I GOT KISSED!!!

Cycling is paying off.

I took up cycling for cross training.  I can't run all the time and while I enjoy yoga, I wanted something to approximate the intensity of running.  Also, it's a good way to meet new people and make new friends.  Turns out, I quite enjoy it.  Love it actually.  But I usually ride alone or with RBM, which is the same as riding alone since no one talks.  So anytime someone offers to ride with me, I jump at the opportunity.  What better way to spend a weekend afternoon than cycling with friends?  And it's not a billion degrees out anymore, so bonus!  Yes, a billion. That's exactly how hot it got this Summer.

Erin is new to cycling too and when she heard about all the fun on our last Donkey Ride, she was eager to join us.  So Gretchen, Erin and I saddled up and headed out. 

A little windy, but the temps were just perfect.  We headed out with the promise of donkey sightings.  (side note, it is not lost on me that we find the ordinary donkey much more fascinating than the CAMEL)  Lacking blog material I promised the ladies that I'd be taking a lot of photos, determined to make Donkey Ride Part Deux into a blog post.
So when I spotted a herd of cows napping, we pulled over to take some pics.  We all know that when the cows lie down, it's going to rain.  Please let this be true!  But lo and behold, what did we spot across the road from the slumbering cattle?  Donkey!  Double Donkeys!

Itn't he cute?

They came RUNNING towards us.  Full speed!  Braying all the way. These Double Donkeys were so excited to see us!  Naturally, we were just as excited to see them.

Erin getting some Donkey love.

Gretchen being sweet to the Dad donkey.

Here's my pink glove lovin' on the baby donkey.

In the next pasture over there were two alpacas.  They were eager to get in on the lovin' too!  We were a little apprehensive about biting. They had some pretty big alpaca teeth!

No need to be concerned. They were sweeties too!

Gretchen and friend.

Look at that face!

Comin' in for a kiss!  I got smooched by an alpaca, I did!

She's smiling!  Just precious.

Quite a few cyclists passed us while we were fawning over the livestock.  A few even asked if we were okay.  Perhaps the snotty cyclists are limited to Dallas County?



The cows were utterly unimpressed with us. 

This sign makes me laugh every time.  So I snagged a pic.

An over the shoulder shot of Erin.

And of course, a panda shot for Raquelita!

We had a great ride and I got a smooch from an alpaca.  Cycling is def paying off!



I'm on the hunt for a group to ride with or a training group.  I need some cycling instruction and mentoring.  We got passed by RBM a few times and man, it was like getting passed by a semi!  They were movin' faaaaast.  Over the next few weeks I'm going to try riding with a few different groups and we'll see what fits. (and who will have me)  I'm a very solid middle of the pack runner. I'd like to NOT be a slow cyclist!  I'm most comfortable around 18-20 if I'm cruising (and it's relatively flat) but once I get into the 20+ I start huffing and puffing if I keep that pace too long.  I need to remedy that! I only really know one serious cyclist (Gretchen!) in the area so of course I asked her.  And of course I went up to the bike shop to ask around there.  We'll see what I find.

Do you ride with an official group?  How did you get connected?