Sound of Silence

My writing will take a back-seat for a few days. I am still breathing it all in. Our life.

What has changed? Nothing and everything all at the same time. Isn't that weird? The excitement, love, generosity, joy---all of it, has been very emotional and nourishing to our life and our spirits. I know why people take honeymoons. (To sleep! Ha!) It must be less about the vacation-time...but really a time to unwind and give yourself time to process the feeling of being married.

I would love to run away and not see anyone but Mike for a few days. But we are saving our honeymoon for a "vacation". And I am not complaining one bit...

I have a huge "to-do" list. And even though writing and getting back to some normalcy is very important, I am giving it a break for the moment and just enjoying being Joni Taylor for now.

If you are getting this message, know that you have emblazoned yourself in my heart forever. I am so grateful for this time in my life and for you for making my life so rich. (Formal "Thank you's are forthcoming...

Blast off!!!

...I just returned from an early morning 25 mile spin! Mike is out riding with his buddies (we are so HAPPY to have Alan here...I wish he didn't have to leave!) Now I've got to do all this "girl-stuff" --- I haven't played dress-up in years and years and years.

As of about 3:30pm CST I will become a "Taylor"

This is the happiest day of my life.

It's "Showtime"!

One...

...it's "showtime"!

As my "soon-to-be-husband" says, "let's do the deed and get on with the party!!"

Tomorrow's the day....

Love,

To Two Too!

My Mom is here!! Layne is here!! I will be a Taylor too in two more days! I can't believe it! I dropped off my engagement ring at the jewelers yesterday to have it smooshed together with my wedding ring and also made smaller. I feel weird not having a ring on my finger after having it there for awhile now.

Picked up my wedding dress/veil combo. Wow! I feel like such a girl I can't believe it. All the details that go into planning a wedding are more than I thought. More than you can imagine unless you've already done this before.

But I am still not nervous.

It has been very hot outside. Supposed to break some record heat today. Minnesota Mom says it hasn't been 100F outside in over a decade, but that is what they're saying we can expect today. I understand the problems with it being this hot, but I have to say that it is splendid weather for bike riding. There are cyclists who might not even agree with me. But I love getting out in the warm, heavy air and pedaling away. You don't need to warm-up...you immediately feel "snappy". Granted, it isn't fun doing everything else in this kind of heat....but I do love riding my bike in it.

For those wondering about whether or not the small hound was going to be at our wedding...well of course she is. She has her very own escort to the park and then back to the reception. We are Two hearts good...plus the very small hound.

Two.

3

After a day filled with "stuff to do", (like the final fitting of my wedding dress, amongst other things), I suited up and headed out on my bike in the very warm, near wind-free sunshine. I love riding in the slight humidity. I don't love it humid for most things (like my hair curls up, no matter how much time I spend making it straight), but for riding, it's awesome!

When the wind isn't a factor out here on the prairie, the riding is great. Traffic free roads. And instead of the buzz of the wind in your ears, you get the bug-buzz of the prairie. Thus far, the bugs haven't been an issue...of course now that I've written this down, I'll likely get bitten! In the evening there are a few mosquitos but nothing that I didn't have in San Francisco. So I celebrated the summer solstice in my normal fashion---a long bike ride. Then Mike and I sat outside and watched the late sunset and ate dinner on our screened porch while watching Sydney chase bunnies in our backyard.

Tonight my Mom and Layne arrive in Sioux Falls and I am picking them up at the airport. In between now and then, I need to pick up my dress, wedding license, drop off my ring(s) so they can be made into one, get groceries, and of course RIDE my bike. (It's how I cope with a big to do list).

Three more days. I'm ready!

Four! Fore! For!

Very strange weather yesterday. The wind was really blowing in the morning, but I had a bunch of stuff to take care of so I didn't have time to ride then anyway. We're having a "brunch" of sorts at our home the day after the wedding and so I met with the guy who owns my favorite coffee shop here in town (Bagels & Brew), Todd, to make all the arrangements. I also met with Celeste and went over the ceremony. She's really great.

Then I had a pedicure. Wow! I highly recommend doing this, wedding or no. While I was getting my "toes" done, there were severe weather alerts about storms. They seemed to be just on the outskirts of Marshall though, so beyond a bit of thunder and lightening, all seemed well, maybe a little sprinkles here and there is all. It was muggy, but nothing like "Alabama/Georgia muggy".

