The California Wildfire's are really a mess. Here in Reno, we are even feeling their pain, with smokey skies. Lately, some days I wake up and it looks like we are in the LA smog, especially if the wind is coming from the West. My beloved golden state is on fire, and is more the "crispy-charbroiled" state of late!
But actually, my state these days is Nevada. Hot, dry Nevada. And Mike and I were both in need of a different kind of pain. The kind only felt when pedaling over 9,000' mountain passes on our beloved 2 wheels. With our Belgian Bike supplier in town, we thought we would treat him to some of the nicest bicycle riding in the West! So we borrowed our bosses bike and headed over to a friend's house and the four of us headed to Markleeville, in hopes of clearer skies and a day of pain and suffering. In other words, Heaven on a bike!
When we arrived, the skies were already bluer, and while it was HOT...it was dry. Our Belgian supplier opted out of the day of pain, and decided to chill out in town instead. But we could not be kept from our rides, so we bid him farewell (even though I felt a bit guilty leaving him...I forgot what these passes might look like to lowlander!) and headed out on rides. Before everyone starts thinking I am a bad host, this is an American guy, living in Belgium, and it was his idea to go on this ride...and we had driven an hour. Markleeville is a quaint little town, and there are worse places to be stuck on a sunny Saturday.
Oh my gosh it felt good to be pedaling by myself in the altitude, pain inducing climbs of Alpine County. All the Death Rider's were out training for the upcoming "ride of pain" and so I had company. I ended up riding up with some guys who were customer's of my old digs, Palo Alto Bicycles. I should have known with all the fancy bike gear and clothing! But mostly this was the first chance I have had for "my time". I was a little disappointed to have no snap in my legs and I even had to use my "23" whereas usually I can climb these passes in my 19 or 21. But I didn't care.
Ebbetts is my favorite pass lately. As it twisted above 7,000' the air cooled (and I had a darn headwind the whole way up!), and soon I was seeing patches of snow on the side of the road. The top felt like it came too soon, but I had no time to ride more (since I had a visitor). The real treat was there was a guy on top with COLD water and rice crispy snacks at the top. He asked if I needed refills and boy did I! After a brief chat and lots of gratitude, I headed down. Rode back with my newfound friends and ran into Mike just outside of town. The smokey days have really bummed us out---so we were happy for an escape from bad air! I also had a headwind back to the car. The wind had shifted and the valley was filling with smoke again. Sigh.
Happy Sunday!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Fantastico!
Just a minute really to catch my breath! Italy was fabulous! How to catch up before it is only a memory? Not sure, since when I arrived home, I had a meeting first thing in the morning with our Italian Helmet company and then yesterday we had meetings with our Belgian Bike company. So no time. Sigh.
The new Campagnolo Apparel looks really great and we will have an 11-speed piece of the collection to celebrate the Campagnolo Components new Super Record/11-Speed Gruppo. In any case, this year I made it to Italy in time to go on the mini "Grand Fondo". I was the only women, but the second one up the climbs. I think all this living at altitude has had some positive affects. All the "guys" were worried, so I knew I would be OK, as they would wait for me. "There are some big hills, Joni. We will wait for you!" Since I am used to riding with really talented athletes here in the USA I was happy for this reassurance. Plus we had our own little tifosi as well as a follow vehicle for support.
In any case, I had trouble holding wheels on the flat and fast sections, but as soon as we hit the first climb, it was just me and the Italian bike racer at the top. We waited for the other 40 guys. Pretty cool! So I did my country proud! (smile). And luckily I knew the word "Attraversiamo" so I knew when it was time to cross over. I did almost crash on one of the twisty descents, but luckily I was far enough ahead of everyone that no one saw my "stumble".
Afterwards we went to dinner at a gorgeous Trattoria in Vicenza and ate course after course of local specialities. After the fashion show, I went to Treviso. Like last year, but this time I stayed in a hotel where "some" English is spoken.
Treviso is a lovely walled-city...and my hotel was on the "road to Venice". It was nice to have a weekend to relax and explore and Paola took me to a locals' only dinner with two of her Italian friends who are in the Rags Industry who just returned from Milano. This restaurant literally turns you away if you are not from the neighborhood.
after a day spent with Paola at the factory, it was time for me to leave. I am getting ready now to take my Belgian supplier on a ride in California Alps country as long as the smoke clears...which is doubtful. Sigh.
Really a fantastic time. I am off to New York next Sunday---then Boston and Denver...I am more excited to see Gibson and Teens and the old gang at Seven. I miss them more than I really thought I would. Funny how some people touch your lives in a profound way---and you are never the same person. And also how time changes your perspective. But is will be exciting to launch the apparel in Manhattan. And if all goes well, I will finally see some of my cousin Sharon's artwork in person. ( http://sjfnewyork.blogspot.com/ )
Ciao Ciao! (Pictures will have to wait...)
