My Thanksgiving post...long overdue, I know.

I can see that all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is going to make posting regularly a little interesting. I'll do my best! I am completely finished with my Christmas shopping (amazing!!) so that should make things a little more organized. Well, I can't just go right into Christmas talk and ignore the Thanksgiving post that I promised so I'll get started. This year we spent Thanksgiving in Jacksonville with my husband's side of the family. We had a lovely day at the Granparents house (Great Grandparents to our children) eating, drinking and watching football. Then we headed to Ponte Vedra with Ryan's parents, his sisters and our new brother-in-law. We all spent Friday and Saturday lounging at the pool and the beautiful private beach of The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. My mother-in-law and her family have been going to this resort for many years. In fact, it is where his Aunt helped his sisters learn to swim when they were young. It turned out to be a perfect beach weekend. Sunny skies, light breezes and highs in the upper 70s. Just lovely. I took some great pictures while we were out on the beach. The back door to our room opened up to the beach so we got up each morning and went outside to watch the sunrise with our toes in the sand.







Those pictures were all from Friday morning. We are not Black Friday participators. So while people were spending hours waiting in lines, fighting over toys and getting pepper sprayed for video games (not to mention shootings and fist fights) we were quite content to be on the beach and away from the crowds. Here are a few more pictures from the Saturday sunrise.







I loved being out on the beach so early. It was quiet and the lighting was just perfect to make for some pretty good pictures. Friday evening we drove to St. Augustine. It is a city rich in history and tourism. After all, it was founded in 1565 and it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United States. (Thanks, Wikipedia) Below are pictures from Castillo de San Marcos. Pretty impressive structure.







Well, that's it for my Thanksgiving post. I'll leave you with my newest workout playlist. I titled it Mixie Ride, since it is primarily made up of remixes. Each song is at least 5 minutes in length which made for long drawn out climbs. A much heavier workout than I have made in the past. Hmmmm...I wonder if it's because I put the playlist together a day or two after doing the Horrible Hundred... Anyway, enjoy!

Mixie Ride or Playlist #4

Float On, Penguin (G.reg Bootleg) - Avicii vs Modest Mouse

Cross Walk Stereo - The Pass

High and Rising - Big Gigantic

Love is Blindness - Jack White (covering U2)

We Found Love (Reidiculous Remix) - DJ Reidiculous

Barracuda (Fuse & Hiratzka Mix) - Heart

We are the People (Shazam Remix) - Empire of the Sun

Dream On (GRiZ REmix) - Aerosmith

Night by Night - Chromeo

Wait - M83

The Horrible Hundred...not so horrible, in my opinion

So yeah, that rats nest you see above was the hundred mile route that my husband and I did this last Sunday. I'm so glad that the course was well marked because I don't think I would have been able to read this very well. Other than a few annoyances (weird map, ridiculous amounts of people and icky port-a-pottys) the Horrible Hundred turned out to be an awesome time. It's not often that I get that many hours to myself in a day so I really enjoyed it. Fresh air and TONS of food. I should have made a list of the things I ate because I don't think I will ever consume that much again.



That's just the energy chews, bars, waffles and GUs we had. So, just think, all of that added to whatever we decided to shovel into our mouths at the SAG stops. There you could find PBJs, ham sammies, bagels, muffins, fruit, candies (my favorites were the peanut M&Ms and the pretty chocolates), snack mixes, various crackers and chips. Beverages included Gatorade, H2O and sometimes Coke. There were five SAGs spaced about fifteen to twenty-ish miles apart. We ate a lot and we ate often. Eating and drinking are crucial to keep your energy up during a ride lasting as long as ours did (8 hours). I think we would have finished much earlier if we didn't enjoy our SAG stops so much. Judging by our heart rate monitors we spent close to two hours eating and chatting.



It was pretty much understood that it would be every man/woman for themselves during the tough climbs. You just look where you need to look to stay focused and go up the best you can. My husband and I would usually get separated a little on the hills and then link back up just after we reached the top. Luckily we never got too far from one another the entire ride. It would have made the day a lot less enjoyable if one or both of us were riding alone. So in conclusion, the Horrible Hundred really wasn't that horrible and I would encourage anyone to go out there and give it a go.

Btw, there were a few photographers placed around the course so hopefully the pictures will be posted on the Horrible Hundred website soon. I'll try to get some up if I find them. Until then, I will leave you with a picture of riders climbing Sugarloaf in the 2010 Horrible Hundred. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm no runner...

