…….it has been a crazy last few days……well, that is if you consider sitting in a car for two of the three days crazy!

Anyway, Pipp, Randy, and myself got in a nice thirty-eight plus hour week of riding in sunny Tucson.  On Tuesday we made the drive from Tucson back to Boulder where I think I spent half my season salary on food at fuel stops.  Shit, I was hungry…..well, still am for that matter!

Wednesday, I took care of some errands, unpacked and repacked, got a nice massage (no it was not from Frank), went out for an awesome dinner and then ended up leaving at 11:30 PM for Solvang, California which was a day early but we wanted to avoid the weather.

Now I am in Solvang with Coach O., Graham, and our mechanic Ben.  We will be staying at a house in nearby Los Olivos for the next few weeks and I am told we even have a donkey in our back yard.

 The drive back from Tucson playing Texas Hold ‘Em on Randy’s Blackberry.  I got my ass kicked even with my poker shades!  I guess I need to listen to “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers a few more times.

 Driving to California in the team car with Graham.

 This was my veiw for the better part of twenty four hours with Coach O. and Ben in the van and trailer leading the way.  However, they got scared driving through LA so I had to lead the way.

 The stratosphere in Vegas from inside the car.  I was going to throw a few quarters in the slots but spent all my money on food.

Last but not least I saw the World’s biggest thermometer in Baker, Ca.  Definitely the best part of the trip.  In fact, I was soo captivated by the grandness of the the thermometer that I forgot to take a picture……actually, I did I purposely so I have to go back and visit it!

later, g.

Today;’s ride was a bit of an epic on the bike considering we left the house at our usual 10:00 AM ride time and did not get back until some time after 6:00 PM in the dark!  Mainly, because we had a total of six flats (mostly Randy) and nearly forty miles of gravel road!

I managed to win all of the “Do Not Enter When Flooded” sing sprints pretty which definitely helps my confidence going int to California!  However, I have to work on the celebration after a few washboards after the line almost took me out (and no I am not talking about my abs).

 The ride up Reddington Road.

 Me riding on the same road.

 One of our six flats which made our ride into an eight plus hour day!

 While eating my deli sandwhich, liter of cola, and string cheese out front of the fuel station in San Manuel and older lady pulled up in a golf cart to get some gas.  While she was fueling up her rig I went over and asked her for her number in case she wanted to join us for dinner.  However, she got scared and drove away!  Oh well, she missed out on some good Mongolian BBQ.

 Finally, we made it back to Billy’s house on the east side.

One more long day tomorrow and then back to Colorado!

later, g.

After todays cold five hour ride to Sonoita and back I ate some excellent chili.  Besides taking a shower and checking myspace around sixty three times that is pretty much all I accomplished.  Can you blame me…..my legs are sore!

The chili we had this evening for dinner was awesome and I would like to say thanks to Candice and Dave who came over and made it for us! 

Since I am on the subject of Candice and Dave I would like to mention that they are opening an awesome Trek Bicycle Store here in Tucson located near the intersection ofnCampbell and Fort Lowell.  The store should be open by mid February and feel free to check out their website: www.trekbicyclesoftucson.com .  Please support these guys they are awesome!

 Dinner time.

 I swear we are not gay….well at least Adam and I arn’t!

 Ryan, the brother of the maker of our chili (Candice).

 Frank and Randy relaxing on Billy’s nice leather couch.  Thanks again for letting us crash at your place Billy!

Two more days here in Tucson before Randy, Frank, and I head back to snowy Boulder.  However it will be a short stay because a day after I get back I am off to California for a few months.  I am getting excited for the racing season to get underway!

later, g. 

Mike was suppose to ride with Randy, Frank, and I today but poor Mike has caught the plague and was unable to practice with us today.

I felt bad especially since we were doing Mike’s favorite ride “Big Square.”  Therefore I thought I would bring the ride to Mike.

 Here is a section of big square for you buddy.  Have you tried the string cheese at that store by the way?  It is awesome.

later, g.

PS. I think I am starting to get tan! And I hope you feel better Mike……this is no Ceskabudavuchieska plague is it?

I hope that everyone had a great New Year and were able to kiss the one that they wanted to at midnight.  My New Years was pretty lame since Frank and I spent most of it packing getting ready to head down to Tucson for a week of training.  Since Pipp was the only one around the house, and for the most part he is not a female, I made sure I was sleeping by midnight so I would not have to kiss him!

Frank, Randy, and I left snowy Boulder on New Years day and have already been training here in Tucson for two days…….and by that I mean the tan is coming along nicely!

 Picking Randy up on New Years morning getting ready for the fifteen hour drive to Tucson.

 The drive should have been faster but this is how I-25 looked through most of Colorado and northern New Mexico.

 The snow was not bad but New Mexicans don’t know how to drive in the snow so there were many accidents and thus traffic jams in the middle of nowhere.

 A rather “Enchanting” sunset was viewed south of Albuquerque.

 Day one in Tucson getting ready to ride.  For the past two days I stayed in Dan D’s guest house with my brother Shane.  Thanks Dan and Shane for letting me stay.  Now I am on the east side of town staying at Billy J’s house……thanks for letting me stay here also Billy and the protein drink you left in the fridge……I am going to drink the shit out of it for sure.

 Randy and Frank……day one of training in Tucson.

 Me.

 Frank celebrating the second he got in the town line sprint after I blew him out of the water by a good twenty five meters.

 Me riding (see top of picture) in Priority Health’s new revamped uni’s and the new rigs from Pinarello!

 The top of Kitt Peak today.

Time for bed have to be up for my ten o’clock ride tomorrow.

later, g.