The local cable carrier messed up the satellite where they receive weather forecasts recently. So now our "local on the 8's" gives us a reading from over 70 miles away (North), in Willmar. It's like living in San Francisco and watching the news for Tracy. Even our severe weather forecasts are for weather that probably won't be in Marshall. And Marshall is a small town and so there isn't a local TV station or anything. We're kinda hosed in that regard. What does the weather guy know anyway?

By evening, the wind had all but died and it was nice (muggy---but I like it that way for riding). I took Sydney to the hound field and then suited up for a 30 mile ride. It was that calm before the storm kinda weather. I just love riding my bike that way. The wind had died so much that you could hear the crickets and the silence.

Off in the distance, I saw the rain. It doesn't look like rain, it looks like greenish/black air. Anyway, it looked like it was not coming my way so I ignored it. I was out in the boonies by then so there was nothing I could do anyway, but ride home. It caught up with me about 5 miles from home. I got drenched. It wasn't cold...and I only got scared when I saw the crackles of lightening. I put it in the big ring and did my best imitation of a time trial home. I heard my phone ring but didn't stop to answer. It was Mike who'd also just made it home (but mostly missed the storm) telling me to take cover at a farm house and he'd come and get me.

We then ate a big dinner and enjoyed the surreal light outside of the 2nd longest day of the year. It was like looking through my high-intensity persimmon Oakley lenses.

Four more days! I wonder if once my Mom finally gets here, I will be nervous? Someone familiar, who I can just let my guard down with. I wonder?

Five

Now we're getting into the numbers which potentially add some stage fright! On Friday, I went down to the Lyon County offices to apply for my wedding license. (Thanks to Celeste who graciously reminded me that I needed to do this...who knew? We've never done this before). On the forms, there was the "name change" place for me to fill in. My throat got tight and I got my first case of jitters. I thought, "Do I have to decide this now?"

It isn't that I "had" to give up my name or change anything. Especially since once I do, I've got to change my DL, passport, credit cards and Social Security stuff (just to name a few). I didn't even have to make the decision right away. Of course, if I didn't, then it would cost me $250 to do later. That was all I needed to hear. (And a lesson in procrastination; you can do it later...but it will cost you) Another "milestone" day. I dropped my middle name, Leslie, and will be officially Joan Mehler Taylor...but you can still call me Joni. No more JLM.

And all of the little annoying things that I do (according to Mike) and that he does (according to me) are now being put under a microscope and standing out like the California tremors and earthquakes. We're still "in it for the long haul"...but the infamous wedding jitters and cold feet are peeking out a bit here and there. My Mom says this is normal. And finally, after years and years of pretending I didn't hear what she was saying, I trust what my Mom says. She's usually right anyway...though it's years later that I tell her so.

We had a lovely Father's day...with Minnesota Dad. Even the two oldest Rooney boys, Hunter and Taylor, joined us! And the riding this weekend was Hot weather riding. I even rode twice on Friday, which about did Mike in. Especially since I didn't mow the lawn, (one of *my* annoying things, according to him...and I see his point.) So we bought our own mower and now I have no excuse. I won't mind mowing. It's like vacuuming the grass! Ah yes, Summer on the plains!

I better start practicing my new signature....it's all the little things that I get excited about! And the big things too. Hurry up Mom and Layne! HAPPY MONDAY!!! Happy week! I feel like I used to feel when it was summer and I was off to visit Grandma for month(s) at a time in Alabama....It really didn't get any better than that!! That "almost grown up kid" excitement. I guess I'm really an "almost grown up kid" now!!!

Celebrate your Dad weekend!

After the "best ever" day we had yesterday, today is forecasted to be more of the same...abundant sunshine, 80's, calm and low to no humidity (although the humidity is supposed to be on it's way starting tomorrow). I rode 40+ miles around the familiar cornfields and county roads, which looked a bit unfamiliar as the corn has shot up from a baby stalk to knee high in a week! Amazing.

We're not having earthquakes---but most of you are. I guess after living with them as long as I have, I don't think of them as any real big deal. I even remember the big one when Mom, Dad and Layne were in Paris, Rick was in DC and Steve was in San Diego...so it was just me. That one was scary. If you listen to the news out here though, earthquake-ing California sounds pretty unstable. Did anyone feel any of them in the SF Bay area? Malibu? San Diego?

