merider1

Okay, so I was thinking today about how there seems to be so few women in this community and on So Cal. I know I'm a dip since I flaked on the Tour de Femmes, but honestly, I wasn't feeling the love (well, okay, some of you were supportive as were some of the men for sure, thank you). But I'm trying to do a head count to see how many women really are on here and if it is feasible to get an Estrogen-ladden ride going. This is the headcount I have:

Caligurl (if she's still here - we may have scared/repulsed her into leaving)
Brandy (hope the back is better!)
Tiffanie (glad your saddle issue has been solved!)
Tracy (can't wait to see you Memorial Day Weekend)
NYgirl777 (ditto!)
Karen (Girl, you've become an official "pretty" billy goat - RS during the week?! )
Valleygirl - (You've been a "pretty" billy goat and I just watch you as you drop me on the hills )
Happytime - (I can't wait until you're on that new bike and on a BF ride!)
FlipFlops - (haven't heard from you for awhile - still riding with the BF?)
BCIPam - (You still mountain biking? I should come join you IF you'll take me on a fire road. )
Shnuddy - (I really enjoyed meeting you at Hemet but wish we'd had more time to talk!)
Mv58vw- (You are such a sweetheart sagging all these rides!)
Heddywouldgo - (are you healing, lady? I hope so!)
Redfetish - (haven't heard much from you lately either, but I remember your cool sandals! )
Biscuit - (you're a hoot/hottie - you should come visit So Cal for sure!)
Allez Oops - (Looking forward to meeting you as you sound like you'll fit right in already!)
Alicestrong - (Don't know much about you yet - details?? )
ApplesforJohn - (We need you on here more and I'm relieved to hear you're getting better)
Velodrome Phoenix (you are impossible to forget and I hope you are back on your bike all healed!!! )
MErider1 - ("looking for love in all the wrong places, looking for love in too many faces..." Sorry, I love that song and it just popped into my head .)

Did I miss anyone? (if so, mea culpa!) Any lurker ladies that are hanging around who want to introduce themselves? We need some So Cal Girl Power! Perhaps this could be a thread for the women to discuss female/so cal related items. I for one, would love some tips on how to keep my skin in check while riding out here in this smog-filled air!

Ladies**********

nygirl777

Well this femme is having some issues I was really feeling wounded after the cactus hugger ride...wasn't sure if it was my seat or my shorts or both but nonetheless wounded. The night after the ride I noticed some severe swelling and......i won't get graphic The next morning I couldn't sit on my bike seat the pain was so bad. I decided my recovery ride would be a "standing" ride and just practice on riding out of the saddle. Anyhow I finally got into my OB-GYN this morning and I have a hemotoma (bruise ) and I busted a few blood vessels that turned into huge clots I thought it was hernia for sure....felt like my small intenstines had come through some tissue. Anyhow he said I shouldn't ride for 3 weeks.....and he will see me again on the 23rd and if it doesn't get re-absorbed by my body then I have to go under the knife I have to use heat and switch it up with cold.........so I've been using my hand warmers from snowboarding and then ice bags.......I am going to do my last ride Saturday the tour de fire and then chill out til the Encinitas ride. So if this all doesn't work out this femme is going to have to have a sex change

tprevost

hey babe, you gotta spell my name w/a "Y" as right now you're referring to Indolent58's lovely bride who should also be on the 'list'

Brandy

The back is feeling much better, thank you!

I would like some decorating tips...so if anyone with more decorative style and flair than I have (btw...it would be hard to NOT have more style and flair than me) would like to accompany to me Home Depot to pick out paint for a windowless bathroom...and my whole condo for that matter, let me know.

tprevost

Okay Missy... you'd better be all repaired by Memorial Day... I'm just sayin'

nygirl777

yeah I think I should up my protein with all the blood loss ......... sounds kinda planned huh

VelodromePhoeni

Ahem -- you forgot me. Of course, I'm a little hard to keep track of. I keep transforming into somebody else.

Two items. One -- my club, PAA, Has just recently started its own "tour de femmes" -- the PAA Ladies/Fun Ride. It is almost identical in concept to the Tour de Femmes -- easy pace (15-16mph), moderate distance (25-30 miles, max), encouraging atmosphere, focused on new/developing cyclists, men more than welcome to join the fun, and a coffee stop at the end of the ride. Since this is an EXISTING ride, there's nothing to organize. Sooooo, I'm hereby officially inviting all BFers to come join the PAA Ladies/Fun Ride. There are two scheduled for this month -- Sunday May 6th, and Sunday, May 20th. Start is Lot K at the Rose Bowl (Pasadena), roll out at 8:00 am (or as soon as everyone has their make-up on, ahem, ME Rider1). Route follows the Montrose ride to Arcadia, short cut up to the Montrose finish point in Sierra Madre, rest break, ride back to Pasadena along Orange Grove, stop at Starbucks near the Rose Bowl for a Koffee Klatsch, back to Lot K. Max time, 2 1/2 hours.

