I know, I know. We've been here for a few months already. But I have a nice story to tell--that's a bit circular in how everything is really connected in our world. Last year, while we were still at Seven, my accounts were Western US accounts, which included Nevada---Reno specifically. And last Fall, we received an order in from Mother Lode cycles, right here in Sparks for a gal who was buying a new Seven bicycle. I took the order and worked with the shop and customer before passing it onto Mike to design the bike. We had made a great connection with the customer and her boyfriend, John.
The gal's boyfriend, also a Seven owner was planning to surprise her with an additional paint job on her bike. So we worked with him as well. Time passed and Mike and I made our decision to leave Seven (you've heard this story before), but since we were moving to Reno and had made a friendly connection with John, the Seven owner, we let him know we were going to be local and he gave us his contact info.
Fast forward to our arrival to Reno. Eric, from Mother Lode, dropped into Sinclair to meet us and in our conversations he mentioned that John was also one of the best veterinarians in town. It was time for Sydney to get her shots so Mike made an appointment with John. He (John) was so excited that we were here and he offered us a 10% discount on Sydney's check-up.
For the last 5 years, Sydney has also needed her teeth cleaned. They were awful and her breath was bad. (No more tennis ball with the Scrapper---it ground down her teeth to nubs!). The problem is that the costs we've been quoted were $400-700 dollars! Ouch! John said it would be a good idea though, and we decided we needed to do it. His quote was $300+/-. They need to use anesthesia which is why it costs so much.
So, last Thursday, Mike dropped the Scrapper off to clean her schmeever's. When he went to go and get her, Mike was hoping for the 10% discount, but we were fine paying whatever it was (he won $300 bones in a race the weekend prior!). John greeted him with a smile and when he handed Mike the paperwork, he said, "Now I can't do this every time". Mike didn't understand. John saw his confusion. He shook his hand, and said "Welcome to Reno!" He completely comp'd the whole bill. No charge for the Scrapper's new pearly whites! We still can't believe it. This really has the small town feel.
Happy Birthday Steve and Uncle Ron!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
A day at the Campagnolo Factory!
In my wildest dreams I never imagined I would find myself in Italy to spend a day working with Campagnolo inside the factory. I keep pinching myself. They had me booked in Vergilius Hotel and Spa resort for the collections presentation, and my room overlooked the swimming pool and part of the golf course. There are also mountains close by---I thought this part of Italy would be flatter...but it is rolling like the Santa Cruz Mountains. Venezia is a very wealthy province in Italy and Vicenza, where Campagnolo is, is the wealthiest city in the Venezia province. I imagined it would be more industrial (when I think of factory, I think Industrial---Pittsburgh, but this is not so).
Campagnolo Sportswear is completely separate from the components division. They are right near each other, but the clothing designers come from the fashion industry. Their specialty is clothing. Fashion degrees and expertise in high tech materials/fabrics and there are no component aspects. I never knew this. I got a private presentation of the entire collection and was amazed that only 8 people run this part of the division. It was like being at Chanel, Yves St. Laurent in France. Only this was Italia.
The food in Italy is beyond belief. Everything tastes better here and I do not know why. The attention to detail and the proper oils and fresh basil. Yum.
After we worked, Paola took me to my hotel in the center of Treviso. It is a bed and breakfast right in the center of the town and Treviso is surrounded by three rivers. Right outside my room there is a canal passing, and I am on the top floor---last room. It is old and charming and it is not touristy where I am. True Italian culture. Tonight Paola is taking me to dinner at a place close by.
I am getting a real inside view of Italian culture---complete with an English interpreter! How did this happen?
Campagnolo Sportswear is completely separate from the components division. They are right near each other, but the clothing designers come from the fashion industry. Their specialty is clothing. Fashion degrees and expertise in high tech materials/fabrics and there are no component aspects. I never knew this. I got a private presentation of the entire collection and was amazed that only 8 people run this part of the division. It was like being at Chanel, Yves St. Laurent in France. Only this was Italia.
