step will be to cut all the strips like this:

And then lay them out to make the quilt top and start sewing them all together!

Wouldn't you like to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, knowing that 75% of your donation goes directly towards the research of blood cancers while you are comfortably snuggled under this wonderful hand made quilt??  You can!!  Click the donate now button the right and you'll be entered for chances to win this quilt!


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Donations are 100% tax deductible.

Riding in the Snow..

Today was week 2 of training for the summer season and it was my first ride this season, my first ride on my new bike!!   If you haven't seen my new bike....here it is:  

The Group Training Ride (GTR) started off this week with a clinic.  We focused on clipping in and out of our pedals, avoiding road obstacles, and changing gears going up and down hills.  The air was very cold and occasionally had some really big gusts of wind...it was very chilly.  I noticed the small,white things falling from the sky - yep, it really snowed.  I could barely feel my face, hands and feet - but I think the clinic was very useful.  

After the clinic we set out for a nice (not easy) 10 miles.  I was at the end of the pack and stayed back to ride with J.  J is new to cycling but has done a half marathon AND an Olympic distance triathlon with TNT, so this will be her triple crown.  Some of the hills were a little tough for her so we took our time and walked a few.  The hills weren't getting any easier, the weather wasn't helping, and while I tried to push J the whole 10 miles, it was clear today was just not the day for that.  Because of our stopping to walk, I think that was making her more tired.  In the end, C to the rescue!! One of our SAG (Support and Gear) brought her in at about mile 6.5.  From there I went off by myself.  I was the last one on the course (not something I'm used to, not that I'm leading the pack, I'm just usually somewhere in the middle) and I rode the last 4 miles by myself.  Riding by yourself really isn't all that fun - especially in weather you'd rather not ride in.  But, this is why we have mentors and this is why I stayed at the end with J.  I've never been the ride sweeper before and I've never been the last one to come in.  But, as M put it on her blog, these rides are not about speed, "they are about riding with the TEAM and being there for the participants".

GO TEAM!

Stats:

Max Speed: 34.4 mph

Avg Speed: 9.4 mph

Distance: 11.3 miles

My computer is new, because of that, my stats are a little sparse since I'm still learning it