And now he is my guiding light....

Well now... so let me get on with a little back up information on this last year I've had. It's been a rough one for my family and loved ones. My Dad passed away just four months ago. I still feel like it's a dream. It all started in January 2011, when he spent his birthday in the hospital after having a stroke. Albeit a so called mild stroke, it was a shocker to us all. However, he bounced back like a trooper. Then along came April and another one hit. He and my Mom spent my Mother's birthday in the hospital. This time things were much worse. The stroke really did a number on his motor skills and thinking power. My Dad had to relearn so many things. What an amazing person he was during this time (and my Mother too, who practically never left his side!). Through it all, my Dad became the rockstar of the rehab facility where he spent two long weeks. My parents, together, were seen with great admiration, as they remained a TEAM through every step and every challenge. Without getting into too much detail, they made it through with flying colors and my folks went home with hope and determination. Sometimes though, even all the best efforts and intentions, all the love, all the prayers and all the positive energy in the world still isn't enough. My Dad began to have more problems. It seemed like it was one thing after another. One misdiagnosis after another. A scramble to get to doctors here and there. And wow, I must say, my folks were taking it in stride and making the most of each challenge. But you can bet they were getting tired of it all....especially my Dad. You see.... my Dad, he was dying. He didn't have the energy to fight like he used to. The energy we were all used to. The energy that made us The Lyons Family. It was so confusing and heartbreaking to witness all of this. My parents were always so strong and always made it through the tough cards that life dealt. Feeling helpless really sucked. There were good days and there were bad. Then the bad days started coming more often. The doctor's couldn't make him better, nor could we. My Dad, in his infinite wisdom, must have known his time was near, because suddenly my folks got the bug to travel and we were all able to spend quality time together as a complete family. Time that not everyone gets to have when a loved one is close to dying, time that we will cherish forever. It's hard to say what my Dad was so intuitive about. He had been having some mystery health problems ever since he had suffered the strokes. A mass on his lung had been spotted. He had started radiation therapy. But it was not meant to be that he would get well. And just a few short months after their trip west, My Dad spent his very last conscious moment in the best place ever, he was at home with my Mom --the love of his life. I can only imagine that for my Dad and my Mom those moments must have felt like being wide awake in a bad dream. The worst dream ever. I remember hearing my Mom's voice when the plane landed that fateful Sunday. I had been working in Seattle. Time stood still as I listened. Our family was changed forever. All of us kids (and my Dad's closest friends and relatives) made a mad dash for home. We were all so shocked, so sad, and feeling the most unbearable pain in our hearts, but we knew ....we just knew it was his time to let go. He was finally better. He was now a true free spirit. Gone was all the suffering. Gosh...it's been such a long year. Finding light and staying positive has been the main goal for each and every day. And even though I hadn't planned on it, the bicycle has become the light. Riding and racing are like therapy to me. I think any avid cyclist feels this way and I have always said the same. But now I am devoted to pedaling for reasons that go well beyond fitness and stress relief. Truth be known, my Dad is the reason I became any type of athlete at all. I'm old enough that it took a Dad like mine to make sure that his daughter didn't miss out and was allowed to "play on the boys team" at at time when the girl's teams just didn't exist. He gave me wings to believe in myself as an athlete. He bought me my first road bike in the early eighties after I told him I didn't want to race BMX like my brothers. I will never forget how cool I thought I was when I put a "Moto Fox" sticker on that bike. Who would have guessed that it would take nearly twenty years before I ever realized my potential as a cyclist. I have so much to be grateful for. I have had opportunities of a lifetime. I have met people that have changed my life direction. I have met my best friends. I have learned to appreciate life so much more, simply because I ride. How is that possible? It's just a bike, right? I sure don't get it, but I don't really question it either. All I know is that my letter begins like this, "Dear Bicycle, I need you now more than ever...."

We shall call this inning a New Beginning.

And so the number 43 begins. Let's hope this round is better than 42! I cannot even begin to explain the year I have had, all I can say is that the smile on my face is real and I am happy about what is coming my way....more soon! ~

Me and my son Myles celebrating my birthday together :)

Lost my composure ......

Today I lost a friend -- Jeff Kargola. ~ RIP OX
Walked into a nice restaurant here in Atlanta International to have good glass of wine and burger. As I sat here contemplating my father's life after stroke, I got a call from Micky telling me that our good friend had an accident in Mexico and didn't survive. I promptly had a second glass of wine...just for OX (of course this glass was mixed with tears).

Not a good day at all.

Ox, I pledge to remember your smile, your positive attitude and most of all, the good feeling you created in others just by being around. Thank you.

totally Worth It.

