Another great reason to ride in Colorado- You get to meet all sorts of interesting natives! Oh, and the views are nice too.

Getting those climbing legs!

Those of us who showed up for a flat Sunday ride decided against being miserable in the very windy flats and instead to be miserable in the steep canyons! Here you can see our little group attacking the climb to Jamestown (hee hee, they didn't know I was taking pictures!).
Jamestown did not provide enough epicness so we went on to Super James. A few folks turned around at the top due to time constraints, but some of us wanted more punishment!
If you zoom in here, I'm pretty sure you can see Rachel saying "hills suck!" and Kristen swearing there are no more after this last climb... wait, there's another one?!?
And we learned that Kristen has some real skills on those downhill sections!

Todays ride

Here are some pictures of my ride today from Northampton to Goshen, MA. 40 miles.

I think this is a Maple tree and they are getting the sap to make maple syrup. There are a lot of 'sugar shacks' around where they process the sap and sell the syrup. I passed a couple and all this black smoke was coming out of the chimmneys. Vermont is pretty close and it seems all the maple syrup is from Vermont in the stores. I have gone through about 4 bottles in the past 2 months. Good stuff.

Here is a house that was really old. They like to put dates on everything around here. Bridges and houses and stuff. This house was from 1788 - I know, it really wasnt the house number :) 220 years old! I bet its haunted.

And here is a self portrait while riding. Nice day.

Haley

Girls' Cabin Weekend

For those who weren't there- you missed a great time!  The cabin was perfect (thanks Missy for planning), the food was prepared (thanks to Greg the team mom for packing our meals), the skiing was perfect (thanks to Missy the tour guide), and we were full of good times.

Next year you should all come!

Skiing in Rocky Mountain National Park!

Only tough girls can use duct tape for blisters.

Semi-group shot.  Wait, why are there 2 Missy's?

No, Jill was not showing us her hip-hop moves.  And, no Jill was not the only one to show us how graceful she is... I just happened to catch this one on camera!

No girls' weekend would be complete without some serious partying.

Oh ya, puzzles are good times!

This is what snow looks like coming at your handlebars at 30-40mph! Sure the road is clear and it's above freezing, but the windchill is nasty. Makes the winds at Hugo and Dead Dog seem refreshing! Good thing I was commuting with my backpack to make me more aerodynamic, I'm sure it made a difference.
I think Cari's got the right idea by riding indoors on the track!

Track Camp, Para Style

One goal for me this year is to make it to Beijing with the US Paralympic Team.  So, this week I ventured out to join the team and my partner at track camp in LA.  Karissa is the "stoker" or the blind rider there on the back. 

 These athletes are super talented... super talented!  I am not sure I have worked this hard in previous track camp... um, ever.

 

No training camp would be complete without ruining a hotel room.  Our room turned into the mechanics closet when we decided to change out the fork.  The cleaning people hate us.

One more day.  I think I can, I think I can.

Cari

cold weather clothes

So I decided to go ride outside yesterday and brave the cold Massachusets winter.

Here is what I wore:

fleece hat

cashmere scarf - essential riding equipment!

short sleeve base layer

long sleeve base layer

RM jacket

RM winter vest

bib shorts

leg warmers

socks

booties

winter gloves

There was lots of icy patches and gravel but it was so nice to get off the trainer!

See you soon! Haley