Happy December!

Can you believe it is already December, 2007? Amazing. It has really cooled down here in the Sierra's. But we are dry and still riding (easily) outside. I don't ride in the mornings anymore---I wait until the sun warms things up a bit in the afternoon. Mike is enjoying this weather though. He thinks 25 degrees in the morning is a piece of cake. My Minnesota Man.

Yesterday was cold, but today it got up to about 52 degrees. A little windy, but beautiful. I spent the afternoon doing something that I learned with my Minnesota Mom in Marshall---making almond bark pretzels and other holiday goodies! Mine never come out as good as hers do---but it sure was fun. And I also cooked up a crock-pot full of vegan 4-5 bean chili for dinner. YUM!

I haven't really written much since Thanksgiving. The time just flies and I don't know where it goes. Truth is, I'm thankful everyday---and this was a special thanksgiving with all my Mehler's. I got to thinking about some "other" things which may sound kind of strange:

Mike and I grocery shop together every weekend. We each have our own "weekly jobs", but this is one job we both do. In the checkout line, I always read the headlines of the fan magazines. "Angelina, Brad, Britney,etc." How awful it must be to have to worry about who is watching you every minute of every day. I used to think it would be so wonderful to be beautiful and rich and famous. Oh to not have to worry about having enough money to pay for all the things I think I need.

But as we stood around the Thanksgiving table in lovely Truckee, California, I was thankful for many blessings, but also to not have to worry about always being in the limelight. Can you imagine? "Joni just put on 5 lbs..rumor has it there's a baby on the way" or "Joni must be partying too much---she looked like H3LL shopping at Safeway this morning" What a nightmare! Ha!

Perhaps these thoughts are better kept to myself...

Happy December! Happy Birthday Zachary! Happy Birthday Jeff! (Did I miss anyone?)

A ride with Daniel

It is hard to believe that 30 years and 6 months separates us. At least for me. But it is true; my eldest nephew is 14 years old (going on 24). When he was a baby, I used to ride my bike to my folks for Thanksgiving and as soon as I would arrive (about 65 miles later), he would greet me at the door and put on my bike shoes and my helmet and toddle around.

Fast forward ahead and my bike shoes wouldn't fit on his big toe. He is now 6'1", 170lbs and wears a size 15 shoe! Anyway, when he sent me an email asking me about going for a bike ride while he was visiting, you can imagined how happy I was. I was able to find a friend about his height (I always imagined that if and when he wanted to ride a bike, that mine would work for him (ha!) ---soon, Mike's will work for him!)

I picked out a super cool Taylor-racing kit and headed over the hill to Truckee. Mike was going to ride over dirt Henness Pass road and meet us at Boca Reservoir. When we got to the pretty-dried up watering hole, Daniel got familiar with the shifting and off we rode. It was beautiful and cold. Clear and traffic free---and cold. Did I mention it was cold?

The roads were virtually traffic free---nothing but cyclists and a random car heading out to cut down a Christmas Tree. When we came to our first "hill", I instructed Daniel to downshift and he did----then he got out of the saddle and the effort combined with the altitude had him seated and out of breath pretty quickly. (His bike weighed twice as much as mine----rigid fork mountain bike with ultegra drivetrain). By this time, Mike had joined us, and we both vividly remember our introduction to riding at altitude, even with thousands of miles in our legs! Sigh!

Daniel didn't give up though and when the hills got too big he pushed his way up the hill. I was very proud! The cold air and altitude and new type of effort created a bit of asthma but he was fine and by the time we headed back he was rolling along and smiling. He was tired and when he said, "I can't believe how easy this is for you Joni", I said..."You get used to it! do you think you'll ever try this again D?" He smiled and said "Yup!" And like most 14 year olds--he's a man of few words. I won't write what we talked about---because it's just between us---but the time together made my Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Tuesday! (Thanks to my brother Rick for the picture!)

Small hound, big travels, family time

When I think of the all the places Sydney has gone with us, it makes me smile. I don't think I have ever known such an adaptable dog.

We really had a lovely time in Marshall. It was too short. It was one of the nicest trips I've had all year, and when I think of all the places I've been this year, (Italy, Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Southern California, Vegas, etc. ), that's really saying something! Granted, most of the other trips were for work and this one was pure vacation---but I really cherish my time with the Taylor's in the little town of Marshall, MN.

We started things off with trips to our dentist...and the next stop? You guessed it. The Bike Shop and Camden State Park. Mike went mountain biking with the "boys" and I went trail running throughout the park! The Bike Shop has expanded and really gone "upscale". We had dinner with the Olson's and saw their new home and now family of "five"---spent time with Pete and Dave and the whole gang.

