My very first Apple Martini

There`s a new "hotspot" in Santa Rosa called Upper Fourth, and although I don`t really go out all that often --I figured it was only appropriate to check it out. Since I don`t partake so much with the evening social world and I`m not all that up on the drink trends, I had a bit of a challenge making a drink decision. It`s one of those places that you should probably have a fancy drink in your hand to really complete "the look". Anyway, I tried the apple martini. That was a first for me....it was pretty good, but getting home at midnight and getting up at 5am to go teach a spin class is not a great combination. Let`s just say that I won`t be doing that again.

Message to Chrissy and Phil

I finally got around to putting the laundry away and I think you guys forgot something......

Holiday Cheer.....

.....little people rock.

Today marks the day-- Myles is officially shaving.

Ok. It`s days like this that I sit back and go whoa.... he`s really growing up.

Almost went there...

....i was almost a blog-b-tch people. i had a whole post drafted about how stupid nicole richie is, and about how bad california driving etiquette is, but i stopped myself and deleted the post. i wonder what will come along that will make me break my silence and join into the internet b-tching world? stay tuned. i feel it coming.......

Chrissy`s coming....!

Chrissy and Phil are making their way to NorCal for a little extended visit! Right on......

What the ....!

stranger things have happened....but this is a little odd.

back in the day...

this one gets me all pumped up.
in case you can`t tell when you view the video, that`s my brother in the third gate from your right. he`s wearing the black helmet...and slingshots outta the gate.
you might have to copy and paste this one, but it will be worth it.

http://www.bmxvideo.net/cgi-bin/ImageFolio4/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Videos/Vintage_Videos/87_IBMXF_Worlds_Orlando_FL&image=87Worlds_1415CruMain.wmv&img=&tt=mpg

Mi Familia in HB

Reminiscing...the team from 2006 :)

My first slide show from slide.com. Pretty cool idea -and free! This slide show is of the Victory Team for the Memorial Day/week of criteriums, on the East coast at the end of May. We stayed with Kate`s parents --- great hosts (always), and we had Andy (he`s the guy in red) as a Mike Tamayo fill-in (half the team, plus Mike, were up in Montreal). Andy did an awesome job driving us around to multiple states for the marathon of crits! We had a solid, hard week of racing. It`s one of my favorite times of the year, actually. It`s all about speed and power at that time of the year -- and all the racing leads right into The Liberty Classic, which has to be a highlight for most women racers in the U.S.
In between races, we made our way around for some sight seeing in the Nation`s Capital. And in true Victory Team fashion, we scouted out an H&M store in Georgetown, where we happily spent some of our prize winnings. I wonder if the guys team`s hit up the shopping when they travel. Come to think of it... I remember seeing a few of the gents out on the Miracle Mile (in Chicago) during the week between Elk Grove and Crit Nats.... so I guess the answer is yes, the guys go shopping, too! Anyway, expect more from the archives, because I have some good pics to share, and also because I had to send my camera back to Canon for repair. In case you`re wondering -- I dropped my camera on a bike ride, while trying to take a picture of Mt. Saint Helena...ughh

Living it up.....Laura and Ryan style

Two of the coolest people I have ever met just got married!
Congrats!!!!!!

Home-Office

Been working alot lately......

Uh-huh...

yeah -- he is smiling.

And speaking of Football--once a Buckeye always a Buckeye!

That post of my main man Myles playing football got me thinking --- there are just nine days left before the biggest college football game of the year (especially if you are a BIG 10 fan!). Next saturday will probably be the one and only saturday ALL year that I park it front of the television. I will plan my whole week around making sure that I get to sit down and watch the infamous OSU vs. Michigan Football game. My adrenalin is already pumping, just thinking about it.
I am a real-deal sports fan folks -- a huge one actually. Even though I`m a cyclist, and a big fan of everything cycling related.... I really do have a thing for all sports -- football, basketball, soccer, boxing, track and field, hockey, tennis, golf, gymnastics, etc.. etc...
I can pretty much pass on all reality shows, and night-time drama tv -- but if you turn the channel to a good game/match, no matter what the sport, I will usually stop what I`m doing to watch the tube. Yes... I have my favorite teams and athletes, but I am a sucker for an exciting game, no matter who is playing/competing.
AND --there is nothing like the Ohio State vs. Michigan game in my book. I tend to like college football over pro-ball anyway, ....but seeing as how I am a native Ohio-an, it just wouldn`t be right to miss watching the game. And sh-t! --it`s gonna be a good one this year..... wahoo..... Go Bucks!

Myles is Myles

One of my favorite pictures of Myles - Stallions Football 2005

So naturally, my favorite young man in the whole wide world is Myles. If you ask me, he couldn`t be any cuter, or any sweeter. I know what you`re thinking....I`m his MOM, so of course I`m gonna say that, right? But c`mon....my heart just about melted when I saw myself listed as his "Hero(ine)" on his myspace page. Talk about making me feel special. What a guy, eh?
Oh yeah...on a side note: the young man Myles just posted a time of 1 minute and 37 seconds in the 600meter run ---in gym class, wearing jeans and skate shoes. I swear that boy has lightning in his legs.

