NO MORE SNOW!

Well, I am home and it's going to snow again! I am ready to be out in California riding and racing my bike. But instead, I live in the real world and I have to work to pay bills and mortgage. I'm not putting down people who get to do this, I'm just jealous and bitter about it.

I promised pictures and I only one blog worthy.

Well maybe two.

Beth Fisk (former teammate) and I after the Time Trial . . .

and the Crit.

Hopefully more pictures to come . . .

Finished the First Race!!!!

It's done and I am in good form (no broken bones)!
Race 2:30 - Flight leaving 5:15 MADE IT!
I am sitting here with time to spare waiting for the plane. I literally race and then race to the airport to catch my flight. Luckily there was no wait - in check in or security.

Race Stuff:
Today was the crit and it wasn't bad, except the two crashes and one girl being taken off on a stretcher. I got caught up in the first crash (massive pile up almost half the field), handle bars deformed and brakes rubbing. I went to the pit and got my self and my bike together and I was off. After that the race was much better. I stayed at the front and stayed clear of the second crash (this one much worse, but less people). Then all of a sudden I heard 2 laps to go. Wow were did the race go. I got in decent position into the last corner and race to the finish line. I wish I could have gone into the last corner in the top 5, but oh well, lesson learned. I ended up I think 7th today and 6th in GC.

It was a good weekend. Glad to be done with the first one back from a long wait.

Tune in for pictures in the next couple of days!

Day 2 of VOS

I forgot how bad the wind can kick your ass!
We started the race today and expresscopy.com attacked with a vengeance from the line. The race was fast and windy. The wind was at our backs up the climb, which was nice, but the girls just got faster. The first time up the hill wasn't bad. The second time up the hill was a QOM and I was in good position and my legs just wouldn't go for the sprint. Then the field split and from then the race just got harder. I stayed in the brake and was really happy to be finished with the 3rd time up the hill. I just needed to hang on and finish with the group. Hang on is what I did and finished just behind the group. Me and two other girls popped up the climb. Oh well, I am happy with my finish today I don't know what place (7th I think), and hopefully I stayed in the top 5.
My legs are tired, but I need to rally for tomorrow!
My wonderful dad (he's been my taxi) got some pictures today so I will have him email them to me and I will post them.
Think good thoughts for tomorrow!!!

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!

Well, I did it and was nervous as hell. After I road this morning the nerves set in. All morning I was a wreck. When we got to the race, my nerves got even worse. I couldn't even eat it was so bad. I got a good warm up in then headed over to the start line and chocked (because I was so nervous) down a power bar gel. Started the race and all my nerves went away, FINALLY.
I had a good race for my first one back. (I placed 4th, not bad) It's been a long haul since June and I am really glad to be back racing my bike.

Now I am really excited about tomorrow, still a little nervous but it wont be as bad as yesterday.
Kori S. won today and my old-teammate Beth Fisk was right behind me in 5th. Good job Beth. Check out more race coverage at her blog http://www.bfisk.blogspot.com/

Hopefully I will have pictures to come!

First Race back!

So here I am ready to race again (and blog). It was a long season of not getting to race because of my broken collar bone and then a very long COLD, SNOWY winter. I am glad to be in Phoenix where it is warm!

This will be my attempt to start blogging regularly again. I wont have pictures this weekend, but hopefully I can tell a good story for you.

Today was pretty crazy driving all over Phoenix. I finally got settled and it's 9:00pm and I am ready for bed.

Tomorrow is the time trial. I am pretty nervous! Think fast thoughts for me!

The rest of the trip was very intense with a lot of sight seeing. I was too tired at the end of each day to blog so I am trying to catch up now that we are back.
We walked a lot the last two days. We had a wonderful time in NYC, but glad to be back to the normalcy of life and the low stress life in Colorado.

Brandon and I saw almost everything to see in NYC. Here are some pictures:
For those of you who have been to New York (or seen pictures of), try to guess were these pictures were taken. It will be fun.




















Lets see how you did.
Pic 1- Manhattan
Pic 2- Central Park lake
Pic 3- Central Park - inside the park
Pic 4- The Guggenheim
Pic 5- Statue of liberty
Pic 6- Statue of Liberty (battery park)
Pic 7- The rebuilding of the Twin Towers (I think they are naming it Freedom Tower)
Pic 8- At the memorial for the Twin Towers (can you spot the crazy lady, she was ranting and raving about who no's what, well I didn't because it wasn't in English)
Pic 9- Looking outside our hotel room, Broadway and 7th
Pic 10- Looking at ground zero

How did you do?

