Ride. Knit. Read.

Tour de Cure- Last Call

This Saturday and Sunday I will be riding 150 miles from Woburn, MA to Biddeford, ME. Rain or shine! I want to thank all my knitting friends who helped me with fundraising. All proceeds go directly to the American Diabetes Association and my company is matching contributions for this event. Check Monday for photos of the event. If you would still like to donate, I have re-posted the information below. Any amount is greatly appreciated. I recently accepted the challenge of cycling in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure fund-raising event. I am taking part in this event because I believe in and support the Association's mission: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. My connection to diabetes is probably similar to many Americans. My maternal grandmother developed the disease in her fifties due to poor diet and exercise. Over the past 15 years I've watched my father take part in many clinical drug trials in an effort to manage his symptoms of the illness. Fortunately, public awareness is increasing and many are finding how to prevent Type II diabetes. I'm glad to help fund continuing research and get us closer to a cure for juvenile diabetes and other forms. You can help by supporting my fund-raising efforts with a contribution in any amount. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference to more than 20 million Americans who are affected by diabetes and another 40 million who are at risk for developing diabetes. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by simply clicking the link at the bottom of this message. More information on the American Diabetes Association, its programs, and diabetes in general can be found at the Association's Web site, www.diabetes.org. To find out more information on our Tour de Cure, please visit tour.diabetes.org. To donate online, click here. If this link does not send you directly to my personal fund-raising page, please cut and paste the entire link, from beginning to end, into your Web browser and hit return. Thanks for your friendship and generosity. Greeley

Cycling Update

Giro d'Italia is underway. The mascot is a dormouse, which is called ghiro in Italian (I know you were wondering).

On June 3rd, I'll be participating in a training ride for the New England Classic--starts/finishes in Marshfield, MA. Thanks to everyone who has been supporting me! Donations made payable to the American Diabetes Association are gratefully accepted online Tour de Cure- 150 miles for Diabetes Research (and matched by my company). Contact me via email if you prefer to mail a check.

For the past month I've been riding with the name of my coworker's sister in my jersey pocket.  She passed away on April 20th after undergoing heart surgery (only in her 40s...a diabetes sufferer).

Stumbled across an interesting collection of New England routes and cycling blog: cycling.finial.com

Printemps

Act I, II, III

Act I

I'd like to publicly thank Chris & Debby for being the first to contribute to my Tour de Cure fundraising effort. I'm especially grateful because it was Chris' plan to ride 210 (!) miles and raise $2,000 for IBD awareness and research in this summer's "Get Your Guts in Gear" 3-day ride that has inspired me to take on the New England Classic challenge. Please visit their sites and support finding a cure for Chris' [and Charlie-cat] disease.

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Act II

My connection to diabetes is probably similar to many Americans. My maternal grandmother developed the disease in her fifties due to poor diet and exercise. Over the past 15 years I've watched my father take part in many drug trials in an effort to manage his symptoms of the illness. Fortunately, public awareness is increasing and many are finding how to prevent Type II diabetes. I'm glad to help fund continuing research and get us closer to a cure for juvenile diabetes and other forms.

***

Act III

Q: What do you want to do when you grow up?
A: I want to be a school headmaster.

I am very interested in the relationship between creativity and empathy. I believe it is possible to teach students to become "good citizens" via curricula that embraces creativity as a component of all areas of study.

As a very basic example, learning foreign languages when young trains the brain to accept multiple truths, which is essential in the development of the creative mind. House, Casa, Maison, Haus, Otaku--all true.

Accepting that there are multiple truths allows us to move beyond the restrictions of learning by rote. Art, writing, science, algebra, history...it is clear that even traditional scholastic pursuits can be presented as part of a creative triad:  examine, explore, discover.

The goal of this method is to develop youth to the best of their individual potential so that they may contribute to the welfare of society. Small acts of kindness as important as responsible stewardship by our elected officials.

Domestique

I spent the weekend engaged in various ways with my Le Creuset 5.5qt French (Dutch) Oven.