Minnesota Mom and Dad treated us to an evening out at the MAFAC center and we saw a Russian Cello Quartet (fabulous!). We ate (or tried) bits of (fresh caught) pheasant, venison, and fish. We even went to a movie (which was a treat since we never do stuff like that). Just me, Mike and Diane---we saw American Gangster!

And of course, we celebrated Uncle Jim's birthday and spent time with friends. I topped the week off with a special walk though Camden with Celeste.

Throughout the week, Sydney enjoyed time with her Grandpa and Grandma and cousin Molly-dog. She really travels well. I took a few pictures (before and after hunting pictures) of her (I know this is shocking!) We arrived home late but amazingly well-rested. Once a year is not enough.

Happy Sunday!

Pheasant Hunting

For a girl who has avoided eating anything with eye's until I met my husband, hunting may seem a strange topic. I remember the first time Minnesota Dad let me shoot a can with Mike's gun (from when he was twelve). It was fun, even though I was terrible at it. Now, I go with the guys---mostly just to walk the cornfields and watch.

We headed towards Ivanhoe (not in Poland---but in Minnesota---although I believe it is a Polish settlement) late in the afternoon in search of some birds! With Merle (Haggard) on the radio, expert Dave finds an interesting spot with no other hunters in sight. When you look out at the field, it looks pretty simple to walk through. It is not. Dave is always in his best shape late fall, early winter, because he walks for miles through the thick prairie grass. This is grass that is as tall as me sometimes.

I try to keep up with long legged Taylor Men and dogs until they lose me and I head back to the warm truck to wait. The only sound was a busy farmer, plowing down a field, preparing it for winter and next year's harvest, and of course the prairie wind. It was warm by Minnesota standards...about 40 degrees. Soon I hear a shot, and in the distance I see two orange guys running after a black spot (Molly) and an even smaller white spot (Sydney). I can't even see the white spot without the binoculars'---I just know she's there!

The "hunter's" and hounds arrive back to the truck with smiles on their faces ---they got a bird! Then it is off to the next spot---until the sun goes down---before heading back home to a homemade vegetarian lasagna prepared with love by Minnesota Mom!

It sure felt good to be home in my second home!

Road to Rose

I kept meaning to bring the camera with me over the last couple of weeks so I could capture some of the amazing desert colors, but I forgot until this morning and the reds are all blown off and only the yellows show up. It is time for me to upgrade this camera. It's big (by today's standards); we bought it before we went to Belgium the second time---like 4 years ago, and these new cameras require no "photo-skills" which is key for a gal who has "no photo skills!"

Today was the first time I saw the baby donkeys that were born early this summer. They are soooo cute. In fact I saw lots of farm babies---ponies, calves and even a baby osterich! Wild Nevada. There is even a series called Wild Nevada that explores the diverse and unknown places around the state. One time, I was watching and they were featuring the town (town is generous---with a population of 25) of Baker, Nevada. Low and behold, my former neighbor from San Francisco was featured on the series, as he has a small hotel there. Baker looks neat. It's the last stop on Highway 50 before you hit Utah.

Speaking of that neighbor, this world is so darn small. One of the guys Mike rides with is an attorney and they were chatting about Baker and Mike said he lived across the street from a guy that moved to Baker. His friend said, "Is his name Terry?" Mike said "Indeed". It turns out this lawyer did some work for him.

On my ride home, my handsome husband pedaled up to me on the grinder climb home. We're all grins with major miles in our legs over the weekend!

And, we are leaving for Minnesota on Tuesday. Looking forward to some R&R with Minnesota Mom and Dad! Have a great week!

Some "gambling" thoughts

Seems like an appropriate subject line for a gal who is now living in the Silver State. The thing is, I don't really gamble. Mike and I even laugh about the fact that he'll at least gamble with someone else's money (like when Jeff gave him $100 to play poker with at an Interbike many moon's ago), whereas I will keep the $100 and put it in the bank.

So, as I think back to when Mike and I left Minnesota and moved to Boston, it didn't feel like a real gamble. But I suppose it was. We both had a long history with Seven, and everyone told us that "Boston is like the San Francisco of the East"---it felt like a sure thing on paper. Especially when we were given a carrot to move back to California in a year.

Perhaps our expectations were too high? And the shock of really crummy weather (summer and winter and spring) was a bit hard to take. Our saving grace was that we had each other. That sounds corny---but it really proved true. So when we looked into heading back to the West coast, it was interesting that out of the three job offers I had, we chose the most unknown option. We gambled on a place that neither of us knew much about.

Well lately, it feels like we hit the jack-pot. July and August were of course too hot for my "other half"---but not really all that bad. And spring was lovely. But nothing like the Fall in the high-desert. Who knew? You don't often read stories about the "Fall colors of Nevada", or the perfectly clear 65-70 degree weather, or the calm small-town feel of Northern Nevada. Everyday the sun shines, the skies are a fantastic blue, and the mountain views---I just never get tired of them.

