Riding with the Guys

We rode in Athens last Saturday. I didn't even make it out of town before I was dropped......so I got to play in the wind for a couple hours. But, then Everett looped back and picked me up and we rode semi-together for awhile, then decided to head back to town and do some sightseeing. The ride starts right in downtown Athens so Sunshine Cycles, the outdoorsy shop and Planet Smoothie were all within walking distance.

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We got to drive with Shey to this ride and that was pretty cool. When Shey and Jansen got back from the ride, we headed over to Terrapin Brewery. The boys and I headed into the warehouse and got a couple really cool shirts....yep, that's a turtle playing a banjo!











Sunday we talked Tristan into driving down to ride with us. The boys and I packed up and met him at IHP. Burritos afterwards....perfect! He is a really great family friend and we don't get to see him as often as we used to, so it was awesome to spend the afternoon hanging out and catching up. We are super excited about his upcoming race season!






Forgot to take pictures, so here are a couple of Tristan and Jansen at Nationals in Vermont, 2008.




This Saturday, we hit the Tucker ride. It was a great route and all three of us really liked it! It was chilly in the morning, but the pace warmed us up quickly. I think Shey met the group in the middle of the ride, then he broke off to spend the rest of the day at the bike shop.

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Sunday the boys and I took these two mongrels for a long run on the high school cross country course. The trail runs right by a river and we were drooling over how high and swift the river was running. It would have been really cool to paddle for the day. The weather was great and the dogs passed out as soon as we got home.

We had two fun weekends of riding, and that is a good thing, since it is super windy today and it looks like we'll be hitting the trainer.

Sending the boys out to grocery shop......

Yep, this is what happens when you send a man in to the produce section.....

Wow! Grapefruit the size of my head!!

Don't even know what this is, but COOL!!!

Again, but with a smile this time........

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Migrating Birds

So, the boys and I stopped by Kindle's house to drop off a fit kit and we noticed a small flock of flamingos in their front yard.

So of course.....we stole them.

We took them to the cyclocross race and had a few ladies place them wherever they wanted.

They decided on lining the final stretch to the finish line with the pink flamingos.



Being true supporters of cyclocross, those little pink guys even followed some of the racers across the line!

Today, we decorated them for Christmas and snuck back over to the Lord's house and placed them in the front yard.

One happy pink family.






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Carter's Birthday Ride

A few weeks ago we headed up to Ellijay to ride with one of the members of Cycle Youth for his birthday.

Carter wanted to ride Pinhoti for his birthday and there was an excellent turn-out of Cycle Youth devo riders.


The four of us hit the trails early, then met up with the others at their campsite.


Lindner boys.





Jansen Bill Shane Shey and Andy

Right before he drops me.


The driver..... we had to leave by 2pm so I could make it to meet some of the Faster Mustache guys to create our cyclocross course. (Shey followed us and laughed at me when I drew my sad little map of the course layout....grrrr)




Lots of fun and I have to say that Carter's dad, Dave, has done a wonderful job of coordinating the young guys on the Cycle Youth Devo team. They have a ton of fun at all the races and have even suggested a junior category to the promoters, which they received at a couple races this fall. Very Cool!

The badlasses hit Mulberry Gap!!

Twice a year a small group of us hit the trails and bring lots of wine for a fun get-a-way weekend. This fall we decided to head to Mulberry Gap, because 1. we love it there. 2. we really want to see these ladies succeed in their business venture and wanted to offer our support 3. fantastic food, soft beds and awesome hot tubs. 4. super cool trails that drain well all year long 5. okay, so there are a ton of reasons......


We have been doing this for 5 years and it is the best therapy I have found.

Friday: I left later than I wanted to, since I was not carpooling and did not need to meet anyone at a specific time. So, I skipped the orchard I had wanted to stop at, picked up some apples at Panorama, printed copies of a good map for the ride, and headed out to Mulberry Gap.

I got the scoop on the accomodations from Ginny and Diane and changed quickly so I could squeeze in a ride. Kristen drove up from FL and showed up just as I finished changing, so she threw on a kit and hit the trail with me. Well, we were talking, so we actually passed the trail and were almost to 52 before I realized it and then we turned around and headed up Pinhoti 3.