The food in Italy is beyond belief. Everything tastes better here and I do not know why. The attention to detail and the proper oils and fresh basil. Yum.
After we worked, Paola took me to my hotel in the center of Treviso. It is a bed and breakfast right in the center of the town and Treviso is surrounded by three rivers. Right outside my room there is a canal passing, and I am on the top floor---last room. It is old and charming and it is not touristy where I am. True Italian culture. Tonight Paola is taking me to dinner at a place close by.
I am getting a real inside view of Italian culture---complete with an English interpreter! How did this happen?
Ciao di Italia!
If I went over the crazy departure I had, it would make you tired---it certainly made me tired! Everything started out fine and Mike dropped me off early at the Reno airport (which is quite nice--easy, simple, not crowded and clean). Unfortunately my plane was not as prompt (there was really no reason that I ever found out, they said it was weather---but it was clear as a bell in Reno and SF)---perhaps my (United) airlines flight was victim of the computer glitch I've been hearing about on CNN. In any case---even though my connecting flight in SF was on the ground for the whole 45 minutes that I was in line since they said I was too late to make it since my plane was late, they refused to let me board. I couldn't book my flight through from Reno because they were different airlines.
Sigh--then, Delta tried to tell me that it was United's fault and so I had to go wait in line at United and I said that United told me I had to re-book with Delta since they were the issuing agent. Delta said that United would have to pay---and I said I really didn't know who had to pay---but it wasn't me. They then proceeded to book me on a flight that would have made me miss the meeting I was flying here for. Unacceptable. With a little creative booking...and alot of patience, they found me a flight on Air France. But I had to wait for four hours, fly to LA...wait another 3 hours and then fly to Paris. From Paris, I had to then take a bus to a different terminal and board for a flight to Venice.
As I write about it, I realize that it sounds alot worse than it was. It was certainly not fun waiting around in airports, and going through security 4 times. The mental stress is the worse. I also was being met in Venice by a driver from Campagnolo and I had no cell phone. I called my dad and Mike and they were chartered with tending to those arrangements ( and my Papa's message was very well received by the Italians and they were touched by his message about making sure somebody came to get me.)
But all went well and in retrospect, Air France is one of the nicest airlines I have been in. The coach seats have as much room as business class---you get a private TV with 8 movies to choose from and the meals were great. Even on the commuter flight between Paris and Venice (a little over an hour flight), they served a meal with a fresh baguette and french cheeses.
So I am now at Vergilius Hotel Spa---a resort in Vicenza. I met Mr. V. Campagnolo today in the presentation. Tomorrow I go to work with Paola at the Campagnolo Factory to spend the day learning more about the clothing.
Estate. Fa molto caldo. Non piovere. Molto bene!! (Summer. It's very hot. No rain. Very good!)
Ciao di Italia!
Sigh--then, Delta tried to tell me that it was United's fault and so I had to go wait in line at United and I said that United told me I had to re-book with Delta since they were the issuing agent. Delta said that United would have to pay---and I said I really didn't know who had to pay---but it wasn't me. They then proceeded to book me on a flight that would have made me miss the meeting I was flying here for. Unacceptable. With a little creative booking...and alot of patience, they found me a flight on Air France. But I had to wait for four hours, fly to LA...wait another 3 hours and then fly to Paris. From Paris, I had to then take a bus to a different terminal and board for a flight to Venice.
As I write about it, I realize that it sounds alot worse than it was. It was certainly not fun waiting around in airports, and going through security 4 times. The mental stress is the worse. I also was being met in Venice by a driver from Campagnolo and I had no cell phone. I called my dad and Mike and they were chartered with tending to those arrangements ( and my Papa's message was very well received by the Italians and they were touched by his message about making sure somebody came to get me.)
