Hidden Valley Cross Race - Reno, NV

Saturday- October 20, 2007

It seems like just yesterday that my life (and weekends) were dictated by the NRC, ncnca.org, nebra-org, mcf.net or some other such "National or Local" bike racing calendar. Guess we're both growing up (which sounds better than getting old). Still, there is nothing like a local race to get the weekend going. Especially when that race is 10 minutes away from home!

Mike's first cross race of the season and the weather was "pure" cross. As in freezing. I think it was the coldest day we've had since we arrived in town last April. Sydney loves cross races and cross weather. She gets to hang out with a bunch of bikers and biker's dogs and in the desert she can dig in the sand between the laps. I had three layers of sweatshirt/vest and jacket. "Do you think I am dressed warm enough?" Mike checked me out and said, "Nope---you'll be cold". So I grabbed another jacket and off we went to Hidden Valley Park.

This park is located to the North and slightly west of Geiger Pass. A lovely little neighborhood and a cool looking desert like course with Mount Rose and Geiger towering over us. Fall colors and sand and rocks were everywhere. I was still cold, but got out of the car while Mike warmed up. I headed to the start/finish where all the other dogs, wives and biker's were and when the A race lined up, Mike took the hole shot and off they went.

After the first three laps, Mike was off the front with this guy named "Stubby". Stubby has never lost a race here. But we didn't know this. And no one knew who we were and so while Mike rode a good 100 meters ahead of this local hero, the mumblings of the crowd went something like this: "Who is that tall skinny dude?" And as Stubby would catch up to Mike in the technical sections everyone would sigh and say..."Stubby has him now!" But when they'd come back through the start finish there was this longish straightaway and Mike would be 100+ meters again off the front with Stubby chasing hard. "That guy (Mike) is sick-fast! Who the heck is he?"

I acted like it was a personal compliment. That's my husband. Mike Taylor. He's a hammer! Well--Mike fumbled in one of the technical sections and Stubby rode away. But he never got more than 25 meters ahead. Mike and he were bunny hopping the barriers and then, in the last lap, Mike flatted. He had to ride the whole course on a flat tire---but he still made a second place finish. Beaten by a mechanical.

The local scene here in Reno is even smaller than Minnesota. But it has that same charm, small town friendly feel. And Mike won enough dough for a little celebration of you know what....beer and food...what else? happy Sunday!

Middle Aged

Last night I did a public talk about Sinclair's exclusive products to a cycling club; Ridley, Campagnolo Sportswear and Limar. Mike joined me early on but bailed before the talk began. The club was called Procrastinating Pedlar's---a group of mostly middle-aged folks who have real jobs, real money and a passion to ride...not race their bikes. My kind of folk.

It occurred to me though that we were likely close to or about the same age. Middle aged. When did this happen? The last time I was at my Mom and Dad's, my Mom had this special face lotion that "vanished wrinkles". I used it and liked it and asked her, "Hey Mom, do you use this stuff?" She said "Sometimes...why?" I just said, "Oh", thinking it was one of those purchases she made that she didn't really use. She said, "You may have it if you'd like".

My Dad replied, "What is it---we can get you some". I said--"it's a special wrinkle-disappearing-magic-potion!" My Dad replied, "My daughter needs wrinkle stuff?" Ha! I took home this potion and I even use it every now and again when I remember.

I remember my Grandma talking to me about age. "I don't feel old" she would say. Here's the deal. You really don't feel old. Your body says your a certain age, and your mind thinks your still 25. Not nice!

Sigh. On a different note---a secret friend informed me that Sierra is both singular and plural. So Sierra's is not correct. High Sierra (one mountain) and High Sierra (many mountains)---still learning stuff---even at my "middle" age! Happy Wednesday!

Sierra High...in Nevada!

John Denver found himself in the "Colorado Rocky Mountain High". Joni Taylor found herself (riding) in the Nevada High Sierra...and understood what he meant. (Ha!) Fall in Northern Nevada is simply fabulous. It's not just "good for around here" riding. It's just plain good, one would travel to go on vacation here, good riding. You don't just see for miles and miles---it looks like you can see for days and days---and all you see are mountains and more mountains and blue sky and even fall colors in the trees.

Perfect weather and all the tourist's and folks who must just live here for the summer are gone and so it is peaceful and uncrowded. Friday night, Dave Metzinger drove up for a visit. He and Mike were going to Gardnerville on Saturday to stay at another friend's and I stayed behind with the Scrapper for a "girl's night". Aside from my morning job's and hiking with Sydney---I had the weekend to myself for a couple of long, slow rides.

It was chilly in the morning on Saturday and so I got a late start and just rode out to the Mt. Rose Highway and back. But today it was a little warmer...near 70 degrees, and so I didn't need to wait for it to warm up before rolling out. There was no wind and so even though I didn't plan on going for a long ride---Geiger beckoned me. I haven't ridden up Geiger Pass since the beginning of summer because it is hot and usually windy coming home. But today was fabulous and so up I went. When I got to the top (6700' more or less), I could see the snow on Rose to the West, and snow on the peaks to the East, beyond Virginia City. It seemed like I could see all the way to Utah! Wow!

When I got home, Mike was home and we sat on the front porch after a shower and some food, just staring at the mountains and talking about our weekend bicycle-adventures. Felt like one of those "Life is good" commercials.

October rules! Happy Sunday!

Cool Morning Ride!

So on Monday's Mike takes a day off the bike which means I get to ride to work (as opposed to ride and then come home to pick up the Scrapper before heading for work). I don't always take advantage of being able to ride in, but when I do, it is a real treat. It was cold by Joni standards---you know the drill---Mike says "it's not cold", I say "it's not cold for Polar Bears".

But after two years of living in places which actually have winter, I have accumulated some gear which makes the cold tolerable. 30's/40's are cold---especially with a mountain air breeze. But boy is it clear and spectacular to see the Sierra's in high definition in the morning air. Plus I have some new Campy Sportswear tights that are just fabulous---I may feel cold...but I look "too cool for school!" Ha!

I headed towards Mogul/Verdi and looped around the neighborhoods nestled into the hills and then headed towards the Stateline and Henness Pass Road. I saw three coyote's heading in after a night of trouble making. And lots of geese and birds feeding in the mountain pastures. It was so quiet as I climbed Dog Valley road that the only sound I could hear was the whirr of my wheels as they rolled along the road. A "zen" moment. The sound of silence.

I don't care what anyone says...I still get cold no matter what I am wearing. But it was far from unpleasant. It was awesome. I headed to Boomtown and they've just finished the road leading to the big brand new Cabella's which is opening in November. Minnesota Dad will love it!

Speaking of Minnesota, I just bought our tickets and we are heading to Marshall the second week of November. I can't wait! And now life is becoming a bit more manageable after the chaos of the "pre-season" bike season madness. It will be fun to be back to my second home. I haven't been there since we left for Boston--seems like a lifetime ago.

Happy Tuesday!

Because it's good for you!

I remember when many years ago my Mom used to make me run every day. "Because it's good for you!" There's a long story about the details that lead up to this, but the gist was that if I was under her roof, I had to do some things her way. Funny thing is, it was the best thing (or one of them) that she ever did for this "somewhat-spoiled and sometimes manipulative" technically an adult but really a little girl, girl.

There are days when I wish someone would go and exercise for me. I do love riding my bike. But sometimes I just like the "thought" of riding my bike. Actually "doing it" is another thing. That crisp chill in the air means that I need to wear more specialized gear, and suffer through the first few miles of chill. And since my favorite rides go uphill, it means I have to be cold on a descent. Top that off with a 1000' foot, 1.3 mile climb to get back home and I can talk myself out of anything!!

I have a cool bicycle and very cool riding gear though---so I have no excuse and I am compelled to ride. If you lived with my over-athletic husband, who is critical of spending money on things you don't use, you too would feel like you must get your money's worth out of your "toys". I like to look cool. Mike just is "uber-cool".

So like my Mom, Mike encourages me to get outside. Even when I think I would rather sit on the couch and eat and watch TV! Probably knowing this little detail about me is surprising since I put about 15,000 miles pedaling on the road each year. I am sure that one of the reasons Mike is in my life is to keep that "good parenting" going. He even knows that things like "All you can eat Sushi" are good ways to get me on the road.

