Ever since we ran a half marathon on
1/1/11, Mr K and I have started New Year's Day on an active note: 2012 brought the second day of back-to-back half marathons at the
New Year's Double and 2013 had us running the
New Year's 5 Mile. This year we joined a group of Frunners on wheels and hit the open roads for a little spin on our Donkey Ride route.
I'll have to admit, I was quite apprehensive when I woke up and saw the weather on New Year's Day. Forty degrees with 15 mph (and gusting higher) winds -- not especially bad for a regular day, but it sounded downright frigid for a bike ride. I have done very little cold weather riding and I just didn't know what to expect. Thank goodness for peer pressure! We layered up, loaded up the bikes and headed out to meet our friends.
 |
| Mary, Erin and I are ready to roll (photo: TPG) |
The first few miles on the bike were quite "refreshing!" My fingers and toes went numb fairly quickly, but it wasn't as bad as I had feared. We headed over to Celebration Park, cowbells in our pockets, to cheer for the runners at the New Year's Double. I felt like I was part of a gang as we rolled up to the race site. Runners and cyclists don't always see eye to eye, you know. We were able to spot Stude, Matt Flo, Matt H, Beth, and Teal before we headed off on our way. I love spectathleting!!
 |
| We didn't let a little grass stop our cheering spirit! (Photo: TPG) |
My hands warmed up quickly once the sun was fully shining on my black gloves leaving only my toes feeling numb. We made our first stop at the home of some very friendly dogs, some alpacas, and the famous donkeys. Unfortunately the donkeys were being quite lazy (cue bad jokes) and wouldn't come to the fence, but the puppies were more than happy to visit.
 |
| Mr K greets the donkeys (Photo: TPG) |
Onward we went in search of our camel friend (it was Hump Day after all!) only to find him missing in action. His donkey friends were available and spent some time visiting us before we turned around and headed back to our cars. I'm so glad that I didn't chicken out -- a whole new world of winter cycling has opened up to me! A pair of toe covers and I will be ready to rock!
 |
| Happy 2014!! (Photo: TPG) |
After we loaded up our bikes we went for our traditional New Year's lunch of dim sum. Three years in a row makes it a tradition, right? It is one of my favorite meals of the year, I love having everyone gathered around the big table sharing some delicious and unique food.
 |
| Delicious dim sum lunch! (photo courtesy of Ninja) |
They say that the way you spend New Years is the way you will spend the rest of the year. I hope this is true as I cannot think of a better way to spend my year: being active, enjoying the sunshine, surrounded by good friends, and feasting on delicious food.
No comments:
Post a Comment