But all went well and in retrospect, Air France is one of the nicest airlines I have been in. The coach seats have as much room as business class---you get a private TV with 8 movies to choose from and the meals were great. Even on the commuter flight between Paris and Venice (a little over an hour flight), they served a meal with a fresh baguette and french cheeses.
So I am now at Vergilius Hotel Spa---a resort in Vicenza. I met Mr. V. Campagnolo today in the presentation. Tomorrow I go to work with Paola at the Campagnolo Factory to spend the day learning more about the clothing.
Estate. Fa molto caldo. Non piovere. Molto bene!! (Summer. It's very hot. No rain. Very good!)
Ciao di Italia!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
The Tour de Nez
The Tour de Nez, in it's compact version included two stages this year (down from the 3 day/4 race venues of year's past). Friday night after work, Mike and I headed to Truckee, CA for the first stage---The field was huge with big hitters from BMC, Rock, Jelly Belly, Discovery Channel, Healthnet, Columbia National---you know the drill. After the call ups, the race was off to a quick start. Tony Cruz, Scott Moninger, Mike Sayers, Alex Candelario, & Mike Taylor (!) all took turns coming through the Start/Finish leading the charge at the front of the storming peloton.
Yes, I know...all of the other names are familiar to most races fans. The announcers were well versed in the first four names. But Mike Taylor stumped them. So they announced as follows, "And here's one of the younger rider's from the Cal Giant Strawberry Team taking charge of the race...". Ha! Mike's director and I laughed. Mike is older and has been racing longer than most of the folks in the race.
Briggs and Dunaway (the two "Pat's") made the move with a decisive break-away and hung on for a good part of the race. But the schmack went down and 6 guys rode away---and Alex Candelario took the win in the high-altitude race!
The next stage was another criterium in downtown Reno. Mike and I rode to the race and met up with the guys. Because this is an omni-event (not a stage race), there were even more racers today---110 guys lined up at the start. The big complaint of the day was the wind and the altitude. That combined with a 90 minutes of racing hot day, meant this was going to be a true suffer-fest. Fans lined the streets and downtown Reno was one big party!
A Columbian National rider made the first move and rode off the front for the early part of the race, almiost single-handedly lapping the field. But Sayers, Kyle (Rock), Mike Jones, Tony Cruz and few others worked at the front a reeled him back. Once they rang the bell for a prime though, and a group of 6 guys drilled it at the front and soon guys were falling off the bunch like leaves in Fall. The 110 man field was soon reduced to 50 riders--our team had Devon, Pat and Mike left racing.
Taylor was following McCook's wheel and suddenly on the slight uphill, McCook sat up and a gap opened up---never to be closed. Mike kicked himself afterwards; he was thinking he should have let some air out of his tires and faked a flat like a few other un-named riders and taken a free lap. He felt good--but he's a bad cheater which is why I like him so much! Still, Devon held on strong.
The Columbian rider and Sayers rode off the front of the break though after the bell lap and on the slight downhill, Sayers "pinched" the Columbian on the last corner and rode to victory. Devon finished 7th! Nice job worm. Mike and I then rode back home together. He's my star no matter where he finishes!
Yes, I know...all of the other names are familiar to most races fans. The announcers were well versed in the first four names. But Mike Taylor stumped them. So they announced as follows, "And here's one of the younger rider's from the Cal Giant Strawberry Team taking charge of the race...". Ha! Mike's director and I laughed. Mike is older and has been racing longer than most of the folks in the race.
Briggs and Dunaway (the two "Pat's") made the move with a decisive break-away and hung on for a good part of the race. But the schmack went down and 6 guys rode away---and Alex Candelario took the win in the high-altitude race!
The next stage was another criterium in downtown Reno. Mike and I rode to the race and met up with the guys. Because this is an omni-event (not a stage race), there were even more racers today---110 guys lined up at the start. The big complaint of the day was the wind and the altitude. That combined with a 90 minutes of racing hot day, meant this was going to be a true suffer-fest. Fans lined the streets and downtown Reno was one big party!