The new Campagnolo Apparel looks really great and we will have an 11-speed piece of the collection to celebrate the Campagnolo Components new Super Record/11-Speed Gruppo. In any case, this year I made it to Italy in time to go on the mini "Grand Fondo". I was the only women, but the second one up the climbs. I think all this living at altitude has had some positive affects. All the "guys" were worried, so I knew I would be OK, as they would wait for me. "There are some big hills, Joni. We will wait for you!" Since I am used to riding with really talented athletes here in the USA I was happy for this reassurance. Plus we had our own little tifosi as well as a follow vehicle for support.
In any case, I had trouble holding wheels on the flat and fast sections, but as soon as we hit the first climb, it was just me and the Italian bike racer at the top. We waited for the other 40 guys. Pretty cool! So I did my country proud! (smile). And luckily I knew the word "Attraversiamo" so I knew when it was time to cross over. I did almost crash on one of the twisty descents, but luckily I was far enough ahead of everyone that no one saw my "stumble".
Afterwards we went to dinner at a gorgeous Trattoria in Vicenza and ate course after course of local specialities. After the fashion show, I went to Treviso. Like last year, but this time I stayed in a hotel where "some" English is spoken.
Treviso is a lovely walled-city...and my hotel was on the "road to Venice". It was nice to have a weekend to relax and explore and Paola took me to a locals' only dinner with two of her Italian friends who are in the Rags Industry who just returned from Milano. This restaurant literally turns you away if you are not from the neighborhood.
after a day spent with Paola at the factory, it was time for me to leave. I am getting ready now to take my Belgian supplier on a ride in California Alps country as long as the smoke clears...which is doubtful. Sigh.
Really a fantastic time. I am off to New York next Sunday---then Boston and Denver...I am more excited to see Gibson and Teens and the old gang at Seven. I miss them more than I really thought I would. Funny how some people touch your lives in a profound way---and you are never the same person. And also how time changes your perspective. But is will be exciting to launch the apparel in Manhattan. And if all goes well, I will finally see some of my cousin Sharon's artwork in person. ( http://sjfnewyork.blogspot.com/ )
Ciao Ciao! (Pictures will have to wait...)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Arrivederci!
I can't believe it is already the middle of June--- Ouch! We've been really enjoying a gentle entry into the hot hot days of summer. And of course the riding has been wonderful---and whiloe there have been "windy" afternoons", the mornings are wonderful and cool but dry and sunny. Perfect! Spring has been nice and cool compared to last year. We only turned on the air-conditioner last night for the first time...and even then just for an hour or so to cool things down before sleep-time.
Speaking of sleep-time...We have a new (to us) bed! The San Diego Mehler's are now the Reno Mehler's (at least for a year---they still have their house in Carlsbad). I should work for the Reno board of tourism! Ha! In any case, they had a spare queen-sized bed and ask us if we would like to have it! How about that? It is awesome to have a real bed to sleep on after 3 years on a futon! A real treat. And now people can come and visit and not sleep on the floor! Woo hoo! After my ride today I drove over to their place and it is really nice---but they weren't there, but they are about 3 miles away! Daniel is starting football practice at the high-school I think on Monday.
I am heading to Venice (via Amsterdam) until the Wednesday after next. When I spoke with Paola on Friday she told me I am the only woman going for the bike ride in the Mount Berico Hills...European cycling (for girls) hasn't quite caught up to the USA. We are meeting at the Campagnolo components factory and leaving from there. Paola added, "Oh, of course I signed you up for the long ride with the hard hills since you love them so much!" Uh ho!?! Hope the ride leaders are not a bunch of skinny Italian climbers! Or at least I hope they will wait for me!
So I am pretty excited---although I don't relish the travel time and airport/airline/drama.
Arrivederci & Ciao! Happy Father's day!!!
Speaking of sleep-time...We have a new (to us) bed! The San Diego Mehler's are now the Reno Mehler's (at least for a year---they still have their house in Carlsbad). I should work for the Reno board of tourism! Ha! In any case, they had a spare queen-sized bed and ask us if we would like to have it! How about that? It is awesome to have a real bed to sleep on after 3 years on a futon! A real treat. And now people can come and visit and not sleep on the floor! Woo hoo! After my ride today I drove over to their place and it is really nice---but they weren't there, but they are about 3 miles away! Daniel is starting football practice at the high-school I think on Monday.
I am heading to Venice (via Amsterdam) until the Wednesday after next. When I spoke with Paola on Friday she told me I am the only woman going for the bike ride in the Mount Berico Hills...European cycling (for girls) hasn't quite caught up to the USA. We are meeting at the Campagnolo components factory and leaving from there. Paola added, "Oh, of course I signed you up for the long ride with the hard hills since you love them so much!" Uh ho!?! Hope the ride leaders are not a bunch of skinny Italian climbers! Or at least I hope they will wait for me!
So I am pretty excited---although I don't relish the travel time and airport/airline/drama.
Arrivederci & Ciao! Happy Father's day!!!
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Nice Bike!
The road biking scene is full of folks who you might say are a little "full of themselves" about their bikes and their gear. The latest and greatest, lightest and fastest, and of course prettiest and coordinated fashion stylists' - that's about the gist of it. The helmets have to match the outfits, which have to compliment the bar-tape. The seat-post must match the bars and stems and the tires ought to be the color of the bicycle decals ---if they are not black. It's ridiculous really---but I am guilty of all of the above and then some.