So we took a gamble on Reno and I guess sometimes gambling is a good thing! Happy Saturday from the cute little Scrapper!

Sunrise in NW Reno!

Yesterday was so lovely! I was going to take the day off the bike---the morning was cold and I had many "jobs" to do (laundry, groceries, weekend house-stuff), but I was finished by 12:30. Instead of setting up the trainer and watching the football games, I talked myself into just a short ride. It had warmed up nicely and there was zero wind. Next thing I knew and I was headed towards Mt. Rose.

On Thomas Creek I see this attractive skinny guy heading my way. You guessed it. Mike was just heading home from his Mt. Rose adventure. He stopped and turned back my way for a bit. "Hey sweetie...can you believe how nice it is?" I told him I couldn't. I wasn't ready for a long ride...but my bike was headed towards Mt. Rose as if it had a mind of it's own. I made sure he had a key to the house and we headed in opposite directions.

I can't explain the silence here. There are no big cities and unless you live in a place where there are no big cities within 100's of miles, you won't understand. It is amazing to me how the sound of silence is so calming. Instead (of distant city sounds) I hear the sounds of my wheels, the breeze in my helmet and the birds in the bushes.

As I headed up the 2 mile grinder home, the weather had changed. I pulled up my arm-warmers (for the climb) and as I got to the top, the clouds had rolled in. The weather channel didn't say anything that would make you think a storm might be blowing in. When I got home I started a warm bath and as soon as I got in, Mike called out "Hey---you got home just in time...it's hailing!" Imagine that!

We ate a feast and watched the hail turn to rain---the clean air turning into a more extreme clarity!

And check out this sunrise!!

Sunset in NW Reno

Can't you just see the swirling of a Vincent Van Gogh paintbrush? Of course I can not capture the delight of scene with a camera---nor in words. Just a big Wow! In our front yard we watched the sun set over the Mountains, and in our backyard, we watched the full moon rise. I took a picture of that too, but it didn't work very well. Too bad Watson or Joe wasn't here to take THAT picture!

I've been changing my riding patterns to the afternoons during the work week, since it is a bit chilly in the mornings. The routes in Verdi are a bit more limited, but I can get out for a couple of hours in the afternoon and do a few laps of the Dog Valley road climb, which means I ride over the Stateline and into California a couple of times a day. It's also virtually car free---maybe 5 cars total.

Friday, while riding I saw the biggest wild cat I've ever seen in person. Not sure what kind of cat it was...bigger (taller and fatter) than Sydney though and it had a kitten-like face. I must have scared it though---as it took off into the woods before I could worry about whether or not it would come after me. It was a big cat.

Last night Mike and I sat out in the backyard, watching the moon-rise, looking out at the Nevada Mountain ranges to the East and BBQ'ing some chow. Hard to believe it is already the end of October, 2007. Enjoy the day!

Overheard in San Diego & LA

"I am heading to our vacation house in Lake Arrowhead on Saturday. My insurance company says they've never had to pay for fire damage in 30 years. I may be the first.

"The wind shifted so I went for a ride outside. After 5 miles my lungs and sinuses were hurting from smoke inhalation so I headed back home to ride the rollers and watch old Tour de France videos indoors"

"Send me a campy record group. I am using the down time from the fires to build up my new Time frame"

"My house was like 10 feet from where the arsonist started the fire in Orange County. Luckily we were in the opposite direction of the wind and the fire blew the other way, so our home is safe"

" I am sending a percentage of all "Animally-Speaking" purchases to help the animals who were displaced in the fires. " (www.animallyspeaking.com).

"We're ok. Had to close the stores for a couple of days. We've relocated to La Jolla and most of the staff is OK even though they had to evacuate"

"The surf has been awesome! As I rode my last wave today, I watched the smoke over towards Malibu. It's so sad"

"There's no place to ride! All of our trails are closed and you can't breathe"

The firestorm and it's aftermath rages on. When you hear things like "a million people are in shelters, evacuated etc.", it starts to be too big to understand. There are 2 million people in Nevada. That would be half the state's population! It hit close to home when my brother's family evacuated for a couple of days. Their home is ok and they are back there now.

I almost feel guilty writing about how "unreal and fabulous" it is here in Reno. So I won't. Yesterday was the first day some of the smoke from the over 500 miles away fires headed over the mountains and into our area. But this morning it is gone and the North winds are blowing in some cooler and cleaner air already. The harvest moon in the evenings is so big and bright it looks like you can reach up and touch it.

Many prayers to all my family and friends in Southern California!

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!