Is this thing on?

Complaints with a side of bad attitude

2012-02-12T22:01:00.000-08:00

Garfield has been chugging the haterade lately. I feel like I'm sick of hearing myself complain NOT ONLY to other people, but even in my own head. There I go, complaining about complaining. That's where the bad attitude comes in...

The hubs left for the ski hut trip yesterday upon which some of my closest friends and family will be. Because of my *complication* I can't do any serious exercise or be in situations where I'm not close to a hospital (even though I feel fine). I was pretty devastated about not getting to go on the trip but when I heard there was talk of cancellation, I encouraged the Hubs, Dave and my friends to stick to the plan. Even though I'm acidic about not being able to go, the hut trip not even HAPPENING would just be downright blasphemous.

So I was rewarded with my big person-ness by getting to say goodbye to the hubs and then spending the whole weekend moving all our crap into our mother-in-law apartment. The frenzy was a result of a Friday night phone call with our contractor in which said contractor explained he could start the demo this week. To his credit the hubs busted his ass all night Friday trying to do what he could before leaving town. He still did not receive a warm send off.

Answer honestly, what is worse than spending Valentine's Day fat, alone, unable to exercise and having to pack all your crap, move AND be in the middle of a construction zone? Who even cares about a holiday that is completely commercial? I guess I do when it allows me to feel justified in my complaining and bad attitude.

Screw Valentine's Day...Bring on Easter and the Cadbury Creme Eggs (peanut butter eggs also welcome--anything marshmallow: keep your distance; though Peeps do have their place in certain microwave milieus).

Even when I'm pooh in the diaps, I do always try to impart something positive (less negative?)
...
(scrolling through the standbys of health, weather, friends...)

Ah I have it...A few things that made me smile in the recent past
1. Open house at Newberry's sweet pad by the Capitol on Saturday. The Woodies picked me up and we did a Whole Foods stop to pick up some nibblies for the bbq. The elevator takes forever at the new Whole Foods and Woody got real and thrust his shopping cart between the closing doors saving us precious seconds (and horrifying the onlooking customers)
2. The *shit cyclists say* conversation I had with the Sleaze wherein we discussed his get lean program for this season. Before I could call bullshit (you guessed it: gluten free), he sua sponte confessed that it was basically just the Atkins diet. We agreed that the gluten-free thing is just the Atkins diet for liberals.
3. Grapefruits on sale. Hello Johnny G citrus blends!

Garfield with a dash of Lois Lane

2012-02-05T10:40:00.001-08:00

I am the mayor of struggle city lately. I am lucky I am not on bed rest but the exercise ban is really getting to me. The hormones are going more crazy. The good news is I am liking veggies and fruit again (still can't do tomatoes). In the OC disorder, I got the taste for the freshly squeezed OJ thanks to Johnny G. I didn't really drink oj before but now I must have it all the time, and it must be freshly squeezed. Had to invest in a new kitchen appliance as a result of this.

Anyway, it occurs to me that Garfield is getting a twist of the Lois Lane with the daily need for freshly squeezed OJ and meat (although I prefer pork and turkey to cheeseburgers). Luckily I have a Clark Kent (usually) willing to oblige the weirdness.

In line popcorn as opposed to movie popcorn

2012-01-30T02:55:00.001-08:00

Sundancers

Hit up the Sundance scene both days this weekend. Saturday night's "Something for Nothing: The Art of Rap" completely RULED! Even though Ice-T didn't show, the director and producer were there afterward to answer questions which was awesome. Ice-T interviewed a bunch of different old school rappers about the craft and their perspectives and even their own inspirations as rappers. They had so many heavy hitters. I was *slightly* disappointed that the Beastie Boys weren't interviewed. I know it wasn't a cracker thing because they interviewed Eminem. Someone surmised that maybe they were too recent. I don't know...that was my only criticism though. The movie was up at Sundance itself which was a super cool venue. Fun to see a movie with the f-word every other sentence right smack in the middle of Utah County (home of BYU). I don't think too many Provo-ans were in attendance...

Sunday, the hubs joined in the viewing pleasure for "Predisposed" which was decent. I wanted to see this one because Tracy Morgan (Tracy Jordan from 30 Rock) was in it. Cool thing about this movie was that it was at the Tower (a mere 2 seconds from our house). Love getting to do Sundance without ever venturing into Park City.

So one of Garfield's favorite new things is popcorn...but because there is little control once I start consuming the popcorn, I have to make my own so I don't completely clog my arteries with the butter-salty movie kind...The Sundance movies always involve standing in line for at least 30 minutes, so I wised up for yesterday's movie and brought both in line popcorn (for the line standing segment of the afternoon and movie popcorn (consumed before the movie actually started...but done so while I was actually in my seat). Don't judge.

Primal Utah gals: Laura, her twin PB and SUPERFIT

After the movie yesterday, I went to a Primal Utah team meeting and clothing try on. Bring on the 2XL kits, yeah! This awesome women's team is my former regional team here in the 801. There are a bunch of stellar chicks and I'm looking forward to being involved in a support role. And they are hiring! They are looking for cool, fun girls who like to ride and are interested in racing of any variety (mtb, tri's, road, cross--all disciplines welcome, all LEVELS welcome).

More Primal Utah chicks: Z and Joanna

Woody's masterpiece theatre on a plate: grilled fennel, eggplant, pasta with 'shrooms and chives and pork tenderloin

After the meeting, I went for 2nd dinner at the Woodies...Woody cheffed up an AMAZING feast...Even though J9 headed off to bed, Garfield stretched out in front of the fire while Woody and Steve polished off the last bottle of vino and talked smack. Fun times.

J9, the Hubs and Woody toasting the end of Sundance and final arrival of winter

Coach K and Coach K jr in the 801

2012-01-28T12:55:00.001-08:00

Coach K, Landry and Moi

Coach K and her super studette daughter Landry came to the 801 from the spud state for a big swim meet. I rolled into the pool from yoga just as Landry was winning her heat in the 500m freestyle. Even though she smoked that heat, she was pretty disappointed with her time (not fast enough to qualify for regionals.) Coach K told me that overall the meet didn't go so great for Landry--but in Landry's words "I didn't cry" at her disappointing performance. More than I can say for myself when I've fallen short of my own expectations.

I had a great time catching up with Coach K (2nd at Master's Cross Worlds) on various things.

In other news, I had some unwelcome info from my midwife based on my last ultrasound...The alien (or more accurately, the placenta) is positioned really low and so I have to hold off exercise for 4-6 weeks to see if things can move themselves on up in the world of my uterus. Slightly freaky and scary, but the hubs and I are taking it in stride...I think I just got a SMALL taste of the world of worry that awaits us in actual Parenthood. Anyway, no more pre 5k puking (or running at all), skiing or anything fun. OK its not that bad...I can walk and do yoga. And swim--not that a bathing suit sounds super appealing right now (at least in a public forum). It means I have to miss out on Davebro's hut trip (which I was REALLY looking forward to), but all these things are trivial if it means that things with the alien will be ok. Heart in throat. And breathe.

All this means the at-rest Garfield gets to do other fun (non active, non jarring) activities...For example, I'm heading to Sundance (with J9 of course) to see "Something for Nothing: The Art of Rap." Butterflies of excitement and anticipation!! Time to let my inner gangster out. Dust off the gold "TiffPower" bling necklace and matching four-finger rings and just pray to god that Ice-T himself will be there.
I can't wait.

Getting my culture on

2012-01-26T19:28:00.001-08:00

Have been Sundance-ing it up thanks to Woody being a d-bag (that is an ironic inside joke)...I have been able to benefit from Woody vacating some of his sundance tix procured by J9.
Tonight we saw 2 great films. One was about disabled skiers and one was about dyslexia (one in five people have it!). Both were inspiring and well done. The hubs and Caterina joined in the viewing experience. Lucky to have a ticket-getting friend. Thanks J9!

J9 and Caterina

The more you learn, the stupider you feel

2012-01-24T17:16:00.001-08:00

Life has been full on in the 801... We have had some house drama but to sum up, just when we decided to bite the bullet and take it in the shorts doing a big remodel on our place (by which I mean paying our Jerry Garcia contractor to do it), our dishwasher exploded with water gushing across the kitchen floor. Wasn't intending to replace that, but...let the modern day money pit begin. Someone *might* just fall through a floor.

The hubs gets his man on trying to locate the source of the waterfall...in his jammies. Does anyone have some tape? Because he is ripped!

On a more germane subject...winter finally came to the 801. This was timed perfectly with an avalanche class mel and I were taking with Utah Avalanche Center forecaster Evelyn Lees. The course was great and we learned a ton...but it makes me realize there is so much more I need to learn/practice. Renewed respect for le montagne for sure.

Forecaster Evelyn Lees gives us the fun down on the full on gnar snowpack.

Re-skinning (that's Garfield in the brown pants with the zebra skins)

Skinning pictures make me happy...

On Sunday the Hubs and I skied at Solitude with Kat and Matt. We had a super fun day and 3 hours was enough to cripple me.

We capped things off celebrating lizzies bday at Lugano with J9, Evan and Amanda and le Wizard (mystery stud!)

As far as life in Garfield land, every day is a new set of inane things to have road rage/despair over. I finally feel like the alien had lessened his grip on my gag reflex but if anyone puts goat cheese, tomatoes or coffee anywhere near me wear a hockey mask because I will punch you in the face. Anyone bearing any sort of cured pork product is my new best friend. One mention of listeriosis and put your hockey mask back on. Besides you can get that shit from canteloupe.

All in all things are improved but I still have not achieved any sort of glowing yet.

Garfield's fun in the sun comes to an end

2012-01-15T10:44:00.001-08:00

One last great ride yesterday (with TWO stops at the La Quinta coffee shop) followed by dinner with my parents and a partial Rubin clan. Sad to leave...but hopeful for another trip out here soon.

Getting the bands back together

2012-01-11T16:18:00.001-08:00

Garfield has been enjoying some sun. and relaxation here in the desert. The trip is slightly marred by the hubs' absence (due to last minute work issues) but I'm managing.

My parents good friends from law school--the Rubins--are out here for the winter so that band has been enjoying a reunion tour.

I had a slight downturn in feeling like crapola yesterday but managed to rally for an afternoon spin and then happy hour at Mama Gina's with my 'rents and the Rubins. I got a lot of valuable parenting advice such as how difficult labor and delivery is for fathers (Harry).

This morning I met up with Twila, Lori and Velo Bum for one of my favorite rides out to the fish hatchery. So "My favorite desert peeps" band also enjoyed a reunion tour. Velo Bum ended up peacing out early--most likely due to the estro factor.

The ride to the fish hatchery is awesome but slightly epic (at least if you are Garfield). Its basically a 30 mile ride to the base of a sweet climb. Twila and Lori were champs not only pulling me the whole time, but being cool about my need to stop every hour for pee stops or food. The only way I can ride over an hour is if I treat it like an MS150 and hit a rest stop every 10-15 miles. They were even cool with me stopping at the gas station on hwy 111 (yeah the one you hit on the way BACK) in the way out and patiently waiting for me to eat a bag of chips and drink a vitamin water (not a small bag either). They were nice enough to say things like "I don't need to ride any faster than this" even though the pace was painfully slow for them. Those are some good friends.
It was really pretty at the top and we ran into their friend dean who joined us for the ride back into town. Even though I am completely pathetic on the bike, it was so awesome to do such a sweet ride with good friends. Instead of obsessing about sucking I am just so grateful I was able to just FINISH the ride without needing to hurl the whole time. Success is relative and I rate today as a smashing one for me...

Garfield puts in the big miles

2012-01-08T21:17:00.001-08:00

I could barely walk today after my blistering sub 30 minute 5k but I rallied to build up my bike to meet up with Twila and Brad for a ride this morning.

I had to suck some major wheel but Brad makes a good sled dog. Note to self: when out of shape be sure to bring credit card--it ensures you won't get dropped until after the coffee shop stop.
Garfield says the weather was purrrrfect. Awesome convos and it was so so great to ride in shorts!!

Garfield runs a 5k; Johnny G is my hero

2012-01-08T09:49:00.001-08:00

I had an awesome time in the OC disorder. We got up (way too early) on Saturday morning for a 5k (for me) and half marathon (for Johnny G). I took one of Jen's vitamins before leaving. As we were driving to the race things suddenly started to feel horrible.

While rolling down the car window I asked Jen if she ever had any upset stomach after taking her multi vitamin. Before she could respnd with a "no, sometimes a little with an iron pill" I was barfing exorcist styles out the car window.

As I rolled the window back up there was silence. Then,
Jen: did we just have a vitamin throw up?
Johnny G: so are we talking cold sweats or hot sweats?