Generally, I need bandwagons to roll-on-by before I get interested in an activity so it's a good thing this habit didn't prevent me from enjoying the No-Knead Bread spectacular.  This is seriously good bread, folks. I made it for a second try Sat-Sun and it was met with glorious praise from all. It really is as easy as it says. Stir flour, yeast, water until doughlike; ask it to sit patiently for 18-24 hours; drop in dutch oven; bake for 45 minutes. Crusty, toothsome, delicious.

Homemade soup is always a fine complement for a nice boule (or the other way 'round?).  For week-two of my weekly soups routine I managed a healthful and tasty black bean soup. Not quite the smooth texture I like but I'd lay blame more on my submersion blending technique than the recipe, which is in Vegetable Soups from Deborah Madison's Kitchen. The book has high quality photos and represents a broad selection of vegetable/legume/pulse soups.

I started Ms. Marigold on Friday night but any progress shots will have to wait until the replacement adapter I ordered on 3-20 (!) arrives so ibook can be powered. Am I the only one who thinks 7 days is excessive when shipping costs are over $10?   

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In cycling news: Some nasty crashes in Milan-San Remo.

Cycling Knitters Webring & Contest

I've been delighted to find several knit bloggers who also share my affinity for cycling. I've set up a webring to help us navigate these wonderful blogs more easily.

If you'd like to join, please click on the link in my sidebar and I will approve you as a member once the code is displayed properly.

Please spread the word!

I'm happy to accept any comments or suggestions as this is the first time I've tried to manage a webring.

Webring Rules

1.  Your blog is primarily a knitting blog.

2.  Cycling is a part of your life. 
While it is preferred that some cycling-related posts or photos will appear at least occasionally on your blog, the primary motivation for creating this webring is to connect knitters who also like to ride or watch cycling. 
Fixie, Mtn., Cross., Road, Hybrid, Race, Amateur, Commuter, Enthusiast all welcome.

3.  You must update your blog at least 2x month.

4.  Your blog must be at least 1 month old, with at least 2 posts.

5. The webring code must be on your blog's main page, easy to find, and contain a link to the webring home page, next link, and previous link. Any other links are at your discretion.

Contest!

We need a button for this new webring. Please email me a submission (or seven) and I will award a yarn prize to the creator of my favorite entry.   Deadline: 2/22/07

All button submissions will be posted on my blog so that members can also use their favorite. (Remember, save images to your own server--don't steal bandwidth!)

Tour de France Redux

Last summer I traveled to Strasbourg to watch the Prologue and 1st stage of Le Tour de France. I also visited Paris on this trip but my reason for the trip was to experience Le Tour. It had been ten years since I was last in France and I would move there in a heartbeat. It probably helps that I am fluent and received most of my elementary and secondary education in French schools from grade 3 - grade 10, besides having one of my college majors in French Literature & Translation. It was lonesome traveling solo but I would gladly go again if only for the rush of the peleton and the food. Did you know I used to write a cheese blog?

Here are some photos of the trip:

Cycling Photos

Paris and Strasbourg

Meet Swift

Since it never made it higher than 10 degrees F outside yesterday I thought I should take this opportunity to introduce my Aegis Swift road bike. Isn't it beautiful?

Visit ATA Cycle in Cambridge and Concord Massachusetts for great bikes and service. They are definitely pro-knitter at ATA. ATA Cycle

Cyclocross

I had every intention to post about this year's cyclocross grand prix in Gloucester before I was sickly, so here are some pictures for Debby, who asked!

Cyclocross is a really great cycling discipline that blends a time trial (the 1st one across the line after the set period--45 min here--wins) with a mostly off-road course that tests bike handling skills over terrain and obstacles. It would be ideal to televise because it is a compact course and action-filled. So, Vs. (OLN) I hope you are listening! I'm a roadie but I am drawn to this sport because it is challenging without being dangerous (ahem--too big of a wimp for mtn. biking). I may try it out next year just for fun.

The Gloucester event is 2-day and we went up on Sunday to cheer Jason and take in the elite men's and women's races. We did arrive in time to see the wee 5-12 year olds racing on a modified course, unbearable cuteness.

 

Beanpot Cycling Races

Beanpot Spectator's Guide

I'll be watching the Crit on Sunday 4/9. It's up on the Tufts campus--I hear it has a few great turns.  Hometown races, whee!