Sounds like Nationals were fun

Sorry I missed it. Check out Joy's post: http://joyonbike.blogspot.com/2008/07/dude-is-that-magura.html

My Husband Has Become Unrecognizable (or ReRecognizable)

Yes, it's true. The mullet and 'stash are gone. Unfortunately, we discovered that that's where manliness lies: in the hair. So, he'll be working on regaining his chuck-noresque strength on a strict regimen of deep conditioning the hair follicles to re-grow at warp speed. Wait, did I just say that?!?

I guess my sense of style has been completely brainwashed by Lyle and his cronies. Witness: here I am, posting this picture of Lyle with extreme PRIDE at his choice of sun glasses.

Lesson Learned

I learned it is a bad idea to go to altitude, even just 10,600 when you're sick. It just makes you a LOT sicker. But our brief backpacking trip to Mono Pass in Yosemite was pretty despite me not being so:



Me before we got to the top:

Gardening

Thanks to my mom inspiring me, Lyle and I are now eating lots of home grown organic produce from right out our back door. I recommend gardening to everyone. It's so satisfying and extra delicious. Check out the progression:
dirt
mud
little
bigger
even bigger
harvest!

By the way, this post very much relates to cycling. You should eat healthy if you want to get faster and it's hard to eat healthy considering what is generally sold in most stores. So, grow your own, you can't go wrong! (produce, I mean).

Sexy Smooth

I can't resist saying more about my new "machine". It's so buttery, I just can't get enough of it! I'd recommend a 29er to anyone. Even short people-I'm only 5'1 and a half (very important, emphasizing that half inch, when you're short as me). It floats over anything rough and you can't even tell it's a hard tail unless you are actually sitting heavily on the saddle. It's actually smoother than my full-suspension Santa Cruz (and a 1.4 lbs lighter). I can't wait to race it. That'll be Rim Nordic on the 27th, and then Naked Crow Mtn Bike Challenge on Aug 3rd. See ya all there! (and then you can ogle over my bike to humor me).

Here's a cute non-sequitur picture to add interest, since this blog doesn't seem to be extremely interesting (but I better not hear anyone agreeing with that statement!) I snapped this picture near the Los Olivos race earlier this year.

My New Beauty

Check 'er out!
And guess who the mechanic was that built her up...ME! Like Chepe said to Lyle after I told him I built it up myself "...uh...you better check that out cabron...maybe she go riding and 'kapow!'(with lots of arm gestures)..." Well, I'm happy to announce there was only one slight handle bar twistage on my maiden voyage. All the other bolts held quite nicely!

I'm lovin' the 29er so far. The main thing I noticed is that everything seems to roll under it really smoothly. I heard that tight switchbacks would be more difficult on a 29er because of the wider wheelbase, which I did notice would be true IF you suck at switchbacks. Basically I learned it's not the bike, it's the rider. And I am quite happy with the rider in this particular instance!

I can't wait to spend more time on this baby!