Happy New Year!

You may have already seen this on Danielle's blog, but I couldn't resist sharing again. Cheers!



Our trip to Michigan was pretty fun, despite the cold weather. We got in a few rides and a few local brews as well. This picture was taken at my favorite place in Ann Arbor, Ashley's. I spent many days here in college.



I even got Eddie the big Husker fan to Michigan Stadium!! Woohoo!! I think he was impressed.



Okay, maybe not.




We're back in Atlanta and the bad weather seems to be following us. My first ride back in GA was spent on the trainer and I actually tried out rollers for the first time..it was much more fun than I expected it to be. Unfortunately, our mountain bikes aren't back from AZ yet, so the earliest we will have them is Tuesday..I will miss out on the big New Years Day ride up in Ellijay (BUMMER). Either way, it's time to start training hard! I hope everyone has a happy and safe new year!

Update from Sedona

Wow, it really is cold here! I would upload pics but our connection here is really slow and painful. We are having a great time, we've done some hiking, some riding, and some much needed relaxing! The town of Sedona leaves much to be desired--it's way too touristy for me and not many young people, it seems. However, the scenery is amazing, the riding is incredible, and the company is even better :)

We've started to post pics on Eddie's picture gallery, and there's many more to come over the next week.

I don't get it!

Why is it that today the weather in Sedona is 70* and sunny. But when we arrive there on Sunday, the high will be 45*..actually it looks cold and snowy for the rest of the week. I've got my warm clothes packed...but I have a feeling that we may be doing more hiking than biking while we're there. We're still biking, though, after shipping our bikes across the country! Oh well, it's our honeymoon, so either way we will have good times!



(yes there is a bike under there)

New bike for me

It's time. I can't stand riding a bike that is too big for me. Now that I have a super light road bike that fits me like a glove, I don't feel like riding (let alone racing) a 29lb. steel singlespeed that is too big for me. First on the list to check out is this:



Of course, I would replace all the parts with the parts on my Unit 2-9 and make it single. We shall see..

At last!

I've finished my first semester as a grad student, 2 finals this week and then I have my first real break. How will I spend this break?

First of all, I plan to go here for some of this



with some fellow nutrition dorks. We nutrition students really emphasize a healthy amount of beer in your diet ;)

Next, we are off to the great North where we will leave the boys with the 'rents so we can head out on our honeymoon! I've heard a lot of good things about the riding in Sedona..fingers are crossed that the forecast stays good. Mid to high 60's and sunny..beautiful!

Oh, I got some good sponsor news this week. I get to wear these sweet glasses in 2007.



Thanks Tifosi!

Hmm, I just stumbled upon a write-up on Andrew Kornylak's blog, titled 2 Cyclists Walk Into a Winery. He also put together this slideshow for us, from our wedding. You might see a Ride424 jersey, Tifosi's, or a Kona logo or two :)

Accident Report

No, I didn't get in a car wreck or anything like that. Eddie and I went out riding at a local trail and I decided to break out a harder gear for the SS since I've been riding the same gear I use in the mountains on all the local flatter stuff and I feel wimpy. So pretty early on into the ride there was this sort of steep section of trail with a turn to the left and a big root in it. Of course I have this talent of picking the hardest line possible so I am about to climb over this big root but my front wheel had something to say about that. The next thing I know I'm going down in slow motion...it hurt a little bit but I shrugged it off and went on. About 30 minutes later Eddie says "what happened to your leg?" I look down and almost fainted, there was blood everywhere. Gross. I can't believe I actually thought I could be a doctor at one point, I can't stand the sight of my own blood. I got a nice 1.5 inch gash on my left thigh so we started to make our way to the Ranger Station for some first aid. They were really nice there and cleaned me up and gave me a big band-aid and several for the road. Then they asked me to file an accident report, it was kind of funny. Too bad we forgot the camera...it was quite an ordeal. Luckily I was able to keep riding. I'm sure I will have another nice scar to add to the collection...but scars are cool, right. Too bad Hot Breath Harry and his counterpart weren't able to join us today, it was a lovely day on the trail, leaves and all.

I swear I'm from the north

I've now lived in Atlanta over 8 years and my tolerance for cold is gone. Today was supposed to be a high of 52* so I decided to go out for a ride with Tim (friend from school that rides for Jittery Joes now), his friend Mike from the U23 Nationals Team and Eddie. What was supposed to be a 5 hour ride turned into a 2 hour ride because it never warmed up past 39* even at 1pm, and I just couldn't take it. I had what seemed like 10lb. of layers on (good thing I have a light bike), but my fingers were still numb and my core was getting a little too cold for comfort. I need some winter clothes!! Unfortunately the student budget isn't allowing for much these days :( Oh well, at least I didn't ride the trainer. I can't believe people in GA actually ride a trainer on a regular basis...now that is dedication. I'd rather freeze my butt off instead (and then complain about it, of course) :)

I went riding with a couple 29er junkies yesterday...One has a new Asylum and the other has a new ONE 9. Can you see the jealousy in my eyes....I can't help but feeling like I'm deserving of a new bike but I guess I did just get the Ghisallo. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer for a lighter 29er. I've got my eye on one of these



or one of these

.

11 days until my vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

December goodies

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel..barely. In 2 weeks, Eddie O and I are off to experience some sweet Southwest Singletrack!! The question is do I take my King Kikapu, which I don't ride anymore because I can't remember how to shift gears, or my Unit 2-9 which is my usual bike of choice. The stuff out there looks like it warrants full suspension, and I'm not sure what the climbing is like. Hmm...decisions decisions. After we return from our honeymoon, we are going to spend a few days in MI where we will be going through 24-hour training camp with Danielle Musto. We are going to learn all the secrets about how Michigan riders get so freaking fast, especially with those cooold winters...the training camp will likely begin (and end) here. Hopefully we can hang with Danielle and Scott, I think we can ;) Actually, I'm going to force Danielle to take an off-season, even if it is only for 2 days :)

After that, I'm considering going to Miami to ride the 12 hours of Oleta. The problem is that it's a 12 hour drive each way. That makes 24 hours of driving and only 12 hours of riding. Normally, that doesn't sit well with me, however, there is some great riding right off the highway in FL that we could include as well. I want to extend my mid-semester break as long as I can!