In Between an End and a Beginning: Day Four

Also captionless but this time Kermit the Frog is involved. 

In Between an End and a Beginning: Day Three

Captionless but still tasty as ever...

   

In Between an End and a Beginning: Day Two

Since I have limited access to the internet let alone a computer, these next D.C. posts will have to be strictly photo posts.  So enjoy with your eyes!

*Note: Captions may follow at a later date

  

Freak Accidents Suck...and Hurt

Today was our third day of riding and where was I?  I was in the support van with Lindsay.  Yesterday morning she dislocated her hip and is now out of commission...but hopefully not for a long time.  Here's how this whole fiasco went down. 

Lindsay was on the ramp of B&B's trailer and talking to a fellow Bike & Builder.  She turned around quickly and tripped over the metal wire that connects the trailer to the ramp.  She tripped with her right leg and caught herself with her left but the force was so great that it popped her hip out of the socket.  She heard and felt a pop and then it popped right back into place.  The pain wasn't so bad but it wasn't good either.  She decided to continue with the ride that day.  We did about 45 miles too.  You may be thinking "Was that really a good idea?"  I'm here to tell you, no.  

The pain wasn't bad on the bike and only creeped up when Lindsay was walking or just on her feet.  When she finished the ride, the pain was pretty rough.  She then spent probably 2 hours in a small room on her sleeping bag icing her inner thigh and such.  Of course I watched over her to make sure she was ok and then she took a quick nap to ease her from the boredom.  It's amazing how much you need your hip.  Sitting, standing, walking, sitting, everything.  Don't ever hurt your hip...ever!   

So because of this accident we spent the day in the van with Derrick, one of the trip leaders, and Scott, a fellow rider.  We didn't see that much as we drove through Virginia but we did drive over some hills which Lindsay definitely would not have been able to go over.  For now, we're taking it day by day.  Lindsay hasn't seen a doctor yet and I'm icing her hip whenever I can grab spare ice.  She's also taking Advil around the clock as well as muscle relaxers.  No fun pictures for now but I will try to get some posted as soon as possible. 

That's the update for now.  I'll let you know how Hip Watch 2010 unfolds. 

Quickies with Babycakes: Part One

In the "Quickies with Babycakes" posts, I'll quickly keep you updated with the trip.  I've realized that it's going to be harder to blog on the road than I thought....even for a little otter like myself.  These posts may not have fun and exciting pictures but I'll try to use colorful and descriptive language that will force you to imagine yourself in the places I'm passing through.  And so we begin...

Lindsay, Zach and I have been in Virginia Beach, VA for the past 2 days for orientation.  I learned a lot.  I learned what saddle sores and am now frightened; I learned that Lindsay isn't a very good cyclist and could use some practice; I learned that old Virginian women make a mean spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread.  It's been quite the eye opening experience.  Nothing really monumental has happened.  We held a bike clinic for little kids which was somewhat successful.  Lindsay pretended to be a puppy that ran across the street and in their way.  Some kids liked it.  Many didn't.  We also went for a shake down ride today and rode for a nice 13 miles or so.  I got a good bit of sun on the reasonably short ride and am looking refreshed and chocolate brown.  In perfect time for tomorrow!  

Zach looking sleazy in his bike gear

Cheering on little bebes on bikes

Yes, tomorrow is the BIG DAY!  We'll be dipping our front tires in the Atlantic Ocean and starting our big ride.  Our first ride was initially supposed to be 41 miles give or take a few but it has been bumped up to 55.  You can imagine my surprise as Lindsay and I learned this as we slurped up spaghetti.  Hopefully we'll pull through by the grace of Baby Jesus and something called water.  

Other than that, nothing special to report or at least I can't remember it right now.  Lindsay is experiencing major envy on this trip.  She's jealous of everything everyone else has brought for the trip.  People brought laptops, 2 peeps brought digital SLRs and others brought their Keen sandals.  I don't know how she's going to deal without these things but at least she has her REI down booties.  She's gotten at least 5 compliments on them tonight.  The hardest part so far has been the packing situation.  Lindsay and Zach's 18 gallon bins barely held together during the trip out to VA Beach but it has only gotten worse since they got their Bike & Build jerseys and Thermarest.  Lindsay will literally think about how she'll pack her bin every moment of the day.  

The sleeping sitch is also something Lindsay has had to contend with.  She isn't a camper so she's having a hard time adjusting to the sleeping bag on the floor idea.  I, on the other hand, and having the time of my life!  I get to sleep wherever I want!  In the sleeping bag, in Lindsay's Camelbak or on top of Lindsay's bin.  The world is my sleeping oyster!  I can't wait to see where I'm sleeping tonight.  I might sneak in one of my new lady friends' sleeping bag.  I'll let you know. 

Anyways, it's just over 10:30 PM and I am exhausted.  Lindsay's already ready for bed in her Boston College Superfan shirt and L.L. Bean boxers.  Adieu and I leave you with this picture to imprint on your mind and dream about.  

