The Bike Wife 1.0: Waiting.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Waiting.

Patience isn't my strongest suit.

I had an interview last Sunday, and they very encouragingly assured me that they would have decisions made by Friday and an answer to me by that time. For those of you not constantly doing the CA-NZ time-math equation in your heads, I should have had an answer by 10pm Thursday evening.

As you've probably guessed by the title of this post, I don't have an answer yet.

Here's the thing. I felt like the interview went well, but of course I'm an overseas applicant who doesn't intend to start the position until the beginning of 2013. (They knew all of this prior to asking me for an interview). Wellington isn't my first choice location to live. I have three applications put in at a hospital that IS in our first choice location (Nelson). So really, I don't necessarily want this job. I mean, maybe I do. But maybe I don't. But what I do want, is to know how my interview went! And well, they said Friday!

A relevant side note: New Zealand, as a country, is known for this kind of thing. Ask anyone who has relocated from Europe or the US and they'll tell you that everything happens much more slowly. And as a rule, I really like that. I take comfort in the fact that my husband's unbreakable habit of leaving for work 30 seconds before he's supposed to be there won't be a career problem. I like that there isn't an overbearing stress put on all types of punctuality- I mean really, it's gotta be better for the health. So what if the rent is one day late? So what if the mail isnt right on time? I'm sure this lifestyle will be source of frustration in the future (re: future posts)... so feel free to remind me then, that right now I don't think it's such a bad thing.

I'll just have to work on my patience.

In bike related news, I got a new bike! It's called a Pivot Mach 5.7, its carbon fiber, black, grey, white, and PINK. She's soooooo pretty. And the maiden voyage on the Pivot was this weekend in Sisters, OR. Unfortunately, I was the only girl in my class to show up to the event, so I didn't have any competition. Winning first place is pretty sweet, but maybe just a tad anticlimactic when won by default. Regardless, I was fairly happy with my race run- especially the DH sections. My endurance (ie: climbing, traversing...) does leave ~~something~~ a lot to be desired.

Stage 2: Flat & Rocky... out of shape "Huff a Puff" Section

The last of the Oregon Enduro Series (So far Bend, Ashland, Hood River, and now Sisters) is on Mt. Hood in Northern Oregon in two weeks. Because I've gone to all of the events and done fair or well, I have a good shot at being on the podium for the Overall Series Championship (in slow-ass-girl category)!!! So wish me luck! No slacking now!

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Bike Babble

Here's a list of terms to help decipher what the #@&*! I'm blogging about:

Berm - a turn in a trail, usually built up with hard packed dirt, or sometimes wood/rock. A berm's purpose is to allow/withstand the weight of a rider making an aggressive turn.

Chamois - the padded spandex shorts worn under loose mountain bike shorts, and never, ever on its own. Also, should never be worn a minute longer than absolutely necessary. Like a condom.

Clapped Out - and old, well used bike. It may have been nice at one time, but is now a POS.

Clipless - bicycle pedals that clip in to one's bike shoes, thus making the human and the bike into one cohesive unit.

DH - downhill; as in DH bike (more travel), or DH trail. Downhill mountain biking is gravity assisted decent down a mountain, usually with technical features like jumps, drops, and rocky sections. DH races are very technical, usually no climbing, and are only a few minutes in length.

Enduro - A multi-staged race that includes both climbing and descending, and can also include being shuttled to the top of a trail or mountain. Timed stages are usually downhill, un-timed stages uphill.

Fire Road - a large, wide open trail, usually the width of a 4-wheeler or truck, typically smoother dirt or gravel. Preferred by roadies who are trying to mountain bike.

Fork - the front end of the bike, below the handle bars. The fork compresses (see "travel") anywhere from 2-8 inches on a mountain bike , depending on the type, to allow for more aggressive riding.

Free Riding - a broader range of mountain bikers; generally used to describe individuals who build their own trails, use natural features as stunts, are creative in trail/jump building. Will hike-a-bike for good DH trail riding, will put blood, sweat, and tears into good trail building.

Full Suspension - front and rear suspension on a mountain bike: the fork in front, and a rear shock in back. Contrasts with a hard tail (a mountain bike with suspension only in the front) or a road bike or cruiser (no suspension at all).

Gap - the distance between the take off and landing of a jump or drop, ie: the spot where you and your bike are in the air.

Hucking - to commit to a very large jump, drop, or gap, usually a very large stunt.

Loamy - soft, highly organic dirt. Desirable. Not rocky. Think Oregon and Washington conditions.

MTB - Mountain Biking

North Rim - A local Chico trail that is extremely rough and rocky. Quite steep in some places, less in others, but a steady climb for several miles. There are barely any trees, and it is the bane of my existence.

Shred - to ride vigorously, synonymous with "ripping" and "killing it".

Shuttle - the means of getting up to the top of a mountain/hill where a downhill trail starts. Usually in the form of a truck, or "shuttle truck".

Single Track - a narrow trail that is approximately the width of the bike. It is frequently smooth and flowing, but it may also exhibit technical rocky sections and may be criss-crossed with tree roots. Considered the best type of trail on which to ride mountain bikes.

Super D - a long downhill race with some climbing. Not nearly as much climbing as in XC, or as long of a race. Usually Super D has more technical downhill features, and lasts 20-30 minutes.

Travel - the amount that the fork is able to compress, thus, the larger amounts of force the bike can withstand.

XC - Cross Country, as in XC bike (less travel) or XC trail (uphill & downhill). XC racing is up and down hills, and courses are typically several miles long, and can take 2-4 hours to complete.