30 miles for 30 degrees

Night bike riding is quite relaxing, I must say!

Tonight after work I was hell bent on going for a bike ride, regardless of the weather outside. Once I clocked out, all that remained in the office was a cloud in the shape of my body. I took to my old favorite: the Washington & Old Dominion trail. When I left, the sun had just set, so the lights went on.

Along the way, I was surprised to see so many other bikers and joggers out on the trail, with each sight of a floating light being another friendly reminder that others were enjoying the nice 30-40 degree weather (that’s Fahrenheit, folks) just as much as I was. Did have a close call at a street crossing. As I was crossing the street, 3 bikers all wearing black decided to cross in front of me and the only thing I was able to see to avoid them was the front reflectors on each of their bikes. A few expletive mumblings later, I continued towards my 15 mile halfway point, all the way out in Reston. It just so happened to be Michael Faraday Lane, which is also where the entrance to the Colvin Run mountain biking trail is located.

Once I stopped, I realized that it was a bit colder than when I had started, so out came the facemask. Upon putting it on, I almost had to take it off a couple miles later because my face warmed up so much! On the way back, there were less people to see, and with the moon mostly obscured by clouds I could only see the glow of a few animals who were out and about and the shine of the areas where there still remains snow. I finished off the ride with a trip through Ballston, and luckily I did not have any drivers beeping at me (this time).

Feeling pretty good about the ride. At no point did I feel really tired, save for a few hills that get the heart and lungs working a little harder. 30 miles is a decent ride for me, and it’s the longest (so far) this year. I’ve already got more people interested in biking, but they’re going to wait for warmer weather so I’ve got to make do for now. Haha, they’re missing out!

Currently listening to: “Oh No, It’s Love” – The Bicycles

Teaching expansion and a dinner party

For the first time this year, I have the windows open and the slightly cool air blowing into my apartment. It’s nice to have some warmer weather!

First off, the best news (though there isn’t any bad news): starting this week, I will be teaching a computer learning class on Thursdays! After the 2 or so month process of trying to expand the computer learning class from just Tuesdays, I’m looking forward to having more classes to attend. Along with that, I’ve continued to learn to speak Spanish. One thing that has definitely helped has been asking everyone around me who speaks Spanish. Another has been practicing simple sentences with 2 of my coworkers who speak Spanish. Haha, one of my coworkers dubbed me a “Puerto-Rican-in-training”! This week I will be focusing on Spanish words relating to using computers, and that will really help with the class. I hope one day to be able to help people that don’t speak English without the help of a translator.

This weekend I attended a dinner party. To sum up the dinner part, it was quite delicious. And the party part was fun as well! But there was one thing that happened that was a sort of theme for the weekend for me. At the party, when discussing my sexuality (I’m bisexual), someone else made the comment to me that “you just haven’t completed the change yet.” I’ve heard this before, and in some respect it can be a sore spot for me. I acted nicely, and explained how I do have attractions to both men and women, but it’s something I’ve had to deal with in the past. I also had the opportunity to make friends with another person who is bisexual and closer friendship with a friend who was unsure of what to go by (I assured the person bisexual, because I asked about their attractions to men and women). There are definitely stereotypes that run in the straight community, but there are also stereotypes that run in the gay community, and bisexuals sometimes get the worst of it. It’s tough to deal with, but I don’t back down when people bring up stereotypes of bisexuals.

I planned on a Sunday bike ride, but those plans quickly changed as I wanted to stay dry today. I am looking forward to a bike ride this Wednesday along my old favorite: the Washington & Old Dominion trail. Haven’t decided on how long the ride will be, but it might be around 30 miles.

Monday will be busy because a lot of people are taking the day off, but I will be working because I need the money. This week should be busy, but fun!

Currently listening to: “This Tornado Loves You” – Neko Case (start at 0:15, and disregard the video)

Cold Weather Sporting

Hooray for a new blog, new post, and a new year!

This weekend I spent some time with some cold weather sports: walking, broomball, and biking. Well, I guess to the average person they aren’t supposed to be done in cold weather, but when I’m determined, there’s no stopping me!

Saturday I went to my first WASH (Washington Area Secular Humanists) meeting out in Chevy Chase, MD. Getting there was a mile walk in the cold from the Bethesda metro, but it wasn’t too bad. Upon arriving, I got a taste of what the group was about. I’ve been going to a couple of various skeptical and atheist group meetings, and am actually a member of NCAS (National Capital Area Skeptics) and DC Skeptics Meetup Group. As an atheist and skeptic, I felt the overall vibe was pretty positive, and I might join the group. I am an ex-Catholic, and I do have issues with the Catholic Church, but I don’t see them as an enemy.

Saturday night I got a taste of the sport known as broomball. Having been thoroughly disgusted by the first half of the Eagles-Cowboys game (I’m indifferent to the Eagles and hate the Cowboys), I went with my friend Aaron to the Kettler for some broomball action. It was my first time playing, and though I’ve watched hockey (upon which the rules of broomball are based) and have a good understanding of how to play the game, it’s quite a different thing when you’re out on the ice! I took up position as goalie, of which I have experience from soccer and indoor soccer. I had a good game, allowing no goals along with my team’s defense holding firm. After a while, I switched with someone and had my fill of a defenseman job, and learned that running on ice (even with special broomball shoes that give a lot of grip) is STILL a bad idea! I type this as I feel the big bruise on my right forearm from one of the many falls, spills, and total wipeouts that I had. That said, it was fun throwing my body in front of the puck- er, broomball- in order to block a shot. I’m definitely looking forward to the next pick-up game in the coming weeks!

Sunday I didn’t feel too tired or sore, just having tightness around my back, and stayed in bed to watch tv and chill with my portable lap-warmer a.k.a. my cat. In early afternoon I decided to set out on a bike ride. The weather: a bit windy in the 20s with the wind chill in the teens. Length of ride: 24 miles. Point at which I started to lose feeling in my toes: around 20 miles into the ride. That said, it was great to get out of the apartment for a couple of hours, and I was delighted to see other bikers, walkers, and joggers who also braved the cold. There were a few sketchy spots where the ice/snow still remained, and I even had to get off my bike twice to walk around/over them. I biked from my apartment to Rosslyn along Wilson/Clarendon Blvd., and then along the Mt. Vernon trail into Alexandria and eventually Four Mile Run trail to my parents’ house. Upon my arrival, I immediately took my socks and shoes off and headed to the bathroom to warm my feet up with warm water. And yes, I was probably getting close to hypothermia in my toes, but I will now wear an extra pair of socks over my normal biking socks to help protect them. It doesn’t help in the cold when your shoes have holes in the bottom to help aerate the feet!

All in all it was a good weekend, and as I was leaving my parents’ house my mom prepared me a week’s supply (around that much) of lasagna. Yeah, my mom’s great! I’ve warmed back up from today’s ride, and am ready to conquer the week!

Currently listening to: “Starz in Their Eyes” – Just Jack