Alison, Molly, Anet and Linda arrived and we had a fantastic meal. Bruce made an appearance, but was mainly confined to the kitchen. He was an awesome waiter and it was good to see him moving around after his knee surgery.


Then we stayed up until after midnight, drinking wine and cocoa with kahlua in it and telling funny stories about friends and family. This group is a riot!



The fire in the dining hall was perfect, so we never got around to lighting the bonfire outside.



So, I think we had enough wine, ya' think?.....and my dad's famous kahlua.




I always sleep so well at MG. I love their cabins.....but, love their food even more.


Saturday:



We climbed fs roads, then hit bear creek, pinhoti 1, pinhoti 2 and finally the hot tub.





Mo crossing a stream.
Molly, Anet, Linda and Alison at the overlook.

Anet and Kirsten doing trail maintenance.



Buffet style on Saturday night. We had some free riders and a group of hikers join us for a meal, so it was a full house. I think we were the hungriest group, though!



More wine and kahlua were consumed on Saturday night, then we all hit the hay after sharing many more stories and saving the world.

Sunday:

Super Mulberry Gap breakfast.

Some of us went for a very hilly run, some went for a ride and others hiked, before heading home.

I don't know why she didn't just hurdle this tree.......I mean, she IS super Mo.

Be sure to ask Kristen about her weekend....lot's of stories there.......



Molly, Kristen, Jackie and me hanging out after a hike. In that box is the super-duper lemon cookies that Anet drove out of her way to get for us!

This is a picture of butter for Aimee. Kate, I didn't add sparking water to my wine. You would have been so proud. Missed you lasses!

There should be more pics coming along soon, as Kirsten kept speeding ahead to take photos of us all.

GA State Championship Cyclocross Race Savannah

(all pictures courtesy of Kindle Lord)


While I was gone to the mountains, the guys headed to Savannah for the Georgia Cyclocross Series race and State Championship Cyclocross race on Saturday and Sunday.


Jansen decided to race both days along with Shey, and Everett supported.

Shey, Everett and John (being his mature self) I definitely miss the Johns.


Thanks goodness we met Adam! What an awesome friend and cross racer.




Shey always seems to steal jackets. That is Jansen's. Get your own, man!



Start of the CX3.


Jansen at the start. It sounds like he was smart and took it easy during the Saturday race, since he wasn't sure who would show to race for state on Sunday and he still has stitches. Then on Sunday his Fulton Flyer teammates did not come out, so it was a bit more relaxing than he expected and he could watch out for his arm. I think all the guys had a great time!


Jansen and Brian.


Adam and Jim? Looks like Jim has an evil grin, as usual.

Shey and Everett.....waaaay too much alike!


Fashion tips from the Caffeine guys?


I am addicted to the coffee and cocoa these guys create, for sure!

I have not heard about Kindle's race, but she has been tearing up the road and grass this year, for sure! These are all her pictures, too.


Brianna showing off her six pack.


Dunno what to say......

Aimee's Baby Shower

We had so much fun throwing a baby shower for Aimee. I normally avoid these things like the plaque, but this was Aimee......so I wanted to be a part of it. Luckily, Alison, Kate and Molly made it lots of fun to plan the thing and I had a really great time picking out the invitations. (I told Aimee they would have a mtb and a stick of butter on them, so she was a bit worried.)

Fortunately, it wasn't your typical baby shower. First, it was mostly cyclists and paddlers, who are also really amazing cooks and bakers! Fun and yum!

And......Aim has received really cool stuff from her various showers like, a pfd, timbuk 2 bag and stroller that you can put cross country skies on. (Rob has hollowed out an area in his kayak for the baby to cruise while he paddles.)


Alison and Shanon were gracious enough to let us invade their home for the shower. Only one glass of wine was spilled.


All the hostesses. Alison, Martina, (Aimee), Patti, me, Kate and Molly.

Kate, Aimee and I did our first 24 hour race together in 2004. Then Alison and Mo joined us in 2005. Alison wore a crown and veil and Molly drank her coffee while on the trainer! Good times.

Me and Kate. Old badlass buddies.


Super Mo and Aimee.

This is why you shouldn't give the camera to Sarah.

Seriously!!
Me and Kate.

The food was amazing and we must have had 30 people come to share this time with Aimee. It was pretty cool.