Blogger wouldn't download the picture properly--just tilt your head to the left and enjoy.

Love and Chamois Butter,
     Babycakes


p.s. I'll try to finish the three remaining D.C. posts when I get the time. 

In Between an End and a Beginning: Day One

A big hello to all my fans out there!  It has been quite the week for your favorite little otter and I'm here to tell you all about it!

The end of an era was upon us.  Lindsay was about to take off from work for a 3 month hiatus and start the journey of a lifetime with me...oh, and with Zach too.  I decided that I wanted to go all out for my last weeks in LA.  I have to admit that I may have been a tad bit excessive but that's what otters and people do.  

I started my bender in preemo dugout seats at the Dodgers game.  I binge ate on 2 Dodger dogs (1 with chilli and onions and a 2nd with ketchup and relish), the best nachos I've ever had, some Caesar salad (gotta keep my bod toned) and some ice cream to top it all off.  Also, seeing Andre Ethier have an awesome game made my night the ultimate experience.  There's one thing Zach and I agree on...our man crush on Andre.  SWOON! 

Waiting for my slammin' nachos to come my way

Intently watching Andre's every masculine move

 

Stalking Andre from a comfortable distance

 

Zach and Lindsay doing their "coupley" thing

 

Right after the big win, we headed over to Valley Village for Brad's birthday bash.  Brad hosted the party at one of my favorite bars in town The Fifth.  Why do I love this place?  First, it looks like a strip club from the outside--always a plus.  Second, they are heavy handed with the liquor--a drunk otter is a happy otter.  Third, they have pretty good music on the jukebox despite Brian saying it was a very "white jukebox."  Lastly, the ladies are loose and ready to mingle with a charming otter like myself.   

Falling off the wagon once again

The men want to be me and the women want me

And then in an instant, the weekend was gone.  Zach and Lindsay had to pack up their bikes and ship them to Virginia Beach for the beginning of the trip so they didn't have a proper final training ride.  I did my part and did some crunches and some leg work at the LA Fitness.  They went back at work and I went back to lounging around Lindsay's apartment and playing some Uncharted 2 on the PS3.


Lindsay had a insanely busy last week of work at NBC and barely made it out alive.  After preparing a gazillion talent letters and keeping track of billions of excel sheets, she was finally free for her 3 month hiatus.  We were on our way to Washington D.C.!  Of course Zach came along and I was extreeeemely embarrassed because he decided that it was a great idea to look like a serial killer (see photo below).  Words don't even describe.  I usually don't like to associate myself with people like him but I had no choice in the matter. 

Zach's packing skills made for a very questionable bin

Me, Lindsay and a serial killer named Zach

Saying good bye (for now) to the City of Angels

And we were off!  We were on a red eye that left LA at 11:30, arrived in Atlanta at 7:40 and departed for D.C. at 8:40.  I definitely needed to catch some z's so I performed my pre-flight ritual and popped some Ambien and downed  some white wine spritzer.  I think I dreamt of my old home on the river or possibly some random night drinking on the streets...it's all a faint memory to me now.  

It was very fitting for us to start our grand adventure in our nation's capital!  There is no better way to pwn America than starting at her core.  Lindsay's D-Block crew (Christine, Melissa, Romeo and Amit) kindly picked us up from the airport in Amit's baller BMW.  I'm glad they realized that I only travel in style and in bougie automobiles.  We dropped Lindsay and Zach's bins off at Romeo's (who was kind enough to host us three hobos) and went to grab some grub.

Melissa and I really hit it off...too bad she has a boyfriend

The gal pals...and Zach

Scoping out the happy hour menu

Drinking my liquid lunch

I quickly realized that liter glasses full of beer are very heavy to hold

Drinking some Sam Adams Summer Ale with Lloyd and Rose

Giving into the peer pressure

By 1:00 PM I was successfully buzzed and ready to explore more of the fantastic capital of ours.  We walked the D.C. streets some more and we ended up at the Waterfront in Georgetown.  The place resembled a picturesque city on the coast of France or Cancun during Spring Break.  Our group made our way to an outdoor bar that overlooked the water.  And surprise, surprise, we started drinking again!

Roaming the rough streets of D.C.

Jumping on the rough streets of D.C.

Lloyd and his humongous backpack...he is such a scholar

Totally looking like I'm in Cannes, France

Christine and Lindsay totally looking like they're in Cancun for Spring Break 2010

 

Jumping at Spring Break 2010!

Trying to make the move on Melissa...looks like it's working

Spotted: Babycakes miserably drunk

The picture of the perfect woman

What happened next is hazy.  I remember tiramisu gelato and blueberry stoli.  There may have been some sub-par Thai food mixed in there too.  Lindsay suffered a serious headache from the sun and booze.  She passed out from exhaustion for an unknown amount of time.  Definitely a great way to start an adventure and prep for a cross country bike ride.

To be continued....