Monday, March 17, 2014

Training n Tucson

Coming home after camp to crummy weather wasn't fun, from sunshine and 70's back to the trainer and snow and muck - at least for a couple of days.  After day four, the skies cleared, the sun came out and out the door I went.  There is something about getting fresh air, every, single day.  It's good for my soul!!! Soon, I was on the road again, back to Tucson and guaranteed sunshine and warm weather and it has been spectacular.

The drive down(8hrs) I know by heart, is really beautiful.  I drive through the Salt River Canyon and one day I would love to ride my bike up and down both sides.  And just the landscape, how much it changes when you dip in and out of elevation, it really is a nice drive. Once here, it was all about the bike for sure with lots of training and two races to bookend the week - Old Pueblo criterium(60min circuit race in downtown Tucson) March 8th and Tucson Bicycle Classic(3 day stage race on the west side of Tucson).  The team won both races, I lapped the field in the criterium and as far as the stage race went, we cleaned up every day.  It was most excellent training!!!

I did manage to find a spare minute to go see my Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball team, they were playing University of Arizona, how could I not?! It was perfect!!! An evening of baseball cannot be beat!  And wouldn't you know it, we sat near some bulldog fans and after we started talking there was a couple attending the game from....where else???? VICKSBURG! ha! The Sanders! And sure enough, they knew mom and dad and we talked for a bit on why I was in Tucson and what I do for a living:) Being a bike racer is pretty foreign work for most Americans:)

That's about it from Tucson, there are a lot of pictures on FB of the team winning and random photos from the week.  Check out Katheryn Bertine, Amber Rais and Optum's pages.....

I'll drive back to Colorado tomorrow and then it's on to Euroland for me.....I will be updating for sure! Happy St. Paddy's Day! One day I will make it back to Jackson for the parade.  Till then....

 Home for the first couple of days after team camp....
 It's not everyday you see a man walking his cow around town....
 This is the worst wallpaper I've ever seen in a gas station....HORRIBLE!
 Baseball!
 Beautiful sunset at the game...
 When we aren't riding, this is how you can find us.... maybe minus the cats most times....
 A wonderful morning ride through Sabino Canyon Park!! So peaceful!
 Sabino again...
 I like their signage...
Sunrise prior to the race start on Saturday.....


Reading: just finished Dirty Work by Larry Brown
Watching: the news, Crimea and the lost plane....ugh....
Eating: eggs, kale, toast w/ butter n jam
Listening: The Giving Tree by Plane White T's
Website: well, it's more of a quick video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYqoVx6UdF4