Birthday Bash

We went tubing on the Kern for my 27th! It was pretty awesome:


This section of the river tried to eat us up but luckily a few of us made it out alive.

Unfortunately, there were some who were not so lucky:

Here are the survivors gazing over their conquered territory:

I asked the guys to strike the manliest pose they could. I think Lyle takes first place with the expression on his face. (He is quite competitive.)

We went white water rafting too, but a camera didn't make it onto the boat for your viewing pleasure.

Today (a week later), we attempted to go scuba diving. I got part way out from the beach when a particularly vicious wave with the mistaken identity of a washing machine scooped me up and battered me around as if it were trying to take out a particularly nasty stain. All it succeeded in taking out was my mask and snorkel, abruptly ending my dive right then. With that size wave, there was no chance of seeing the mask again. So, until next time. And now you are updated on the most recent this's and that's and whatchamahooza's of my life.

Lyle's Hair

I think it's about time that I officially comment on Lyle's hair. I get numerous questions about how I feel about his current style as his wife and if I can't wait until he cuts it. (Like that even matters.)

Admittedly, the first time he ever grew the horseshoe mustache several years ago, I was embarrassed. But with the mullet and mustache, I've had a complete change of heart. Just think about it this way: chances are, you have a clean-cut, average hairstyle, or know of plenty of people who do. Now, how often do you get stopped in the street by a stranger who just HAS to tell you "I like your style, man"; or how often do you get invited for free margaritas and beers by a stranger (probably because having someone so cool looking at a party would up the status of it); and how often do you find out that two models were arguing about how hot your hair was after you left. I'm pretty sure probably none of that has happened to you. Don't you think that makes life a little more fun and a little more interesting?

Lately, with the summer heat moving in Lyle has been considering doing a "Pedro" move and giving it the chop. But, considering the above reasons, instead of looking forward to the day when I will have a normal looking, hansom husband again, I tell him not to do it. I'd rather have a awesomely radical looking husband with redneck hair who is liable at any moment to go blow something up just for the fun of it, or possibly go pick a fight with Chuck Norris just to show him who's boss. Wouldn't you?

So, his boldness on style piqued my curiousity and I decided to try it out with this hat (not like it comes close to the amazingness of his style).And guess what--it paid off! Just after this picture was taken, we were walking to our car in Old Town (Pasadena) when a valet parking attendant asked me where I was from. So, I was obviously standing out from the crowd or he wouldn't have even noticed. I told him I was from LA and he said he thought we must be tourists and that the hat was a dead give-away. Great Success! Maybe I should hire Lyle as my fashion adviser.

By the way, props to Team Bearclaw for knowing the definition of STYLE.

If any of this is of interest to you, vote in the poll to the right side of the page.

Race Update

Well, guess what...I didn't take last place at Sea Otter! In fact, I beat not one, but 2, count 'em, two girls. That's all I was hoping for at Sea Otter, so I'm happy! Next time maybe I'll beat three...

In other news, I just did my first road race this weekend (Devil's Punchbowl). I found out that I am NOT a road racer. I'll stick to mountain bikes, thank you very much. Unlike mtb racing where you just ride as fast as you can for the length of the race, in road racing you actually have to THINK and plan and other stuff like that, like when to go hard, not getting dropped, and numerous other things I'm not even aware of.

By the way, if anyone can recommend a cheap coach or training plan out there, let me know. My budget is only about $50/mo so I'm not sure what I'll be able to find. But it's about time I had some advice on how to train!

Christmas in April???

Lyle's super excited-guess why! This is appropriate behavior for Christmas, but somehow he's always a Scrooge at Christmas. Maybe he's saving it all for this day. Check his next post.

My Debut Into the Expert Field

Well, I knew I wasn't ready to upgrade, but didn't quite realize how unready I was.

Cal State #1 Bonelli Park:

Keysville Classic, Kernville:

NMBS #1 Fontana:Oh, well, I'm just stoked to be racing. It certainly ain't gettin me down to not be podiuming. I now have something to grow into. By the end of the season I should be beating one or two experts and I'll be happy. With results like these, the only place I can go is up!
I'm starting to realize I need to actually TRAIN (like with an actual plan and some structure to my riding instead of just riding whenever) (oh, and having a coach probably wouldn't hurt!-seems like most all the experts do.)

In other news, this boy got a chance to stretch his legs out on some snow-less ground. Must be a relief to see actual dirt and flowers and temperatures above 50 or whatever you're getting!

The Subie Fisher semi-pro's looked pretty slick in arguably the best kit out there!

And to top it off, Matt sure showed those California pretty boys how it's done in Texas when he laid the smack down in Short Track today and took the bronze. It's a toss up what's better: his third place finish or some snazzy kits. I don't know, you decide.

Balla' Chicks

I just have to mention when I rode last Saturday on our local trail (El Prieto) I think 100% of the girls on the trail that day were on single speeds. Me, Tanya, and Sarah. I didn't even see any guys on a single that day. Sa-weet!

Keysville Classic

Holy crap that was tough! I raced up near Lake Isabella this weekend. My second expert race. Once again, last place (5th out of 5) but once again I'm fine with that and really proud of my effort. I finished only 40 seconds from 4th place. Even though I could see her ahead of me in the distance for almost the whole race, I just had nothing extra in my legs to put out to catch her. The experts are so fast and the race distances are so much more than I'm used to. My time today was 3:01. That's a long time to be racing for!!! But somehow all that suffering just makes me so happy after it's done. Yay, racing is so fun. Not to mention, the scenery around the Kern River is beautiful!