So...I am all bundled up in some of the coolest riding gear on the market, with a swanky-cool road bike ready to hit the road on a clear as a bell Sierra Sunday morning to head towards Mt. Rose---all because it is "good for me"!

Have a wonderful Sunday!!!

Snow on the Mountain Tops!

October 6th and it has actually snowed twice already and we woke up Friday morning to snow in our front yard! It's already melted except for on the mountain tops. And it is crisp and beautiful outside. The air is clean, the sky is blue and the visibility is infinite. I thought I was going to be too tired or too cold or "fill in the blank for a good excuse not" to ride today. It was in the 30's when we got up this morning.

That said, after doing all my morning "jobs", my bicycle beckoned me to go for a ride. This is the first weekend in a long time where I didn't have to be anywhere---and my plan was to sleep and rest and read and watch movies. But my bicycle has a loud bark, and it was beautiful and warmer by noon. So I bundled up in my fall riding gear and headed for the hills!

It's funny the conversations I have with myself when I think I am going for a short ride. My first climb into Caughlin Ranch, and I say.."OK Joni, just do one small lap". That's all you need to do today. When I got to the top of the 3rd roller of the climb, I zipped up my vest for the fast descent. The air is COLD. Even though the sun warms up--the air chill is cold. It was like jumping into a cold lake after sitting in a jacuzzi.

As turned back into Caughlin Ranch at the bottom of the hill, I was happy for the warmth of the climb again. And where I was supposed to make a right, my bike kept going straight and off I went for another lap of the area. I always talk myself into the "just one more mile...one more hill...one more hour". Real conversations. Like if someone passes me I am sure they think I am talking on a cell phone. 5 years ago they would have thought I was nuts and talking to myself. Now my behavior can be perceived as normal since everyone is always talking to someone on the phone.

So it is good to be back in the mountain air of the Sierra's. Mike and I both love the Fall---and this is our first Fall in the High Sierra's! Glad I didn't take the day off the bike.

Hope you have a lovely Saturday!

Back to Fresh Mountain Air!

Vegas! It is a nutty, crazy place! New York City may be the town that never sleeps, but Vegas is the town that tries to make you think you're not supposed to sleep. The Venetian (which we had to walk through everyday to get to the Sands convention center) has the phony cloudy sky which makes you think it is daytime, all the time. This was the busiest show I have ever worked. I hardly ever left my booth---even on Friday which is typically the day when I can walk around the show and see "what's new".

I am amazed that in this day and age, that people can still do the "vegas-unhealthy" thing. The smoke in the casino's and the air-freshener spritzes that try and mask the smell are atrocious. I don't know what scares me more. The rush of awful air you smell when you first open the doors to the casino? Or the 20 minutes later when you can't smell it anymore because you are "used to it"? It's all very 80's. From the disco-bright lights to the life in the fast lane feel.

Can you tell I don't like Vegas? I can see how it might be cool for the first time---I suppose. Mike and I enjoyed a ride up Mount Hamilton before we flew out and ride back up Mount Hamilton when we returned. The best part of the whole gig was seeing my folks and riding, and seeing all my old "peeps" from PAB and other shops around the country.

Here's some pics of our party (taken by Nathan Heidt) (first one is me with the Bicycle John's crew and Ivan Dominguez) and of Mike on top of the world with Alan---post show. The funny thing is that the kayser's and the Taylor's were all on Mount Hamilton on the same day. Alan & Mike rode up and down together. I rode up after they did and passed them on the way down, and as I was going down, I saw Alan's wife Sue riding up.

I will write more this weekend---I am still de-compressing and re-adjusting to the altitude...again! Happy Thursday!

What happens in Vegas...

...stays in Vegas! Ha! In all the year's that Mike and I have been together and been in the bike biz, we've never made the trip to Interbike together. Hard to believe. This year, we are both going---so the Scrapper is staying with her Grandparents in California for a week. Last week was a hugely successful week in the Bay Area. I hope this is a sign for a really good year for us!

I rode my bike to pick up a rental car at the airport on Monday. How nice is that? I love living in a town that is small enough to ride (my bicycle) right into the airport (without traffic), and yet big enough to have an International airport. I left in the afternoon and when I hit Albany I could see the San Francisco Skyline and Mount Tamapais. It brought tears (literally) to my eyes to see my lovely city by the bay. I can't describe it. Even better was the fact that I was reverse traffic (i.e. no traffic at all) from Reno all the way to the Toll Plaza. The worse traffic was actually in Truckee as they are preparing the roads for winter and all but one lane was closed for about 8 miles.

I spent three days in San Francisco working and it was a great trip! Tomorrow we are going to ride and then head to my Mom and Dad's and then fly out of the San Jose Airport to Las Vegas. It'll be hectic and I will be glad to be through with the trade show. The best part will be seeing everyone. But other than that...it is crazy Vegas.

We have cooled down 20 degrees this past few weeks and my morning rides are already chilly. Fall everywhere is lovely. In the Sierra's you get that crisp air blowing in from elevation, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets! We even got some rain today and some dusting of snow up on Mt. Rose.

Happy Birthday Rick! Happy Yom Kippur! Happy Saturday!

Special Birthdays...

This weekend has been a perfect riding weekend. So ride we did! Lots of miles, up and down the lovely Sierra's. It is absolutely beautiful. Crisp but not at all cold. I am leaving for the Bay Area tomorrow for a couple of days before we head to Vegas, next weekend. Sigh. I love San Francisco though so it a treat of a trip to have to go there to work. And I get to see my brother and Jason (who just returned from Argentina).

Some extra special things about today? Happy Birthday to Daniel Mehler and Sydney Taylor! Daniel is (oh my gosh!) 14 and Sydney is (oh my gosh again!) 9. Hope you had as lovely a weekend outside as we did!

Have a great week!

Saturday Inspiration

My friend John Fries, infamously known as "Bicycle John's" (Bicycle John's Serious Cycling) in Los Angeles, set out to run 100 miles today. He and I first became acquainted last year when I was his account rep at Seven Cycles, and now he is one of my favorite accounts in Los Angeles for Sinclair Imports. He's a pretty amazing guy. He just turned 50 years old and apart from running three successful high-end bicycle stores in LA, he's an athlete, tri-athlete, cyclist and runner you-name-it.

In any case, today is the day where he set out to participate in his first 100 mile running race. 100 miles. He said it might take him 30 hours. I can't even imagine it. I told him that I would be at a special place on my bike (at altitude) at a certain time so that we could both be at a high point at the same time. When I arrived at my high-point near a meadow near Mt. Rose, I stopped and thought good thoughts for his day. It's been a while since I did a long ride of over 4 hours. Been traveling too much. Yet each time I felt tired, I just thought of John and smiled and kept riding. Funny how I used him for my inspiration today when if anything he is the one worthy of inspiring thoughts.

I've run a marathon once. And once was enough. After mile 18 I am pretty much done. I can't fathom running three in a day...at altitude. I feel so blessed to have such people in my life. One of the perks of working in this industry is being able to work with folks like John.

When I got home from my ride, Mike was giving the Scrapper a bath after she rolled around in the dirt. Once the Scrapper was clean, Mike and I took ourselves out for "All-you-can-eat" sushi. Now I am stuffed to the gills and ready for a Saturday nap with my husband and my small hound. I love Saturdays!

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing today, think a special thought for my friend Bicycle John who is running 100 miles today! Happy Saturday!!!

Cycling in the Surf & Sun!

It figures I would be in So Cal during the humid heatwave! Still, time with family and friends was priceless and worth all the humid hot air. But it was "oppressive heat". Felt like I was out East. 10 days away from my husband and hound is about the limit though. I am glad to be home for a while. I love traveling with my reps, and it is fun to visit all the cool bike shops as well. And Alan came up to Reno for the Labor Day weekend and he and Mike had some "guy time" to hang out and ride bikes!

So now I am home and it is my first real day off in a couple of weeks and I am almost too tired to ride. Almost. This morning Mike and I watched the balloon races from our house on the hill. I haven't figured out how it all works, but it is fun watching a sky full of balloons, while sipping on a cup of Peet's with my guy and my dog.