In my second best boot-and-rally (1st place is from a sorority formal involving a bad date and too much sangria), I managed to pull it together to run the 5 k in under 30 minutes. Yeah that's right who's born to run? Garfield is, that's who.

Even more exciting was watching Johnny G smash his half marathon PR (1:11.25!!!) and round out the podium for 5th place in a very big field.

I had a blast meeting Johnny G and Jen's running peeps while enjoying a surfeit of post run bagels and hansens sodas.

After showering up, Johnny G and I headed to the Desert where we did some hangtime with Johnny G'a 'rents (Minnesooootans aka the nicest people ever) while waiting for my parents to arrive. For his post race recovery Johnny G partook of a mini keg sized beer in the hot tub. I took notes.

Great times and a great OC disorder kickoff for the trip.

Congratulations Coach K and Garfield is goin back to Cali

2012-01-06T22:13:00.001-08:00

Coach K rocked it at Masters cross Nationals yesterday in Madison in a total nail biter finish with Catherine Wahlberg. Give it up for the 4-peat YEAH!!!

In other good notizie, I am in the OCdisorder. Awesome dinner with Johnny G, Thumps, and O2 Craig. Tomorrow Johnny G is ripping up a half marathon and I'm going to do a 5k "just to finish". Garfield looks hot in running attire let me tell you

The Garfield Diaries...and so it begins...

2012-01-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks for all for the on and off line comments about our prego status. I don't know maybe its weird to talk about on a blog? But I really feel like like a plethora of blogging material has fallen into my quickly disappearing lap...I'm not talking miracle of life stuff, I'm talking aliens have invaded my body and turned me into Garfield.

That's right, half-lidded with a protrusion that starts below my neck and continues to who knows how far down...And its not so much a cute bump as it is a full circumferential thickening. But hey,Those aren't just off-season pounds, bitches!

And lots of laying around in a lasagna pan.

If you thought I had a short temper before?

And some more news...

2012-01-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

Was trying to think of a way to blog-announce a certain major life change the hubs and I are about to have...but I will just ride the coattails of this artful and awesome rendition of our announcement by cugina/zia-to-be Cassiope...Thanks cuginetta!

Japanese New Year with the Jowegawas

2012-01-01T22:25:00.001-08:00

We showed up 4 hours late for the Jowegawas Japanese New Year's party but we still stuffed ourselves with soooo much deliciousness and new fun people time.

East meets West; octopus--the Japanese AND Italiano favorite

Veggie sushi rolls

Mrs. Jowegawa and the Hubs with TomJow's Christmas pressie: a Cyclepedia

Bamboo, greenbeans, burdoch root and other things that are weird but yummy

TomJow and GOOD guest Joanne (she helped clean, I was still eating)

The journey back to the 801 and into 2012

2012-01-01T11:43:00.001-08:00

Bellissma San Juans and home to so many fabuloso peeps

The hubs and I are back from a good trip to New Mexico. We left last week and did Durango and Ridgway stopbys so we could see some of our fave peeps. We had a sick dinner in Durango at chez Compton and spent a night with Danika after hot spring-ing in Ridgway...In an extra bonus, Davebro joined us as he was on his way to meet some friends to ski Silverton.

The time spent with our friends was way to small in quantity though large in quality.

Hubs kicking my ass on a RUN (yeah that's right) in Fruita; blasphemous, I know (the fact that we are running, not mountain biking)

MonkE and moi in Ridgway

We spent Friday recup'ing from the travels. New Year's eve was mellow but great. The Woodies agreed to be our guinea pigs as we attempted New Mexican style enchiladas. As the chile making is quite involved we dined total Italiano styles at 10 pm. The Yohnson-Gammons and Damiano and Oakley did stopbys on their way to other parties which was great.

Awesome air in the 801 so no more Waiting to Exhale. Woohoo!

J9 displays the vestiges of the red chile sauce enchiladas

Woody and the Hubs

Damiano and Oakley: prom picture

Les Woodies et moi=LUFF

Nuevo Mexico xmas

2011-12-26T10:51:00.001-08:00

A fun christmas hike followed by frenzied pierogy making for the traditional Ukrainian dinner.

Peeps visits and hitting the road

2011-12-24T07:11:00.001-08:00

Johnny G (aka Bambi) and Jen (aka Thumper) came to the 801 this week for some Thumper family time and some skiing (they live in the OCDisorder). They made a little time for us which was completely fab and they also ripped the hubs' legs off on a trail run before we left town on Friday. There's a reason for their scampering woodland creature nicknames.

I had to work Friday so we were even more off the back for getting out of town to head down to Nuevo Mexico. We hit the road just in time for I15 rush hour but we were undeterred since we had beaucoup amounts of snacks and the itch to get the hell out of no snow yucky air land. Our eyes were bigger than our road trip stomachs because we decided to try to do the full 10.5 hours only to tap out at about hour 5.5 in Dolores. Randomly, we stayed at the Outpost which ended up being the same spot the Hubs, Davebro and Drewster stayed on their San Juan bike tour.

We walked to the Dolores River this morning before leaving and were greeted by a fox crossing the river. It is so good to be in the San Juans CO mountain towns. We got some Christmas Miracle breakfast burritos in Mancos and are now banging out the best part of the drive to Los Alamos, NM where the hubs' family lives. We are really looking forward to some fam time, especially with Davebro, Sid and Jane (I will tell Uncle Sid you said hi, Beth).

Wishing everyone merry merries, holly jollies, mazeltovs and happy kwanzaas.

Holiday festivities

2011-12-18T18:04:00.001-08:00

Damiano, Oakley and bella Senora Yohnson-Gammon

Fun dining extravaganza at the
Yohnson-Gammons on Friday night. Awesome seeing the JC Superstars, Damiano and Oakley and the Beautifulpeople (Jarrett and Nicole). Bella senora Yohnson-gammon channeled Nonna Francescone and cheffed up some serious deliciousity. I could've made love to the prosciutto wrapped dates all night long. The gnocchi was also to die for.

Damiano was in typical form showing up in totally dapper styles in a powder blue suit. And for the first time ever I upset someone (Jarrett) by referring to that certain gym as 24 hour fatness. He demanded explanations and when what I gave was unsatisfactory he ordered the name be changed to 24 hour rippedness...and made sure to use it ad nauseum to drive home his point.

Last supper Yohnson-Gammon styles...JUDAS! Would you like a beverage?

Jarrett and Oakley

Max from Where the Wild things Are

Reading the jokes while coronating ourselves

Aw the hubs, his crown is too big. Or his head is too small...

Great night with super fun peeps.

Saturday night we got in some more holiday spirit fancy culture styles with the Woodies. We small plated it up at Eva before heading to Cirque de la Symphonie at Abravanel Hall. Oh my wow. It was amazing. We had a Kimo, Lechefski and even a Mel sighting there. Fun seeing everyone and the performance was incredible. Resolved: work harder in yoga.

Woodies!

On Sunday, During the day, the hubs logged some groomers at Alta with il Justino. For payment, he had to be my date Jazz Vespers at the First Unitarian Church. Local jazz musicians tore it UP on some great xmas music. The pianist is amazing, and we had seen him a few weeks ago at a Herbie Hancock tribute. Since it was a free concert it filled up quick and was standing room only. Still very enjoyable (especially since I found a vacant seat about halfway).

Hope everyone is enjoying some holiday spirit...(even though that's what terrorists say---See Christmas 30 Rock episode: Jack and Avery's Christmas card).

Extreme stairs on the work commute

2011-12-16T07:16:00.001-08:00

They keep doing switchbacks Cinque Terre styles all the way up to the top (you can't see it all).

I have been riding the bus and then walking the last mile or so to work. It is a really nice walk though one of my routes involves an extreme stair section.
One of these days I am going to attack those badboys at full speed wearing a hoodie with a t-shirt on the outside and sweats with shorts on the outside.

On an different AND unrelated note (except after I eat this I should probably go run stairs), I present exhibit A on how to ruin a salad.

Thousand Island dressing from the salad bar at my work cafeteria. Definitely not organic...Definitely lots of unpronounceable ingredients and most like high fructose corn poison.

What can I say its been a slow news week. If you are looking for a little something more...or you are feeling like a p.o.s. at your job or at some other aspect of your life, check out Erin's awesome blogpost.

I'm just relieved her doctor is debunking her gluten is bad for the knees theory.

Crashing the dinner scene

2011-12-13T17:15:00.001-08:00

Facial hair Richie, Threshold Rodney, Renee, Uber Laura and the Hubs

I have crashed some sweet dinners the past few nights. The hubs and I had a great dins with badass Laura and king of threshold Rodney on Sunday. Richie and Renee were there too which was sweet as we hadn't seen them in a trash dwelling varmint's age. Laura and Richie made me appreciate my job on account'a the fact that they are hard hitting mofo litigators that work a TON and carry some serious responsibility whereas I work for the government and have a much more cas situation...relatively speaking. Appreciations for my employer and my weeps.

Last night I crashed a dinner with Lizzie and her super coolio chick friends (j9 you were missed!) Lizzie has awesome friends. Great to see JJ (of Sun Valley fame), Maggipannetone and Denise. I have officially designated myself the president of the Denise fan club. That is one funny chick and anyone who can drink Woody under the table gets lifelong props from me. All the gals were top notch fabulissimo (Felicia of volcano skiing fame, x-fit x-treme Jen, yoga spotter Megan, Liz McCool and Danika connected Sally.) My sweet camera phone s'ed the b on the photos I took...but I got a few.

JJ and Lizzie

Not awesome pic of Maggipannetone in pay back for causing Lizzie and me to have math stress with the check. She is actually a sexy baby in real life. Sally and fan club object Denise also pictured.

Snow in the 801 finally!

Much luff for da friends

2011-12-11T14:43:00.001-08:00

The hubs and I had a good weekend here in the 801. Woody proved himself (yet again) an indispensable friend by coming over to help the hubs fix the fence. I am happy to report that it now stands upright though the hubs informs me it is a temporary fix as we have what amounts more or less to a scaffold in the neighbors' yard. Luckily its our dirtbag renter neighbors as opposed to our upscale and awesome professor neighbors. We fulfill the hybrid role of dirtbag homeowners.

We went over to the Woodies for some soup shooters before meeting up with Lizzie to head to Vinto. Had a fabulous childhood retrospective between Woody (rural New Hampshire) and Lizzie (apartment life in Manhattan. Good stories.

Last night I dreamed about doughnuts, chocolate frosted doughnuts. Luckily there was Whole Foods cookie dough so I didn't become an utterly depraved human (just mildly).

The hubs and I met up with Tom Jow for a little run in City Creek. So awesome to run with home though he is full on chi running styles and its like he just floats up the trail. He gave the hubs and I some good tips (faster cadence) and we had a great time in spite of the complete hell air quality.

This 801 weather situation really needs to shit or get off the pot.

The week in review

2011-12-09T15:26:00.001-08:00

The temps really plummeted this week along with all motivation to de-marshmallow myself (aka exercise). I have deprived myself of the use of my car (got a ticket for expired reg and haven't been able to motivate to deal with that either).

Even this bike rack needed an extra layer in these Arctic conditions

My automotive deprivation has led me to alternatively trasnsportate myself to work. I enjoy taking the bus and the 20 minute walk I have up to the Capitol after I get off. I also enjoy the people watching and conversation listening too. If I feel like a piece of shite in life, I generally award myself a passing grade after watching and listening to some of my fellow alternative trasnsportaters.

I also got to connect with best bud Lizzie for some Chanon Thai and dinner smack talking. Awesome to see her but sucky we don't see more of each other.

Lizzie!

And my favorite quote of the week (sorry if its not funny in type, it was funny in person) goes to coworker eminem...I had to ask him something I didn't want the office at large to overhear with the convo proceeding thusly:
Me: I am going to ask you something in pig latin.
Eminem: ok
Me: (asks question)
Eminem: (blank look) ok why dont you ask me in regular latin.

So yes I still highly enjoy my weeps (work peeps for the new reader).

The hubs and I are also plotting a major home remodel which is horrifying but hopefully all the fights will result in some good blog-terial and in some non project styles of living. Our house gets so freezing at night we need to sleep mummy styles.

Hope everyone is staying warm.

Lit up tree that looked really cool on my walk to the busstop, the essence of which was not really "captured" by my phone

Visits di Glennbro

2011-12-04T09:53:00.001-08:00

Had an awesome visit with my brother this weekend. We enjoyed some high culture at the Utah Symphony (badass pianist Kirill Gerstein played a Liszt Concerto) along with some sweet brother-sister chi activation at Avenues Yoga.
He provided us with much entertaining in the form of ivory tickling (who doesn't love the piano version of Touch of Grey?). He regaled the Woodies and DBs with tales of concert ticket winning and he took Woody's ballbusting about the Buffalo Bills with good humor. He did some serious burning down with J9's mom about music.
Before taking him to the airport, he schooled the hubs and I on a great run in City Creek. It was a great visit.
Baby its cold outside here in the 801! Loving the suggestions of real winter.

