Off season...

By the time September rolls around, many cyclists who have been racing all year are ready for some time way from the bike, taking full advantage of being at home to visit with friends and family, do some cross training, and actually unpack their bags.

As I earned a spot on the Worlds team by winning the Geelong World Cup, my season was extended through the end of September. This was my third trip to Worlds with the US National Team and despite having a bad day on the bike, wearing the red, white and blue jersey was an honor.

My husband, James, and I spent some time in Italy afterward, visiting Madonna de Ghisallo to sprinkle some of my friends ashes, Florence, Cinque Terra, and many fine gelatarias around where we were staying in Lucca. Although we did do some riding, it was with the purpose of site seeing, not fitness.

I have now been back in CA for two weeks and already packed in a lot. Despite it being the "off season" the only thing I have been "off" is my road bike. I have aquajogged for 2 hours with my close friend Allie who is planning on running in the NYC marathon but is recovering from a stress fracture in her foot; been to a birthday party for a 3 year old, complete with a homemade Thomas the Train cake; taken a 2.5 hour walk/hike with a friend who is 9+months pregnant and a friend with a broken arm; done 3 mountain bike rides; held a PJ party where we served breakfast for dinner; gone to San Diego for one of James's teammate's wedding; attempted to run but it is more like shuffling; and am now planning a 10 day trip back East to visit with my family in CT and then watch my friends run in the NYC marathon. Whew, when does the training start?!?! Seriously, I have really done my best to embrace the off season and catch up with friends/family.

As I meantioned, I have dusted off my mountain bike as along with being a wonderful area to train on the road bike, where I live is also a great place to hit the dirt roads and trails. I find it mentally stimulating and peaceful at the same time - no way to allow the brain to drift as you careen downhill at breakneck speeds but the views of the Pacific Ocean that I am greated with at times is breathtaking. I started my racing career mountain bike racing back East in Vermont and although the trails out here are nothing like back East, I love not having to fight aggressive drivers (only the possible mountain lion!).

I get back to training on the 3rd of November after I return from NYC. I am hoping by then I will have the hunger to get back on the road bike and rest needed to get to work. 2009 looks to be a great season.

Thanks for reading.

Welcome..

Okay, I don't know exactly what possessed me to start blogging. Maybe the impetus is due to laziness on my part to email people and it is a quick way for my family and friends to keep track of me and know what is going on in my crazy life. Whatever the case is, I am blogging!

This past weekend James and I traveled down to San Diego to attend the wedding of one of his teammates, Dirk Copeland. Traveling without a bicycle was a luxury and how nice it is to have only carry on luggage. Especially after doing two transoceanic trips with a broken collarbone (New Zealand to the States and Europe to the States), dealing with only a small rollerbag and my hand purse was awesome!

The trip south also provided us with an opportunity to visit with my friend Jon and his girlfriend, Nicole, who moved down to La Jolla in Septmember. I have known Jon for several year, we met in Vermont, and he lived with James and I for about 6 months. A little known secret about Jon is he is an amazing cook along with being a very good mechanic (a great combination in a roommate for a busy cycling couple, ha!). Our friend Dan, who recently moved to Pheonix, AZ, drove to SD to visit with us as well. We had a great time hanging out and catching up. (Unfortunately I have no photos of the great weekend - will work on being better about posting photos along with my blog.)

Well, thanks for reading and I hope that you find my postings somewhat entertaining so you come back and see what is new.

:)