I've become more confident getting around since the race last week. The road systems are so easy here, (although Marshall's runs East/West vs. North/South which can be confusing at first. There is little to know traffic anywhere around here and every road is bicycle-friendly. Highways, byways, there are no "free"ways. I still have to program myself that if something is >5 miles away, it will be 5 minutes to get there...not 25 minutes.

All of the gasoline here has ethanol (10% or more)---corn---I wonder if my car gets worse mileage because of this? Not that I drive alot. We fill up the tank once a month or so....but we also don't go anywhere in the car. I got way better gas mileage in California. Not sure why?

8 more days. Less until everyone starts arriving. I feel like a little kid. The anticipation...(-:

Mike's taking me out for dinner tonight after his evening ride. I'm off to the field with the small hound, before doing my own ride before I have to be at work. I hope you have a lovely weekend. The sunshine makes it seem like a holiday. And it is. It's Father's day this Sunday...or "Daddy's Day" if you are me. (love you Dad!! have a great time playing in your softball tournament!!)

Have a great one!

Nine...

"Sunny. High around 80F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph." Today's forecast. Enough said. I'm gonna head out for an early morning bike ride and then head to Willmar to do some last minute wedding shopping. Mike asked me "what for?" I said "make-up". He said, "go to Wal-mart". I said "No". And that was that.

The finny thing is that I was at one point, (many many moons ago) a shopping queen. That pretty much stopped when I started cycling. And I bought so much stuff that it's pretty much lasted me for the last 15 years. Now I hate to shop. But there are things that are just not available in my little town, and there are things I need to have for "old time's sake". Like make-up....ha!

Yesterday, I had a bunch of errands to run (pay bills, groceries, etc) from being gone all last week, and one of the things on my "to do" list was "BUY BEER". I went to the liquor store and picked up a 12-pack of Sierra Nevada, and low and behold, they carded me! I had left my wallet in the car and so I told the gal that I was born in 1963. She said, "Sorry, but I need to see your driver's license". I said "Really?" So with a huge grin on my face, I went out to the car and got my DL and she studied it. (Made my day!)

Nine more days. We're in the single digits now.

I'm off for a ride in the glorious sunshine and it's only 7AM!

Ten days and counting...

After a day of reintegrating into "my life" after a week of bike racing antics, the next big event [for me] is 10 days away. My wedding day. It took me most of the morning yesterday to finish unloading the van, clean bottles, laundry, etc. I forgot how much work is involved in a bike race. I didn't forget how much I love the scene though.

I am blessed to have so many people helping me with the wedding (This was good advice Terry!). A wedding planner/coordinator plus my Minnesota Mom (and my California Mom doing everything she can from a distance!) take a huge load off your mind. So many details. I was even happy that it rained most of the day as I had way too much going on and didn't need to sidetrack myself with a bike ride. That'll come today though. The weather is supposed to brighten up after this morning---and for the rest of the week. I just hope it continues on the dry-side through Saturday, June 25th!

My Mom and God-Mom are arriving one week from today. I can't wait. My Dad and brothers and Aunts. Uncles, cousins and nephews and Alan will arrive two days later. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone that I haven't found the time for wedding-jitters. And there's a whole other half of my new family to meet.

But I am not nervous. I don't know why not. Perhaps it will come later?

The sun is peaking out through the clouds and I need to get on with the day---I just wanted to say "hi", and wish you a very wonderful Wednesday!

Stage 5 - Stillwater Criterium

Sunday - June 12, 2005

Stillwater is a fabulous river town on the St. Croix River. It is Minnesota's very first town...and the hometown of Minnesota Dad. When Mike was growing up and visiting his Grandma...who's home was right on the race course, he remembers taking the garden hose and spraying the racer's with water as they raced around the circuit.

The 2005 Nature Valley Grand Prix came to a close today following the final stage-5 Criterium in downtown Stillwater, Minnesota. The terms "Criterium" and "downtown" are sort of a misnomer as the timed event (1 hour) is actually a 1.5-mile circuit that is either rising or falling, through the neighborhoods overlooking the waterfront shopping district. Depending on the source of information, the main climb on Chilkoot Hill is either 18% or 22%, but the first reaction from the racers is always the same: we have to go up that?

The guys were staying in St. Paul and so they rode over to Stillwater. I decided to ride in Plymouth since I knew the roads, and the day was lovely. This would be a good time to Thank our hosts, Terri & Bob and Bill & Ruth. They went so far above and beyond "hosts"...we were so lucky! (Side note: host Bill Johnson worked as a rep for Avocet in the early 90's---so he knew the Hoffackers...cycling is such a very small world!)