A Columbian National rider made the first move and rode off the front for the early part of the race, almiost single-handedly lapping the field. But Sayers, Kyle (Rock), Mike Jones, Tony Cruz and few others worked at the front a reeled him back. Once they rang the bell for a prime though, and a group of 6 guys drilled it at the front and soon guys were falling off the bunch like leaves in Fall. The 110 man field was soon reduced to 50 riders--our team had Devon, Pat and Mike left racing.
Taylor was following McCook's wheel and suddenly on the slight uphill, McCook sat up and a gap opened up---never to be closed. Mike kicked himself afterwards; he was thinking he should have let some air out of his tires and faked a flat like a few other un-named riders and taken a free lap. He felt good--but he's a bad cheater which is why I like him so much! Still, Devon held on strong.
The Columbian rider and Sayers rode off the front of the break though after the bell lap and on the slight downhill, Sayers "pinched" the Columbian on the last corner and rode to victory. Devon finished 7th! Nice job worm. Mike and I then rode back home together. He's my star no matter where he finishes!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Black Panties and The Laundromat
...ah yes, the exciting life of luxury! When we first moved here, Mike kept at me about getting a washer and dryer. It is convenient, but we are renting and I know from experience that we are full to the rim on our moving truck---and I don't need another thing to move. Mike told my parents that "Joni won't let me buy one!" I thought that was funny---like I was in control for a change!
Anyway, the surprising part is that I really don't mind going to the laundromat once a week. Our electric/gas bill here is less than half of what it was in Boston. Seriously, I think that not having a washer/dryer helps with lowering that cost. And so I spend $20 bones a month and 4 hours (a month) washing clothes.
Many folks don't like going to the laundromat---but it's not so bad. I always meet interesting characters there. Lots of Mom's doing three times as much laundry as I. Some bring their children. Today there was a Mom and her son---maybe he was 10 years old. He was quietly drawing at one of the benches. I've never seen such a well behaved kid. He was gorgeous too. A real knock-out. And quite the artist. He was shy and quiet and beautiful.
There was also a lovely (hot!) coed. (I go the laundry mat that is just due west of the University of Nevada). Anyway---she was doing her laundry and her dryer was near the little boy's (Mom's) dryers and his Mom asked him if he would grab one of the loads so he did. I don't remember how old you are when you get interested in the opposite sex. Anyway---the gal had just finished with her last load in the dryer and was packing it up and leaving. He was right next to her and as she ran out a pair of black panties fell off her load. She didn't notice, but the little boy did. Just as he was about to grab what had fallen he realized what it was and he blushed, looked right at me and said, "What should I do?" I had a load of junk in my hands and couldn't help him, but I winked and said, "go for it!"
So he picked up her panties off the floor and ran out to hand them to her. His Mom and I laughed.
Mike raced last night in Truckee and now we are off to the final stage of the Tour de Nez right here in Reno. We'll ride to the race and then pedal home in the soft desert evening. Wish Mike luck!
Happy Saturday!
Anyway, the surprising part is that I really don't mind going to the laundromat once a week. Our electric/gas bill here is less than half of what it was in Boston. Seriously, I think that not having a washer/dryer helps with lowering that cost. And so I spend $20 bones a month and 4 hours (a month) washing clothes.
Many folks don't like going to the laundromat---but it's not so bad. I always meet interesting characters there. Lots of Mom's doing three times as much laundry as I. Some bring their children. Today there was a Mom and her son---maybe he was 10 years old. He was quietly drawing at one of the benches. I've never seen such a well behaved kid. He was gorgeous too. A real knock-out. And quite the artist. He was shy and quiet and beautiful.