A Friendly Reminder......

....because this ain`t no dress rehearsal.

Victory Brewing 2006 ---the final year for the team.

The Super Studettes of 2006. Thank you ladies, for an amazing year of awesome times, both on and off the bike ;-)


Bill Covaleski -with Laura B., Tara, and Yoisten at Bike Jam 2006. Bill is the man that made it all happen. Ever had a Golden Monkey? Well you can thank that man for your good time. Thanks Bill -- :) More notably....Thank you Bill for sponsoring all of us on the team over the years, and believing in Women`s Cycling. You rock.


And of course there are these guys, Mike and Chris. Mike Tamayo deserves HUGE props for everything he has done to help the sport (for women especially!). In my book, male directors that can handle a van full of women for eight months of the year are a whole different breed. Nicely done Mr. Tamayo, nicely done. And let us not forget to thank Chris Franges, who made his debut as a cycling mechanic with the team this year. Thanks Chris, you made alot of things a whole heck of alot easier simply by being so cool!

A liitle note about my home...

Kirsten, Myles and Me ---taken Spring 2006---

The weather is turning here in Norcal. They even say rain might come soon. But in general it`s just getting colder. Every year when the cold comes, I wonder how long it will be before I will have to use my very expensive wall heater.
I have lived here in this house for eleven short years(which btw--is right along the downtown circuit for the TOC Santa Rosa stage). I really do love my little home, even for all it`s faults and problems. It`s a 1920`s bungalow graced with hard wood floors, a big front porch, big beautiful trees, and lots of "character" (i even have an original 6 burner wedgewood stove).. but sh-t! it gets cold in this old house. I`m a sunshine girl for sure. See...two of my favorite things in the whole wide world are warmth and sunshine, and my next home will have both, even in the winter! Until then, I love my little home.

Me is gonna be an early riser...

Tuesday/Thursday 6:15am Spin Class. Uncha Uncha Uncha....can you feel the beat?? Yours truly is the teacher........

Random Bermuda Pic -- Good times

Janelle, Kat, and Chrissy. And company....(can you name all the peeps in the background?)

Are you CPR Certified?

....and if not, can you opereate one of those Defibrillator thingies?! I just spent all afternoon getting certified. One of those necessary things you gotta do when you work in the health and fitness industry. But you know what? --every time I do those darn things, I`m sure glad that I refreshed my memory (which by the way --I swear that my head is not the same after my winter crash on Cavedale!).

BTW- here`s something pretty important, especially for people who use cell phones and travel (--isn`t that every single bike racer out there?). Anyway, when you call 911 from a cell phone, you can pretty much guarantee that you are going to go on a nice little detour and it will usually take up to ten minutes (!!) to get to a dispatcher.

No joke.
So what`s a cell phone user to do when a landline isn`t available for an emergency call? Well, when you travel, take the time to look up the "public safety" phone number of the city where you will be. Heck, it`s not a bad idea to put the local numbers in your cell for when you ride around your own area (they can be found in the white pages of your handy dandy phone book). So presuming you get service from your location, when you call these public safety numbers from your cell, you will evidently get right to someone who can put you in touch with a dispatcher. It may take a little time to dig up these numbers, but you might be glad you did.

Ok....that`s my public safety announcement for the month. Take it or leave it.

A Beautiful Weekend...

We were on top of Los Alamos here --a somewhat famous climb for us locals. Lots of hills this weekend. Great views everywhere!

Yo Yo Yoga

off season yoga training = strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, concentration, joint stabilty etc.. etc... --need i say more.

These "blogs" are not all they`re cracked up to be!

Ok, so I just had a great little post complete with pictures, that suddenly went "poof" into cyberspace. What is the deal with these blogs? Also, I`m having a heck of a time loading the links feature into my page. If you have any advice to get me going in the right direction with that, please let me know. And about that post that went "poof"....well be patient it`s coming.
Alrighty then, on another note, I`m busting out the good `ol 1994 Ibis Mojo today (yep it`s a hardtail) and I`m going to hit the dirt......finally! It`s a beautiful day to hit the trails. ciao!

Today`s post on toddlyons.com

lol--

Got my finger on the trigger

.....i never want my camera to think i take it for granted. so here`s a picture and a post to say thank you camera. you`re a superstar....

It`s cool to be mom.

Myles-

Ouch!

yep --i stumbled pretty good while running....check out the left ankle. those rocks just have a way of showing up when you least expect them. no running for me for a bit....
maybe i should have taken the hint when i knocked my head into a bike rack that was hanging off the back of an suv parked in the parking lot before i even started out for my run. think i`ll stick to bike racing... :)

Looking ahead....

