The Phoenix

I wrote in my last post about my first tattoo.  It reminds me of the strong person that I am and all I overcame to get to my first Ironman. 

Yesterday I was thinking about my second tattoo - the phoenix on my shoulder that represents the new person who had climbed her way out of depression to train for and complete her second Ironman.  Someone at work asked about it and I realized that I had found the final piece of the puzzle on what to do with Indy. How perfect is it that I donate my beloved bike which carried me through my first Ironman, two Mountains of Misery and numerous bike tours, to an outfit called Phoenix Bikes?  Not only will they treat her well, but she will serve as an aid in their education and youth support program, and ultimately, she will be sold to bring more money into the charity.

Mark and I took her over there last night.  It was sad.  I teared up.  And I don't think it was a coincidence that it started pouring just as we stepped out of the workshop  But I knew it was the right thing to do.  And I was grateful to the guy who took possession and was understanding when I talked about how much she'd meant to me and how she was an Ironbike (he even said they'd leave the Ironman sticker on her stem). 

He asked if I had a new bike that would carry me on to new adventures and I was happy to say that yes, I had another Specialized and loved it.  And it seems appropriate that this final transition happens as I prepare for my third Mountains of Misery on Sunday, this time on Blackbird.  If she does well, I might even consider changing the name of this blog.  New beginnings, leaving the old behind.  The end of Ironman, the return to touring, maybe even randoneurring (though I might have to have a new bike for that - after all, I'm down to three now!)

So, an era is over.  Indy will be given a good tune up and a woman looking for a decent bike will buy her and maybe she will carry someone else to the moon and back. I hope so.

Kia ora Indy.  Haere ra Indy.