There was also a lovely (hot!) coed. (I go the laundry mat that is just due west of the University of Nevada). Anyway---she was doing her laundry and her dryer was near the little boy's (Mom's) dryers and his Mom asked him if he would grab one of the loads so he did. I don't remember how old you are when you get interested in the opposite sex. Anyway---the gal had just finished with her last load in the dryer and was packing it up and leaving. He was right next to her and as she ran out a pair of black panties fell off her load. She didn't notice, but the little boy did. Just as he was about to grab what had fallen he realized what it was and he blushed, looked right at me and said, "What should I do?" I had a load of junk in my hands and couldn't help him, but I winked and said, "go for it!"
So he picked up her panties off the floor and ran out to hand them to her. His Mom and I laughed.
Mike raced last night in Truckee and now we are off to the final stage of the Tour de Nez right here in Reno. We'll ride to the race and then pedal home in the soft desert evening. Wish Mike luck!
Happy Saturday!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Sattley Time Trial - Photo's, no results!
Sattley California is a lovely little town near Sierraville (about 30 miles NW of Truckee). The course was 40K out and back and pretty flat. The morning was lovely, but Mike had an early start and we were up early and on the road by 6:40am.
"You're saddle looks too high", I said on deaf ears. He paid for that too high saddle when he finished. He could barely un-click from his pedals and I drove home. So no results. All I know for sure is that his teammate, James Mattis was flying! He passed everyone who started in front of him except one guy (7 riders were in front). By the time we got home his legs had un-seized enough to go for a spin on his Noah (with the proper saddle height).
For now---enjoy these lovely photo's....Hard to believe this hunky, skinny guy is 39 years old! (My computer is too old and is in need of a memory upgrade for me to run the programs to upload pictures...so the photo's are in email only...)
"You're saddle looks too high", I said on deaf ears. He paid for that too high saddle when he finished. He could barely un-click from his pedals and I drove home. So no results. All I know for sure is that his teammate, James Mattis was flying! He passed everyone who started in front of him except one guy (7 riders were in front). By the time we got home his legs had un-seized enough to go for a spin on his Noah (with the proper saddle height).
For now---enjoy these lovely photo's....Hard to believe this hunky, skinny guy is 39 years old! (My computer is too old and is in need of a memory upgrade for me to run the programs to upload pictures...so the photo's are in email only...)
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Reason to Ride #6252005
So I made up the number, as I have lost track of all the great things about riding my bicycle. And this number is my lucky Anniversary number. Anyway, have you ever looked up a big hill and said, "I can never ride a bike up THAT!" When I first started pedaling, I used to live on top of one of the biggest hills in San Francisco and I would ride everywhere and then push my bike up the last leg home. I "assumed" I wouldn't be able to make it so I didn't even try. One night on my way home from work, I was feeling good and put my heavy beloved mountain bike into it's smallest gear and rode it on the sidewalk all the way home. I never pushed my bike again.
Today as I was pedaling up the hills around Reno, I thought of how big these hills (and mountains) looked when I first arrived into town. I may have never pushed my bike---but I wanted to---especially since it was spring and we'd get have those windy desert days. Nothing like riding up a hill into a headwind that shifts to a crosswind with each corner. Only now, what was once a big hill, is now a "bump" in the road.
Everyday I challenge myself with each ride. Push bigger gears. Ride further. And each time I make it up a hill, I feel good. It's like a confidence booster. I don't have to ride up faster than anyone---I can be slower than everyone, and I still feel like I accomplished something. It's a daily dose of "I did something!" And I feel better for the rest of the day---which is why I like to start everyday with a couple of hours or more on my beloved two wheels!
Happy Saturday! Happy Birthday Hunter Taylor Rooney! We're off to a race in Sattley, California tomorrow!
Today as I was pedaling up the hills around Reno, I thought of how big these hills (and mountains) looked when I first arrived into town. I may have never pushed my bike---but I wanted to---especially since it was spring and we'd get have those windy desert days. Nothing like riding up a hill into a headwind that shifts to a crosswind with each corner. Only now, what was once a big hill, is now a "bump" in the road.
