Yay for The Pedaler’s Retreat!
It’s really cool to see so much positive feedback for The Pedaler’s Retreat. Last week I mentioned that Will an I are hosting a 5-day bike retreat here in Girona. We’ve already got a nice little crew shaping up, and I’m super excited. Our little sale on doubles didn’t hurt. I also love a deal! It’s also been an interesting process working together with Will in this way. He’s taking more of a front seat to this project since it was his idea. Our brains work in wildly different ways, so it’s been a bit of an adventure, but the end product has absolutely benefited from this dynamic approach.
It’s also been really fun to dream up an experience that embodies the values I bring to all of our work. A truly inclusive space where everyone can thrive. Beyond that, this place where we live is so beautiful and fun. As cyclists, we take for granted that most people have never even heard of Girona, so I’m stoked to create that access for the people in my orbit. That being said, Girona definitely has a tourist problem that goes ignored by a lot of tour operators and race organizers. We have been very cognizant of that while planning The Pedaler’s Retreat. There are a few spots left, but at this rate we’ll be sold out pretty soon. I love that for us!
Last weekend, we hosted a ride from Girona to Barcelona in collaboration with Quoc and Castelli. It was freezing that morning, so there was only one person that I didn’t know. We still had a great time. I did have an unfortunate flat tire that was a bit of a stubborn fix, but we got it together and enjoyed a beautiful ride to Barcelona. Bicycles are so fun!
I’ve also been running more. Will and I are signed up for a 10k in late March. We’re literally just signing up for stuff for the shirts at this point. This race is municipality themed, in that all the towns are competing against each other. I’m really excited to represent the village of Sant Gregori in my cute little Sant Gregori shirt. The race is sold out, so it’ll definitely be a big party!
Other than that, I’ve finally been slowly removing myself from the recruitment list of Hoarders. I donated a lot of my old kit to the local mountain bike club here in Sant Gregori (SG), and yesterday Will saw a child in one of my Liv Racing Teqfind kits. I think that is HILARIOUS and it brings me immense joy. They were literally just sitting in a bin under the guest bed, so it’s great that they’re back out in the world being used by little kids who need them.
Also they’ve opened an IKEA just outside the city. It’s in the building that used to be the Leroy Merlin garden center. I AM THRILLED. IKEA has long been a place of comfort for me. I understand most people find it disconcerting, but something about the chaos soothes my brain in ways I cannot explain. When I lived in Brooklyn, I’d bike to Ikea just to have lunch and walk around. Maybe it’s weird, but I’ve accepted it about myself.
Also, I randomly checked my facebook messages last week and an old friend sent me a link to the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra from 1999! Basically, it’s a group of folks of all ages playing music together. See if you can spot me! Every Thursday one of our parents would drive the three of us to Cranford NJ for orchestra rehearsal. Then we’d chant and beg for McFlurries on the way home! We had so much fun. Also, every concert would end with “Let There Be Peace on Earth”, and I remember this one time we played in the United Nations, and seconds after the final note, my bridge broke and the sound echoed off the walls. I’m always gonna find a way to be ridiculous… Anywho, look at how cute we were! They made their goal already, but I need to remember to send them a few dollars, It’s great that they’re still going!
The weather around here has been beyond acceptable, especially seeing the blizzard happening in the northeast. I’ve been running and riding in shorts, so I’m a happy camper. I’m also quite a bit less freaked out about the ultra. I’ve circled back to accepting that I’m not about the bivy life and will just need to do whatever it takes to make the hotel thing work. I’ll still carry some sort of emergency option JUST IN CASE, but please, please, please send your best vibes to the universe for me that it all works out.
Also I’ve made quite a bit of Woobles progress! We’ve got a body, eyes, and a belly! I think the only thing left are ears, snout, tail, nose! Hooray!
In bike racing? The spring classics start this weekend with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Last year the race favorites messed around and let a break go up the road for too long and it stuck. It was a great day for the underdog! We’ll see if they’ve learned their lesson.
I hope y’all are having a lovely week. Until next time!