My Mom, Dad and Layne were also visiting in So Cal and were in a car accident while traveling to see my dad's horses. It was the fault of the other driver and no one was "seriously" injured. Still, my Mom broke her wrist, my dad and Layne suffered bruises and whip-lash. It was my Mom's "week-off" from chemo and she had hoped to NOT be in a hospital. Sigh. Most people would be thinking law-suits though and my Mom (always looking on the bright side of things), says she was grateful to be able to find out that her potassium was low. She and Layne also noted that everyone that helped her or who was involved was named Angela or Angelina or some other "angel" name. Even in times of "bad things happening", there is a positive way to look at life.

In between working, I was able to get some nice rides in along the coast and get my feet wet in the surf. I LOVE California. I can't help it (along with millions of other people). There is something about the way I feel being near the Pacific Ocean that makes me feel whole and alive. I joined in on some group rides and was able to keep up! Altitude riding paid off!

Mike's grandma passed away while I was gone. She's in a better place and she lived a long life, but it is still sad. So much happens in a day/week/month/year. Every moment is important. I just talked myself into going for a ride...(-:

Happy Saturday!

Swimming with Sydney!

Mike and I rode together this morning. It's nice when he asks me to go for a ride with him. We looped through Mogul, Verdi and Boomtown and enjoyed the calm morning before the wind and the heat picked up. While we were riding, we were chatting about our time in Innsbruck, Austria, and how that was the best riding vacation we ever took. Our heads are spinning now about possible ways to return there. What's interesting to me is that that trip was over 4 years ago. We have had such wonderful adventures together. Marriage is a good thing.

It's been pretty hot---I mean it's August. You can't even talk about the heat here since it is hot everywhere. Everywhere but the Bay Area---where it is warm-ish hot. So when you spent most of your life growing up in the "always good" climate, you have much to learn about the way the rest of the world lives. Actually, it is hot in the desert, but it is so dry that one can tolerate as much as 20 degrees hotter/colder than you are used to before it becomes uncomfortable.

The Scrapper gets so hot and dry on her walks that we decided to head to the Truckee River and take the fat hound swimming. She is an amazing Jack Russell Retriever and she swam and retrieved a sock-wrapped-tennis ball until she was beat. The water is still cold and refreshing. Mountain fed water usually is. Until the last three years, I always thought the water should be cold in the summer. (Ever surfed in the Pacific Ocean in the SF Bay---it is in the 50's in the summer and winter!) But in the East---the water is bath water---and so it was a nice reminder that I am on the West coast again.

When we got back home Sydney was a dirty wet and smelly hound. Mike managed to get her with the garden hose while performing bike maintenance on my bike (always a multi-tasker). Then it was time for beer and a pasta feast, especially prepared by the head chef in the Taylor abode. (hint: it is NOT me!)

I am off to Southern California next week. The best news is that I will stay at my brother's over the Labor day weekend and go and see my nephew Zachy play his first tackle football pre-season. Happy Sunday!

As good as it gets!

That is the way I would describe my weekend! Mike and I left work early on Friday and headed to the Bay Area. We stayed with some friends in Woodside and it felt like resort living at it's best. We had no idea. We dined on a feast of Salmon and Tuna and wined and dined with Jerrell and Alison. On Saturday we were up early and rode our own rides. Mike left with Alan and the "650" crew and I headed up Kings by myself. But I wasn't by myself for long!

"Hey Taylor, what are you doing here? No more Minnesota?" It was none other than Jim Ochowitz...who still always thinks I am living in Minnesota. How many places in the world can you go for a random bike ride and have "Och" himself come pedaling up beside you on a glorious climb on a Saturday morning?

After my ride I packed up the Scrapper and headed to my Mom's for a quick visit. When I got back to Jerrell's I relaxed by the pool with a book and Mike napped in the guest house and then we headed to Watson's (or rather The Watson's) for a wedding celebration! It was like an old Palo Alto Bicycles reunion! Jay and Jamie got married in Maui and had a celebration at their home. Lot's of "J's" in this story. Jay was introducing me to someone named John and it went something like this, "Hi John, this is Joni, Jen, Joe, Jon..." Kinda funny.

On Sunday, We rode up King's and then headed to Palo Alto Bikes...and even Jeff showed up on his day off. No place else is home. I'll never forget Amanda's words when she said, "You know, Joni, you wake up, do your day, go for a ride and watch the sun plop into the Bay, and even if you're living on Ramen noodles and living in a shack somewhere...it doesn't get much better than THAT!"

She was right...and last weekend was "as good as it gets!"

Happy Monday!

This is Chris Horner...

So, on Friday afternoon, we were a little short staffed and so our receptionist called me and asked if I could watch the phones for a couple of minutes. I still haven't figured out how to work our phone system, so I was hoping it wouldn't ring, but sure enough, the second she left, the phone rang.

"Sinclair Imports, this is Joni, how can I help you?"

"Hey Joni, this is Chris Horner, is Lance there?"

"This is NOT Chris Horner!"

"Yes, this is Chris---looking for Lance!"

"Yeah, right...erh, is this really you Chris?"

He laughed and said "yup!" Fortunately Horner has a good sense of humor and he thought it was pretty funny. I was just about to say, "Prion...it's enough already...you are not fooling me with this Horner-act!"

Sigh. You have to understand that there are a few practical jokers in bike shops I work with who always play tricks on me (Dave Prion, Hankster, etc.)...I still have the message from "Clive, the Sear's guy who is calling on my washing machine delivery...." I don't have a washing machine and I thought my landlord was buying one for us...heavier sigh...

Anyway---I thought it was funny that the first time I answered the phone, it was none other than "local boy gone Euro star" Chris Horner on the other end of the phone. It's that Vegas time of year when all the Pro's call Lance about the infamous Sinclair party.

Oh well, I am off for a ride around Caughlin Ranch and then packing for a week in Seattle and Portland. The weather there is about 20 degrees cooler which will be a nice respite from the desert. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Boca Reservoir

Nestled between Sierra & Nevada County, near Truckee, California lies the Boca & Stampeed reservoirs. There is a rolling road which meanders up and down and around the Alpine fed waterbeds and Mike discovered this place last April when he (of coursed) raced them one Thursday evening. So this morning, after viewing some smokey air headed our way from the Carson Valley, he said, "I finally feel like riding and there's smoke. How about we head over the pass and I'll show you a nice ride?"

I was feeling somewhat tired, but if Mike felt like riding with me, how could I say "no"? So we loaded up the bikes and headed over the pass. There are so many "off the beaten paths" here in the Sierra's. The exit for Boca is just East of Northstar and Truckee (the town). After you cross the railroad tracks, you come upon pristine Alpine roads and and a big (albeit low--drought low) reservoir.

There is something about the green alpine smell that I love. It always reminds me of "home". It's a California good smell that I can't define. But it smells like I am supposed to be there amongst the big redwood and green evergreen/alpine trees along roads littered with pine cones of various shapes and sizes. We rolled away up the road and enjoyed the scenery. There was a small climb and Mike said, "This is the only climb...it's short ---maybe a half a mile". We descended and came upon another climb. "Hmm. Actually, this is the climb---it's maybe a half a mile". I smiled. Even though he's been off the bike for a while, Mike is strong. You think he's sand-bagging, but he really just enjoys challenges---and it takes alot for something to be "hard" for him.

After the second descent we talked and rode. Soon an even bigger climb came. "Oh...actually this is the climb!" I laughed and said, "I bet it's about a half a mile or so!" We rode until the pavement became dirt. Henness Pass (from near Sinclair in Verdi) goes over the mountain but it's dirt. So we turned around and he took a detour over near the Stampeed Reservoir while I headed back to Boca.

I saw him riding on the other side of the reservoir and watched him go. We came home and cleaned house while listening to REM and The Cowboy Junkies. I may not have alot of money, but I feel like a very rich woman today.

Happy Saturday!

Off my Soapbox!

You know how "reformed" anythings are the worse. (But if I confused anyone...I have not taken up smoking. I was trying to find secret places for my colleague to smoke.) Sigh...