Everyday I challenge myself with each ride. Push bigger gears. Ride further. And each time I make it up a hill, I feel good. It's like a confidence booster. I don't have to ride up faster than anyone---I can be slower than everyone, and I still feel like I accomplished something. It's a daily dose of "I did something!" And I feel better for the rest of the day---which is why I like to start everyday with a couple of hours or more on my beloved two wheels!
Happy Saturday! Happy Birthday Hunter Taylor Rooney! We're off to a race in Sattley, California tomorrow!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Notes on altitude
In reading through my journal over the last couple of months, I found it interesting at my notes on adjusting to the thinner air here. At this time, I pretty much forget about the fact that I am living "a mile high" and that my starting point for my rides is 500 feet higher than the high points of any of the regular rides I did in the Bay Area. Mt. Hamilton is the highest point in the Bay Area and it is several hundred feet lower than where I live now.
I don't consider myself anything but a cycling enthusiast. I am not fast---and I don't ride "hard", but I ride daily. What happens at elevation is you don't get the normal amount of oxygen in your blood and so "pushing" yourself requires more than muscle---it requires AIR. It takes about 3-4 weeks of slow integration to be able to thin your blood enough to get a muscle workout. When we arrived, I pushed myself right away, and felt like I was having a heart attack. This was in part due to my out-of-shape condition of living in New England in the winter and in part to the thinner air.
The good news is that once you get passed this point and can push yourself in the thin air, you do get stronger. It's very subtle. I didn't notice it until I rode up Mt. Hamilton a few weeks ago. With the oxygen rich, sea level air, I could push bigger gears for extended periods of time and not suffer. It's pretty amazing. Maybe like a natural form of EPO.
I also noted that what helped me adjust here was Bayer aspirin. When we first moved here and I messed up by pushing too early, I started taking Bayer aspirin everyday, and I think it helped thin my blood. Also, eating was a challenge and so I took Alka Selzer for a few days. For just visiting here---these things are not necessary. But if you are on a training program---or exerting your body at all---these two simple, over-the-counter (and UCI legal) things really help speed up the adjustment time!
Even my athlete husband---who is NEVER out of shape since he braves all kinds of bad weather---needed time to adjust to the thin air. (So it was more than just me being out of shape).
It's also interesting that if you just spend a couple of days at altitude, and then go home to "sea-level" air, it's not as big a deal. The recovery time is what your body needs. And recovering in thin air is what gets lost. Human bodies are pretty amazing. I don't even notice the thin air anymore---
I don't consider myself anything but a cycling enthusiast. I am not fast---and I don't ride "hard", but I ride daily. What happens at elevation is you don't get the normal amount of oxygen in your blood and so "pushing" yourself requires more than muscle---it requires AIR. It takes about 3-4 weeks of slow integration to be able to thin your blood enough to get a muscle workout. When we arrived, I pushed myself right away, and felt like I was having a heart attack. This was in part due to my out-of-shape condition of living in New England in the winter and in part to the thinner air.
The good news is that once you get passed this point and can push yourself in the thin air, you do get stronger. It's very subtle. I didn't notice it until I rode up Mt. Hamilton a few weeks ago. With the oxygen rich, sea level air, I could push bigger gears for extended periods of time and not suffer. It's pretty amazing. Maybe like a natural form of EPO.
I also noted that what helped me adjust here was Bayer aspirin. When we first moved here and I messed up by pushing too early, I started taking Bayer aspirin everyday, and I think it helped thin my blood. Also, eating was a challenge and so I took Alka Selzer for a few days. For just visiting here---these things are not necessary. But if you are on a training program---or exerting your body at all---these two simple, over-the-counter (and UCI legal) things really help speed up the adjustment time!
Even my athlete husband---who is NEVER out of shape since he braves all kinds of bad weather---needed time to adjust to the thin air. (So it was more than just me being out of shape).