Back to the race----I won't bore you with how fast and hard it was. Not that it's boring...hardly, but I've been wordy enough. Devon was a rockstar and grunted up the hill. I don't think he planned on feeling so good in the race. No one dropped out and the usual fun-seekers were drilling it at the front. Richard England (I thought it was Menzies but I thought wrong), Ben Raby and Jonathon Page were the top 3 finishers (in that order), with Lieswyn taking the Overall win.

For once I will let the pictures suffice for the most part. It was a fun race. I am beat. I drove the messy team van home...and had to unload it when I finally got to home-sweet-home Marshall, MN. Happy to see Mike and the Scrapper. Good job guys!

Stage 4 - Red Wing Road Race

Saturday - June 11, 2005

102 hilly, rolling miles through some of the most beautiful river valleys in South Eastern Minnesota. Red Wing (same Red Wing as the shoes!) is just a bit north of Lake City---the birthplace of Water Skiing, and is also the town where Minnesota Mom is from. Lake Pepin (spl?) is where the Mississippi runs about a mile wide (so they call it a lake!), and that's where water skiing was founded. This is a truly beautiful part of the state!

The weather was true to form for Minnesota. A very MIXED bag. Thunder, lightening, rain and hail were all in the forecast for the day. But the start was warm and sunny. They changed the course this year. There were 6 finishing laps around a 3.76 mile circuit which rolled up and down from 700' to 900'. At the beginning of the race, Naviagor's DS, Ray Cipollini was talking about how on the drive over he looked in his rear view mirror and it was dark and black and so he thought his mirror was turned wrong. He then looked back only to discover that it was one of those "predicted" thunder storms. We were even on "severe weather alert". I smiled and welcomed him to Minnesota. And then I told him to just wait 10 minutes...and it would change. True to form, it did.

The "worm" comes up to me before the race and smiles. "Hey Joni, I'm getting called up to the front before the start of the race! This has never happened to me before!" Devon's ride in the break in Makato, and his finish time in Minneapolis had made him our best placed rider on the day. Way to go "Worm!" (Don't ask me where this name comes from).

We meandered out of town for several miles, and Red Wing race fans were out cheering the boys on. While it was still neutral, it started raining. It was warm though. Out along the course they had the women's race neutralized in some ditch while the bad weather stormed through. You don't mess with lightening! (and hail).

Shortly after the race was finally underway, Roman is off the front. Soon the gap was up to a minute. Erik calls out over race radio..."Eddy Merckz"! Ha! As the break stayed at 1 minute, Saunders, says "Roman. either go or drop back". Roman said he wanted to "go".

And then there was wind. Not a little wind. Minnesota-style wind. Jason was our first man out. 18 miles in the race...I had no room in the car for his bike....and Matt was up the road joining Roman in the break. I had to get back to the race. I sped away to catch back on. Luckily, moto 3 waited for me and helped me back to the caravan.

Roman and Matt were winning KOM's and Sprint points out on the course...and I was trying to make it back up to my position in the caravan which took many miles. By the time I was back in the race, guys were getting shelled left and right. We pull up alongside Devon and Pat struggling in the 35 mph cross winds.

"I can't ride anymore. Joni can I get in the car?" "Nope! But here's some bottles. Ride it out boys" I figured if I left them behind they'd work it out. Then I saw Roman. No longer off the front. Sigh. Dan and I sped off once they had cold bottles. Saunders and Dubberly were still racing...and I had to remind myself that I was here for the race...not a sag wagon. I hate leaving my team behind, but I hoped they'd understand.

Saunders and Dubberly were still racing up the road. More than half the race was completely shelled though. In part, the messed up results from the day before were playing with the mental edge/mind control part of racing for my team. Saunders had lost too much time (this was finally fixed the next day...but for now it was more than annoying) But he's tough. And it helped to have the organizer come and hear us out and support Erik before the start.

Dan and I were treated to true echelon pro race riding. They looked like finely drilled "geese". This meant BIG cross winds. We were passed feedzone one and moving onto a "dirt" section. Luckily it was hard-packed and dry. I needed to get bottles for Erik and Matt. It'd happen soon enough as we turned from a cross wind and into a HEADWIND. 35mph, in your face, WIND.