On July 25th, some very dear friends tied-the-knot in Maui. Another "Palo Alto Bicycles" linked relationship. Hopefully made in heaven, like mine. Congrats to Jay & Jamie. I hope to make it to the big party (I will be in Seattle/Portland that week..sigh).

Mike has been in this crazy "funk" with his health---for quite a while. He's been riding the last few days---but it still isn't right. He went to see Jeff Angerman's wife and they are doing tests. She said that Mike had a big heart (I already knew this!), but that this was normal for athlete's at his level. So now they are doing blood work. The lab lost his first sample and so he needs to go and get it done again...

We have finally cooled down to 90 degrees here. I think the thought of summer, forever reverts one back to their childhood...and even more than the warmth, it was the vacation from school part that brings back the fond memories. Hot summer (when you are NOT on vacation) is, well, HOT. In the high desert, it is dry-hot, but HOT all the same. And no, I am not going to rant about the heat.

I am off to the Pacific Northwest in 7 days and then to So Cal at the end of the month. I will be spending Labor Day with my nephews in Carlsbad....in between working in LA & San Diego. I'll tell ya man...working really digs into my riding time. But I LOVE this part of my job. And end of September is Las Vegas. THEN I am going to Minnesota for some R&R. Not many people might pick Marshall Minnesota for a vacation spot---but I can't wait to walk the cornfields with Minnesota Dad, and go to "coffee" with Minnesota Mom and get pampered "Taylor" style. Now I have my own friends there to visit with as well.

My Mom is still on her chemo program. Thank you to everyone for asking! She is strong and inspired and amazing---a real blessing!

I am off for a ride in the dry-heat! Happy Sunday!

Walk the talk

My carbon footprint over the last few weeks is not something I am very happy about. Such is the nature of the beast. In order to get ready for 2008, I am spending the summer of 2007 getting folks excited about "new stuff". For a girl who never plans what she is doing in the next hour, this is quite a concept. And blending the "culture of the bike biz" from Europe to the USA has been enlightening, to say the least.

If I spoke to you about the "passion for cycling", and told you the reasons my product was so great, and I had a cigarette hanging out of my mouth---would you buy? Perhaps? Perhaps not. In Europe, the cycling business is a "business". They could be selling packs of gum. If somebody wants to smoke---this is their own business. Heck, I smoked once upon a time---I am sorry to report. That was over 20 years ago...when I was a know-it-all "adult". But the cycling community, so saturated with marketing ploys, is a little more skeptical. The proof is in the pudding.

For example, one of my favorite"chief's" at Palo Alto Bicycles that got me started in the biz, understood that I knew nothing about selling bikes, but I had a passion for the sport, I rode hundreds of miles a week, thus I could sell bike stuff. He could teach me the technical details. He couldn't teach me the passion part. That I had and so I was successful and believable. Another example is a shop in Boston, that literally goes for a ride with everyone they do business with. If you want to sell this shop something, you better be ready to ride with them.

Last week while traveling with my Italian counter-part, I had to keep my wits about me, finding "safe places" to smoke in between shop visits. I kept my cool when I was showing the collection to a particular shop where I love the folks in charge, and their lovely daughter (who's a baby---like barely walking) accidently tipped over a purse, and out fell the pack of cigarettes.

I don't mean to be rough on smokers. Having been there, I know the challenges of quitting---and really, it is none of my business. If you are selling me athletic apparel/gear/bikes/running shoes though---you are going to have a tough time being believable to me.

Not a single employee at Sinclair Imports smokes. How nice! We all ride, race, and live our work. I know I promised Gephardt a good story ---but I am mostly enjoying the first whole day off I have had in two weeks---

My Minnesota Mom & Dad are in Alaska! Happy birthday little sista! Happy Saturday!

On Fire!

Ha! You probably thought I was referring to the Tour de France. Different kind of fire, and certainly worthy of the "on fire" headline, but the fire I am referring to is the hot, flaming, burning kind. The first photo is from this morning. Looked like the 900 burning acres were fairly in control after they ignited sometime on Monday afternoon; it seemed like the firefighters had gotten things together (after a hard's night work I am sure.)

The rest of the photo's are from when we got home this evening. Not in control. The charred mountains are my, sniff, morning ride. Caughlin Ranch. I will have to ride my Verdi route for a few days---as not only is it not healthy riding around in the smoke, but they probably wouldn't let me through the barricades. 3-4 million dollar homes surround the neighborhoods. The firefighters saved them all! But seemed to sacrifice the surrounding hills as a result and the fire went "the other way!" Up, Up Up...and now too steep to spray with the water hose. It looks like a volcano erupting!

It's more fun to write about my bike rides. That is for sure!

TdF Commericals

...and now a word from our sponsor's! The Tour de France could take some hints from the Tour of California with respect to commercial choices. I loved the "if you were snow, where would you want to fall" commercials from the race in the golden state. Let's break it down:

Enzyte - Male enhancement---"ask Bob why he is smiling?" He loves the big lift he gets from Enzyte--Plus the topical rush special.
Cialus - or "See Alice". ED issues. Enough said.
Honda - Get off the couch and go drive a motorcycle (Sit on another seat and pollute the air for fun)
Petra Cornicova's Hp computer that she carries around all her magazine cover girl photo's on, and sends photo's underwater to all her friends.

If I had kids and they were watching the tour with me (which they would be), how does one explain these products? The only one's that are OK are the Specialized and Cervelo commercials. The Michelob Ultra's/Miller High Life aren't bad----and the Saab ones "Fly to the Finish" are all right too. Even the local commercials, which you probably aren't subject too, since they are fairly local specific are really bad.

One might say, "Joni, why are you watching the TdF all day long? (Get out and ride your own bike!) Well of course I am [out there riding my own bike], in between the Tour (and the various repeats of the Tour). I guess I am not the "intended audience" for the commercials. I would have thought that perhaps more focus would have been made for the carbon foot-print, international travel, adventure-seeking type audience would have been impressed upon. That, and of course the "weather".

Speaking of weather---I got a good 8 hours in the saddle this weekend. It was hot and dry. Happy Monday! Happy Birthday Tom!

Ode de Fume!

As in it's smokey out there! With the temps reaching or nearing the century mark for over a week, it's hot (dry hot---but hot!) out there. And the dry part is what's stirring up trouble. Lightening strikes have caused some fires to the South, North (Northwest) and East of Reno. No wind has meant that the fire-fighting efforts are helped...but the air quality is awful! Feels and looks like the smoggy LA basin---think Redlands! Smells like an ash-tray. So I have something new to complain about (thank goodness for that!)

Yesterday things were looking up and so I went for a morning ride before work. But then, yesterday---with the lightening storms, some new fires must have picked up as we woke up to the worst smelling day thus far. Sigh. Summers everywhere but San Francisco are becoming my least favorite season. I don't mind the heat --- but the fires make it so unhealthy to exercise outside, that it might as well be winter. I'll quit whining, because I still like it better than the humidity we had to live with last year. It is far from "oppressive heat"---and that is what we had in Boston. (100 degrees; feels like 90 as opposed to 89 degrees; feels like 100!)

The Tour has at least taken the bite off the fires. Some pretty amazing racing already---and there is nothing like waking up early and flipping on the TV for some live coverage of bike racing. And true to form, the Tour doesn't disappoint---and again I am in awe of what these skinny guys can do on a bicycle.

I hope you are enjoying your summer---I may not love the fires---but I do love being out West this year! One of the best things (about being home again) is being near friends---like the Prion's who stopped by the Sinclair Factory on their way to Crested Butte on Friday and who will stop by our house on their way back home this weekend. Lilly is already walking. You miss this stuff when you are far far away! Happy Wednesday!

Happy July 4th!

That I started my day with a bike ride will not surprise anyone. Even though it's supposed to be 103 degrees---the Taylor's ride anyway. Thought I'd take you along for a spin by bringing my camera. The road to the State line was dotted with cyclists today. I was spinning (easy day) and so I get out of the way and all the fast guys pass me. Then a chubby older woman on a hybrid wearing running shorts and tennis shoes passed me. Hmmmm?! I caught up to her on one of the little climbs. She was riding on an older mixte type hybrid with some kind of aero-bar contraption set-up. She can only hold one water-bottle and so she had to re-fill on water at the middle school. Nothing about her looked fit or strong---but "looks" on a bicycle are deceptive. I used her as my inspiration. We parted at the Dog Valley climb to Henness Pass Road.

