MOAB

STOP! Before you go further, go to the ToG entry below to read everything in chronological order from the last few weeks.


After dropping off riders at the airport in Tucson my plan was to head back to Wisconsin. I decided to head North.


Heading North from Tucson you get to Flagstaff. I stopped in for a coffee at Late For Train coffee shop and behind the counter was an old college friend, Pete Meirs. Pete and I were in the same major in school and did our NOLS semester together. He is one funny guy. I remember non-stop laughter when in his tent group. In addition to guiding for Western Spirit Cycling Adventures, Pete is living in "Flag" to attend nursing school. Pete showed me around town that night and gave me the scoop on the town. Flagstaff is a pretty cool place. Every one I met with Pete rides a bike. I've never seen as much bike flavor anywhere else. He is also a member of the local band the Shindaggers (they have a myspace thing. funny stuff).


A mistake picture that worked out pretty good. Which way is the gun show!


Moab, Utah is one of my favorite places. I love the Canyonland country and didn't realize how much I get a special feeling when I'm there. There is a loop ride that goes through Castle Valley. I didn't know much about it. Two years ago I did some of the loop but had to turn around when a freak snow storm blew in. This time I did the whole loop. One of the best rides I've ever done. Partly because I knew nothing about it. The whole loop is about 70 miles and is a beautiful ride through desert and climbs into the La Sal mountains. I came upon a sign that warned of a "bridge out ahead- local traffic only." I interpreted this as, "go ahead, bikes can probably get through." If not, I would have to ride 45 miles out and turn around. The ride took about 5 hours and a good 3 hours was probably climbing. I'm not sure. I only know it climbed forever. If you are ever there you have to do this ride. There is plenty of downhill too and I saw about 5 cars the whole day. Quite the memorable ride.


Nine miles left and I'd know if the bridge is out or not. This sign was all wrong. I never saw the bridge until two hours later. I'd already been climbing for about 1 1/2 hours at this point. EPIC!


THe view from somewhere on the climb. Still not done climbing. I started way down there where the road is disappearing into the horizon.



Snowball


I made it over the top and the bridge was okay for bikes to cross.


Lot's of downhill to get back to Moab.


Goofing around.


I once spent two weeks in the Canyonlands Backcountry. This is what I saw every evening. How can scenery like this not affect you?

Thanks for visiting the blog again,

DOUG

Gila

Last week was the Tour of Gila in Silver City, New Mexico. The race went great for the team. Lot's of tough stages and Colavita let the other teams know they are the ones to watch. I've never been to Silver City. To be honest I didn't get a great vibe from the town. I'm sorry I just don't know how to describe it.


My view of the race.


Our rental car for the week was a Lincoln Town car. My mom has this car I think. We used a similar car two years ago at Altoona and I was carsick almost everyday. We had a lot of sarcastic "nice car" comments from the other teams. All in good fun.


Dotsie on her way to 2nd place in the time trail. FAST!


One of the best days of racing I've seen. Although you enter the day's race with a plan it may not be the plan at the end of the day. That's what makes racing so exciting. Plan A went to Plan B which morphed into Plan C etc. By the end of the race, Dotsie went for plan E which was to take on the sprinters for the win. Look at the gap she had.


Andrea had a great race too. Here she is in a 5 up breakaway sprint.


Sarah riding with the climbers like it was no big thing.


PHEW! I feel like a soggy potatoe chip. I'd rather have a cup of coffee.


RAINBOW

Tucson

Before and after the Tour of Georgia I spent time in Tucson, AZ staying with Dave and Candice. Thanks for your hospitality Dave and Candice. Hope to come back again.

Here are the images!


Dave and Candice are opening a new bike shop in Tucson. It should be opening any day now. While I was there boxes were being opened and stuff being merchandized. I was able to lend a hand and assemble a few bike racks and bicycles. It was fun to be part of that scene for a bit.


Candice doing her pregnant lady exercises though the store. She also thought it was important to eat a few Girl Scout cookies in the process to keep her energy up.


This is a Trek Portland. Cool bike. Kind of an all purpose bike. Something to commute on. Disc brakes. Rack mounts and really cool fenders. The fenders have a nice quick release lever.


Candice snapped a picture of me: 1. picking up my garbage that was blowing away or 2. practicing my double poling for next year's ski season.


Candice was laughing at this kid in the neighborhood and snapped a picture of him. Kids!

Once again move on to the next entry above. You can take a break if you want and come back later. Perhaps go get a snack.

DOUG

ToG

Okay as I said above, this is where the journey in pictures begins. Welcome!

Seems like Tour of Georgia was a long time ago. By gosh it was!. Here is a few more images from the race I came away with.


One of the bikes ready to ride!


Early morning with the bikes. In it's own way there is beauty to found in the sport. Beauty is found in many things in life if you look for it.


Speaking of beauty. Look at this guy! What do you think. Seriously, washing bikes has it's beauty. I actually find it relaxing sometimes to wash them all up. They are all shiny and such.

Okay, move on to the next entry above.