Sigh. Then I saw Matt....gave him some bottles. And some encouragement. He was all banged up from the big crash in the criterium, but he was sucking it up and suffering. I hate watching my guys suffer. Sigh

Erik needed bottles and so I got permission to move up to the front of the race for the first time all day. These guys were animals. It was a suffer-fest, but they hung tough. All of the team (except Jason) finished the race. Matt and Erik finished together (36th & 37th respectfully), but the day really took it's toll. Danny Pate, Gord Fraser and Karl Menzies were the top three. Gord literally sat on while Pate and Menzies drilled it. Gord is crafty and decisively won the finally sprint to the line...

Thanks for reading if you made it this far....also, for the official report, follow cyclingnews.com. My report is purely McGuire-Langdale.

Stage 3 - Minneapolis Downtown Classic

Friday, June 10, 2005

With a 7:45pm start time, I enjoyed a bike ride of my own and it was the nicest riding I've done since I moved to Minnesota. Plymouth, and the surrounding areas of Medina, Maple Grove (or was that Maplewood? It was Maple-something), is full of gentle rolling hills along pristinely paved roads (smooth as glass), and million dollar homes. It reminds me of Woodside with good pavement. The day began with rain, but it cleared up just in time for me to get a ride in.

Last year, this race had it's fair share of weather excitement. This year was following suite---or so it seemed. I met the guys at Bob's (one of our host's houses), and since parking can be such a bear downtown, we all went in the team van. I called a "shoe-check", and a "helmet check" before we left....Now I'll have to remember to include "jersey check".

Erik, Roman, Jason and I found a Dunn's coffee shop and got a quick fix before the race. Then the guys went to change. Erik, discovers that he left his jersey at the house. So, 45 minutes from the starting gate and I am back at reg to get him new numbers, while he is cutting the sleeves off of a winter long sleeve jersey. It may have rained...but it was warm.

Dan grabbed our wheels and headed to the pit; I grabbed a radio and headed to the start/finish; the McGuire-Langdale racer's headed to the start-line. Stars and Stripes sung, bell rung, and they're off on nice and dried up roads to a fully lined with people "L" shaped course in downtown Minneapolis for 60 minutes of racing fun.

And suffering. I watched part of the women's race, and it is amazing how FAST the boys go in comparison. Awesome. After they'd warmed up a bit...the schmack started going down. In other words, Danny Pate (Jelly Belly/Poolgel) was DRILLING it at the front. This guy is on fire even after racing hard a week ago in Philadelphia.

About 3-4 laps from the finish, I see my guys (Matt and Erik) working their way up. Jason started near the back of the race, like Mike did last year and this is such a hard course to move up in. Anyway, before the last sprint "point" lap, I see Matt riding off the front as the bell was rung. Just drilling it...Dubberly-style. Suddenly my radio spazzes out. Hmmm?

The "spaz" was the result of a BIG crash! Going around corner 1 of the course, a spectator was inside the barrier right on the turn, Matt could have either taken out the "misplaced fan", or crash himself. Given that he was off the front of the race...and on a corner...well you can figure out what happened to the front of the race. Saunders and Roman went down, but Devon and Pat avoided the pavement. Erik got back up a raced. Other guys didn't listen to officials and gave themselves a free lap (not allowed this late in the game...I won't mention names...but they were race leaders...maybe even a yellow jersey wearer?)

Our guys were cut up, bloody and scraped---but they toughed it out and all got finish times. (I was up all night talking with officials to get Erik's time fair. His time should have been the same time given to yellow jersey. Actually better---he got up off his bike and kept racing. It wasn't until the late Thursday night that the officials finally adjusted his GC time, putting him @ 18th overall (as opposed to 36th)...

Stage 2 - Mankato Road Race

Thursday - June 9, 2005

About 81 miles South and slightly West from Minneapolis lies the lovely little college town (although, now that I live in a small town, it didn't seem very small at all!), Mankato, Minnesota. I navigated my way to the race start/finish just as the women's race was heading out of town, and that's when I saw the finishing circuit climbs! 6 times around 2 mile laps with a 200' wall---and this was after an 80 mile road race...for about 93 hard miles in the saddle for the day. Ouch!

The guys' TT placing set me up right in the middle of the caravan...I had bottles in the front seat and Dan in back. The weather was warm ( some might call it hot) and humid, but dry! The course was an 81 mile big loop, which rolled through lush green lake and river valleys. The climbs weren't big climbs...but constantly rolling from 800' in elevation to 1000' in elevation.