Anytime I think I need a little bit of California, I ride this route and cross the California State line. I tried to ride the unpaved gravel part---but it is not very suited to a road bike. Mostly for the descent. As I looped over the railroad tracks and over the Truckee River, I headed towards Boomtown. The housing development is interesting; 500K+ housing developments on one side and mobile homes on the other. There is a small abandoned community church in the middle of nowhere. A few houses away is a very interesting house with a bear carved out of wood. And in the middle of Verdi, NV there is an "Italian Car Only" parking space.

Just up the road in Mogul, there is a completely different stone church with nothing but a sign which says "The River" on it.

The 4th of July---a time to reflect on everything that America is, and to celebrate all she has to offer! We are such fortunate people to live here. Mike took me out for "All you can eat Sushi" and we officially celebrated our Anniversary, the 4th of July, and Nevada. It is hotter than you know what today---Happy Independence Day! Be safe!

One day I will upgrade my laptop and be able to download the photo's I took. Sigh!

Oost, West, thuis best!

So even though I was in Italy, Mijn Nederlands es beter dan mijn Italiano. My European travels have always been focused in the Belgian or The Netherlands regions and even though Italian sounds so beautiful, my linguistics skills seem to be more comfortable with Dutch of all things. May not be music to the ears---but that's how it is. I was chatting with a very old friend from The Netherlands online the other day, and we were talking about "old times". He and I and another guy took a road trip through Eastern Europe in the early 90's together on my sabbatical from SGI. Being Dutch, his language skills were top notch and traveling through Eastern Europe at that time, meant if anyone had a second language in Eastern Europe, which in itself was very rare, it was German---not English. He made the traveling and sight seeing (and finding the bathrooms, lodging, food and good places to see) a real pleasure!

He is also the person who gave me my first "adult" bicycle. And obviously that gift absolutely changed my life in very profound ways. He is married now and has a lovely little daughter...and we talked about how us knowing each other was in many ways a turning point in our lives. It's funny. We both toyed at the time with becoming expatriates; would he come live in America or would I go and live in The Netherlands? For many reasons, notwithstanding a bit of immaturity, nothing ever came of it.

When I told him about my recent trip to Italy, I said that I never fly over the pond without thinking of my Dutch friends (I spent alot of time there back in the day!) We both love Italy (what is not to love?), but "Home is where the heart is", I wrote to him. My home is really wherever Mike is. I do love it here in Nevada, and I love being closer to my family, but if Mike said to me tomorrow, "We are moving back to Marshall", than that would be where my home was. I asked Martijn what the saying would be in Dutch and he said, "Oost, west, thuis best". (East, West - Home is the best). So there you go!

Now that I might be mature enough (and that might be questionable!), I have found my home in a person, not a place. Perhaps, I have found my home within myself. I don't know. I have the travel bug again---a little bit of Europe goes a long way. Next year we are celebrating DEAR friend's 50th birthday riding our bikes in Italy/Switzerland and wherever else he decides we will go. Time to learn Italian.

Right now, I am off to ride my bike in Reno---It's nice to be home! Happy July 1st!

"Welcome to Reno"

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!

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?

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!

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!

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!

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...)

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!

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---

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!

Epic Ebbetts!

Markleeville has got to have some of the best road riding in the World. World class. Sigh. I did bring my camera--unfortunately I didn't check the batteries and they were dead. In any case, there is no way to capture the beauty of this place on film. Even Ansel Adams would be challenged to do that--still, next time we go I will check the batteries first.

After a couple of weeks of building a decent base of "cycling legs", I set out to do both Monitor and Ebbetts today. Just to be safe though, I rode up Ebbett's first, (in case I only did one). The climb begins at about 5000' and tops out at 8730' (where you cross over the Toiyoba Forest and into the Stanislaus Forest. ). Ebbett's is surrounded by two higher mountains, Raymond Peak (11,010') and Highland Peak (10,934') and the road that is carved into the side of the mountain is pristine. The snow is melting and I didn't even see any until I got passed 7500'. There are waterfalls everywhere. The only sound I heard was the rushing water down the mountain and a random bird chirp! It's amazing to go from the high desert to the Alpine climbs.

About 700 feet from the top, there is an Alpine Lake nestled into the mountain rock which is still frozen and has snow on top---but I was riding in shorts and a jersey (of course, climbing uphill keeps your body temperature up) and there were waterfalls of snow melt pouring in. Once I passed the Smokey the Bear sign, I descended a bit to about Pacific Grade Summit, and decided to head back up and then down.

At the bottom of the pass, I saw Mike heading up (he did both sides of Monitor as a warm up). So I figured I had some time and decided to fill up on water and try Monitor. These two passes are so different---yet right next door to each other..Monitor is like a "moon climb" and Ebbett's is Alpine. Monitor may not be as high (8315'), but it is always a tougher climb for me for some reason.

Amazingly, a couple of hours later, Mike and I arrived back at the foot of the pass within seconds of each other. We both just smiled, said "good timing", and followed it up with "this place RULES!". Thoughts begin to pour into our head about buying a Euro-Van so we can come and camp on the passes and ride forever. And of course we're entertaining the thought of buying a house sometime again, somewhere around here! We really like it!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Northern Nevada Love

It's like everyday, I wake up and feel like I am on vacation! Not sure if it's the West, the mountains or the perfect weather, or what. The air is so clean that you can smell how clean it is. Mountain air. When we first arrived here we were thirsty all the time. It's the elevation combined with the dry air (it averages between 5% and 20% humidity), I guess. But now we're more like camels and don't need to drink so much.

I think getting out and riding everyday also helps you acclimate to the thinner air. The only time I notice the elevation now is when I'm out walking the steep terrain with the Scrap---I can climb out of the saddle on the bike and don't get thrashed anymore---4 hour rides are no problem---and the climbs are everywhere! It's like a cyclist's Disneyland!

I don't think I will ever get tired of waking up to these mountains that surround us. They're everywhere I look. The sun rises over them in the East and then sets in the evening to the West. There's no "plop" into the Pacific Ocean---it just sets over the Sierra's. But there is no haze or smog and everyday there is blue sky above, with the pink and orange hues in the morning and the evening.

Mike and I are headed to Markleeville again tomorrow. The next best thing to "being there" is to Thank God for our Mom's on top of the big California Alpine Peaks! Happy Mother's Day! Happy Saturday.

I could eat a horse!

A sure sign that the riding is good where I live is that I have that "hungry all the time" feeling. I love it! The weekends are chock full of hours in the saddle and the evenings are spent eating a bunch of food. Today I rode towards Virginia City. I still haven't gone all the way over Geiger Pass---but I am getting my climbing legs back at last!

Now when I say that---I'm still not fast on the bike. Never have been and probably never will be. I just like to go uphill for hours---and that's a good thing. You're almost always going up hill in Reno. I wish we lived a little closer to the passes sometimes, but I am not complaining one bit!

There's this one ranch I pass on the way towards the two passes that has an unusual variety of livestock. Llamas and ostriches. And four cute pregnant burro's. I can't wait until the baby burro's are born. I will have to remember to bring carrots next weekend.

Mike cooked his famous pasta with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and loads of garlic and olive oil and we ate a big fresh loaf of sour dough french bread. Life is good in the mountain desert!

And how about that Kentucky Derby! Happy Sunday!

Mt. Rose Highway & Boy Scout Troop 7322

As the crow flies, Mt. Rose is "just over there". Mike quickly discovered the bike routes over to the two big climbs in Reno--Geiger and Mount Rose. It's the same route, either way---but you head West to climb Rose and East to climb Geiger. The desert winds were forecasted for the afternoon, and even though I got on the road a little after 8am---I knew that riding home into the wind might just put me over the edge. Right now I've worked myself up to 4 hour rides...but I'm still acclimating to the altitude and I begin to lose it after 4 hours. Throw in some wind and I begin to wonder why I even like riding my bike.

It took me over an hour to get to the Mt. Rose highway---but what a wonderful ride it was! There are llamas, donkeys, ostriches, work horses, wild mustangs and various cattle ranches that entertain you along the route. It's a steady grade up (steady grade up is what I call a grinder), but the million dollar homes with the million dollar views takes your mind off the work.