I am of the mindset that personal health ranks right up there with financial stability.
But I am also one who likes change and diversity....meaning, I love my bike but honestly, cycling has burned me out a bit. It just cannot be my end all be all avenue for exercise. So...instead of grunt and groan and be miserable about burnout, I did my research and found something new! I just joined the world of "boot campers" !!! Haha no kidding. I started a new training regimen with a couple of great coaches here in Anaheim. Now I am finally rediscovering my personal love of fitness and am feeling a bit like a kid again!

I feel like a quack saying this but I was getting lost inside myself without new opportunities and outlets to make me happy....and thanks to these guys I am finding a whole new level.

Woooohoooo....

not so sudden realizations....

--parenting from 500 miles away is not the best plan.
---exercise really does make a difference.
-sleep is essential.
-i am in love.
--- i am not scared to get old, but i am scared to become old.
-there are plenty of adventures that absolutely must blend in with daily chores.
----shedding unnecessary people is a bit like shedding unnecessary weight.
-saving pennies is still worth the effort.
--absolutely nothing compares to the bicycle.
--i miss blogging.

Learning something new :)

Forty is the new Twenty ;-)

ahhh ok...i'm 40 today.

going to check my birth certificate just to make sure this is true. ;-)

stoked...

Myles is my blessing. Getting to share my love for the bike with him has been one of the most amazing experiences of parenting so far :)

I love(d) my Jetta TDI until I met a bad day with my camshafts..

Trust in your car maker?? Hmmmm. That's going to be a tough thing for me to do from now on. My car needs camshafts at 73k and it is one hell of a costly repair. The service manager at the dealer suggested I seek financial assistance from Volkswagon because he felt the part had worn out prematurely. To use his words exactly ..."never seen camshafts wear out this early before, they shouldn't"...

Well VW turned down my request.

Alot of internet research tells me this is an ongoing problem with these seemingly great cars, but even though I now understand better just what the heck was going on and why the part has failed (by the way....i did every thing right with the oil so it wasn't that!), this is not an easy pill to swallow. I'll be lucky if I can get the repair done for $2k and i just spent $1100 to get the EGR valves fixed. Here we go, into the money pit.......... :(

btw-- i know its all twitter and facebook these days but i sure hope this blogpost helps anyone who has the same problem as me thats doing a google search! here is a little reference for you in case you are reading and you want more proof.
http://www.justanswer.com/questions/1jj6e-06-jetta-tdi-running-rough-idle

a real good day...they just keep coming

this wasnt taken today or yesterday or even the day before that, but it was taken on a sunshiny day, in a beautiful place, at a wonderful time --with the most amazing person.

Wahoo........

thats right. wahoo baby.
(and darn right...two wheels rock this picture too!)

MAMA...

How adorable is that? A mama duck making her way with seven little ones....
And you know what was as adorable (to me anyway)? I was with Myles, we were riding beach cruisers to get tacos for dinner down near the pier on Main Street, he was really taken by the little creatures, and maybe more into them than me! It was a magical little event in our daily life....

So sweet to see my sixteen year-old into that.

Cherishing the "lucky mama moments".
ps) he beat me in the coasting race on the way home...little bugger used my draft!

pedal time always equals a smile...

After a couple of very long days, I finished up my business and anxiously hopped on the bike, excited for some pedaltime. It was a Tuesday in Pasadena, and you know who..in all her buzy-ness, had completely forgotten about The Rose Bowl ride (one of SoCals well known weekly training rides). I was simply looking for some way to enjoy the evening on my bike after the long days of driving and traveling. My good friends at the bike shop (who also forgot it was Tuesday) gave me everything I needed to be complete including directions over to The Rose Bowl. Off I went on the maiden voyage, quite stoked on my plan for a little mini-adventure around the infamous Pasadena spot. When I rolled up to the big bowl, everywhere that I looked I was greeted by all sorts of hustle-bustle, as tons of people had the same idea I had and were out and about getting in their daily dose of fresh air. That kind of "other people" energy is inspiring to me, and I suddenly found myself enthused for putting in a few good efforts around the loop. As I turned in with the flow of everyone (clockwise please) I saw a nice smooth open line on the open road on front of me and I began to increase my speed. I got the legs going as I pushed into the gears ...click' click' click'...big ringing it, 90 rpms. Solid, and feeling my body come alive. I went for a nice big effort around the majority of the loop until I felt the burn. Naturally, the moment came as my legs reached a peak. Ok..time to rest.