After feeding opened up, Roman dropped back for about 6 bottles for the guys. About 10 minutes later, radio tour announces a break and rider #58, Devon was there with a few other guys. Sweet! Not long after that and we hear that rider #56, Erik had bridged up and the break was now over a minute. As the gap increased, we rolled up to com 1 and asked to go up to our rider's. Com 1 said go, and I got on my horn and began to make my way through the peloton. Suddenly we came upon a fast right hand corner, and wham...the peloton was almost on the car. With no where else to go I practiced my 4-wheelin' skills, while Dan handed Roman a couple more bottles and off we went....whew!

Soon the gap was close to two minutes. It was a good group of rider's and they all worked together. As the miles ticked away the gap time increased. Erik took some "sprint" points out on the course. There's nothing more fun than hearing your rider's number's called out on radio tour for being in the break...or taking points out on the course.

Could this be the winning move? It seemed as such. And so it was. I got to watched the front of the whole race, thanks to the smart moves and fast legs of Erik and Devon.

The race finished on those darn hilly circuits though...so I jumped out of the car as the caravan was deviated off while the riders did their finishing laps and I just crossed my fingers that they still had enough juice for the final kick.

As the rest of the field started to trickle in it got a bit confusing as to who was racing and where they were in the race. This "confusion" continued through the next 3 days. On every stage they continued to let rider's get lapped in the field and there were frequent instances where the results were (way) off as a result.

Erik finished a strong 11th on the day...and Devon was given a 28th place...but I counted 23rd. Still a fine day of riding for the "worm"...you think? We finished at around 9PM and I finally made it home at around 11:30PM...

Minnesota Stage Race / St Paul River Front Time Trial

Tuesday, for the first time since I moved to Minnesota, I packed up the car and journeyed across the state by myself. No Mike. No Sydney. Mike was kinda grouchy in the days leading up to me leaving. I told him if he wasn't nicer to me that I would just go home with the team after the race. He said how strange it was for me to be going to race while he stayed home. But he quit being so grouchy! It was a fabulous drive, and Minnesota is so green and blooming and beautiful right now. I didn't take me long to fall in love with my new home state as I drove across the lovely prairies and river valleys! I suppose there are advantages to "what might be bad for riding your bike" weather after all.

I made it from Marshall to Bloomington in great time and before the mad rush hour traffic started. But that also meant some waiting time before I could register the guys for the race and way before the managers meeting. The hotel's air-conditioning was wacked out and it was a sauna inside. And outside it was about 90F and 100% humidity. Given it was in the 50's last week, the air-conditioner was probably rusty from not being used in a long while.

I sweated it out at reg---literally. The room was small with lots of people and I was having a hard time reading all the stuff I needed to fill out---I'm sure the organizer's had a hard time reading all the soggy sign-up sheets...Soon rider's and team managers and media were filling the lobby---It was so nice to see folks I haven't seen in a LONG time. That hot & humid hotel lobby felt like a home away from home.

After the manager's meeting, I headed to our hosts house (who had graciously cooked a big dinner for the guys amongst everything else!) and got to see my guys (after not seeing them for most of the season), and we had a brief meeting before calling it an evening. We were treated to a torrential down pour of rain, thunder, lightening and flooding in the wee hours. I slept through the whole thing.

I stayed at the brother of one of our hosts' house...two driveways down, and while I was chatting with Jennifer and Dan Bailey, the fact that Mike went to school at St. John's came up and Dan's brother Joe Bailey graduated from St. John's the same year as Mike and Mike knows him. Small world...

Anyway today the guys rode to downtown St. Paul for the 4.5 mile Prologue, while Dan Reymann (mechanic) and I drove the van and set up on the course. The weather we woke up to had drastically turned into a sunny, hot day. (again with the weather). The course was along the Mississippi on the St. Paul river front (right across from the Science Museum)...An up and back flat course with crosswinds.

The field was loaded with talent from Healthnet, Navigators, Jelly Belly, ColaVita Bolla, Monex, Endeavor, Webcor, and the usual players at a big NRC race. The McGuire-Langdale contingent: Erik Saunders, Matt Dubberly, Jason Allen, Roman Kilun, Pat Dunaway and Devon Vigus. Our guys had just driven 1300 miles in two days, after racing hard at USPro...and all the other east coast races---so to say they were tired is putting it mildly.

