Bootilicious

I've been trying to get my friend, Pip Gregson, [who was featured in an earlier post about an LAF fundraiser, the 24 Hours of Booty], to write a piece for the blog for some time now. Well, she somewhat relented, letting me use some copy from her own blog. I hope you enjoy her writing and "stream of consciousness" as much as I do.

Below is Pip's follow-up to her 24 Hours of Booty experience, where she completed 250 miles on a fixed gear bicycle.

24 Hours of Booty - We Are What We Are
It is always harder to do something the second time because you know how it plays out. Last year I rode 210 mile on my fixie. This year...we'll get to that in a bit.

The event started and it was a total traffic/track stand fest. As the riders thinned out, I was worried. I knew I was feeling lazy and if only it would rain I could leave. Well it rained...it stormed...6 of us were standing (couldn't sit because the camp ground flooded) in our pink kits holding on to the tent so it wouldn't blow away. We saw tents blow away, bikes fall and we thought (to be honest) it was pretty cool with the element of danger. Then I realized I am standing in water with metal on the bottom of my shoes and wire in my pigtails (Pip style) and lightning is everywhere. After a while, we figured the storm was not going to end soon so we rode back to the shop.

Now let's think this through, "hey it is lightning and they closed the loop because it is unsafe..." what to do…"hey let's ride our bikes back to the shop."

We get to the shop and hang for a bit. Around 1am I decide if I am going to ride I better get back. I had no takers so I had to ride solo through a shady part of town...usually no big deal [but] I am wearing a pink kit, a skirt made from duct tape, and pigtails sticking straight out. Yep, a picture of "Ya wanna piece of me!" I sent fear down the streets of Charlotte.


Got to the loop and people were riding again...I was only on 75 miles and I wanted to do at least 210. I kept riding and riding and riding (you get the picture). When I reached 180 I wanted off my bike. I was done. But 2 people who I will forever call my friends motivated me:

1) Was a guy I have known from the shop. He said all he wants to do is beat my miles from last year (he was also on a fixie ). I said I would ride the rest with him, then I realized I was 10 miles short of 250. So I was forced to finish, [the] longest and slowest 10 mile ever. 2) A person who I thought was similar to me but at the moment we were at odds with each other. As we rode together I realized that "damn we are similar," not only that, we talked out our differences and kept riding. She is an amazing person who is smart as hell and a smart ass to boot.

I felt like the ride was truly honoring my Dad. My Dad was a big believer of looking past the BS and seeing where you stand. Well, with all BS aside the Booty gave me the ability to help where I once felt powerless, a sore ass, and being cool with where I am. I am on a bike. I am helping the fight. I am happy that we looked past the BS. When it is all said and done.."we are what we are" and not what everyone else thinks.

Rob and Jen, thanks for the ride (wish ya'll knew how much you helped)

Pip is co-owner of one of the finest bike shops around, Black Sheep Cycles. She also teaches yoga in Charlotte, North Carolina.