For years I have refused to think of myself as someone that "liked" to run or someone that was decent at it. I would run to exercise and stay in shape, but that was it. Back when four miles used to be a long run...
Since moving to Florida, and meeting my crazy runner friends at the Y, anything less than six seems like a warmup and any mile slower than 9 minutes is a disgrace. These running buddies of mine have encouraged me and pushed me along and now here I am running thirty to forty miles a week...and loving it. Don't get me wrong, I love cycling and if I had the opportunity I would choose to do that over running most days, but running is quick and takes a little less preparation when you're short on time. As a mother of two I am almost always short on time (and sanity). After the Horrible Hundred this Sunday my husband has mentioned putting his bike into hibernation and hopping onto the Running Train...he would so roll his eyes at this. But seriously, I'm excited because I enjoy having him as a running partner.


That's my man. It's okay to be jealous...I would be. (Btw, I'm sure he's going to love that I posted this)

If any of you know my husband, you know that cycling and/or running is not about getting daily exercise, it's about the event he is training for. So he is already talking about what marathon we're doing. I'm pretty sure I have vowed that I would never put myself through running a marathon...I'm partial to my toenails staying on my toes as well as avoiding other scary things that happen over the course of 26.2 miles. I'll admit that all of this running lately has got me thinking about training for something. I mean, I run so much anyway I might as well have a goal, right? I do have the OUC Half Marathon in December on my schedule but as far as a marathon goes, we'll just have to see...

Like to run? Please join me! Shoot me an email if you're interested and I'll let you know where and what time we'll be meeting next.

Just another manic Monday...

Last week some of you sent in music requests so over the weekend I put together a few new workouts. I've got a list of rides that I'm still working on. Here are a few of the themes: The Beatles, U2, Coldplay, Best of the 80s, The Ladies of the 80s, Rolling Stones, Oldies Mix and with the upcoming holiday season I'll probably throw in a Christmas ride. For those of you that enjoy hearing new less popular tunes, worry not, I will have a New Music workout coming as well. So far I have finished the Beatles ride, Coldplay and (in honor of it's 20th anniversary) U2s Achtung Baby. Today I let my class vote on which one they wanted and the majority chose U2. So I'll post that one today.

Achtung Baby 20th Anniversary Ride

Zoo Station
Even Better than the Real Thing
One
Until the End of the World
The Fly
Mysterious Ways
Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
Love is Blindness
Acrobat
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World
So Cruel


As far as the weekend goes I didn't get any outdoor riding in. I had a limited amount of time to workout on Saturday so I got up around 5:30am and my friend and I put in a solid 12 mile run. We were planning for another Sunday ride out in Clermont, but we decided to take the day off and enjoy sleeping in (as much as the kids would allow). There were ridiculous amounts of laundry to tackle and a house to clean so staying home wasn't particularly fun but it felt nice to have clean clothes and a semi clean house at the end of the day. Overall it was a pretty good weekend...I just wish it would've lasted longer! Next weekend is the Horrible 100. I've heard there will be about 3,000 people that show up to ride. Wow. I'm looking forward to it!

Wishful Wednesday

Wednesday is a day for wishful thinking in my book. Wishing for it to be over so that you can get on with Thursday and Friday. So it only seems right to have a Wishful Wednesday on La Belle Velo. So, here's what I'm wishing for...



I would love to leisurely pedal around town on this little bicycle. My Trek is a great, but it's not exactly made for cruising around or pulling a bike trailer with a couple of kids inside. This would be perfect. Love the colors too.

Next up I have some sweet Castelli cycling gear. Not many people can say they look stylish in their cycling get up and I am no exception. Most of the women's jerseys that I come across have way too many flowers, too much pink and weird tattoo designs all over them. There are plenty of sharp looking men's jerseys so why not something for the ladies...that's where Castelli comes in. Classic colors and a body hugging design. This is my cycling wishrobe.



Short Sleeve Jersey



Body Paint Bib Shorts- Bib shorts are always the way to go. Much more comfortable.



Wind Blocker Long Sleeve Jersey



Tights - I love the Castelli logo on the leg.

__________________________________________________________

Last on my wish list today is Paula Deen. Yes, the chef that loves butter (by the sticks) on Food Network. I'm in the mood for some delicious comfort food and nobody knows comfort food like Paula. I know my way around the kitchen and I feel like I make some tasty dishes, but tonight I'm wishing for the night off.



Well that's it for Wishful Wednesday. Btw, I am in the process of adding some new classes to my schedule. Starting on November 30th, Wednesday @ 4:30pm and starting December 1st, Thursday @ 12:15pm both Downtown.

Teaching Schedule and Music Requests

For anyone interested in my weekly teaching schedule...here it is:

Monday @ 10:30am, Winter Park

Tuesday @ 8:00am, Winter Park

Wednesday @ 12:15, Winter Park


Also, for the month of November:

Thursday - Intro to Cycling @ 5:30pm, Crosby


I will try to email or tweet when I get called in to Sub for other instructors in the area. It's always nice to see some familiar faces in the crowd. I normally pick up classes at Winter Park, Crosby and Downtown.