We did not consult each other before suiting up...

Hubsio Cippollini

Glennbro tickles the ivories (thanks go Gramma Steph for donating her piano to us, we love it!)

So much for thinking the wind didn't effect us

2011-12-02T08:24:00.001-08:00

Its not Dorothy's house landing in our yard atop the wicked witch of the east but it still sucks.

The month of mustaches and a lame lack of blogging on my part

2011-12-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

November is a great month for those who love mustaches, large birds and goin from summer to winter from one day to the next (at least here in the 801). Unfortunately for me, I have been on a Hi-hate-us with da blogging. While this probably doesn't pose much of a hardship for my few devoted readers, with the possible exception of my mom (Thanks for being the #1 blog fan mom! you're the best!), I have to admit I'm somewhat disappointed in myself. I enjoy the self check-ins and opportunities to ramble...but seems to have been slightly leveled by some haterade this month.

November saw a return to full-time desk working and pretty much a mass exodus from bike working. I know many readers were concerned about the drastic change in my life, but let me assure you, I haven't SERIOUSLY considered burning down the building or throwing a computer out the window yet. So things are going a lot better than was to be expected. One of the best parts of my job is my superfly co-workers and supervisor: G-train, eminem and Hurst aka my WEEPS (my work peeps--not to be confused with my BEEPS aka bike peeps). It has been awesome getting to know them in the context of a full workday--which leaves time for some good burning down when the wizzle (work shizzle) isn't totally hitting the fan.

Otherwise, I've been pretty low energy and not feeling superchampy--thus the relative lack o blogging. But December is going to be different. I can feel it.

Hope everyone is enjoying fall and that all the 801 readers still have their garbage cans and roof shingles intact (we had a 303 style wind event last night).

You'll be hearing from me soon. Putting the words into action. The action into words, however that is supposed to go.

Super off the back Boulder pics

2011-11-22T11:12:00.001-08:00

I have been wicked off the back of life these days. I am so off the back I can't even come up with an explanation or even an excuse. I'm not going to get mad about it.

Anyway, our trip to Boulder 2 weekends ago (though it feels like it was 5 years ago) was great. My awesome bud Anders (comman Lynn) was visiting from Seattle with her cool kiddo Jackson. My sister Mary was also visiting in search of a job. The hubs and I got some great time in with Davebro, Drewster, La Paquita and of COURSE the Glennbro. It was a beautiful weekend in the 303 though the Chinook winds were nuking...So that was slightly disappointing. Nonetheless, while we didn't do much in the way of epic riding, we did some funruns, a nice hike and a cool little ride. Above all we had a great time seeing fam and friends AND the trip happened to intersect with the legendary Tour de Dewey (if you have to ask...) Got to see a bunch of the cycling life peeps (Beth, Teton, Margell, the Lajinks and pretty much every aspect of my fun person life from the 90s). And I laughed my ass off.

Sisters, Esqs.

Dave, Anders and the Glennbro

Jackson suggests the name "Sunburned Pigs" for the Glennbro's band...Which the Glennbro duly noted

More hang times at La Paquita's

Hubs and Davebro in pretty Eldorado Canyon

Teton "officiating" the Tour de Dewey TT

Man moments on the hike

Tour de Dewey mayhem. It's not a bad photo, it really looked like this.

To the 303 and beyond

2011-11-13T19:51:00.001-08:00

Great time in Boulderland this weekend...not a great time on closed I80 on the way home.

And we are still not home.

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The visual evidence for the previous post

2011-11-10T10:48:00.001-08:00

Blindfold route

2011-11-10T08:14:00.001-08:00

Superfit and I can do the Cottonbottom loop blindfolded as we have ridden some version of it no fewer than 3 times in the past 5 days. Good thing its a great loop especially with Superfit's bonus Wander Ln option (road construction notwithstanding). Yesterday we logged another blindfold route and this time we were joined by the notorious T-swift. More accurately, I joined these kids in their ride. We had a great time in spite of the Wander Ln portage and operation Beagle Rescue 2011 (Superfit is an animal lover of Liz-like proportions). Great ride with these awesome chicks aka my 'beeps' (bike peeps).Aiming for 303 departure this afternoon. Let the shit show begin.

Slow on the uptake (pause) and other things

2011-11-08T19:08:00.000-08:00

I have managed to squeeze some enjoyment in among some varied weather and life conditions...The foregoing events seemed to have happened a long time ago...but are still worth mentioning. I'm feelin' a little foggy and slow these days. Feel free to come up with an excuse for me, right now I got nothing.

Superfit, our new bff Markymark and I beat the storm on Friday for a great little roadie ride. We gambled on a road closure sign...and lost.

Superfit goes cross country after we gamble and lose; Markymark plans his move in the background

Then the storm beat up the Hubs and I on a run in City Creek on Saturday. But it was a beating we thoroughly enjoyed and also counts for our first freshies of the season! In other news of beatings, my Achilles is doing pretty well...I established some ground rules for myself: I can run no more than every other day and I approach every run ladder styles (1min run, 1 min walk, 2 min run, 1 min walk...) up to the point where the heel starts to hurt. I'm up to 10 minutes but that still amounts to about an hour of running with 10 minutes of walking. So that is sweet and also hard to add up...so it might be less.

Bella City Creek post storm--One of my favorite kind of days in the 801! Blue skies and snow...

Hubs before he got mad at me for making the run too long.

Saturday night we festa'd ourselves with the DBs, Woodies, Jowegawas and Newberry. We concocted a seating situation but employing tablecloths and the lovely flowers from the Yohnson-Gammons to hide the card table extendo seating option. I went outside my normal Italiano cooking styles and made a zucchini coriander soup, asparagus with tomatoes and goat cheese; beet avocado quinoa salad and roasted pork tenderloin with orange balsamic glaze. The Woodies brought the yummiest ever antipasti olives, cheese, bread and salami and Mrs. Jowegawa made a beautiful salad. Caterina made a red velvet cake that Woody and I went to TOWN on (more than 2 pieces but less than 5 and I will say no more). Woody and I worked up an appetite in the kitchen--he came in at the crux moment when the shit was hitting the fan and kept the meat from being over done and the veggies from getting cold. Thanks chef Woody! Everyone brought amazing vino too. Yeah friend peoples!

A la Last Supper styles- JUDAS! would you like a beverage?! (who can name that one?)

Caterina, Newberry and the Hubs

Woodies and Mrs. Jowegawa

DBs!

Sunday morning we roused ourselves (which the end of daylight savings made somewhat easier) for a group ride from Cafe on 1st. All I can say is that it was the chicks that had balls as it was mostly an estro scene with the exception of Markymark and Moby. Lovely ladies PB, Laura, Allison, Juel, Mama Nisie, and of course Superfit all displayed some serious cajones showing up in the cold for the ride. They also peer pressured me into showing too. I tried to go the "Its pretty cold so if you guys don't want to go I'm totally cool with that" but I got totally smacked down (PB told me to "Buck up buckeroo") and Superfit also laid down the law and said I would be standing her up along with a million other people.

In the end, there were 4 finishing out the ride with both genders equally represented (Moby, Marky, Superfit e moi). We got a GREAT 3 hour ride with a key stop at Rich's bagels in Holladay (god bless those pumpkin choco chip bagels).

Superfit stays back with my slowness while the boys duke it out ahead

Yeah 801!!!

And now the week...Coming home in the dark is somewhat brutal...but viva le arrival of winter!!! The only bad weather is weather that doesn't change.

And we are off to the PRB (People's Republic of Boulder) on Thursday, so stay tuned for news of the mothership. Till then, get the puffy coats out of storage.

Just another Sunday ride

2011-10-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

The sign on this headless rider really makes the whole costume

Superfit!

A little background roofraisin' by il Justino

Johann

We had a decent weekend here in the 801. The hubs and I rode the boreline on Saturday and then had dins with some of our fave friends il Justino, Sil and (before bedtime) Nolan. Though the Hubs was still oozing High West the next morning, we congregated for a mini group ride from Cafe on 1st (my new favorite group ride) with a stopby at the Halloween 'cross race. We had the hubs, moi, Superfit, Wade, il Justino and Newberry rappresantin'...

Of course it was awesome seeing the costumes and getting to visit with Coach K (she took 2nd in spite of a big crash), PB, Joanna, Clem and T-Swift (handing out the ribbons ad the waffles-yeah!). I believe I much prefer spectating 'cross to racing.

Elder 'crosser

Prisonworker Todd

Wonder Jem

FIXSTER!!! People were throwing stuff at him. He ruled.

Serious chicken

He doesn't even need explaining

Love the Ladybug

For the enjoyment oriented cyclist, we will be meeting at Cafe on 1st at 10:30 for a 2-4 hour ride on Sundays. No D-bags allowed. No blowhardy hammer sessions (minimal hammering may be tolerated in certain circumstances, but then there must be regrouping).

Wade, Newberry (aka Johann), the Hubs and il Justino

We capped off the weekend with a splendid dinner with the Jowegawas and Newberry. I finally managed an ok risotto (what can I say, I'm a southern Italian, not northern) with squash from my garden and some ratatouille. Great night with those kids.

Turns out I didn't even need my Princess Leah costume for jury duty as I didn't make the cut this morning. *Luckily* there is a high likelihood of being called again since it is a 3 month term.

Cornucopiae

2011-10-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

A smalll number of the bushel of apples from awesome neighbors Deb and Greg

While the general malaise still continues (get over it why don't you?)... The garden did a final bike toss at the line and churned out some last minute goodness. Things have pretty much wound down...but prior to last night's hard freeze, I swooped in to salvage what I could...Eggplant, zucchini, some winter squash and a ton of green tomatoes and fennel seeds...

Thanks to the bounty of friends and neighbors, we received a sh*% ton of apples (AWESOME) and the fruits of Mrs. Jowegawa's canning efforts.

Fennel seeds drying...Garmin monitors their average drying rate

The slugs and mother f***er aphids tried to show the eggplants who was boss but I still managed to rescue some

Jowegawa jams, more toast please

Sweet meant, spaghetti and one acorn squashies

Last vestiges of the garden; garlic planted all along the fence for 2012 harvest; some "modified" cold frames along the brown fence...we'll see...

It is COLD here in the 801. Super crisp and blue skies...feeling on the precipice of winter.

Off the radar in blogging and life

2011-10-24T09:10:00.001-07:00

Well, my blogging has been off the radar but not because I don't have anything to say...rather it has been due to some technical difficulties. So I had some sweet super amazing posts (Newberry bday ride, superfun mtb ride with Superfit)...But then my super high tech machine for posting photos with posts (my phone) went on strike. So here is a boring post with no pictures. Sorry Beth!

Interestingly enough, my life began to imitate art (allow me to call my blog "art" for purposes of the analogy)...The lack of posting sort of lead to a lack of luster in my own life. Have been feeling blah and then I spent the better part of the weekend pretty sick. This time instead of the go to sars ebola I usually get, I found myself in more of a consumptive state, with a fever and everything. On the way out we got to have a sweet dinner with Joanna and Clem (risotto!). But I still have felt like a million pesos and sleeping van winkle-ian slumbers with upsetting dreams.

And I have jury duty starting next week with all the other winners. That's right, exactly when I am supposed to go back to work full time.

Ah well so I am not winning life right now...but there are still highlights amidst the doldrums. I'm still getting tomatoes and zucchinis and I planted some seeds in a very modified cold frame...
Thanks for reading and hope everyone is not so sub par right now.

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A little dirt and other entertainment

2011-10-16T07:42:00.001-07:00

Some fun was had here in the 801 the past few days. I rode with supahstahs superfit and Ms. Swift on Thursday. Total blast catching up with these two studettes in spite of a standoff with some turkeys.

On Friday, Superfit convinced me to do a Masters swim workout at Steiner. Though we were on opposite ends of the pool (she in the fastest rockstar lane, me in tge slowest lane), I really enjoyed it and was super psyched she convinced me to go.

Friday evening, a group of peeps came over to test out an awesome game that Mel's friends are "launching" soon. I think that is all the nondisclosure agreement permits me to reveal. It was hilarious and I heard some great stories from the other "testers", Laura, Rodney, Lizzie, Woody, Mr. Jowegawa and Angela. (Accordion lessons!!!)
We feasted on Settebello pizzas along with a Pezzulo salad (tomatoes from the giardino). The DBs also did a little post-sushi stopby and it was great to see them. As they do, one bottle of vino led to another and it ended up being a late night with the hubs, Woody, Mel and me closing out the evening.

