Long time, no blog. I can’t even blame Facebook/Dogbook this time. I have no excuse unless you count laziness (and the fact that I'm intimidated by the Muscle's blog). I have, however, felt an obligation to update because I seem to have picked-up a new reader! Welcome John, my cousin from El Paso.
The title of this post is from last weekend. The CycleLife girls convened for our first clinic of the offseason which started with Coach Mike asking each of us what we perceived as our strengths and weaknesses. Come to find out, Mike coaches a team of psychos because most of us responded that our head was our major obstacle. Well, all except Sonja who proudly stated that “I’ve got no problem with my head.” Robin then muttered under her breath, “Yeah, she’s just crazy.” I got a good laugh out of that one.
We then proceeded outside for some bumping drills where most of the team spent time trying to chase Leslie in order to bump her. (Note to Leslie: These are not bump and run drills!)
As you can tell, spending time with the new team is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Our West Virginia trip a few weekends ago only emphasized that. I feel at home and at ease with everyone on the team, and it’s not just because they like stinky cheese and red wine as much as I do. We all just seem to “get it.”
Speaking of West Virginia, I don’t believe I’ve ever eaten as much in my life as I did that weekend. I woke up to blueberry pancakes and bacon prepared by Jason one day and eggs, scones, and more bacon prepared by Wendy the next. After our ride on Saturday Eric and Leslie prepared a spread of cheese and salami, followed by some of Michelle’s delicious paninis (which she made with the most ghetto of Panini pans). I thought that was it for the evening, but no… Robin then took over the kitchen and made kettle corn, and all that was capped off with steak and chicken fajitas. I think it’s the only time I’ve ever gained weight after a ride at the Ranch.
I'll end with this random shot of Azu and Rena since it's the only photo I've got access to right now.
Mike explains the day's drills to us.
We worked on bunny-hopping. Here, Mitch displays how to pinch flat your rear tire. (Thankfully, she did not actually flat.)
Plain Jane and Mitch post-clinic.
Di (need a nickname) post-clinic. Besides Sonja, she's the only other person on the team w/o mental issues, and Sonja is debatable.
The road from the Ranch down to the valley was icy in places. Some people chose to walk.
Others, like the BadA$$ (Plain Jane) pictured here, decided to ride.
That's me and Robin in the back. Here we are probably discussing something very important, like what's for lunch or badgers.
Jay and Leslie on the front.
Leslie and her beaver. And that's Eric. He's probably thinking about his next tub.
I don't feel like writing a race report at the moment but know that my reader (Dad) will like the photos. Just a few details.
Here I am on the "barriers."
Here is Mike on the same barriers. Notice the downed barrier behind him? No PVC pipe barriers were harmed in my midst. The same cannot be said for Mike.
After cross practice, we met up with Wendy, Leslie, and Robin for a ride in Howard County.
Don't trust Wendy when she says "Just 5 more hills." I counted 7.
Upon our return to DC we snatched the Black Dog and went for a nice walk in Congressional Cemetery, or "the graveyard" as Sonja likes to call it. FYI, my granny referred to them as boneyards.
The Black Dog, aka Best Dog Ever...
Currently I am watching Obama on 60 minutes and getting ready to watch the Skins demolish the Cowbows. Again, life is good!