In the distance you can see the snowy peaks behind the big old brown mountain ranges. It looks like a godzilla movie---where you see all the big buildings and then towering over the big buildings is an even bigger monster. Given the wind direction (and my out-of-shapeness), I decided to go up Mount Rose. There's still snow up there...and traffic, but I wasn't up for an over 4 hour ride after yesterday (Geiger Pass is easier, but the ride home would be pure headwind).

Sigh. I wonder if I will ever acclimate? It's hard to explain. I used to be able to climb out of the saddle for hours. Not the most efficient way to climb (my husband re-emphasized this to me again and again). But I love it. It's like lifting weights without it feeling like exercise. I can't do it here. My legs are fine; I gasp for oxygen. Each and every time I make an effort, I am fine---but then I sit down and it hits me like someone punched me in the stomach. I even make "grunting" sounds -- not very attractive. Granted---my lack of riding in Boston didn't help. Patience, another sigh.

At about 7000' the air gets even thinner and the shoulder disappeared completely. Snow on the sides of the road makes for an even smaller piece of real estate to ride a bike on. I could see for miles and miles in every direction. And given the picking up of the wind speed and the traffic---I'd decided that I'd seen enough! Ha!

On my way home I ventured off on a side road that meandered passed more mansions. I think a bunch of golfers must live up here---there are "Greens" everywhere---and mansions galore! Who knew?

Just as I arrived back at our home on the hill, I spied an Army Black Hawk flying overhead! Local Boy Scout Troop 7322 was presenting "American Hero's" at the nearby Middle School. K-9 & SWAT Team members, along with some of the dedicated men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces were answering questions. Smokejumpers, Navy Rescue Helicopter pilots, US Forest Rangers, Firemen, Search & rescue and more. What a way to top a Sunday afternoon, huh?

Markleeville, California

For many, Markleeville, CA is unknown. "Where?" If you enjoy fishing and camping, Markleeville might mean some quiet time along the Carson River Valley, underneath the big trees which surround the Sierra Nevada Ranges that separate the Golden State from the Silver State. Clean mountain air, nice camping and artsy little towns with corner general stores along the way.

Markleeville is a historic mountain city named after the first permanent inhabitant of the area, Jacob J. Marklee. Nestled in a small
valley on the east Fork of the Carson River, it is at an elevation of 5,500 feet. It has a backdrop of the majestic 9,000 and 10,000 foot
peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Formed during the silver mining boom of the 1860's Markleeville became the Alpine County seat in 1875. Alpine remains California's least populated county.

It is also home of the infamous Deathride...A one day cycling sufferfest in the California Alps. We woke up early and hit the road, as our plans were to go and ride some of the passes. Both Mike and I have participated in the Deathride in the early 90's---but I haven't been there in ages---and now it's about an hour and a half a way from where we live. According to the signs, Monitor Pass was open and Ebbetts was still closed.

It was indeed an epic day. I stayed on Monitor. My least favorite as it is an open grinder up to 8315'. I went up and over and then back again, remembering the steepness of the "otherside" (from 395) on the way back over. Still it was awesome. There were patches of snow as I got passed the tree-line...but nothing like what Mike found on Ebbett's.

He did Monitor and as much of Ebbett's as he could before running out of food and water. Once he rode beyond the fence that doesn't allow cars to pass he had the road all to himself...4 foot snow drifts. Reminded him of the Giro stages where you see guys in shorts riding by snowy Dolomite's!

For those wondering...SONORA pass is open! We'll have to go do that one soon!

We arrived home hungry, and worked....but in a good way! Happy Saturday!

And Taylor Joseph had his communion today!! Congratulations to Taylor and all the Rooney's!

Mountain Weather

Our front yard faces the Sierra's (West), and as you can see we had some weather blow in last night, and most of the day today. The grounds around our house are snow free, clean and dry though. I like it because I get to have my cake and eat it to. I love watching storms...I just hate not being able to ride my bike.

We've had a gathering of quail in our yard since we arrived, but over the last couple of days, there are two couples (I call them Lucy & Ricky and Ethel & Fred) who've been hanging out and carrying on a regular basis. Lucy will find a snack and go tearing down the yard with Ricky hot on her heels. Ethel & Fred just squak at each other and then follow Lucy & Ricky. It's hilarious. We also have Jack Rabbits who tower over our beloved Jack Russell. Desert wildlife. The animal I saw yesterday (and again today) was a big cute ground hog!

Today I headed out into the SouthWEST breeze...Dodging black clouds, but the rain evaporated before touching down. The clouds come so close you can reach out and touch them. When I rode up to the California-border-Henness pass, a bunch of snow blew off the mountain. I could hear it on my helmet, but it just evaporated by the time it touched down. It was wild! I have to say that, as usual, the wind is ferocious. It is nice to have the valley's surrounded by mountains to ride around in though.

When I headed back home I had a "Marshall-style" tailwind. I was in my big ring flying along the road. Then when I reached the foot of the 1000' foot climb home, a big hail-cloud that was following me exploded and I rode up into the monster gusts and ice pellets. The twisty part at the bottom is kinda cool...but then there's this wide open straight up stretch that was less fun. Closer to our house, the wind took a turn and rolled around behind me to help me up the hill. How cool is that?

Life on a bike in the desert is pretty cool!

Morning ride in Verdi

Woke up to a brisk but clear-as-a-bell mountain air morning! We've had this strange weather pattern this week. Snow blows over the Sierra's but doesn't ever stick. So you experience the beauty of the snow falling, but the roads are dry and clear and clean. In fact, one of the squalls that blew in did stick, but only to our grass. It was like some invisible man was out there shoveling the sidewalks/roads.

Anyway---the wind was already blowing this morning, but Mike was suiting up for a training ride. I was chickening out (I don't know what's come over me---I am suddenly a fair weather rider), but I really love my new bike and wanted to ride. So I geared up in all my new Campagnolo clothing (for a girl who's been selling the best for years I can't believe I never knew about this Campy line---it easily surpasses anything Assos/Castelli that I've ever used---both performance AND the way it looks---very Italian!)

Mike was heading to Verdi to do intervals. Verdi is so nestled into the mountains that I figured the wind might be less felt---so while I was certainly NOT planning on doing intervals, I'd head there as well. The other nice thing is that the wind was blowing from the West--so I could ride as much as I wanted into the wind and would have a nice tailwind on the way back home (Mt. Rose and Geiger Pass would have meant a head wind home).

There's just no traffic here. It makes such a difference to not have cars everywhere and to always have my own lane even if there were cars. I dropped a thousand feet into the Verdi-valley and just as I passed Sinclair I followed the Truckee River and warmed up in the small housing developments along the way. I ran into Mike hammering away like a skinny beast. How a skinny little body like his can go so fast is amazing. He thinks he weighs 170lbs...but I bet he's 165lbs. Anyway, there are these private roads that lead no-where...but you can climb for a mile or so and it begins to feel very "alpine". The air is crisp...and I think this time I am slowly integrating into the altitiude so my recovery is better and I am not as bothered. There's one climb that ends at Hennessy pass(?)---a dirt road that crosses into California. (You can ride the dirt on your road bike---).

I saw this little "beaver-like creature along one of the passes. I have no idea what it was, but it was cute. It looked like fat fur running across the road. It's all uphill back to our house...but this Ridley machine makes the climb up fun! I arrived home to a true Sydney Greeting (you'd think I was gone for 2 days instead of 2 hours!) and settled in to write to you. I hope your Saturday is lovely!

A Mt. Hamilton Ride

One of my favorite rides is to head up to the Mt. Hamilton Observatory in San Jose. By car it is a twisty ride...The Scrapper once got car sick when she was helping me in the feedzone for the 2004 Mt. Hamilton Road Race. By bike it is still twisty--challenging but fun...20 miles up to 4500' or so---and at the top you can see the entire Silicon Valley. On Monday morning, before heading back to Reno, Mike and I headed up. We rode from my folks house and had to stop at the post office to mail our taxes.