New York Day 1

(Brandon and I at the airport waiting to board)

WOW we made it!
We traveled yesterday ALL DAY!! It wasn't suppose to take that long, but heavy winds delayed the flight and then we hit rush hour (well that seems to be all the time in NY). The driving here is insane. We were heading through Lincoln tunnel in a bus and all of a sudden four lanes went into one. Not even one merge lane, I am glad I was sitting a couple of rows back.

Once we finally got to our hotel we were pretty tired and starving. I highly suggest to check out the comments on hotels.com before you book your hotel. We didn't and learned out lesson. The place wasn't too bad, but definitely wasn't what we were expecting. It worked out thought because we really didn't stay there for very long and we have a wonderful place to say at the rest of the time. (Manhattan Sheraton)

Well, we ended up walking with the rest of the tourists and going to times square were we porked out at Buba Gumps. We didn't do much after dinner except walk checking out stores (clothing mostly).


This morning we got up and of course it was raining, but we tuft it out and watched the Macy's thanking parade. We didn't watch the whole thing because the rain really started to pick up, so we went back to our geto hotel and watched the rest of it on TV.


Brandon and I trying to say warm under are $5 umbrella we bought of the street.


Brandon and I trying to warm up in a little Irish pub. We met a gentlemen who recommended an excellent steak house for tonight. So far our encounters with local people has been great.

We are now checked in to our new hotel and it is wonderful. This is also the first place I have been able the blog.

Brandon and I are having a wonderful time and are really looking forward to our nice steak dinner!!!! Maybe this will be a new tradition, no more turkey on Thanksgiving, but STEAK!

Day 2-3 in Durango

Well I didn't have anything that exciting happen while in Durango because it is Tuesday and I am just getting around to write a blog.

Day 2:
I didn't do much today I went for coffee and wrote day 1 blog and then worked out at the gym, it was really cold!

Oh, I did do something fun. I got to pick out our wedding pictures!!!!! Wow, I didn't know they took so many. My girlfriend and mom help - which was really needed, there were a lot to choose from and we got some good laugh in too.


This picture is awesome - a dear in the background. (can you see it?)
Here is a close up





Here are two more pictures that I thought were pretty awesome.
I guess Whitney doesn't like cats because she is kicking this one!












Day 2:
I spent the night at my moms house and woke up to snow! I couldn't believe it.


I did go for an awesome ride and got to the top of a brutal climb and realized I had forgotten my camera. Oh well, I guess you all miss out. I could see all the way to Farmington (New Mexico). Later that day I went an saw Borat and I am now scarred for life. There were some things I could have lived without ever seeing. I wont spoil it, you will just have to go see on your own.

Day 3:
Drove home - it was really beautiful!

v

Durango Trip Day 1

I woke up yesterday not looking forward to the long drive to Durango. It is long, but it is beautiful. It usually takes 6 to 7 hours, but I made it in 5 and a half with on stop in Pagosa to see my moms house she's building. I guess I made pretty good time, I only stopped twice.




This dog (Red) comes down the street everyday to hang out with the construction workers.

I jumped on the bike as soon as I got to Durango, I wanted to get a ride in before it got dark. Sucks that by 4:30 the sun is going down. I guess it will time to ride the trainer soon.



My dad and I rode with Dr. G today. Allen, my dad says he is a tough son of a bitch, but I don't think he's too tough since Alison Powers chicked him this year at the Iron Horse. :) Only 5 seconds, but she still bet you Pat!



Here we are at the Bean this morning having some breakfast.

Slacking

Gosh, I get so excited about starting a blog and then I slack. I guess I got really busy or just really lazy (one of the two you pick).

Not a lot has been going on. I worked at a wine tasting event this weekend distributing water for Fiji. Wow, I never realized how drunk and annoying people got at these events. No wonder why the wine distributors drink the whole time.



This is my sister-in-law, Virginia, setting up for the event. She works for Fiji and is a pro at setting up and taking down. We were ready in no time!



Check out these balloons made into grape clusters, I thought that was very cool!

First time

Wow I am so excited to start my blog. I really don't have anything very interesting to share with the rest of the world, but it always seems very interesting to me.
I do have some very funny pictures from Halloween. My very best friend and I decided to dress up as 80's aerobics instructors. We had a great time!