Lufthansa and the Ford Focus
So, I drove 700km through Italy in the past three days. I was the only one on the road between Florence and Sienna on the SS222 which twists and turns. I was thankful that no one was in my car as they would have gotten sick! BTW, I am an awesome driver in Italy - -it's a giant crit! Getting through Florence this morning in traffic was crazy, but again, sort of fun! Four lanes merge into one (no lane markings either) everyone is trying to go a different direction along the traffic circle. It's great!
I stopped in Lucca but I didn't see Mario. I drove through Livorno, but I didn't see Paolo. I did however see MANY old and large men on very nice bikes riding along the small roads of Chianti and I was jealous. The weather was very nice, around 60s and sunny. Unlike in France where the old men ride in shorts even when it's 0 out, the men in Italy were bundled up to the point where I was hot just looking at them (no, not that type of hot).
As for my flight back, my regional flight was delayed almost 2 hours to Frankfurt which wasn't good as I had an hour and 55 in Frankfurt. But, after running like a mad woman (as you know, cyclists don't usually run so well), I made my flight. I again got 4 of my own seats and settled down for sleep with my Ambian. I slept only an hour which doesn't seem right being that I am supposed to get like 6. Then I was sort of semi conscious for a while. Then the turbulence started and I ended up using the barf bag for the first time ever while in flight. The previous time was some bad Jamba juice in San Diego and I barfed before the flight took off. I was so sad, embarrassed and annoyed with the flight attendant who looked at me and said, this is not part of our duties. Ahhhh, thanks! I told her she wasn't nice and unlike Swiss Airlines, where I would have been ignored, she brought me chamomile tea.
And now, here I am... home in my house that still has not seen repairs or cleaning and because of the hole and no protection to the outer world, it was 40 in my house when I got home. FAB.
A Little Trip
I had planned to travel to France this Summer and catch the Dauphiné Liberé on Ventoux. But I ended up moving, my dad ended up changing his mind 100 times (and still ended up Cote du Ventoux the very day of the stage) and well, I just didn`t make it until this past week. Even when the mistral is blowing and I am freezing my butt off, Provence is incredible and still one of my favorite spots on Earth. I have also been lucky as my friend Gen went with me which made it such fun. Back in Geneva I have also been able to catch up with most of my friends and have eaten just way too much food.
Never a Dull Day
I made myself dinner last night and decided to light a fire in the fireplace. I was told it worked. The smoke started pouring out into my living room and so I took a closer look and realized that my fireplace was on fire. I called 911 and four firetrucks came and an EMT as I burned the crap out of my finger pulling the log out of the fireplace. In the craziness, I wet a towel and put that over the log, then ran outside in my slippers and lost it. It was partially the embarrassment of 20 firemen coming for my fireplace fire and the fact that I thought my house was burning down.
I was informed I did the right thing. My fireplace was stuffed with rags which caught on fire. I really love my landlord now. I think I deserve free rent or something. Because of my injury, there was a detailed report filed. I am sure he's loving life today.
Day 2 Koo Koo Cross
Since I helped put together the course (see the pretty white tape??) I thought I would come back out and cheer. Plus, I love being at a bike race even if I am not racing!
Notice the Launch gone bad- - there were certainly a few! I didn't have the heart to keep shooting, but I think you can see that he's not looking too solid.
Fight for second and third place... This was a deciding moment!
Trebon in the sand. I believe that's Barb Howe across the way cheering him.
Psycho Cross - -just spectating!
I went out to watch the Redline UCI Cross race at the Boulder Reservoir yesterday after going on a ride to the top of Lookout in everything I own and then realizing that it wasn't 30 anymore but 70.
The race was so fun to watch and just made me get so excited about Cross racing and that poor unused cross bike that I purchased to race cross this year. Ankle issues and 37 races during the road season are keeping me on the side lines... not to think that I would be remotely competitive out there!
Anyway, Trebon won (surprised?) and it was awesome to watch. Horner was also at there and came in 8th. I think Wicks was 2nd. On the women's side, I ran into Barb Howe which made me sort of home sick and Proman Rachel Lloyd was 2nd.
PS Elis, my new teamate is in one of these photos...
Obsessive
OK, as you know the Rock Republic team is something I seem to blog about. From the "clear" shorts at Merco to the presidential procession of the Escilades, there is plenty to talk about. This morning I read that
Cipo could possibly be returning to racing for Rock Republic. I cannot think of a better team for Cipo. OMG... I just about spit out my tea.
I guess that he could design his own jeans just like Posh Spice. I wonder if his would also include rhinestones.
Off to figure out where I am riding and hoping that it will warm up quickly as its about 30 outside. I am so not used to weather.