I look fast even if I am not fast---and it makes me feel fast which is all that matters if you don't race. It's really a weird kind of "club", but one I am happy to be a part of. And the funny thing in all this is that it is "good for you". How many things in life, which bring you so much joy, can you say that about?
Today, after all our jobs, I headed out into the Nevada sunshine, on my own prized little machine, to explore the roads I know so well, but which look different each time I ride on them. The recent rains have brought lots of green to the hillsides and Mt. Rose is still snow-capped. The quail couples are out in full force, and the desert blossoms are blossoming as they should. Baby cows, baby burro's, and even baby ostriches are all out in the pastures which surround the ranches which hug the mountains. It's lovely.
So as I was heading home after the last climb into Caughlin Ranch, there was a Mom with her two daughters and the little girl's were learning to ride their bikes. One was on training wheels and one was on a tricycle. Even at the young ages, these gal's were all matching pink and purple, with sunglasses, helmets and shorts and handlebar streamers. The one on the tricycle was all grins as I rode past---her blonde ringlets blowing in the wind and a big grin from ear to ear. She smiled and waved and said "Nice Bike", as I rode by. I couldn't help but smile back and told her that her bike was pretty sweet too!
You know that when a little 3 year old thinks your bike looks pretty cool, that you have the "look" down! Nice bike! Made my day!
I look fast even if I am not fast---and it makes me feel fast which is all that matters if you don't race. It's really a weird kind of "club", but one I am happy to be a part of. And the funny thing in all this is that it is "good for you". How many things in life, which bring you so much joy, can you say that about?
Today, after all our jobs, I headed out into the Nevada sunshine, on my own prized little machine, to explore the roads I know so well, but which look different each time I ride on them. The recent rains have brought lots of green to the hillsides and Mt. Rose is still snow-capped. The quail couples are out in full force, and the desert blossoms are blossoming as they should. Baby cows, baby burro's, and even baby ostriches are all out in the pastures which surround the ranches which hug the mountains. It's lovely.
So as I was heading home after the last climb into Caughlin Ranch, there was a Mom with her two daughters and the little girl's were learning to ride their bikes. One was on training wheels and one was on a tricycle. Even at the young ages, these gal's were all matching pink and purple, with sunglasses, helmets and shorts and handlebar streamers. The one on the tricycle was all grins as I rode past---her blonde ringlets blowing in the wind and a big grin from ear to ear. She smiled and waved and said "Nice Bike", as I rode by. I couldn't help but smile back and told her that her bike was pretty sweet too!
You know that when a little 3 year old thinks your bike looks pretty cool, that you have the "look" down! Nice bike! Made my day!
2 from 9 equals 7
Fabulous, Joni, so we know you can count. Ha! Actually, a plethora of 7's can be applied to our weekend. Including a lucky local's $7.77! I love plays on words and other such nonsense. So let me explain. After many years (we ordered this new frame when we still lived in Minnesota!), and Mike's 40th birthday present (a gruppo for the frame), he finally had his Seven Sola 29er built up (with a new 2 by 9 crankset even!) and took it for a maiden voyage on Saturday! It really is beautiful. (a 29er is a mountain bike with 29 inch wheels instead of the standard 26 inch wheels more commonly seen---for those who don't know). When I look at the bike next to my miniature Independent Fabrication hard-tail, it looks enormous! My bikes are just small compared to normal and his bikes are huge compared to normal.
And this is the beauty of having a bike made just for you! We both headed out for LONG Saturday rides in the Nevada sunshine---70's and no wind or humidity. I headed towards Mount Rose on My little Seven road bike and he headed for Peavine and the Verdi Hills peaks on his Seven Sola 29er. Different rides for sure---but the same Seven in Heaven smiles on our faces. We made a date to meet back at the house "really" hungry!
Which leads to my next Seven conversation which has nothing to do with bikes. Last week, we had a houseful of family and friends with my folks and also Bill & Gaby Hillinger from Austria. My folks moved into the Grand Sierra Resort (from la casa de la Taylor's) during his softball tournament (and Bill & Gaby stayed with us for a night). The Grand Sierra has a "lucky locals" buffet (upscale---not your garden variety stuff), and if you are local, you can eat for $7.77 (instead of $18.99). Let's just say that we got our money's worth. Between the "Smoking spoons Mehler's" and the cycling Taylor's, this buffet was a real deal! And after Mike's 5 hour mountain ride, and my 4 hour road ride, we were HUNGRY! So we decided to take ourselves "out", and eat all we could!!!
Bill & Gaby had toured some fabulous places in the USA from Vegas, Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, San Francisco---and Reno. we spent the evening drinking beer and eating home-cooked American food (including "buffalo burgers on the grill", and you'd never know so many years separated the last time we met in Austria. Good friends.
It's supposed to be 77 degrees today. A perfect day to go on another ride on our bikes. Happy Sunday! Happy June 1st! Where is the year going?
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