Second item -- protecting your skin. MOISTURIZE, ladies. Instead of leaping into one's lycra like a He-Man Tuff Guy, take the time to cleanse and then moisturize with a good moisturizer. The moisturizer will protect your skin from the elements (dry air, smog). Then, apply sun screen (I'm the naughty girl who always omits this step), which will protect against the sun. And if you do that you should be good to go. And be sure, post ride, to cleanse all the crap off your face (I can't believe how much grime I get on my face, just from a couple of hours on the road), and apply more moisturizer. ten minutes before and after a ride paying attention to basic skin care can make a huge difference.

The Velodrome Phoenix, transforming once again in to BIG SISTER OMNISCIENT WHITE GODDESS

merider1

Renee! I suck! I'm so sorry!!!!! Yes, I'll add you immediately!

merider1

Mea culpa I always call you Trac, so I forgot it's with a Y.

BigSean

Hey, what about us men? You cant leave us out. Its soooooo, um, today.

merider1

Good to hear! I've had back stuff too and it's no fun for sure. I suck with the decorative stuff, but if you and Tiff and others want to make it a Home Depot/Brewery stop, I'm all over it.

merider1

Oh, good Lord. Take care, Asia. Did the riding cause it?! You know sometimes when I ride too hard and long, my uterus and ovaries cramp for hours but no period. I often wonder what I'm doing down there. And don't get me started on the whole loss of feeling issue in the...ahem... Anyway, NO Sex change for you. NOT possible - you too pretty.

merider1

OUT! Right this minute! And that goes for the rest of you testosterone creatures! And I mean it.

Just in case you think I don't - I'm going to be discussing my lack of having a period in here and the the spotting in between and the cramps and the bloated breasts. Okay? So, have all you men left yet?

VelodromePhoeni

ME -- yes, I'm back on my bike. In fact, I am proud to announce that I did my first Century -- April 21. The "Home Sweet Home" Century, as I did it all by myself, starting from my house. 104 miles in 11:55 hours. So, I'm not a roadie virgin anymore. I "did the deed," and went "all the way." Finally.

Also, if I've been a little not in evidence, it's because I've got me a feller. And we're planning to "do it" for the "first time" this Saturday -- our first ride together. I'm a little nervous. But I've promised to be gentle with him . . . . He's a little nervous and scared, because I'm so experienced. That Century has him a little intimidated. Well, I'll just have to get him a copy of "The Joy of Cycling" before the "big day."

VP, once again seducing virgins . . . .

merider1

I'm going to get back to you on both items above. I'm jumping off for now to go join Herb's hill ride. I need to whip my sad quads into shape!

tprevost

bummer I'm not down there... I love to paint! There's something really cool about how putting a coat of paint can transform an entire room

jschen

I'm not squeamish as long as it doesn't involve my own blood. (And even then I've become better about not minding.) Carry on.

nygirl777

Yeah the doc said he had 3 women in the last week with this.........the seat, the friction, the long hours on the bike............ so I ordered my Assos yippee cant wait for them to come. I think I have been riding on the seams in my shorts.....they must get caught up in the grove.....

VelodromePhoeni

Yes. I agree. No one with less than TWO X CHROMOSOMES allowed. And while we're discussing the nuts and bolts of gynecology, I've got more than a few fibroids, i've come to find out, and the time may have come to have to have them out. I am a little scared. I don't want to have to have surgery if I can avoid it. Fibroids will dry up and go away if you can just hold on through menopause, but that blessed event seems like a mirage on the horizon. Every time I think I've FINALLY reached menopause, I get another one of those darned periods again, and I'm having them EVERY THREE WEEKS, which is REALLY ANNOYING. Gosh -- I've been impatient to get through with menopause for 35 years now. When is it ever going to come? I think I'll still be menstruating when I'm 80!! Post menopausal women are the only people I truly envy. The young ones can keep their thin thighs and flat stomachs. I WANNA BE POST-MENOPAUSAL!!!

VP

nygirl777

Glad you're better Brandy..........My decorating tips are stolen from Model homes..... I have no creativity. Zero Zilch.

nygirl777

Birth control pills assist in combatting Fibroids. But they can laser them out which is virtually painless.

jschen

Okay, VP, I will not say another peep in this thread until the next time I post here.

Brandy

Hmmm...drunken paint selection? It has to be better than me staring at those damn cards for hours and walking away still not knowing what I want!

Come visit??? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?

Anything would make this place look better...think white walls with little people handprints all over them. Oh...and crappy carpet in a color that should be banned from places where little people roam. I'm going to ask my parents for laminate flooring for my birthday...how sad is that?

I need to make this place "mine" now that STBX is kinda moved out...time to make it purty!

jpconrad

The Pasadena Triathlon Club has started doing Female Friendly Rides, too. I think they do them every Saturday morning, at least they have recently. https://www.pasadenatriclub.com/

heddywouldgo

I'm here! I like to think that I'm riding with you guys in spirit Someday soon hopefully...
I haven't ridden a bike since Feb. 18th . I've built up a purdy new bike that is just dying to be ridden and it just stares at me longingly from the corner of my room