The Life of Reilly

It just doesn't get any better outside then it was yesterday! 75F and just a touch of a breeze, but basically an unreal windless day on the prairie!. After a trip to the field with the small hound, my car started making scary noises - translated to the feel and sound of metal on metal. I had an early morning meeting with my wedding planner, Amy though and so it had to wait until after the "preview". It was pretty exciting to see what she's done, and it is wonderful to have someone else in charge of this part. Amy just listens to the general idea I'm looking for and creates the atmosphere and plans everything. Of course, Diane has a good eye and has been a BIG help in perfecting the planning of the big event!

Afterwards, Diane showed me the way to the car-fixing place and then dropped me off at home. Dave was busy edging my yard (nice), and filling my fridge with more fresh fish! I had rescheduled my work days so I could deal with the car and other stuff and so when my friends Mary and Phyllis called to go for a ride in the afternoon I was free to go.

I rode to Mary's in the perfect weather. Phyllis wasn't there yet and so we oiled her chain (now she knows how!) and she showed me her fabulous yard. Phyllis arrived and we were ready to hit the road. Did I mention the incredible day? You know how in the Bay area the wind picks up in the afternoon, and then all the traffic is non-stop after 3pm? Well not here! The wind usually dies down in the evening and the day gets warmer...and there is NO traffic anywhere. Locals think one car is a nuisance. I think...this is heaven!

Phyllis and Mary usually keep me laughing during the whole ride. This is the first time since that "very first time" we rode that we've attempted the big rollers out on Buffalo Ridge (around Russell). The first time Phyllis' average speed on County Road 15 was 7.9 MPH. Yesterday her average speed was 14.7 MPH! Big improvements in just two months. She's a hammer too! She'll huff and puff up the hill and then at the top she'll come speeding by Mary and me, with a determined and focus look in her eye while she's recovering from the climb. She used to push her bike up the hills there...Not anymore!

When I was trying to coach them on breathing through the hard parts, I demonstrated the technique and Phyllis said, "Oh...it's like child birth" So now...if you ever ride by Phyllis or Mary going up a climb, you'll see them practicing the "bike Lamaze" breathing style!! Add to that, a road bike, plus some shifting lessons and these gals are ready for RAGBRAI! I've got 'em all using Hamergel, clipless pedals, bike shorts and jersey's with pockets in the back. We rode 35 miles together and I did another 10 or so to end the evening with a huge smile on my face.

Then, on the ride I get a call from the car-fixing-guy telling me my car is fixed. (He wasn't going to be able to do it until today, but somehow managed to fix it yesterday). He even said I could pick it up tonight, but I was out in the middle of nowhere and I wouldn't be able to get to the shop in time to pay him. He said, "Oh...I've known your Minnesota Dad forever and so Welcome to Marshall...no charge!" Mike said that since we just had the work done on the car when we got here he shouldn't have charged us anyway...but I like my story better than his. Even if it was something he didn't get right the first time, he still could have tried to charge us...but he didn't.

Mike jokes that I lead the "Life of Reilly". I don't know who Reilly is....but he leads a pretty nice life!