Despite the fog we woke up in this morning the hubs and I rallied up to Park City to ride with Hero Wade and Woody. Superfit joined us for the first part of the ride too which (as always with her) was a blast. It was super beautiful up there. We had some snowy parts but the weather was perfect! A little mishap (me missing a turn) still didn't put a damper on the fun.

The hubs and I sort of forgot our 4th wedding anniversary on Friday until my Mom reminded us. We were going to try to celebrate today but we just ended up eating cookies my mom sent. They were delicious though. The 4th year is apparently supposed to be linens...but i think enjoyed the cookies more. We also got two huge bags of apples from our neighbors Deb and Greg (not that they knew it was our anniversary, they just harvested a surplus from their tree). Those were also more exciting than linens. I am planning to apple brown betty myself to the bejesus.

Hope everyone is enjoying fall wherever you are!

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Tri'ing new things

2011-10-10T09:02:00.001-07:00

We are enjoying fall here in the 801... The rents di hubs also did a stop which was nice.

I spontaneously entered a baby sprint triathlon Saturday. I had awesome co-worker Hurst joining me for his first ever tri while it was more a born again experience for me (I did triathlons for two years when I was 18 and 19).

It was a 400m pool swim followed by a 12.4. Mi bike and 5k run. The swim and the bike were fine...I was nervous about the run with my pissed off achilles (took the week off of running). I finished the run but I definitely felt the achilles the whole time. Of course the 5k was my new max distance too (previous "long run" being a huge 2.5 miles; I know I'm practically an episode of Biggest Loser).

It was a staggered start and I put myself somewhere in about the top half of people. As a result I didn't really know where I was in relation to the other women. I felt good on the bike and was passing a lot of people (they all said good job when I was passing--- love the low key tri scene!)

After the bike the party was Oh-VER. The run just felt wrong in every way. As I pondered the ache in my Achilles and whether the tri shorts I was wearing were simultaneously causing camel toe and muffin top (apologies to my sensitive readers), I *tried* to think about standing tall and pulling back the ground. Running is hard and real runners are a different breed. Props to you crazies. As I fought a physical and mental battle, two lithe ladies bounded past (note: definitely no ct or mt for these ripped chicks). They still gave me the "good job" as they crushed me.

I focused in on a guy in a red cotton tee shirt ahead of me. Yes, that's right cotton. Check your roadie snobbishness at the transition area bitches! Even better was the fact that said cotton apparel was emblazoned with a "mcAwesome".
As I closed in for "the kill", I saw the number on this guy's leg identifying said compatriot in suffering's age: 15. We ran together for the last mile and as I said "good job" I marvelled at how I could be this kid's mother. Still not sure whether this is a good or bad thing for me, but I gave the red-shirted adolescent many high-fives at the finish. Total stud.

The two women that passed me (Jamie and Carly--gotta get these girls to try road racing!) chatted with me at the finish. What a friendly scene! After cheering on Hurst at the finish, I found out that I had won! Despite time I lost on the run, I had enough time on the bike to win by just 35 seconds! I was totally psyched.

In other "firsts", the hubs, his parents and I took our maiden voyages to Ikea. Oh. My. Ridiculous. As Erin would say there is a fine line between ridiculous and awesome and Ikea is for sure somewhere along that line. We spent 5 hours there and walked out with a bunch of stuff and ideas for our upcoming home improvements.

And finally I could understand why Home Fry makes trips to the 801 from the 'Way to go to Ikea under the guise of visiting friends. Now I know the real reason.

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More awesomeness and champagne with the Woodies

2011-10-04T21:57:00.001-07:00

Holy sharkfarts in addition to having the f word greatest friends, I have the f word greatest coworkers. First day back at work and I was met with some totally sweet fanfare to close out my season (especially amazing given all the time and energy directed towards racing left only part of me for working). One coworker in particular(Tippetts) has worked with me long enough to just completely nail it with some of my fave lines across time (see balloon inscriptions supra--the "Performance" balloon is not pictured. Another coworker, we will call him eminem (initials "MM") is like my brother from anothah muthah. Eminem as my nonblood bro inscribed some hilarical balloons of his own (I believe he gets credit for the "cycling sucks..." balloon). Of course my most awesome-est boss j to the izaich, nailed it with the HTFU balloon. Everyone wrote awesome notes on my poster...I am pretty dern lucky to work with these nutjobs.

So while the day started shitty (sad down in the dumps), and actually improved with going to work (fab talks with G and J)...It took a turn towards awesome when the hubs and I capped the night with champagne with the Woodies.

For all that the 801 can give me some serious tight buttcheek annoyance, I have a pretty awesome friend and work scene here. It takes a village...

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No. Way.

2011-10-03T20:24:00.001-07:00

Best welcome home ever. Some end of season fanfare from my awesome 801 peeps.
Some. Tears.

I heart you guys.

And I'm not taking it down for some time either. Sweetest touch --in the team colors.

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Rain in Rochester and RANDYPANTS

2011-10-02T20:40:00.001-07:00

The hubs arrived in Rochester on Tuesday. We had an awesome visit with my fam and some extremely soggy (but fun) rides.

Like an idiot I got overly excited about running and injured my achilles. Pathetically, that meant a huge increase in miles from 1.5 to 2.5.
Anyway, after a fun ride with Park Ave Anne and Andy, we had lunch with my fam (and the crazy nieces) before hitting the road to visit Randypants!

Our longtime friend and former roommate Randy lives in DC (actually Potomac, MD) with his lovely wife and super cutey daughter Kate. They have a ridiculously awesome living situation. They live in a house within a 40 acre park which abuts a National Park with tons if trails. I tested out the Achilles on a very short trail run (it still hurts) and then the hubs and I went on another soggy ride along the potomac. Randypants and little Kate came out and met us for a few miles (pants running, kate en stroller). We froze on the way home but it was worth it.
Pants cheffed up some pizzas a la cast iron skillet styles and Kate enjoyed some newly introduced into her diet apples (and other jar food items).

Seems like being a baby is like being a pro athlete and being a mom is like being an uber soigneur. (See photos above of Kate resting while Janet mixes bottles for the day).

Great last night with these awesome peeps. Back to the 801 tomorrow. Psyched for some off season 801 peeps hang times. I am in need!

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What's up buddy?

2011-09-27T19:11:00.001-07:00

Just enjoying the flora and fauna here in the 585. Went for a straight up enjoyment only ride this morning. I also destroyed my legs on an ultra run. 2.5 miles uh huh that's right. Blistering supra (as in not sub) ten minute miles. Its so awesome how cycling fitness (to the extent I have it) transfers to nothing. Actually it crosses over nicely to sitting on the couch. In that regard I am full on cross training.

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The grand cannolli, literally

2011-09-26T09:15:00.001-07:00

Toasting the end of the season: Moi, Liza, Prof and Mary

When my sister was little, she referred to the "grand finale" (of fireworks, the circus, whatever) as the "grand cannolli". If you have been lucky enough to experience good cannolli, you would probably agree the two are similar in sound as well as in effect.

Anyway, this past weekend was my last race in Boston at the Mayor's Cup. The race occurs largely in part due to the efforts of Olympian now Mayor's transportation advisor Nicole Freedman. Teammates Prof and Liza joined me for the culmination of our long but amazing season.

We stayed with a super cool family in Cambridgr, MA. Kate, Andy, Aubrey and Griffin treated us to wonderful hospitality and a fabulous-but-too-short experience in Beantown.

Prof ready to ride at night: note the reflective "ears" on her borrowed helmet

Rest of the Toscanini's bound crew

We arrived on Saturday and after an amazing dinner cheffed up by Kate, we headed en masse to Toscanini's, a ridiculous ice cream spot on the M.I.T. campus. The Prof and I rode bikes with Kate while the rest of the crew caught a lift in Mary's sweet ride.

The race itself was great. Such a cool course right by Quincy Market. My good bud TJ and her daughter came to cheer us on, it was so great to see her. My sister Mary also came to visit rugby friends in Boston, watch the race and give me a ride back to Rochester. Our host family Kate, Andy and Griffin also pedalled over from Cambridge to cheer and cowbell their heads off for us (AWESOME!)

Maura and TEEJ!

Me and the Prof with our most awesome-est hosts: Kate, Griffin and Andy

Prof and Liza were great teammates and in the finish I took 6th and Liza was 8th. I was somewhat disappointed and feel like I kind of let them down, but that's just how racing goes. Its certainly not a bad result in with the tussling going on in the finish I am definitely happy none of us crashed--especially Liza who gets married in a week!

Photo credit Velonews.com

Boston has been my last race of the season for the last two years, and every year I have to go to the North End for a cannolli. This year was no different. The Prof, Liza, Mary and I grabbed a bite to eat before putting the Prof in a cab for the airport. Afterward, the remaining 3 of us headed to Mike's pastry for the requisite cannolli. Now the season is officially finito.

Liza and I rode back to Cambridge and then Mary and I did the uber rally drive through the night back to Rochester. I was powered by cannolli so I was unstoppable and drove the whole way. I think I only yawned once.

Check out the cannolli selection---heaven.

Chocolate, chocolate chip and amaretto cannoli. Also pictured, Mary and Liza.

Gorgeous day in Rochester...the hubs joins the famiglia here tomorrow...Can't wait!

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Slacktational performances

2011-09-22T09:55:00.001-07:00

I have felt pretty off the back of life lately. It has been hard to motivate to train and the mountain of dirty clothes looms along with the other "to do's".
Not that I am really complaining... more just commenting on my sub par performances of late.

HOWEVER, many good things abound for the hubs and me. We had a super fun dinner with the Yohnson-Gammons Sunday night and our garden is still rocking the squishies and pomodori.

I did my last workout of the season yesterday as I head to Boston this weekend for the Mayor's Cup. This will transition into a family visit which the hubs will join next Tuesday. The sojourn will culminate with a visit with Randypants, Janet and Kate in D.C. before we return to the 801 (more or less) for GOOD!

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Interbike

2011-09-18T18:32:00.001-07:00

Vegas is disgusting but I had a great time with my teammates, sponsors and friends from back in the Day (Josh, Mojo, DZ and Dirty). The prof and I ended up on a mobile social where we rode down the strip. Instead of riding back up the strip we failed to realize the ride ended at a party in a non-sweet part of vegas that was very far from our hotel.

Totally worth it.

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Roadtrippin' with the Prof

2011-09-14T10:34:00.001-07:00

I drove to Cedar City last night to rendez with the infamous prof. We are heading to Vegas for Interbike.

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Double sessions and kool aid

2011-09-11T21:58:00.001-07:00

Double friend session with the Woodies yesterday. They rule.We rallied over *just in time* for breakfast. It was kinda the jerk maneuver on our part but we really missed those guys, plus if you have enjoyed the culinary arts practiced by chef Woody, you too would be willing to commit etiquette errors.

We had pre-planned dinner hangs with them so it was pretty much the super score for the hubs and me.

Also, bring on the kool aid, I got some 5 finger ridankulousness. I am a born again runner. If ten minute runs count.

Corn from the Woodies garden (my mistress garden as Mrs. Yohnson-Gammon calls is)--that I planted!

SPICY gazpacho with tomatoes, garlic jalapenos and spices from the Woody-Stiff community gardens

Cucina di Woody

Woodies with the hubs phantom hand

Blurry but still cute

So reason 1,389 that the Woodies rule: in addition to getting me a sick basket for my cruiser, Woody helped the hubs perform surgery so that the monster basket could actually go on the bike...

Cruiser surgery performed by Dr. Woody and his assistant the hubs

My cruiser has a successful surgery--the basket can now carry a cooler "safely"

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Not the race car driver, but still a stud!

2011-09-09T07:11:00.001-07:00

Had surprise spontaneous visit from dear friend Danika yesterday. She was heading back to Ridgway after guiding in Wyoming. We didn't have much time but it was some good quality catch up. A lot of laughs in addition to some tears sharing memories of some friends that have recently passed.
Thankful to the universe for what I have, especially my friend peoples.

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Teeming from the tillage

2011-09-07T09:00:00.001-07:00

This is pure beauty to me.

The hubs did a great job watering while I was gone. I give him a passing grade on harvesting (see monster zuke photo infra). Anyway, I am loving the garden action right now and this post is just a full garden geek-out.

Plenitful pomodori!

Sweet meat and and some other kind of winter squash

Is there a little league team I could donate these to?

Back 40

Winter squash vine...Its ALIVE and trying to take over the garage.

Ciao fennel seeds! Can't wait to bring you to my next biscotti party!

Frankenvines of spaghetti squash

Traffic jam in the back 40

Kale growing in hay bales

Melanzane!!!

