Cycle-ogical

It's Spring!  The temperatures are warmer, and the sun is shining longer.


It's the time of the year, when I hop back onto my bicycle after taking the winter months off.  In preparation, I had my bike tuned up and cleaned a month ago.  Then, I just needed to find the time.  This past Friday, a friend, who had not ridden in a long time either, had a morning free.  So we agreed that our first ride should be together.  We'd take it slow, to reacquaint ourselves with being clipped in, and riding.


I had new bike shoes, so my biggest concern was getting clipped in and out smoothly at stops.


That should not have been my biggest worry.


My friend and I left from a local YMCA.  Just leaving the parking lot, I was dying.  She was leisurely cruising ahead, looking effortless on her bicycle, while I huffed and puffed up the short hill to the main road.  Good grief!  I had thought I was still in good shape - I'd been running and doing bootcamp, after all.


No luck.


As we continued to ride - her, not sweating and breathing normally. . .me, about to have a heart attack, and having to stand up to pedal on relatively flat roads, I kept messing with the gears on the right hand side of my bike, trying to make it easier, and not succeeding. . .


Until about 15 minutes into the ride - when I remembered. 
There are gears on the left side of the bike too. . .

Really, if people needed a license to ride a bike, I think mine would be revoked.


I'm blaming this on turning 40.

Mommies Need Playdates Too

This time, two weeks ago, I was in Mexico. . .

Hotel Entry

Every year, I get together with two of my best friends, from high school.  Normally, they fly to NC and we hang out for a mellow weekend.  This year, however, we are all turning the big 4-0, and we decided that milestone warranted a big trip.

After much discussion and research, we decided on Mexico.  6 days, 5 nights.  All-inclusive. Sunshine.  Ocean.

Coordinating and planning was relatively easy (thanks AAA).  Having this trip to look forward to during the long winter months was wonderful. . .especially for my New England residing girlfriends. I think they were more than ready for sunshine, sand, and no snow.

We met up in Charlotte on a Tuesday in mid-March.  Being the spatially challenged person that I am - I only got lost twice trying to find airport parking (thanks CLT construction).  Whew!  We were together at last. . .
One of my girlfriends informed me, that before leaving for this trip, she was snuggling with her daughter, and her daughter said that while she'd miss her, that she understood that "Mommies need play dates too."

When we got to Riviera Maya, Mexico - it was everything the brochure promised.
Our room was perfect (with a hammock on the balcony).
The resort was spotless and efficient (a massive amount of staff on site).
Unlimited adult beverages (helllllllo pina colada. . .and mojito. . .and margarita. . .you get the idea).
And, hammocks everywhere - by the pool, on the beach - I really think this was heaven.

Pool Area

As always, my friends and I picked right up, as if we hadn't been apart for hundreds of miles, several months, and numerous big and little life events. . .we are comfortable chatting up a storm, or sitting quietly for hours, reading, and not talking.  We did both.

Beach Area

This trip was fabulous.  I loved hanging with my friends.
We went to Tulum - and had a fabulous tour guide.

We went snorkeling and saw stingrays, beautiful fish, and amazing caves.

We sat by the ocean for hours, just reading.

I went for runs along the beach, and saw the sun rise. . .

I honestly felt more relaxed than I had in a long, long time.
I came home renewed.

Mommies need play dates too.  It's true.

Relaxed Momma in a hammock