Next, I would like to mention that I am open to song requests. The best/easiest thing to do would be to just email me your request. I will do my best to incorporate them into my workouts. Who knows, if you send me enough maybe I'll name the workout after you and it will be forever referred to as [ Your name here ]'s Ride :)
Send your requests here ------> lbfcycling@gmail.com


Last, but not least, Playlist #3 or as I like to call it, Happy Ride:

(Preview and buy songs from the list HERE.)

Stuck in my ID - Reptar

Desire - U2

Rules Don't Stop Me - We are Scientists

Safari Disco Club - Yelle

Walking on a Dream - Empire of the Sun

Love it All - The Kooks

Love like a Sunset (Part 2) - Phoenix

Expanding Anyway - Morning Teleportation

Knights of Cydonia - Muse

Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra) - The Vaccines

Boy - Ra Ra Riot

Bryn - Vampire Weekend

Waste - Foster the People

Miss You - Foster the People

Ready to Start - Piano Tribute Players (The original song is done by Arcade Fire)

Down in the Valley - The Head and the Heart

Weekend Riding and Playlist #2

Yay! I got to get out and ride this weekend! It was glorious. It reminded me why I love cycling and it gave me a workout that no spin class can fully imitate. Loved it. Over the two day weekend I managed to get in a total of 110 miles, the most I have done in a 48 hour time frame. I would like to mention that 40 of those miles were done out in Clermont, Florida, where the feared Sugarloaf Mountain (pictured right) is located. I've wondered about Sugarloaf for a little over a year now. I kept hearing how terrible it was for other riders and how many resign to walking their bike up it. I was very skeptical...mountains in Florida?! C'mon. But honestly, it's pretty bad. Not to the point of getting off and walking, but I was only able to go about 5mph the entire way up. Ouch! I will also throw in that I'm signed up to do the Horrible 100 which is a ride that takes place in Clermont on November 20th, 2011. During this one-hundred mile ride I will encounter Sugarloaf as well as six other steep climbs. What is most disturbing is the fact that you don't hit Sugarloaf until mile 70...[insert maniacal laugh]. Insanity, right? No. It is absolutely beautiful out in the hills of Clermont. You forget for a moment that you are in the State of Florida when you see all of the Fall foliage, rolling hills and sometimes even a pretty strong wind. That my friends is what I will be focusing on while I'm taking on the Horrible 100. The beauty of nature and the wonderful fresh air outside of the city. I am confident that will be what gets me through to the finish line. Well, that and proving to my husband that I have unwavering persistence. I am pretty sure he knows that already I just like to remind him.



As promised, Playlist # 2:
(Find those available on iTunes here.)

Midnight City - M83

Lights - Norwegian Recycling

Wolf Like Me - TV on the Radio

Beautiful People - Chris Brown

Starlight (Victor Kaleta Remix) - Muse -FREE download

Two Kinds of Happiness - The Strokes

Warrant - Foster the People

Custom Concern (Instrumental BBC Radio 1 Session Version) - Modest Mouse

Broken Jaw - Foster the People

Oxygen - Living Things

The Day is Coming - My Morning Jacket

Lotus Flower - Radiohead


Happy Monday!

Indoor Cycling, playlists and stuff I'm doing

Since I've starting teaching Indoor Cycling at the YMCA of Central Florida I've been fairly busy going back and forth to the gym, putting together workouts, trying to workout for myself, still maintain my household and take care of my two kiddos. It's been a little crazy, but overall I think it's been good for me to get out and work part-time. All of this indoor cycling got me interested in working on my blog once again. I don't get out on the road much these days but I do plenty of indoor workouts that I can share on here. I will also be posting my teaching schedule and where and when I might be a substitute next. Hope you enjoy!

- Lindsey


Here is the first workout playlist I put together. It's still a favorite and I enjoy comparing it to my newer workouts to see how far I've come.

(You will find what is available on iTunes HERE. For the others, click the links to find the FREE downloads)

Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix) - Florence + The Machine

Lost in the World - Kanye West feat. Bon Iver (clean version)

Titanium- David Guetta feat. Sia

A-Punk- Vampire Weekend

Houdini (RAC Remix)- Foster the People

Champion (Matt Nash & Dave Silcox Remix) - Chipmunk feat. Chris Brown

Doubt- Delphic

Pumped Up Kicks (Myndset Remix) - Foster the People

Supermassive Black Hole - Muse

My Body - Young the Giant

Paradise - Coldplay

Amarillo- The Gorillaz

Summer Skin - Death Cab for Cutie