Profumatico basil!

More profumo from the rosemary

Sage making a comeback

Who says you can't have veggies in the front yard? Not this clandestine tomato plant hiding amongst the salvia and asters.

This sunflower wants to go play with his friends. Sorry buddy.

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Now where was I?

2011-09-07T08:40:00.001-07:00

This just in...one tired, bedraggled happy-to-be home camper.

This past weekend, I headed to St. Louis for the Gateway Cup. I had a great time catching up with teammates and hosts-now-friend Dana and Jerry.

La Lizard and I stayed with new friend-hosts Vanessa and Aaron at their awesome abode in University City. Had a great time hearing about this enduro power couple's adventures (Iditarod on bike in February!). They treated us fabulously and even hosted a super delish-y dinner on Saturday night.

La Lizard

Super guest rider demonstrates her aptitude at holding her spot whether in the pack or on the street (for the Prof to park)

Le Boss and her hubby Doug

The Prof, Jenna, Muffin and super guest rider Jackie stayed with Dana and Jerry while the Boss was at a hotel and the Sexy Beast stayed with some friends.

La Lizard as frequently seen on phone

Jenna and the Boss at post dinner fro yo

Bee whisperer Dana administers a controlled bee sting to La Lizard. Apparently this is a real thing

Prof makes coffee while Dana continues to do Apitherapy

La Lizard recuperates on the couch while Maggie checks up on her.

So the racing was ok. Not great. Not bad. We had some misfortune (me flatting day 1) and some during race miscommunicating...but we helped the Prof take 3rd in the field sprint on the last day. Everyone rode well but we just didn't quite finish it off. But I was super happy with how all my teammates rode and we definitely enjoyed ourselves.

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Wanted...

2011-09-07T08:13:00.001-07:00

Came home to jury summons. Any one have a Princess Leah costume I could borrow?

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Last day and a bonus night

2011-09-01T19:15:00.001-07:00

Limosienna!

Awesome ride with Anne (had to include a pic of her triple racked limosienna for the hubs) and then some more relaxing at Casa Pezzulo. Was supposed to fly to St. Louis tonight but an offer of a $500 credit plus first class seat on a flight the next morning was one I couldn't refuse. It was a great chance to spend some more time with the wild child nieces.

Theoretically I should arrive with plenty of time before the race. Last time I attempted this (in St. Louis no less) I f-word crashed a rental car. Luckily I will not be operating any vehicles aside from 2-wheeled pink ones. Which I must say I am anxiously anticipating!

Does she scream "zerbert me" or what?

Only way I can get photos (because this is the only time they are still)

End of the day.

Izzy with her true nature devil eyes

One of a million photos Izzy took

More in line with how the other photos turned out...

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Multi sporting

2011-08-31T18:05:00.001-07:00

Lovely trail I walked down

Vistas along the road ride out to Dryer Park

Not really. But I had a lovely ride out to Dryer Park in Victor where I met up with the August clan (minus Andy). Anne is a really good friend from back in the high school days when we got into triathlon together. We also got into racing bikes at the same time.

Now she has 3 kids and her kids all rip on bikes and skis. Anne brought a mountain bike for me to ride and some shoes. I parked the BH in her limosienna (of course she has one; hers actually has THREE racks on the back though) and then the five of us proceeded to have a ball on some super fun east coast style single track. It was totally shaded and very rooty.

I was so impressed with her kids, but given their genes its no surprise they are such mini studs. The nine year old twins also demonstrated they are the kids of racers asking me how much I rode per week and whether I had a pro license.

Good stuff.

Super ripper: 5 year-old A.J.

Owen catches air off the jump

Pump track

Bros on the pump track

Mom feed station: Anne hooks A.J. up with some shot blocks and water

August crew

All three know the value of full-fingered gloves. I need some of those!

After our ride Ann and her boys headed off to go school shopping under what Ann described would be "much more manageable" conditions after the ride. I pedalled the lovely 15 miles back to Casa Pezzulo.

Great day.

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Rides and more hang time =super fun

2011-08-30T19:30:00.001-07:00

585 J9!

Pezz Famiglia (minus Glennbro)

Camera shy Mary

Pretty 585 riding!

Anne and I in front of Park Ave Bike Shop

Numero uno Park Aver Alejandro

Super reme fun. I ran into my dear friend Anne on a ride and a little stopby at the good ole park ave bike shop. Also, had fabulous dinner at my bro-in-law's restaurant and then a protracted evening with my sisters. And there is a J9 doppelganger in tge 585. The pic of the superxmcutey. I miss the 801 J9!!!

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This just in from the 801

2011-08-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

The hubs sent me this photo--which was--in his words "the best homecoming present EVER!" He drove back to the 801 from CO on Sunday and was very happy to be greeted by the beer case sized basket (for my NEW townie) and these BEST EVER PETZL HEADLAMPS.

THANKS WOODIES!!!

Now I need some photos of the garden (which I'm also very thankful to Mrs. Yohson-Gammon and J9 for keeping it alive)...I miss it! How will the hubs do this week? I'm envisioning coming home to a school bus sized zucchini.

Chris Thater crit and other haps here in the upstate NY

2011-08-30T05:56:00.001-07:00

Group ride Pezzulo styles: L-R neighbor Hailey, Sophia, Mom, Izzy, Mrs. T, Prof, Soigneur Meme and Paul

The pair that beats a full house: The Prof and Mrs. T

The Prof and I combobulated in good ole Ro-cha-cah (Rochester, NY where my parents live) to head to Binghamton for the Chris Thater Crit last Saturday. The Prof was a super champ teammate as always and helped me get 4th.

After the race on Sunday morning, the Prof and I "led" a group ride from casa Pezzulo. It was awesome. It was somewhat of a circus getting out of the house because there is always a lot of activity here. My mom, normally a spin class taker, agreed to head outside for our awesome 17 mile ride along the Erie Canal and Genessee River.

Soigneur Meme and Paolo

My mom points out notable sights to the Prof along the Genessee River (we even saw the brewery-The Coors of the East!)

High Falls

Pezzulo Falls (nice on Prof)

We had a great time on our ride under overcast Irene skies. Luckily things didn't get too crazy from Hurricane Irene here in Rochester. The skies were pretty dark and the wind was nuking but it stayed dry. It was nice to be out of the sun (after getting baked in SLC and then Aspen). Unfortunately for the pro men, their race was cancelled on Sunday because Irene was wreaking havoc. I felt fortunate that we raced Saturday and could just hang out on Sunday. In addition to the Canal, we also initiated the Prof to Bagel Land bagels...How could you ever call that abomination from Einstein's or most other places in the west a true bagel after experiencing the real deal?

Late Sunday afternoon I dropped the Prof at the Rochester airport and then headed home in time for a dinner party extravaganza with the Monsignor (My parents friend Anthony who married us in Italy) and others. My mom and my brother-in-law Jason cheffed up a killer dinner. We made a trip to the farmer's market that morning in Brighton and obtained lots of yummies including grass fed Delmonico steaks. side note--there are a million farmer's markets here. It is amazing!!!

Other than that, I've just had some really nice relaxation and hang time with my family. My nieces Isabella, Sophia and Francesca are adorable and really fun. Even when they are picking their noses.

Busted! But honestly, who DOESN'T pick their nose in the car?

Izzy erects a password protected tollgate

Sophia

It has been a great trip here in the upstate NY. I will be heading to St. Louis for the Gateway Cup on Thursday. Till then, I'll be drinking coffee and chillMAXing myself to the bejesus here in the 585.

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Is it obvious we are related?

2011-08-28T06:12:00.001-07:00

A little visit to the bakery with the neices.

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Salt Lake, Crested Butte, Aspen, Rochester, Binghamton

2011-08-27T21:56:00.001-07:00

Tokyo, London, Paris is so five years ago. The prof and I shot the hurricane gap with our travel and racing. We combobulated ourselves in Rochacha at my parents house. Soigneur Meme and her "assistant" Paul totally took care of the Prof and me ensuring our timely arrival to Bingamton for the Chris Thater Memorial Crit.
My mom and sister also came to cheer us on which was so great.

The race was a lot different from last year. This year came down to a field sprint. Even though the Prof crashed earlier in the race and covered all the moves, she laid it down on the last lap and helped me get in position and I ended up fourth behind Theresa Cliff-Ryan, Jo Kiesanowski and Erica Allar.
In the final laps the skies became very dark. We finished mere minutezs before the rain started.
It was so great racing with the Prof and tomorrow we are going to take her on the quintessential Roc recovery ride: CANAL PATH!

Then I get to relax in Roc with my family before heading to the Gateway Cup. Of course I'm already missing the hubs. We had a really fun last night in Boulder (the hubs is still there). Had dinner at Drewster's with Uncle Sid, Jane, yohiney, la Paquita, Shindig and the Glennbro. Super fabulous to see some peeps in the 24 hrs I was in Boulder before heading to the east coast.

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Pictures first, explanations later

2011-08-25T16:53:00.001-07:00

Or make up your own version of events

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Our humble abode in Woody Creek

2011-08-23T07:04:00.001-07:00

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Coach K and Kat save the day

2011-08-21T21:57:00.001-07:00

Let the games begin...Last week the hubs and I had to pack for...its like there's too much to esplain, so I will sum up (can you name the movie even though I didn't get the exact quote?)
The hubs and I had a crapload of shit to pack and think about last week when we left town for a two week trip for me, ten day trip for the hubs. To make it more interesting I was driving Daves car with all his stuff (as he had to travel for work) with the hubs driving the limosienna with all our crap plus dave's bikes.
We kicked off the weekend getting way too late of a start (since we wanted to get to Crested Butte before dark). The hubs collected Dave at the Montrose airport and I managed to find a good camp spot up Slate River Rd. However I had to enjoy the campsite from the car as it was pitch black and I had no Petzl headlamp and nothing with which to make a fire. Not a prob as I continued to listen to Like Water for Chocolate.
Eventually the Hubs and Dave arrived and we built a fire and hung out for a bit.
The next morning we woke up to Dave asking where his road bike was? I guess it wasn't enough that we only remembered his mtb.
Actually it was a serious f* up because many of the week's activities would be involving road bikes.
Anyway I got ahold of Coach K who were going to be driving to Aspen in Sunday and they agreed to bring the bike.
Let me publicly announce my eternal gratitude for that.
Saturday we met up with Dave's friends Ben and Rebecca for a short ride. That night we had dinner at camp and made a SICK fire. I have burned many things and now I can add tree stump to that list. The roots make a nice air space and then the trunk really lends a nice vertical aesthetic to the whole experience.

We couldn't come close to outlasting that fire and had to go to bed.

This morning, we headed into town to meet up with Monika who was also in CB. She and her dude Gannon met us at the coffee shop. It was so awesome to see this dear old friend. She is one of a kind and seeing her made me MISS her like crazy. But to ease the parting she did a scream laugh before she and the boys headed off to ride the 401 trail.

I had to get to Aspen as I'm doing a stage race here starting tomorrow with my team. It is so beautiful here and its a real privilege to get to compete at such an amazing venue.
Time trial up to Maroon Bells tomorrow. I am glad I could enjoy the views on the ride today because tomorrow's trip up the 7.8 mi climb promises much more suffering than sighing over the beauty.

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More socials

2011-08-17T21:03:00.001-07:00

Can't write that without thinking of the DBs.

HOWEVER, I was referring to the more social times we have been having lately with Dave in town.

Last night we went up to the Meth cabin (Mel and Seth's cabin) in Tollgate. It is amazing up there. Mel made delishy fajita wrappy things with zukes from my garden and Seth displayed some talent with the open flame grilling up some shish kebabs (is that actually two words?)

We went for a lovely starwalk to enjoy the waning gibbous moon. It was pretty incredible.

Tonight the hubs and I enjoyed some amazing cake from the Millcreek Bakery (aka Kat's apartment in Millcreek). Not only was it beautifully presented(I see how she was an art major), but it was my favorite kind too (carrot).

And for the first time I think I will actually have eggplant succeed in my garden.

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La Cena dei Cugini

2011-08-16T18:46:00.001-07:00

The hubs cousin Cassiope came through the beehive last night with her boyfriend. It was super fun having the three Sydoriak/Lawrence cousins under one roof for a lovely dinner and catchup session.

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Visitors and fun activities

2011-08-13T19:59:00.001-07:00

The inaugural ride up Millcreek!

Dave has been force drunkened the tall socks koolaid

Tour of Utah!

Dave, the bro di hubs has been staying with us here in the beehive. Though he has visited many times it has never been during the summer months. It has been fun takng him on some road and dirt rides here in the 801. More than anything it is just awesome hanging out with him.

Hubs, Kat, Matt (hidden) and Dave on the State St hill in the Tour of Ut circuit.