We rode our bikes to the post-office and when we got there of course there was a line out the door (even though we were early). I could see the frustration on Mike's face and so I told him to ride on and I would stand in line and I would follow. (Knowing of course my ride would be cut short...) Once I got the "post mark" on my forms I headed South and East. The first mile at the bottom has a little bit of traffic (but nothing really compared to out East) and after that you're pretty much car free for the next 19 miles up to the observatory.

Living at altitude for the last few weeks has made my riding iffy-at-best. My legs are fine...but it's like breathing through a straw and so my lung power is weaker. And the recovery time is tough---because you're always in the lack of oxygen zone. So I figured I was really out of shape and going slow. I didn't feel like I was as smooth or something. I don't know. It wasn't hard at all---just not snappy.

But it was lovely and warm and quiet and beautiful. So I just enjoyed the ride and the views and figured any minute now my racer husband would come screaming down the hill and I would have to turn around. I passed Grant park (which is further than I thought I'd get), and just kept plugging away on the Ridley machine. Up and up and soon I was passing the 6 miles to go bridge. Hmmm? Where was Taylor? It starts to get steeper here. And windy. And even cool (dare I say cold? Nope!). Finally---maybe a mile and a half later I see my Giant Strawberry heading down.

"Wow sweetie...you're climbing good!" Were the first words out of his mouth. I started way behind him and almost made it to the top shortly after him. So I think there is something to this altitude stuff. I didn't feel like I was snappy or climbing well...but I was faster than I thought. Maybe it was my new Ridley Helium ultra cool bike? I don't know. I will say that I had a buzz and lots of energy the whole time I was in California. Like a permanent feel-good-buzz. BUT...I rode every day and I love it there and I was energized seeing all my peeps! And this altitude stuff is I think more of a recovery thing--according to Jeff Angerman (Discovery Masters Rider and Sports Medicine Doc here in Reno). Anyway---it's interesting.

Sea Otter & Santa Cruz Crit

To some of you, this photo just looks like a couple of handsome guys hanging out in the Ridley booth at the 2007 Sea Otter. To this girl though, this photo means I am home! Two of my favorite people on earth! The Sea Otter was a mixed bag for the Sinclair folks---Mostly the weather (sun, wind and rain). When your in the dirt with an expensive lot of Campagnolo clothing, rain can be a big buzz-kill. But for me it was a winner because Alan joined us for a day. My first venture out of the booth and I head to the BIG air jumping dare-devils! Those guys are incredible. But even more incredible was spotting Alan with his iPod watching the brave guys on bikes. I immediately felt like I was HOME!

On Saturday, the rain came and we had a mudslide coming into our booth with thousands of dollars of Campy clothing about to get ruined. So we loaded up and salvaged most of it and headed out. Mike and I were staying in a lovely cottage (belonging to a dear friend of mine, JR, from my SGI days) on the 17 mile drive. We cleaned up, took a nap and awoke to sunshine and went for a ride! We enjoyed the million dollar views, the lone cypress and Big Sur and then decided to race on Sunday in Santa Cruz!

Santa Cruz was Mike's second race ever when he was a cat 4 or 5 in 1992---the old Pepsi-Cola challenge (or something like that).
He won the race as a cat 3...but hasn't done the race in a few years. He hasn't raced in field this large in about a year...and it's been a LONG time since he raced with a field of so many guys---110 guys lined up for the Pro 1/2 race on this breezy but warm Santa Cruz day. California Blue Skies. I saw friends I hadn't seen in 2 years. One of the best days I'd had in almost as long! Terry, Sarah, Tim Noakes, Dave Jueng---and the whole Strawberry Team (Worm, Mattis, Briggs, Eric Wohlberg...Andy Jaques-Maynes...the list goes on and on!). Anyway---this is too much to take in for a real race report. But Mike finished strong (15th) in the hugely talented and deep field. Not bad for his first big race of the season!

Ride around Reno

Literally. That's what I did today. There's basically one road that circles the entire town of Reno, called McCarren. Think Foothill Expressway with less than half the stoplights and two big climbs with the rest of the miles being rolling. There is a BIG bike lane the entire length with the exception of 1/4 of a mile where North McCarren becomes South McCarren near it's eastern most point.

I've spent the last year in the North Eastern "flatlands", and the last three months riding in my basement, so I had planned to take the easy route for my maiden voyage. On a map, it all looks flat. There was maybe 1 mile of flats for the whole 3 hours. Sigh.

Anyway, this kind of riding is the best way for me to get my bearings---and get familiar with my new surroundings. No matter where I was, I was surrounded by 7000' to 9000' climbs---with the bigger peaks of Mount Rose in the distance. The air is dry dry dry. The whole ride I had that dry throat feeling. I loved it!

Something Mike had mentioned yesterday, but which I really hadn't experienced before (I never "push it!), was the feeling where my legs felt great---but I felt like I was breathing through a straw. Usually my aerobic conditioning is good and my legs give out. Altitude training. Funny thing was I felt fine on the climbs, but the flats were where I was feeling "tired".

In any case, I had a lovely ride. Reno has that small town feel---very spread out. I suppose in the bay area we call this "sprawl"---and perhaps in a few years, they'll call it "sprawl" here too. But right now it's pretty nice.

As I turned onto Mae Ann and headed home, I had that headwind to deal with. But it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be. The climb home is about 1000'---it reminded me of my ride home in San Francisco.

We start working tomorrow officially! Happy Sunday!

UNR Criterium - Racing Ridley!

On Wednesday when we were visiting our new "headquarters" for work, we found out that there was a local race happening this Saturday---less than 5 miles away from home! Sweet! We decided to make it a "work event" and get some Ridley publicity at the same time. Mike is overseeing the Team bike /custom program and a local (collegiate series with a USCF event included) race seemed an appropriate way to kick things off.

Mike's new ride is still not built, but luckily he can ride the same size as our new boss, Lance, and so he was good to go with a sweet Ridley bike to ride. Since the focus for this weekend event was the collegiate series, the Pro 1/2 race was the first race off---an 8am start. The field was mostly local Reno/Wheelman, but there was also a familiar looking Discovery Team rider, Mike's old team mate from his Webcor days, Jeff Angerman. Cool.

Rules read and they were off around a hilly 1.7 mile loop around the University of Nevada, Reno, campus. The start/finish was up at the top of a long, seemingly innocent, but in fact a leg-breaker (lung breaker to be more exact) climb. Mike and Jeff shared winning primes and Mike ended up winning a 5 gallon keg of locally brewed beer, amongst his other prizes...including a UNR Rugby shirt for me! He also rode in for a solo win---Taylor's still got it---even for an old guy!

Speaking of "old guys", Mike decided to par-take in the Pro 1/2 Masters race. Why not? This was a much bigger field, including Angerman and another Disco teammate---plus a plethora of Reno Wheelman riders. This local club (Reno Wheelman) has experienced a rejuvenation of the sport (I imagine Jeff Angerman who is a Sports Medical Doctor and key sponsor for the race team has something to do with this.) The club has approximately 130 members, and the race team has about 40 members.

The first few laps and the field was pretty much together---but a decisive break formed with some strong riders (including Taylor and Angerman and maybe 3 other guys) with a pretty strong chase. The last eight laps though were like a beautiful team time trial with Jeff and Mike taking turns on the front and smoking the field---and lapping the chase group. After such a team like effort, no one felt like outsprinting the other for the finish and they slowed down and rode across the finish line side by side together---complete with a sportsmanlike handshake! It was awesome.

And given the Belgian flavor of our bikes---Lance, our fearless leader, showed up with a few big bottles of Chimay---the recovery drink of choice for all Belgian bike racers and Belgian bike race lovers! And Mike really loved riding this new bike---can't believe how light a bike in his size is---

Afterwards, Mike and I came back to our new home and took the Scrapper for a walk along the hilly trails right in our backyard, marveling at our spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada's.

I think we might just might have found our niche!

What's in this box?

Sigh. The question of the day. You have to remember we moved from a big huge house into a not so big flat. With stairs. And all of our belongings were either up a swirly staircase into the flat, or down an equally swirly staircase into the basement. Needless to say, we never unboxed some things we brought from Minnesota. Mike tried to pull the old, "well you haven't needed this in a year. let's toss it". But it didn't work. I am emotionally attached to pieces of paper that do indeed look like trash to everyone but me.