Given that we didn't have TT bikes...or disc wheels (this was certainly a course for disc's...flat and fast), we managed to finish most of the team in the upper half of the race...Matt finished with the best McGuire-Langdale time @ 1 minute off the fast pace set by Chris Baldwin of the Navigators (@ 8:40)

59 Matt @ 9:40
61 Erik @ 9:41
62 Jason @ 9:42
70 Devon @ 9:46
72 Roman @ 9:47
110 Pat @ 10:11
After the stage I was off to Plymouth to Suzanne's where we went out to dinner and ate outside in the nice evening air and lovely sunset...

Tomorrow we race in Mankato....Game on!

...off to Minneapolis

Yesterday's weather was weather I can relate to. I love it warm and even kinda humid. So warm, that as soon as you begin turning over the pedals on your bike, you're warmed up already. Very nice. I rode for 3+ hours to make up for the fact that I may not get too much time in the saddle for the next few days.

It's time for the Nature Valley/Great River Energy Stage Race and I am off to the Twin Cities in a few hours. It feels kinda strange for me to be going to a bike race and leaving my star racer at home. Mike's more than a little bummed about missing the race, but he's more happy about what we've got now that he's bitten the bullet. He LOVES being a homeowner.

Now that he's not so headstrong with his training, he'll even ride with me a couple of days a week. He's still a hammer and he still trains alot...(still riding almost 350-400 miles a week!), but it's nice to be able to just "ride" sometimes.

Anyway---I guess the next report will be a race report...the guys called me from Indiana last night so we should all arrive in Minneapolis around the same time this evening...

Have a great Tuesday!
(photo missing)
Pete's tire rolled off his rim on his way to our house for the "after work" ride. Guys usually meet at our house around 6pm and ride until 8pm Note the cool riding outfit!
(photo missing)
I got up to make coffee this morning and came back to this...my two "Scrappers!" Mike says he'll miss me while I am gone, but there will be more room...Sydney might be a small hound, but she takes up LOTS of real estate!

Nice!

High 86F, winds from the South West 10-15 Mph. It just doesn't get much better than this,and that is the local forecast for Marshall this fine, lovely Monday. Mike and I rode together much of the weekend. We have a morning group ride we've started doing...nothing like the high-speed "Spectrum" ride...just a nice social ride. Even though we'd all seen the forecast, we thought we'd give it a go, despite the rain potential. And it dumped on us! It wasn't a cold rain though...and so it was still a fun time.

But after cleaning our bikes, Mike and I were a bit cautious yesterday and so we saw a short, dry window and got some miles in early. He even did another ride in the evening hours. But today it looks to be a fabulous summer-like day!

My day is busy getting everything ready to go for the week in the Twin Cities. I miss my friends (you). When you get to be my age, and you've lived in one place for a very long time, many of your friends are also like family. I knew how much (or sorta knew) I'd miss my family (alot!). But I didn't realize what an impact not having my friends in my daily life would be. Mike's already got "old friendships" here in Marshall...finding people who are my age, without children to keep them too busy, who like to ride or do stuff outdoors is a challenge I didn't even think about. Especially since most of my friends in California also have little ones---but also still ride pretty regularly. And girl's don't really "hang out" with guys here for some reason. It wasn't like I needed to see everybody, every day. But there is a hole that is not easily filled by my Bay area friends and so this week in the Twin Cities will be very special.

We're also on wedding countdown mode. Soon my California Mom & Dad and Brothers, Aunts, Uncles Nephews and friends will be arriving in Marshall for the big event and I just can't wait. Any wedding jitters are quickly replaced by the excitement of seeing everyone again. And Alan's even making the trek out to the prairie! Woo hoo!

Guess my email this week may be a bit sporadic at best since I don't know if I'll have an internet connection....(whew--less email from the "mailer-Mehler") I'm staying with "Aunt Suzanne" though---so I will maybe get internet access while I am there...

I'm off to take the small hound to the field before it gets too hot. (I like the sound of that...before it gets too hot!) Have an absolutely wonderful Monday! I guess I'll be seeing a few of you in the next day or so. Can't wait!
(photo missing)
(I am cleaning up my computer and found this cool old picture of Colin & Alan at Palo Alto Bicycles..! )

If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes...