In other 801 goings on, we had a super fun activities day today surrounding stage four of tour of Utah. We convened at our pad and pedalled critical mass styles over to old law school buds PJ and Sam. Joining in the fun were the Woodies, Newberry, Kat and Matt, and Wade (of Sun Valley fame). We watched a few laps at Sam and PJs before heading up to the finish at the top of State St. It was super fun and the crowds were great. We met up with the Jecls (formerly the Jemclems) for some more fun spectating. After the race we pedalled down State St to obtain sustenance. Spectating bike races is hard work after all. Because the excitement of having Wade in town from Ogdenistan was still so exciting, we hit the pub on the way home. We ended up at our house where a serious soccee juggling tourney ensued in the middle of our street. So awesome. In spite of the dehydration and sunburn, it was a super fun day spent with good friends..

Good work SLC fans! Next year to do list: tunes and about 5000 more open containers

Fans at Sam and PJs bbq on S. Temple

Inside race watching (on TV) till they came by in the flesh

Me, Claire (my little buddy after I gave her a cowbell), Kat and Matt

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J9 and Kat chillin' stoop styles

Boyz jugglin' it up in the street.

The moving party's transport!

From here to there and why my coworkers should hate me now

2011-08-09T22:29:00.001-07:00

Getting ready to ride

The limosienna that kicks tent camping's ass

Hubs from heaven

Hubs and Dave melting up the River Road

Its been a tasmanian week. After a wonderful night in Tollgate at Mels cabin, the hubs and I did another sweet mountain bike ride at deer valley. We alternated riding with Clem and Jem so one could always hang tough with their cute daughter Piccola Z. Mel's friend Dave (the food assassin) also joined in the fun.

All that set up a perfect cluster storm for the hubs and I to pack up to go camp with Dave (bro di hubs) I Moab. In addition to the shit show assemblage of riding and camping gear, I had to pack for work (as I would be staying in Moab for work). Somehow we eventually made it down to Moab for a fuego and glass of vino with Dave.

Good morning Moab!

It is so hot in Moab. I set off on Monday morning to accompany Steve and Dave on part of the La Sal loop ride--one of my favorite rides in Moab. I rode with them to Castle Valley before turning back in time to sunshower and meet up with my coworkers in town.

The next morning I got up at 6 to ride before work and before the heat set in. So gorgeous and pleasantly cool.

Even from this angle it should be clear how clusterful this was

I spent all day with coworkers and then convinced them we should just drive the "20 minutes" up into the La Sals so we could escape the heat and commune in the awesomeness that is mountains in the desert. A couple of them were keen to go for a run as well. I drove up and realized about 20 minutes into tge drive we were way farther away than I thought. Those that came to our Moab-LaSal wedding can attest to that. Out of nervousness I started driving faster on a bumpy road. It felt pretty sketchy but I was in so far over my head with promises of convenient awesomeness. As we finally arrived at warner lake (where our wedding guests camped), it appeared we had a flat tire. One coworker wisely took off on her run while the rest turned to the task of one of the most scenic tire changes ever. I felt like such a jerk and did nothing to help except sit on a log and alternate between profuse apologizing and hysterical laughter. It was comical but Mitch, Hurst and Tippetts pulled it off hugely. It was a junk show at first but once they figured out how to extricate the spare it was pretty much NASCAR pit styles all the way (in Mitch's paraphrased words). I would've been so pissed at me if I were them but they were so cool about it in that coworker ballbusting way. Working with cool peeps is pretty huge. My cellphone blog post doesn't even do justice to how awesome and horrible it all was. Suffice to say I enjoyed getting up in the mountains and laughing my ass off despite some serious guilt.

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A little getaway

2011-08-06T18:27:00.001-07:00

After an awesome moyntain bike ride with il Justino, the hubs and I headed up Tollgate Canyon to visit Mel and Seth. So gorgeous up here. Its nice to have these unknown gorgeous spots in the Beehive...

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Tardy, but hopefully still relevant

2011-08-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

Some pics from the Tour de Nez in Reno last weekend. Love the Biggest Little City in the World. Amber Rais-Pierce solo'ed away from the field for the win and I took the field sprint for 2nd. I was super psyched and the Prof and La Lizard were total champ teammates. It was a slight bummer to race for 2nd place, but Amber was super strong and she put some serious time on the field even when we were trying to bring her back. It was a smaller field with the major horsepower crashing/racing in Charlotte (not bummed about missing the crashing part), but there were still some total studettes lining up to race including our Vandercousins, Peanut Butter's Alison Starnes, Tibco's returned warrior Alison Powers and uber dirt queen Katerina Nash.

I sort of blew my load in my race report on the team blog so you can check it out there. Suffice to say that a good time was had by all. I especially enjoyed getting to spend a little time with Mrs. Yohnson-Gammon's madre (Jill) who lives in Reno and came to cheer us on at the race. And a major highlight was getting some good hang time with the Lil Duck (my broken teammate). I also spent a little post-race social times with back in the day college racing teammates Micah and Candy. Candy is of course a legit superstud roadie now. Micah had driven from San Fran with his awesome gf to hang out with Candy and his wife (another new favorite person of mine). It was a happy reunion and fab stroll down memory lane.

Otherwise things have been a bit foggy. The season winds down but not really. I still have a shite-ton of racing left--which is AWESOME! If I could only find the moto (vation) to train. Coach K assures me that all will be fine so that's all I need. That and some qt with the hubs on 2 wheels in le montagne. No racing for a few weeks which will be great. Psyched to NOT travel for a bit and then go down in a blaze of glory for all the racing in late August and September.

What else? The podium was definitely cool...But otherwise I would say I'm posting straight Cs in life. But at least that's passing.

And I'm totally into the Born to Run Koolaid. Richie hooked me up with the book on tape for my drive to Reno. Oh. My. God. What a great story. Totally inspiring. And I have hope that perhaps I could run again.Yes let me just wash down that Koolaid with some chia seeds...Because I might start growing them.

Not sure what we did in a past life but it must've been good...

2011-07-30T11:03:00.001-07:00

The hubs and I have had a very social week. So great seeing our peeps. We are so lucky to have such rad friends. The fact that they have mad culinary and outdoor seating capabilities is just the proverbial icing (non hydrogenated of course).

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The hubs was thirsty

2011-07-24T20:03:00.001-07:00

But thats because he is a ginormous stud that rode Big Cottonwood, up Mill D, up the Crest, down to mid mountain, back up to Mill Creek and down 55 miles (mostly dirt) and 7000 ft of climbing. Wow.

I saw a cowboy on my ride.

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Friend catchups

2011-07-23T18:45:00.001-07:00

It has been really great to catch up with the peeps. Especially when said peeps have sick decks upon which one may imbibe the cold beverages and consume the grilled yummies. Top notch barbies with Richie and.Renee Thursday and then the Woodies last night. J9 fell asleep right at the picnic table but even that didn't stop us.

We saw Richie today post crest crash. The slow speed ones are the worst. And Richie told us to see Tron even though "it makes reality so boring." Richie is the best.
We heart our 801 peeps.

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Feeling better

2011-07-22T13:44:00.001-07:00

1st pomodoro harvests!

Romas looking good

Peppers!

Moro pomodori

Zucchini

Basil

Harvested, curing garlic

Alternate staking materials, with basket removed.

Four days off the bike, chill time at home and catching up with friends equals a vastly improved Tiff. And the garden is doing smashingly. I think straw mulch is the secret.

In other news of good things, I both lost and found my wallet today. I left it somewhere and I nice person called me and I was able to retrieve. I was a little down on humamity hearing of some recent bike thefts...so this was good for restoring some balance (at least in my brain, for my friends balance will be restored witb the return of their bikes...it can happen!)

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Crack-o-rama'ed

2011-07-19T19:48:00.001-07:00

The prof and I solidified the yellow and red jerseys on the last day of Superweek on Sunday. The race was in Evanston, IL and so I got to see Keith M, his wife Lisa and their son Thad. The venue was sweet...good crowds and a decent field. Since I didn't really need to go for the sprint points, I raced aggressively along with the prof. With three laps to go, I attacked and got off the front with Jamie Wong from team Hing Kong. I ended up winning which was especially sweet since the hubs made it for the last six laps.

Moi, Jamie Wong, Prof, Muffin and Jenna

Podium for overall and for sprint jersey

Sprint points overall: Carrie Cash, moi and Jeannie K

We drove back to Milwaukee for one last awesome night with Chris and Melissa. After three hours of sleep we were up to catch our flight. The misery was so much more palatable having the hubs there with me. That and the prosciutto we brought from Trader Joe's. What can't cured pork products fix?

Despite my corpse-like condition, I headed into work for a few hours. While my cold had improved sunday, I was back to square one by Monday night. I had to shut things down right after dinner for 14 hours of z's. Things are slightly improved today but I am workin on some serious physical and mental letharge.

Nonetheless, it was a good trip and it was so great to have the hubs out there for the 2nd half of the trip. Happy to be home now

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Superweek other-ness

2011-07-17T09:44:00.001-07:00

PAs we close in on the last day of Superweek, the Prof and I still hold onto our respective yellow and red jerseys. Yesterdays race was really cool. Held in a trendy Milwaukee neighborhood, it drew a good sized crowd and pro womens field. A break of two got away shortly before a sprint lap and in tbe end we finished 7th and 8th

We had an awesome fan base with Chris (an old grad school and epic adventure buddy of the hubs), Melissa, their son Everett, their friends and of course super awesome new best friend Rickie.

Everett is hilarious and calls me Puffany.

After the race we grabbed some dinner with Chris and co before heading back to Chris' place.

This morning, I finally felt a little better (head cold abating!) And went to breakfast with Chris, Melissa and Everett. As Chris and Melissa are a one car 8 bike family we ambulated awesomely to breakfast. Chris and Everett in the Bakfiets and the hubs and I on the tandemania. Melissa pedalled ahead of us and when we caught up to her Everett proclaimed "mommy you are dropping the hammer". He may or may not have had some prompting.
We got some breakfast and watched the tour at a super sweet bar that offered a free beer to the Tour watchers. Great morning and super fun catching up with great people.

Vino shall be consumed tonight.

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Steve rides Rickie's World Record bike

2011-07-14T21:48:00.001-07:00

In an awesome Superweek development, the hubs arrived in the good land last night. I unfortunately made a little mistake packing Steves bike so he was without a rear wheel to ride out to our race.

Luckily Rickie came home a little early and was kind enough to lend The Hubs his world record holding bike (he currently holds the world record on an undisclosed ten mile loop near his house).

This ride is sweet and it got the hubs.out to the race course just in time to miss both the race and the podium. He thought about hopping in the mens pro race with it. That would've been sweet.

On a race note-I felt pretty poopy today with a scratchy throat, stuffed nose and general achy blah. We were able to keep any dangerous moves in check and in the end I lead out the prof for 3rd and I ended up 5th. Prof is still in yellow and I am still in red.

I have been enjoying getting to know some of the international riders, especially Hong Kong's Jamie Wong. We have also had fun hanging out with one of the soigneurs from Taiwan, Su Chen.

Three more races and dinner wit Rickie at his favorite restaurant tomorrow night (Cajun)...And hopefully things improve for me in the nose and throatular regions!

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Host entertainment

2011-07-13T15:39:00.001-07:00

Awesome times here in Milwaukee at Rickie's pad. I woke up with the scratchy-scratch throat today and feeling kind of flat. Separate post for the race (prof 6th, me 10th, we keep yellow and red jerseys). In spite of the pooh physical feelings, Rickie totally kept us entertained when he got home from work and then we made him watch the Tour and try some kale chips (he had to chew gum because he was grossed out by them).

Milwaukee host Rickie provides post dinner entertainment for Jenna, the Prof, Doodle and Muffin

Jenna said "You'll have to try juggling with firesticks" to which Rickie replied: "Funny you should mention that" and then busted out the magic

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Bring on the cheesehead state

2011-07-12T19:41:00.001-07:00

I am in the poodle mobile (aka the Prof and Jenna's RV) heading to Milliwaukay--the good land.

Had a grand time racing in the shytown area and staying with the Sexy Beast's parents. She is an awesome person and total studette--but very modest. There should be a mandatory parental introduction for people like this so you can ACTUALLY learn how truly studly.they are...For instance, I got to learn that low key Gwen was a state champion and All American in college. Love it.

In yesterday's race, I was able to hang onto the sprint jersey and lead out the prof (with Gwen's help) for the field sprint, helping her keep the yellow jersey. There riders from the Hong Kong and Taiwan teams which have kept the racing animated. There are some.Olympic hopefuls and I hope by the end of Superweek to be able to pronounce their names.

