Life is a Mystery, Everyone Must Stand Alone...

I hear you call my name, and it feels like home. Thanks, Madonna.

This week definitely took me to another place. Physically, and emotionally. A grueling 50 mile ride that after about 30, you kind of just lose it. Because of a phenomenon, known by scientists as "Oxygen Deprivation," your maturity level kind of just plummets. I want to thank the Team Fried Green for tolerating some behavior by individuals who shall remain nameless, that included the following:

*Whining
*Teasing
*Dumping Water on individuals who shall remain nameless
*Making fun of said individuals, and others
*Gossiping
*Eating other people's food
Those of you who are teachers are probably used to this coming from 15 yr old boys, but perhaps you are a little less used to it coming from women who are pushing 30. Thank you again.

Going across the bridge...

Can you find Naomi?Michelle was a welcome, not to mention hardcore, addition to our ride this week!

Doin' a lil' yoga in Corte Madera.
Coach Emily always knew where we were headed next....we didn't get lost once!
Tiburon had some Baller houses.

I can bike and take pix at the same time!!!Emily, you are like a gift from God. You even look angelic in downtown Tiburon.

"MARRY YOUNG, GIRLS, MARRY YOUNG!"
What boyfriend?!!!

Your shirt looks so dry here, Naomi. Sorry again that I dumped all that water on you. (not!)

“I remember that one fateful day when Coach took me aside. I knew what was coming. "You don't have to tell me," I said. "I'm off the team, aren't I?" "Well," said Coach, "you never were really ON the team. You made that uniform you're wearing out of rags and towels, and your helmet is a toy space helmet. You show up at practice and then either steal the ball and make us chase you to get it back, or you try to tackle people at inappropriate times." It was all true what he was saying. And yet, I thought something is brewing inside the head of this Coach. He sees something in me, some kind of raw talent that he can mold. But that's when I felt the handcuffs go on.”   --Jack Handy

FEEL BETTER HEIDI!!!  DON'T FORGET TO EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES!!  WE'LL MISS YOU TODAY!!

Yet another 40 miler......

Announcement: Team Fried Green has a new member! Emily, who is also an amazing coach, is probably (maybe) joining our team!

All decked out in gear....

Explaining the finer points of cycling as well as suggestions for Claire's chafing issues.....
Letting us know that we're averaging 10 miles/hour (are you sure the odometer's not broken?)


Naomi is very good about sunscreen!

Yoga in Tiburon. It is VERY important to stretch during and after your ride!


A pair of jack-o-lanterns!

We miss you Heidi! Hopefully you'll be back for next week. Onward! How does Sunday sound for y'all?

TFG and You

Dear TFG Friends:

I am writing to thank you all for your support over the course of this epic journey.  Without your words, donations, and countless volunteer hours, TFG would not be the powerful force in women's cycling that we are today.  We cannot celebrate the fame and fortune of TFG without first raising a glass to you, all the beautiful fans who remind us why we get out of bed each morning.  Thank you to the whole TFG family from the bottom of our hearts.

Now it is time to ask you to deepen your commitment to TFG.  It is time for you to join with us so we can reach our true potential and change the world together.

TFG would like to request the following in an effort to continue our important work:

Dark chocolate bars

PBR tall boys

Beer can cozies

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Burritos

Pay our tab at Zeitgeist

Library and Blockbuster fines

Walkie Talkies

Volunteers to help with laundry, Swedish and/or Shiatsu massage, and cooking

Thank you so much for your continuing support.  Please take a moment to visit www.mariska.com.

Yours,

The Team at Team Fried Green

Tilden Park or Bust! Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Burn

Today Naomi and I took our bikes across the Bay to the Berkeley area, where we went up and up and up. Seriously, I thought I was going to die. Or run out of water. Or both.

The hill we biked up was pretty much completely vertical. I had to get off my bike and walk it. I thought, "Have I lost it? Did that one week in Amsterdam put me completely over the edge, back to square one, or worse?" It wasn't until we got to the top that I realized that no, I haven't lost shit. It was just this damn hill. I decided that for every 1 mile we biked today, it should count as 3. So, we biked a total of between 50 and 60 miles today.

Once we were on Skyline it was smooth sailing. We beebopped on the Rim, and of course the BackSide. Finally we came to a clearing, which happened to be the Steam Train, where Naomi went as a child. There were way too many kids for my taste, but there was water!

We then zoomed down the hill to the Ashby BART station, and went right to the Zeitgeist. I realized that I got a smidge sunburned. Naomi and I got the most delicious beer and burgers. Then she filled me in on one of the great wonders of the world, Mariska Hargitay.

Here's to our new inspiration! If you can be a tough and professional yet kind hearted detective, we can bike up a silly hill. We love you, Mariska!