...or go down the road a mile and it will be different. I am finally beginning to understand this saying! No sooner had Mike pedaled down the street this morning on his way to work, and a big down-pour fell. Thinking he must be drenched and knowing his was in jeans (which take forever to dry), I got him a clean set of clothes and socks (nothing worse than soggy socks!), and Sydney and I headed towards USBancorp. No sooner did I turn the corner off our street and the rain was gone! Weird.

I was almost to where he worked so I called him to see if he made it to work okay (dry), and he said that he was fine...in fact he didn't get wet until he opened a bubbly water that spilled on him. So there you go.

I'll wait until the roads dry out a bit before I ride today---but we've got a mixed bag for sure. I've got plenty to do in planning for the wedding. What began as a very small affair is turning into something way bigger than that! How'd that happen? I'm even on a first name basis with the fed-ex gal who keeps delivering stuff to the house. It feels like a holiday. I suppose it is.

I'm really looking forward to the Minnesota Race next week! The team is doing pretty well out East. Rahsaan got 9th yesterday in Trenton, and 5th at the CSC Invitational. And I haven't been to a bike race in eons.

Hopefully this "wet-spell" will blow through soon. I'll just wait 10 minutes and see what happens!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Seeing Red!

Not because I'm "just so mad", but because I woke up real early when Mike left to go ride this morning before work (since he is mowing the lawn tonight), turned on the Sioux Falls News station and saw the weather radar. I like watching the "KeloLand" news, as it is way more relevant than the Minneapolis networks---especially weather wise. So anyway, they're showing this slow moving, monster front coming out of Nebraska and headed our way. Lots of Green & Red colors. Hmmmm?

I suited up and started pedaling myself. It is mild temperature wise, and the wind was sub 15 mph, blowing from the South (my favorite!), so even though it was not 7am, there was no need to bundle up with leg warmers (though I did), armer warmers (did that too) or a vest (I left the vest at home!) Rare indeed are the days you could ever do that in NorCal. It's always chilly there in the morning.

My plan was just a short 25 miles....through Camden, but it was so nice being out there alone on the road, that my bike just headed towards Russell, like it had a mind of it's own! OK, I figured 35 miles would be good and headed down County Road 2...but at County Road 7, I was still enjoying myself, so I kept on towards County Road 11(Milroy) ....All this was in a basic cross or headwind. Now came the fun part...over 10 miles of what was now about a 20 mph south wind back into town.

What was in fact going to be my day off the bike....turned into about a 50 mile morning ride! Not only that...but it is just barely 10AM! I'm off to take the small hound to the field and then start getting ready for the big race next week!

Happy birthday Lucaas Taylor Rooney!! And Happy Thursday! (I've obviously still got that ride-buzz going...happy happy!)

Yard Art

No matter which way the wind is blowing, my favorite rides are in a Westerly direction from Marshall. After two months of riding in the wind, you begin to develop whatever those muscles are that allow you to suffer along in the blustery conditions, and you get through. I've tried all the tricks I know---and as long as the wind is sub 25 MPH, I can swing it. It's one of those mind over matter things. Perhaps I am getting a little thick in the head and it's helping. But you guessed it. The wind is back!

And even though it was blowing from the Southeast---I rode West, knowing I would have some struggling moments. Actually, I headed West and then South though...so I'd at least have a tailwind at the end of my ride. For the last two years that I have been riding in Lyon County (first as a visitor---now as a local), I've admired this farm out on Country Road 2 (just south out of Russell---over highway 23 about 3/4 of a mile in on the right). The yard is meticulous and everything is always clean and well groomed.
(photo)
When I rode passed it the first time, I thought that someone was sitting on the porch looking through binoculars...
(photo)
...But as you can see...with my zoom lens (ha!), it is a statue. Statues in the yard are very common here...and when your whizzing by on a bicycle, sometimes they are startling. I've been fooled by animal statues more than once. Is that a "real" farm dog (will it run after me as I pass)? Oh no, it's just there to fake me out! Or is that guy staring at me with his binoculars? Oh no...he's headless, and also fake!
(photo)
There are even some children statues hanging out by a little pool/fountain in the yard. Once I waved as I passed by, before I realized they were yard art. (note the blowing flags!)
(photo)
And there is something to be said for 40 miles of road with traffic like this---even if it is in the wind. Mike had his first "live" day at the office today when the gal who's region he is covering for until he gets his own (region) went into labor a month early.

Today the forecast is about the same as yesterday----maybe a bit warmer. I'm off early to get a headstart on the wind...