Best part of yesterdays race was the jersey presentation. Eddy Van Geist presented the yellow and red jerseys. He played the Italian on the Cinzano team in Breaking Away (one of my all time favorite movies). He presented the jersey he wished me luck in keeping it and said that threw down the Breaking Away reference saying "the Cinzano team is going to root for the last name Pezzulo." I told him that made my whole Superweek.

Last night Gwen's mom cooked an awesome dinner and Gwen's sisters came over with their families. Had a fabulous time and played a few intense rounds of Dominoes.

Today we got to.mix things up with a road race in Willow Springs, IL. It was a cool course that reminded me of the rolling, wooded parks of upstate NY (Mendon Ponds in particular). There were no sprint points so we decided to race pretty aggressively. No breaks ended up sticking so I lead out the Prof but went too early and thus she was 4th (but maintains yellow).

Got to cheer on old school buddy Keith who represented in the.pro 1-2 race (yeah dad with gnarly career).

Heading to the famous Ricky's house in Milwaukee as I type...racing tomorrow in Brown Deer (I wonder why they call it...) Sorry tgat may only be funny if your name is Erin.

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A few more Geneva pics

2011-07-10T10:02:00.001-07:00

We had an awesome dinner last night at Gwen's (the Sexy Beast) parents house in Orland Park. Mike, Gwen's husband, cheffed up some ridiculous steaks. The champion Prof whipped up a tomato, cuke and avocado salad and I, of course, added a regular salad to the mix.

It has been awesome staying with the Erffmeyers (Gwen's parents). They are lovely and amazing hosts. They have a beautiful home and a big screen TV upon which I am currently watching le Tour. I just watched a gnarly crash which made me think of my fallen teammate Emily (lil ducky).

The Ducky was taken out at stage 2 of Tour de Toona with a shattered humerus and separated shoulder. Massive, massive bummer. I didn't see it but as I watched the horrible crash at the Tour where Jurgen Vanden Brouk sustained the same.injury (along with a host of other riders that were seriously messed up) I wanted to throw up and cry at the same time. Luckily the Ducky is strong like a bull and will pull through like the champ she is. In the meantime we will be seriously missing our super fun, super strong teammate.

Race 2 in Homewood, IL this afternoon.

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Generosity in Geneva

2011-07-09T16:11:00.001-07:00

Moi with our awesome new Geneva friend Carol

Gwen with our fan club

Keith!

Me and the prof with the Mayor and race starter George

Day 1 of Superweek in Geneva, IL...we have a million new best friends (the Carols and Elaine, Mayor Kevin Burns and superstarter George!) And the prof won. I'm in the sprinters jersey...we are going to have our work cut out for ourselves! I also got to cheer on old school Park Ave Bike employee Keith in the Masters race.

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Awesome blossom

2011-07-08T12:20:00.001-07:00

Its more than just the most fattening thing on Chili's menu (I know this thanks to Rob Coppollilo's former employment there), it feals with the beauty of my squash plants. Peppers have also shown up and I am happy to report that the tomatoes in the straw bales are also starting to produce. Hopefully the hubs remembers to water while I am at Stupedous week...

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Agricultural developments

2011-07-07T11:21:00.001-07:00

The garden is doing well. I can almost taste the caprese salad. I'm off (like a prom dress) to the midwest for 9 days of racing for Superweek with the Prof and Sexy Beast.
Garlic harvest time upon my return!

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Divine dirt experiences

2011-07-04T15:34:00.001-07:00

We had a great weekend in Sun Valley riding dirt, camping and consuming beverages. It was our 4th year celebrating the birth of onw Jeff Wood and we hope to have 40 more.
We definitely missed the DBs but had such a good time hanging out with the Petzl peeps (aka the Frenchies), JJ, Lizzie,the Jowegawas,Wade and his gf Kelly. We had beautiful weather and lots of laughs. I already miss everyone and we just said bye...

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Sun Valley!

2011-07-01T12:54:00.001-07:00

Chocolate Gulch. Yummy.

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I heart rural Utah

2011-06-30T20:07:00.001-07:00

In Rich county (Northern Utah)

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Good morning Moab!

2011-06-30T09:07:00.001-07:00

A little pre-work spin in Moab yesterday...

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A little communing

2011-06-29T04:56:00.001-07:00

The rest of the nationals weeke.d was great. We ended up.missing the winning break in the road race but the lil ducky still got 2nd in the field sprint for 7th. I finished 23rd and was happy with how I rode. Unfortunately, the prof went down in a crash. Fortunately she was ok. The Sunshine Band was a superstar making it in an early break for the first three laps of the race.

Most importantly I managed to avoid melting into a puddle in the Augusta heat.

We finished off the weekend by taking our lovely host Roggie to dinner at a great Cajun place near by.

On Monday I was up at OH-300 hours to catch my 5 am flight. Miraculously I didn't get stuck anywhere but it was a long day of travel. Best part of the return was reuniting with the hubs. 2nd best was a spontaneous welcome home pedi with J9. Close 3rd was celebrating the progress of my garden. After another night of too little sleep I was out the door first thing in the am for a two day work trip. Blurg.

Fortunately I am traveling with my new fave co-worker Mitch who is super fun and a great dude. He has sisters so that probably explains his coolness. After working, we headed up into the La Sal mountains outside of Moab to escape the heat. He went for a sweet trail run and I went for a one hour ride on the La Sal Mountain Loop Road. It was so beayoutiful up there. I felt like I had the whole mountain range to myself. I had a nice walk down memory lane riding past the supersweet Whispering Oaks lodge where the hubs and I celebrated our nuptials a mere 3 years ago. So fun remembering all the fun peeps that were there, the Sleaze's good job as our internet ordained minister, the wedding hike from the campground where most of the guests stayed, to shaking our booties off till the wee hours to DJ B-fisk's wedding master mix. I hadn't been back since our wedding and it was great to re-visit the amazingness of that weekend. Good news, the bridge is no longer out so people can get up there the "quick" way now...

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Crit Nationals

2011-06-28T19:11:00.001-07:00

After FINALLY getting my bike Friday morning, I built it up and went on a sweaty spin with the teammates. We stopped at Outspokin Bicycles to get some beta on where to ride and then we rode past the crit course. We bumped into superstud Matt Bradley who has been tearing it up in the paracycling events here (2nd in the tt!).

After trying to relax for the rest of the day, we headed back downtown for our 8pm crit. The skies went from searing heat to ominous clouds as we lined up on the start. We were informed that in the event of storms our race might be shortened.

The race was pretty fast but no attacks were sticking. Suddenly our race went from 30 laps to go to 5 laps to go.

That was a bit of a shocker. With three laps to go the prof covered a dangerous move that was able to get a few seconds up the road. It was caught with 2 laps to go and then the craziness really started. With 1 lap to go, the Lil Ducky found me and I stuck to her wheel. She moved towards the front. I had her chill for a second before we hit the back stretch. I was hoping to have her drill it right before the last two corners. However, I could sense an impending swarm so I slapped the rains and the lil Ducky buried--and I mean Six feet under buried--herself the ENTIRE backstretch making it first through the last two corners with me on her wheel.

I came around her but still had a healthy 300m to the finish. I put my head down and gave it everything but Shelly Olds, Theresa Cliff-Ryan, Coryn Rivera and Jen Purcell came flying around me with Sam Schneider overtaking me right before the line. So I ended up 6th.

I knew it was way early for Emily to go when I had her go, but right after she stepped on the gas I heard a crash behind us, so maybe it wasn't the greatest thing for the result but I have decided to look at it as a boon in terms of keeping us safe and upright.

It was disappointing to miss the podium but it would've been waaaaay more disappointing to get stuck in a crash...Not like those are mutually exclusive things, but humor me with my cosmic musings.

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Its a christmas miracle!

2011-06-24T06:54:00.001-07:00

Bike arrived just in time for race tonight! And now for the sweaty process of unpacking...

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Is this quick enough

2011-06-23T15:27:00.001-07:00

The prof requests immediate updating...I made it to Augusta finally. Spent the night in Grapevine, TX but my cup did not runneth over. Now, if only my bike would make it here..

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Exciting developments

2011-06-17T08:39:00.001-07:00

Its been a recuperative week...My lungs and throat decided to stage a protest this week but after some serious negotiations (allergy medications sans pseudoephedrine, sleep, echinacea and neti pot), relations are much less strained.

Frontside: pink flowers from Jane's NM garden are happy here!

More importantly, I am happy to report that my cottage garden is doing smashingly. Coolest thing is that it is an edible landscape. I have gotten lots of compliments which makes me feel so good. It has been a labor of love with lots of contributions (both of the plant and advice variety) from the Kimo, Mrs. Yohnson-Gammon, Jane, Mrs. Jowegawas, my neighbors Heather and Deb and others.

Poppies! In honor of my friendship with Erin

Back 40

This just in: garlic scapes and snap peas are in the hizzy!

The little curly thing (garlic scape) amounts to nothing short of CRACK!!! I'll snap these off in the next week or so (to send energy to the garlic bulb itself) and feast on what might be one of the yummiest things in the WORLD.

I like a little peas and quiet now an again

Because I am a gangster gardener. "Ain't nothing but a G thang baaaaabay" where the "G" stands for garden.

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Some non racing Tulsa pics

2011-06-14T20:35:00.001-07:00

Fun river spins, that Prof is a real clown

Bridge over the river where Tulsa-ans were spear fishing

Sunshine in a cloudy heat stroked moment

Lil Ducky and La Lizard

BOSS

Little sis hosts Maddie and Mia enjoying the podium pandas

Maddie, Melissa and Mia--Super Cutey Primal/MMR supporters!

Aside from racing, it was super enjoyable hanging with our amazing hosts and doing some nice spins along the river. After the Riverview kickintheface race, Darrell and Melissa cheffed up delicious burgers for dinner. It was great to get to sit down with everyone! La Lizard and the Lil Ducky also joined in the culinary fabulous-ness.

It took me about midsong to realize that Eminem was a girl and Rihanna was a dude...They were that good. Many thanks to Starla for setting me straight.

After dinner, Liza and Ducky "convinced" me to go out with them. We met up with our Vandercousins and had a SUPER fun night starting off at the Soundpony, located right on Saturday's course. From there Liza heard the music and we ended up at Club Majestic. I would like to recommend that if you ever feel bad about doing bad in a bike race or really anything in life, rainbow therapy is the answer. This gay club had nonstop Lady Gaga pumping out on the dance floor. It was interrupted only for a performance by a transvestite Eminem and Rihanna for a pants-peeing lip synch to "Love the Way you Lie." Rupaul better work because this woman (man) was AMAZING! She did a few more performances and each one involved a completely different totally off the hook outfit. It totally ruled.

Jennx turned up wearing a super cute dress and a fanny pack? That ended up making the rounds on the dance floor to various individual...Best performances going to Jono and Vanessa.

Sub optimal camera phone doesn't diminish the quality of fun that was had...

More racing, and oopsie I lost the omnium despite a good lead

2011-06-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

More race jibber jabber...

On the second day, we raced the Brady District crit right on the heels of the gay pride parade.
AWESOME! I was YMCA'ing right along with everyone while waiting on the sidelines to start the race.

My team was amazing at this crit. Everyone took a turn covering something but Liza, Ducky and the Prof turned themselves inside out for me and I was able to get on the podium for 3rd place. This was another fast race but it mainly stayed together. Because of my awesome teammates, I was able to sit in and (relatively) chill out and save it for the finish. With 2 laps to go, Jackie Crowell attacked and held off the field for the win. The Ducky, Liza and Prof lined it up for me and killed themselves (for the millionth time that race) to keep me in good position on the last lap. Laura Vangilder got on the Prof's wheel coming around a corner on the last lap and then there were a cluster of sprinters including Jen Purcell, Erica Allar, Jen McRae and of course Christina Gokey-Smith. The prof sprinted down the back straight keeping the pace high to prevent the swarm...I was somewhere in the sprinter cluster but managed to disengage to get 2nd in the field sprint behind Laura.

Brady District podium

With my 1st and 3rd place, I was winning the omnium by 8 points. What some might even call an unassailable lead. HOWEVER, the last day's Riverview Crit is a real punch in the everything sensitive: balls, achilles, jugular--wherever you have weakness, this crit hones in on and destroys. It has a small chainring climb right after the start finish which heads through some neighborhoods and crazy fan sections then screams down hill through an off-camber corner to the finish.

Nonetheless, with strong climbers Lil Ducky, Sunshine and Nicole, I was hoping we could manage... While my team did everything they could, with Lil Ducky riding like she was a separate team of 4, the difficulty of the race took its toll... I was hurting pretty bad but so was everyone else. Only about half the field even finished. On the last lap I was by myself, not in great position, and found myself needing to close gaps and so I was gassed by the time we spilled out onto the final straight. I gave it everything and finished 17th which slid me down into 4th in the omnium. Still a good overall finish, but pretty disappointing to lose the lead and not pull out a better finish when my teammates had worked so hard.