Like that postcard Grandma sent me from Monocco or Greece or somewhere else. And Minnesota Dad can attest to my book addiction. I'm keeping all the Dostevsky, Pynchon, Abbey, Rand, McPhee and a bunch of other ones. I don't know why but I am. This is the last time I haul them though. Each time he barked at me about my books I pointed to the 12 bike boxes and told him to "can it!" We have no real furniture...but we have bikes and books and cycling clothes. Sigh.

We bark at each other but we made "hey" today and actually got the truck all loaded and so I think we're heading out a day early. The guys who rented us a truck yesterday were the same two guys who were working the day we dropped off the truck a year ago. Only they were smaller. Much. One of the guys, Rob, said "aw you'll become a Patriot's fan before you leave!" He weighed about 300 lbs last year--maybe more. I asked him, "Hey---did you lose a ton of weight?" He grinned and said he lost a 100lbs! I told him he looked great and he gave us a 12% discount on the rental. Our truck going all the way to NV is now cheaper than the one we drove from CA to MN or MN to MA! Not only that, but we requested a GMC because the one we drove from MN to MA almost tipped over when Mike would go faster than the speed limit. We not only have a GMC---but it is brand spanking new!

Our backs and legs and arms ache---but the Taylor's are departing Massachusetts sometime this morning and heading to points West---back across this land we love. Back home. Or at least close!

This is Joni, reporting live from just outside of Boston---over and out!

Last day of winter

And the second to last day here in Boston. We're hoping to hammer through the East at a pretty good clip. Mike wants to make it to the other side of Cleveland the first day. Cleveland is a lovely city. But 80 goes right through it and we don't want to encounter the rush hours when we can avoid them. From Cleveland we're going to attempt to make it to Des Moines. Over 1200 miles in two days. Sigh. From then on though, we're in the heartland. More familiar. Less people. Predictable traffic. Unpredictable weather. No toll roads after Illinois. America's "Freeways" are West of the Mississippi.

We'll see how it goes. Many of you have asked about why this "dream job" in Boston was so frustrating. Did we really dislike the East coast so much? It's a little complicated and a little touchy. But we never wanted to live on the right coast. It was always our plan to take our jobs West. That's what we were told when we signed on. Business is business though, and the guy who brought the idea to us, and pretty much got us here, left the company shortly after we arrived. No matter how hard we worked to make it happen, the idea was too challenging to the folks left in charge.

So rather than stay and be bitter, we decided to cut our losses (expenses) and head back to where we feel at home. Our time here has been like being in school. Expensive, yet invaluable training for our future. "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Mike never thought it sounded too good to be true, but I did. I really thought that I was going to be making a living in the Bay Area, peddling & pedaling a great product. Our own East coast education has been just that.

Our new opportunities are exciting, but we are a bit more level headed about things. We're more grounded about what to expect is all. So the gist is that our disappointment in what we were initially offered somewhat skewed our experiences here in the East. There are some lovely sights to see, and the culture has been quite an experience. Ivy league and blue blood. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, Tufts...Sigh.

Mike and I are looking forward to life in Nevada. Many unknowns. But unknowns that are a 3.5 hour drive from what I call home. back to my boxes. Happy Tuesday!

A "Happy" pill!

Luckily for us, cycling is a sport you can participate in for most of your life. I remember when I was spending so much time in The Netherlands, and for that matter most of Europe, and you'd see folks in their 80's and 90's out pedaling away. I knew yesterday that a ride was all my grumpy husband needed. That and a nap.

Anyway---the reason that this is lucky (this being cycling into old age) is because the after-effects of going for a ride is along the lines of taking a "Happy" pill. I always knew that it worked for me---but the difference it makes in MT is equally as strong. When we first started going out, some 7+ years ago, we were both riding so many miles---250-400 a week and more, that we were both so perpetually happy it wasn't funny. Since I first got into cycling, I've ridden less miles this year than I like to think about. In fact I barley did 10,000 miles.

We were smarter this time. Riding is in our job description. Or at least "time to ride" is. And the new mountainous terrain, and good weather in Central/Northern Nevada is conducive to some epic rides for sure.

Mike is much happier today. We got most of the heavy stuff downstairs. No more stairs for this girl. The only climbing and descending I plan on doing will be on my bicycle. We're picking up the truck tomorrow evening (they weren't open until 11am on Wednesday, so I need to try and get a free day since we are picking up at closing on Tuesday for their sake.)

I haven't felt like writing this much since we got here. I usually write when I'm happy. So this is a good sign.

Wild wild wild West. It's like having a happy pill!

Packing with MT...

...is about as fun as getting your wisdom teeth pulled without the happy gas! Actually, my Marshall dentist, Dr. Paul Johnson, probably made getting your wisdom teeth pulled MORE fun than packing with my grumpy husband. For example, we had that big snow storm on Friday and I pulled the car in "WRONG!" and now there's a pile of snow where there shouldn't be. He was out there when I did it and could have said something then. But I think he thinks it's way more fun to berate me on a Sunday morning. He'll say he did tell me. But I didn't know what he wanted me to do. I am pretty naive about these things.

I also forgot the "trail mix" ingredients when I went to the grocery store (of course I should have read his mind beforehand). It doesn't help that he can't get outside and ride his bike allowing me two things; Time to pack in peace without him and he can get some exercise outside so he feels like he's not losing his fitness. I may try to persuade him to ride today. It isn't warm, but the sun is out. I also picked up the WRONG kind of newspaper to pack the kitchen with. He's beside himself. I keep reminding him that one day I might really give him something to be mad about. But I don't mean it and he knows it.

We sent in our deposit on our new place in Northwest Reno. About 12 miles from Incline Village in Lake Tahoe and up in the hills above Reno. Less of an unknown than Boston was for us. I'm much less organized, but much less stressed about this move out West.

We have so much to look forward to---but this packing with MT project isn't one of them. OOOps! The chief just started growling again. Even the Scrapper is steering clear of the big Chief Guard!

Back to my boxes. HAPPY SUNDAY!

Last day at Seven Cycles

There is always a bit of nostalgia when you leave something. Even when you know it is the right time to move on---and everything is right. Growing pains. Remember how when you were a kid and you'd get those actual, physical pains? Yeah, those. Amazing to be *my* age and still dealing with them. There is certainly more excitement than pain though. "Way" more.

Something about this time of year---right after my birthday and right before Mike's. We are packing and boxing and hauling and loading. Again. But this time we are heading West. Homeward bound. We found a place in Northwest Reno---an arms throw from the California border. Elevation (5,500') and mountains and high desert.

To further motivate us, a Nor Easter just dumped about a foot of snow and ice and now rain. Boston, up to now, was on pace to have a record low snowfall this year...by several inches. But the last 24 hour totals have eliminated that notion and now we're not even in the top three.

In any case, Mike and I have accepted exciting new opportunities to work for Sinclair Imports in Verdi, NV. We're very excited. We should be packing up a moving truck and heading West sometime next week (Thursday?). In the meantime we are boxing up stuff and trying to get organized. With both of us working over full time, we've left it all until now. The last few times we've done this, one of us had a little more time on their hands to get the house in order to move. Not this time. So we've allowed ourselves a little time to get it done.

The Taylor's are moving West! The first to be packed and ready is Sydney. She wishes everyone was as quick to get it together since now she just remains a little nervous while she sits on the couch and watches.

Happy Saturday!

Sierra Nevada

Not the Pale Ale. The real thing. The mountains. Who'd a thunk it? The Taylor's are heading West at the end of the month. That we are moving West is perhaps not the story here. Moving to the "wild wild West"---well there's the news! How about that? Verdi, NV...a small community nestled right next to one of the big mountain ranges that separates the golden state from the silver state. High Desert! High elevation. And still in the bike biz. How about that?

And, of course, true to Taylor fashion, once we make up our minds, things happen quickly. In fact, in the next 18 days, we will be packing up and driving West, to those big mountain ranges. 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe. 10 minutes from Reno. 3.5 hour drive to the Bay Area. We're excited, a little nervous, a little overwhelmed, but mostly thrilled!

More news will be forthcoming. Happy Tuesday!!