Such a good feeling....
My heart, my lungs, my legs all stimulated.
My mind satisfied.
My smile on.

And so there I am --happily soft pedaling off to the side, enjoying a little breather, enjoying the "aliveness" of my once sleepy body. A good moment.

Then....all of the sudden, like I had just entered a dream, a HUGE pack of riders came sweeping by me at what seemed like lightning speed. It took me a second to equate the moment, I was still in my own little world...then it hit me, "oh yes, THE Rose Bowl Ride!"

I had hit the jackpot.

It took an effort to jump on, but man it felt SO good to get my groove on in the pack that it almost felt like someone was tickling me! What an instant treat. I loved feeling all of my senses really coming alive as I navigated the pockets of space, and the changing wind direction, zinging my way around in the pack, my heart beating solidly --thumping in my chest. LOVE that feeling.

I kept thinking "I gotta go"..."dinner plans"..."long drive" --but my legs and my heart just kept going, my mind saying "one more lap"... "oh that was fun, okay one more lap" vroom vrooom. "alright, just one more lap then I HAVE to go!" ---

Get the picture? ;-)

It felt so good to ride like that again. I didn't attack, or try to be at the front, or anything like that --I was simply enjoying the feeling of racing again, it felt so natural to be in this element.

Grateful moments indeed.
And since when does one ever just stumble onto a ride like that, unplanned?

And so ...that picture I posted above is testament to the bike. Me smiling on my spin back to my car, so thankful for a pleasant little pedal adventure, on a random Tuesday night.....

Peace out.

Proof that the bike is still being ridden ;-)

Smiles are beautiful

How can anyone not love a smile. And I for one...love people and I love capturing their energy with the camera (even though I am a total amateur!). I was actually a little embarrassed taking this shot (can you imagine me standing with these kids, lined up on "their" wall just so I could get a moment to snatch a picture for my "day-tripping in the rep world" photo album). I just needed a split second when they weren't gawking at me wondering what on earth I was doing there lined up like them.... the only female, AND without a board. Ha.

This was a moment indeed.

It was a great moment. The shot was taken in Las Vegas at Pharmacy Board Shop --one of my newest dealers. These guys are SO nice and So mellow and SO cool. No wonder all the kids want to hang out there!

I'm coming in close to two years ago when I was offered the position to come on board with this side of the industry and although it has been a WILD ride learning the ropes, there is never a moment that I do not appreciate the gift of being in this career.

Ride on Ride on...

there was a time when old school was new

Old School BMX Reunion & Show ** Highlights & Invitation ** from Old School BMX on Vimeo.

I'll be in attendance this year :)

Glen Helen --outdoor season opener.

Krista and I made it a day of Mojo madness and took our Ibis bikes out to the track to watch the big guns take on the big hills. Wow. Man oh man oh man those are some steeeeeep hills and serious jumps! Major respect for motocross....

ps) Tecate goes well with sunshine, dirt, and braaaaaaaaaaaaaap ;-)

Cinco de Mayo on the 6th...

So I spent Cinco De Mayo working, working, working and completely forgot it was the annual May "party" night, until I was doing and evening jog and these cars went rippin' past me --one after another in this hilly neighborhood that resembles Fountain Grove in Santa Rosa. I was in Trabuco Hills (a beautiful area in the OC for hill training) getting in an almost "too late in the evening" workout after watching Myles run an impressive 2:12 800 meter race (injured) in a in a high school track meet. It took me awhile to realize that all those people zipping past me were "late" for the party --wherever the party was. I however, was quite content with the moment and my evening and the fact that I actually made my son's track meet! --and in the end, totally enjoyed a late night jog under a soon to be full moon.
Then Wednesday came along and after work off I went to join the guys for a one day late "Cinco de Mayo" mountain bike ride. There were tequila shots (none for me thanks!) and there were Tecates (don't mind if I do!) and there were sombreros (wish I had taken a picture of Lopes wearing his!). It was a grand time indeed...plus we celebrated Joe's (my friend Joe Lawwill's) birthday....so there was also a little chocolate birthday cake presented after tacos and beer :)
Good times for sure.....

Laguna Canyon is remarkably beautiful. If you haven't ridden up around the hills there, I hope you get to do so someday...the views are absolutely stunning and totally worth the trip.

Enjoy the ride...

I am getting a serious itch....

This is Michele Johnson...one awesome woman. Mother of two, kick-ass mx rider and women's racing advocate. Luck me to meet her....."braaaaaap".

my new "kit"

this is my new outfit for picking Myles up at parties..........

Myles gets lucky....

...and finds a lost and lonely Ben!