La Lizard and moi

Moi on the wheel of Tayler Wiles at her first race back since smacking her melon at Mt. Hood

Despite the soul crushing outcome (slight exaggeration, only slight), the race is still such a gem of the Tulsa Tough. Crybaby hill is a small-scale version of what the Italians call "il casino" or the section in the soccer stadium where all the hooligans are getting shitfaced, shooting off fireworks and creating a complete ruckus. Those partying fans just absolutely RULE! Everything from the noise, the shooting hoses, the outfits (dudes in speedos--it will never get old in these circumstances)...I swear--course sections such as crybaby hill are what make me want to race my bike.

So painful, yet awesome at the same time...

Tulsa: The racing part

2011-06-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

Sunshine wrote a great race report, check it out on our team blog...
Lyne Lamoreux provided her typical in-depth awesome coverage as well on Podium Insight

For the click-fully challenged...Here you go...
On Friday night I won the Blue Dome Crit, the first race of the Tulsa Tough. My teammates were rockstars and helped get me in a break of 4 riders that included Kori Seehafer, Christina Gokey-Smith and Kristen LaSasso. Once we had a gap I was super motivated to help the break stay away. We worked awesomely together, I heard on the TV coverage that announcer Dave Towle say we invoked images of a Soviet team time trial. As the work continued in the break, I really started to feel the heat (and the pulls). There were many self-talks going on...Actually, my brain could really do no more than form utterances...Which utterances went something like this:
"Oh god, hurting"
"My turn already?"
"Don't get dropped"
"Would anyone mind if I just sat on for the rest of the time? OK I understand"
"I hope that elbow flick is a twitch"
"Don't get dropped"
"HTFU"
"What's the number for 911?"

With 3 laps to go, Kori and Kristen began doling out punches in the form of attacks. At that point the sweat turned to tears. On the last lap I started the sprint early, attacking before the 2nd to last corner. Kori came around me with Christina right on her wheel. I was able to jump on and then come around again on the final straight for the victory.

Christina rips my legs off in the break

Final sprint

AND THEN...

I rounded the first corner and promptly threw up all over my top tube. Lil Ducky and Liza came up behind with celebratory pats and the Ducky sprayed me and my bike with the rest of her water to mitigate the biohazard. This was all captured on the televised coverage.

Notwithstanding my complete lack of grace and hygiene, it was a really special win...Last year at Tulsa Tough, things came to a head for me in life...I was super unhappy at my job and spread too thin with trying to train, race travel and still work full-time. Though my work was super awesome about my racing--it was still too hard to work full-time (which included travel for work). I had some tearful conversations with just about everyone on the planet that weekend...The hubs, my coach, my family and a really great conversation with host Melissa...Because the hubs is the most awesome-est, it was then we decided that it was time for a serious change...I would quit working (for at least a few months) so I could focus on racing and avoid either getting pneumonia or having a nervous breakdown. While it was a financial hit, the mental and emotional payouts were enormous...All non-essential expenses were basically eliminated. Living like you're still a student keeps you young!

When the fall rolled around and it was time for me to start financially contributing to the household again, I was asked to come back to working at the state--but on a part-time basis. What was meant to be a 3 month gig got extended and this has allowed me to maintain a connection to some semblance of a career while prioritizing my racing. I am hugely grateful to John Hurst (my manager) and John Harja (Director) for being so supportive...They are some of my biggest unofficial sponsors.

The Tulsa World actually did a nice article about it too.

The victory was also special because I got to share it with the most awesome hosts ever--the Meinens and Schoolings. This year marked my third year of staying with these guys (Thanks to Bud for the best ever hookup) and I feel like I have family in Tulsa because of it. Marilyn and Mike were there at the race ringing the shit out of their cowbells and Darrell was simultaneously taking awesome photos, dealing with race logistics and probably doing about 10 other things too.

Blue Dome podium

And of course, the win was really a team win because the girls on my team and goddess-directress Susannah have put everything into this team...The successes are shared equally, because they are communally earned.

Thanks to EVERYONE who has been sending me the congratulatory wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Each and every text, message, e-mail, blog comment, and team facebook post is ENORMOUSLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!

Hall of fame hosts

2011-06-09T20:32:00.001-07:00

I arrived in the Sooner state this afternoon after a lovely in-flight conversation with my new fave dude racer Stevie Cullinan. We happened to sit in the same row from hooked on Phoenix to Tulsa. Super fun to chat with this awesome kiddo...

Hall of fame host mom picked me up and brought me back to the compound (C2) where the Prof was knee deep in relaxation mode. We headed next door to the Meinens (C1) where I was reunited with Melissa and her two ridiculously adorable daughters Mia and Mattie (see photo of artwork left on my towel by Mia-awesome!)

Though my bike had arrived (phew) my clothes did not. Awesome Marilyn loaned me some clothes to wear on a spin. She loaned the Prof her bike and shoes (the prof's bike was en route from Denver). I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the prof this way...

After a quick spin and pool dip, Liza and the Lil Ducky picked us up to head to Saris Ron's for steak dinner (at his lovely parents house). It was really great to see all the teammates and Ron cheffed up a feast.

First race tomorrow night.

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Magnificence in the 801 ambience

2011-06-09T07:21:00.001-07:00

It has been super sweet here in the 801. Perfect weather. C'mon you know this pictue could be a computer wallpaper.

So its a great time to head to the midwest for some sweltering humidity. Goodbye water weight, hello cramp riddled heat stroke.

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Bring awwwwn the noodlin'!

2011-06-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

T minus 24 hours till departure for the home of Okie Noodlin'...I'll be racin' Tulsa Tough with the whole team. Looking forward to the reunion with the entire cast of characters including the Prof, La Lizard, Lil Ducky, the Mayor, the BOSS the Sexy Beast (she's baaaaaack!) and the Sunshine Band. Also looking forward to reuniting with compound dwellers the Meinens and Schoolings and Randypants' old school bud- Bud.

Just have to do about 5000 things and then I'm ready to go. Till my next procrastination post when my bike will be in pieces and not packed and I'll have a departing flight I'll be about to miss.

Splendid times in Durango

2011-05-31T11:37:00.001-07:00

Hubs in the crit

Hubs cornering

More hubs

Coolest downtown crit ever

Post crit partial podium with winner Lauren Hall and superhero Wherry and Durango local personality Chad

Gluten free peanut gallery at Mary and Travis'

dudes

Jenna and bella hostess with the mostest Mary

Hubs did awesome and we had a SUPER fun time with the Durango peeps. To pimp an Erin quote, the final bbq at Travis and Mary's blew the happy center in my brain...

We have now returned from our southwest adventures...

The prof and Jenna (and the muffins) got to park their RV at the sweetest camping spot in all of Durango--Moira and Ted's aka the Compton Compound. Incorporating the Prof and Jenna into the Durango crew was like mixing macaroni and cheese, or chocolate and peanut butter...Nothing short of a brilliant combo...Add in some quality time with a million other amazing locals and visiting 801-ers??? It really did just about blow the happy center in my brain (copyright Erin).

The hubs finished 48th in the cat 4 road race (out of 130!) and 8th in the crit. Rock star. I was super proud of him. And he had a fun time.

I finished 7th in the road race (I had a great ride!), 2nd in the crit, and 6th in the time trial. That put me in 3rd place for the omnium behind Kristin McGrath and Jeannie Longo. Durango Herald write-ups here and here.

Stoked would be an understatement. The prof was a total hero in the crit working her butt off to ensure the break I was in stayed away. She also let me borrow her disc wheel for the time trial so I could try to improve my omnium spot. She was a superchamp the entire weekend both on and off the bike. I feel really lucky to have her as both a teammate and now friend!

And now to the task of putting the pieces back together upon returning from a 10 day trip. Thank god for J9 who not only ensured our return to an alive cat, and thriving plants, but actually left us furniture! Being pathetic has its privileges I suppose.

More activities in the plural Alamo

2011-05-26T18:33:00.001-07:00

Massage, awesome public transpo, a sweet Co-op, a walk in the woods with dogs AND a chile cooking lesson with Beth's buddy Uncle Syd (he returns the greetings) and Jane. I could get used to this place...

I would also like to note the hubs is getting some serious leg props both of the blogular and personal variety. Its cool but not totally (thats just the inner small Tiff talking).

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Recovery spin

2011-05-26T11:13:00.001-07:00

The hubs, Dave, Drewster and I had a nice spin around Los Alamos yesterday. Dave and Drewster are breaking up the band by heading back to Boulder. I am against this.

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Rest Day

2011-05-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

Here we are back at the ranch in Los Alamos...drinking coffee and reading about the cycling world's reaction to Tyler's appearance on 60 minutes...Its a bit rainy here and we are wondering how we were able to avoid that (see last September's post about our east coast bike tour).

In more mundane cycling news, here are our routes from MapMyRide...in case you want to get your own fix of chiles, gorgeous views, cool churches and lots of roadside memorials...

Day 1

&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/35263618"&amp;amp;gt;Los Alamos to Taos&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/?location=Los Alamos, NM"&amp;amp;gt;Find more Cycling Routes / Bike Rides in Los Alamos, NM&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;

Day 2

&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/33887556"&amp;amp;gt;Taos to Eagle Nest&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/?location=Taos, NM"&amp;amp;gt;Find more Cycling Routes / Bike Rides in Taos, NM&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;

Day 3

&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/33888180"&amp;amp;gt;Eagle Nest to Las Vegas&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/?location=Eagle Nest, NM"&amp;amp;gt;Find more Cycling Routes / Bike Rides in Eagle Nest, NM&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;

The grand cannoli (or what non-Pezzulos call the grand finale)

2011-05-24T07:43:00.001-07:00

We ended our vuelta di northern New Mexico yesterday. I started off with hurty knees and a slightly poopy mood. The wind didn't help things either. I was seriously considering hopping in the limosienna when George drove by. However, the size of my breakfast and the fact that he spent a really long time at the Vietnam vet memorial (its actually anti-war) and didnt pass us till much later prevented my tapping out.

After about 15 windy miles, we turned off onto what can only be described as the coolest road ever. It was narrow, windy and flanked by ponderosa pines on one side and a creek on the other. And it was mostly downhill. Because Davebro is the smartest human in the world, he suggested we stop for a snack and to more fully enjoy our environs. As I was thinking about the unappetizing bar in my pocket and wishing so hard for the salty snacks in the car, George suddenly rolled up in the limosienna like a fairy ridemother (score another one for Oprah and the Notebook). I had what I can only describe as the best meal of my life (bread, avo, carrots, hummus, bbq kettle chips, grapes and chocolate). The sun was warm and the mountain-pine-laundry smell was intoxicating. We finally picked ourselves up to finish the remaing 50 miles of our 80 mile day.

We continued along incident-free (minus getting chased by some sheep dogs) with another stop at about mile 50 in Mora. It was another small New Mexico town but THIS one offered glass bottle hecho en Mexici Coca Cola. No high fructose corn poison.
Does USADA know about this stuff because I rode the last 30 miles like I had just taken a feed from the Astana team car.

We finished off the ride in Las Vegas (New Mexico). George met us at the plaza in the historic district of town. Because what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, don't ask me about the green chile covered burger, fries and milkshake I may or may not have enjoyed.
It was a great trip and I really loved getting to enjoy this part of the Zia State en bici. George is a total rock star and in true Lawrence style he not only dealt in the car the whole time we were riding, he drove us the 2 hours back to Los Alamos. He can now add soigneur to his list of skills which include snowmaking consultant, particle accelerator physicist and trip-planner extraordinaire.

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Our night in Eagle Nest

2011-05-24T07:08:00.001-07:00

We finished our Sunday ride to Eagle Nest at some sportsmans cabins with a lake view. It was nice to have a kitchen for cooking dinner and the next morning's breakfast. We also got to spend a nice evening and morning with our "support crew" of the hubs' parents.

Most people don't know too much about the ski resorts in Northern New Mexico (unless you are from Texas, apparently). I am happy to report we discovered you can rent parabolic skis there though. I wonder if you can get one-pieces and ear muffs too? (note-the part about the skis was the hubs Wasatch snobbiness superiority comples, the part about the styles was just me being a small person in general.)

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Day 2 pics

2011-05-24T06:52:00.001-07:00

"Gorges" views of the Rio Grande, one flat tire, and a beautiful climb up Bobcat pass from Red River.

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Serious attitude adjusting

2011-05-21T20:32:00.001-07:00

Day 1 of 3 day Zia state bike tour, Los Alamos to Taos.

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