It's also interesting that if you just spend a couple of days at altitude, and then go home to "sea-level" air, it's not as big a deal. The recovery time is what your body needs. And recovering in thin air is what gets lost. Human bodies are pretty amazing. I don't even notice the thin air anymore---
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Our first "house-guests!" & Italy bound~
The last 10 days or so have been filled with riding, racing, friends and family. Mike and I headed to California last weekend and he raced and I rode Mt. Hamilton. The timing was perfect as it was Layne's birthday and so we enjoyed Thai food with family the evening before Mike's race. After a respectable top 10 finish (for Mike), we headed to Livermore and ate a feast with Dave Metzinger and his family before heading home to Reno.
The next day, Mom, Dad and Layne drove up to Reno for my Dad's softball tournament. Our first house-guests! The weather was perfect and we all had fun spending time together in the Taylor's new home in the foothills of the Sierra's.
The riding here is fabulous! Hilly and warm, but cool in the evenings. As I was headed down Lakeside towards Mt. Rose yesterday, a cute, fat groundhog poked his head out of his "den" on the side of the road. They are the cutest things----don't even look real, but rather like stuffed animals. Mike and I both arrived home from our rides about the same time---and after a little bit of housecleaning we headed to Verdi to take the Scrap for a walk along the Truckee River. As we walked, you could hear the thunder off in a distance---these storms blow in through the gap(s) in the mountains. It's fabulous to watch.
I am headed to Vicenza, Italy in a couple of weeks. It is a work trip to the Campagnolo Factory for the International Collections preview for 2008! For a cyclist, this is a real treat---as Campagnolo IS Italian cycling. And true to form, our first day is a bicycle tour around the Vicenza province.
I've also been working for the Minnesota Bike race. My job is recruiting the Professional Cycling Teams for the "Fan-Zone and Athlete Villages". It's a new concept---sort of like what NASCAR used to do---bringing the fans to the athlete's. I love it. I only wish I was going to be able to see how it turns out. Perhaps my Minnesota family can make a stage or two and tell me all about it?
Let's see---what else? Oh yes, welcome to the world, Madeline Elizabeth Baird (Yes---Colin and Heather had a baby girl)---and Happy Birthday to Luke Rooney!
Happy Sunday!
The next day, Mom, Dad and Layne drove up to Reno for my Dad's softball tournament. Our first house-guests! The weather was perfect and we all had fun spending time together in the Taylor's new home in the foothills of the Sierra's.
The riding here is fabulous! Hilly and warm, but cool in the evenings. As I was headed down Lakeside towards Mt. Rose yesterday, a cute, fat groundhog poked his head out of his "den" on the side of the road. They are the cutest things----don't even look real, but rather like stuffed animals. Mike and I both arrived home from our rides about the same time---and after a little bit of housecleaning we headed to Verdi to take the Scrap for a walk along the Truckee River. As we walked, you could hear the thunder off in a distance---these storms blow in through the gap(s) in the mountains. It's fabulous to watch.
I am headed to Vicenza, Italy in a couple of weeks. It is a work trip to the Campagnolo Factory for the International Collections preview for 2008! For a cyclist, this is a real treat---as Campagnolo IS Italian cycling. And true to form, our first day is a bicycle tour around the Vicenza province.
I've also been working for the Minnesota Bike race. My job is recruiting the Professional Cycling Teams for the "Fan-Zone and Athlete Villages". It's a new concept---sort of like what NASCAR used to do---bringing the fans to the athlete's. I love it. I only wish I was going to be able to see how it turns out. Perhaps my Minnesota family can make a stage or two and tell me all about it?
Let's see---what else? Oh yes, welcome to the world, Madeline Elizabeth Baird (Yes---Colin and Heather had a baby girl)---and Happy Birthday to Luke Rooney!
Happy Sunday!
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