I hear that next year`s Tour Of California is going up over Trinity.

Sweet. I can`t wait.
....love that climb.

Interbike Days....

Yeah, I`ve been to Vegas before. In some ways that place never changes.....but going to Interbike was a first for me. Quite literally, what a whirlwind of a trip that was! Three Days, three nights, all non-stop. It was hours and hours on the feet, walking and walking all day (and night) ---and nowhere near enough sleep to counter all the actvity!
I was there with Mike Tamayo and Rachel Heal from Victory Brewing, and we basically did a fair share of handshaking and thanking to all the folks who made it possible for us to ride such killer equipment and use such great products this past season!
In fact, we were so busy buzzing around to our sponsors that I hardly got to take a look at the other booths to see what the "new buzz" is in the industry.
So from my end, not a whole lot to report about new products out there. I have a little picture gallery of some of the stuff we did at Interbike, but sorry folks I didn`t bring my camera out to The Sinclair Party, or any other outing after sundown. But I can tell you....it was a very good time cutting loose with a bunch of other cycling crazed people. Let me paint the picture of three nights out in Vegas for you -- it was a perfect mix of great people, tasty food, awesome mojitos, and good beats. And it seemed like every night out lasted practically all night long.....but you`d never know it because that town never shuts down, right? It might pay to wear a watch, but then again...maybe not :)
Ok, so back to the little picture gallery from some of the stuff we did and things that we saw:

here`s rachel hanging out at the cane creek booth. love those wheels...















here`s a sweet poster of yoisten rockin the time trial at toona-


















below is my brother todd`s kick ass booth -- se bikes. i hope those of you that went, took my advice and went to check out the goods.














plus, brother todd himself, working his magic..

























a surprising, yet pleasant find at the voler booth. didn`t know they were using a shot of me. that was cool. maybe i should have put my fist in the air. i would have been like neil shirley, who was rumored to have stood by his poster all day long with both arms raised in victory :) hope he didn`t wear himself out!


























ok. by far....one of the coolest things ever. if you don`t know about cycling.tv --you should. not only is cycling tv cool, but so are the folks who run it. AND they had food and beer at their booth. uh-huh...important elements for long days at the trade show. that`s rachel being interviewed. you can go see it in the archives on cycling.tv




















more rachel--
























and then there was the infamous sram booth. rachel and i spent our time being surrouned by loads of men screamimg our names... that`s what we get when we got the goods --shwag that is. we must`ve cleared out five or six big boxes full of t-shirts, hats, socks, and arm bands. the crowds were wild for the stuff! oh yeah...sram had beer too :) sierra nevada of course.


























ummm....i was known to hit more than a few folks in the head with my shwag tosses. i think mr. zellman thought i was aiming for him because i must have nailed him at least four or five times!(and i knocked over somebody`s beer). hey, what can i say...they didn`t give us any practice time!




















and lastly, this would be the sram force crank arm table. the place where battles were won and lost. i`m not sure how i got roped into arm wrestling two days in a row.... but anyway, i ended up 1-1. it`s all about the lever. or so i`m told.....







fun fun fun interbike 2006.

Bon Voyage Kate!

well people, while most of us cycling folks are busy these days negotiating, planning and signing away for next year --there are a few racing folks out there that have gotten the bug to leave the sport and move in a whole new direction.
one of those people is kate sherwin--my good friend and teammate from victory brewing. although i do not have the authority to spread the word on her new endeavor, let`s just say she has quite an adventure coming her way! even so, she will be greatly missed by me and many other racing peeps as well. but like she so eloquently said, ...she could pretty much come out of retirement in five years and still not be as old as me... (ha -thanks kate!!).

anyway, once the race was cancelled --our new focus became celebrating kate`s retirement! we couldn`t think of a better place for her to have a "last hoorah" as a bike racer, that`s for sure. good thing i have some endurance because it was something to keep up with her! --and ya`ll thought it was me, eh.....

after the time trial was the party-(look closely at kate, someone has just untied her halter top!)--



after the party was the after party...




one of our nights out, here`s katie kate doing her cat-walk, party-talk, dance-move, got-the-groove...




here`s the way cool u.k. crew that we rocked the island with all week-



us at horseshoe bay before the hurricane hit


here we are about to scoot around, the day before the hurricane hit...




the girls at the beach watching the waves before the hurricane came



our super hosts --marian and roland, who took extra special care of us. this shot was taken in the early stages of the hurricane




ok. now it`s work time just to use the bathroom during the hurricane. that`s what the bucket is for people. and check out that wind.....





a couple shots of us being locked inside our apartment for awhile. no power, no shower etc. etc. good thing i made that coffee the night before. (we all know brendita likes her coffee....)





scouting around the day after the hurricane




one more beautiful beach day before it`s time to say good-bye. could not get this image to upload straight upright, so you`ll just have to deal with the sideways view!



miss you kate!!!