In my back pockets...

So on my way to work a.k.a parent's house (to steel their better high speed internet, nonetheless) this morning - on my bike - I was thinking about the things I had in the back of my cycling jersey.

First, there were the staple items situated mid-back - No, not the quick tool - BUT cellphone and wallet for 'Quick! Come help me' calls or the use of the wallet to quickly purchase an anti-bonk latte. The next one, don't ask my why, was a change of underwear. I guess once I got to where I was going...I thought this might come in handy. Please don't comment on this...

And finally, what do all good cyclists carry with them in the AM (and don't say beer)...Yes, Coffee grounds in a ziplock. The most discerning cyclist is picky about their freshly ground roast - and No, Folgers will not suffice.

So, I challenge you - What's the craziest things you've carried in your jersey back pockets? I'm tagging you - Old Man, Danielle (I know there's Internet in Vegas), Namrita, Chris, and Mallie.

Utah - the wrap up

Finally getting around to posting some pics from our short, mini vacation. Part of my lack of posting is the need for a faster high speed connection - my wireless cellphone card just doesn't cut it for blogger uploads. Also, since I'm home for the week, trying to fit work in with some actual mountain biking...wow, did I say it. Yes, trail time - nothing beats it! I met, Steve, my old teammate from Giant/Ford, out at Yankee last night and got in a full lap before dark. It felt good to be back out there even if I had to walk some of the hills on my singlespeed.

Anyway, back to Utah. So last Friday, after an all day leadership workshop, cocktails, dinner, social networking/Web 2.0 a.k.a Facebook (yes, they actually had a class on this) - I tried to catch a 20 min. nap and then drove back to Salt Lake City (1hour) to pickup Barry @ the airport. He was pretty grumpy from the travel and always seems to mumble something about 'how do I do it' and swears never to fly again BUT seemed to be excited to be there. I was happy he decided to make the trek as the location was awesome for just about everything we love to do.

So, Saturday morning was back to class for me @ 7am and then we decided to head to Park City to check out the scene. But, first, I showed Barry around the resort. The resort was pretty neat and freaky in an entirely authentic german/disneyland-way. They even piped german yodeling music throughout the entrance.

Barry showing his roots doing a German dance up the sidewalk. Yes, that blue/green lawn thing is the music player.

They when heard about this huge crater/hot spring across the street where you could swim and scuba dive up to 20 ft. in 90 degree water. So, we obviously had to check it out.


We walked all around the dome but couldn't actually see in...bummer. Guess we could of asked or paid but we decided that wasn't our priority. But, walking back we noticed the resort was probably built on a crater with it's own set along the front of the property. I kept thinking that if we fell in, we'd come out with some weird bionic powers or something.

Good thing they fenced it in - I can just see someone on the executive putting green have a few to many and coming out as Swamp Man.

Park City - We first stopped at the Olympic Park just to check it out - Barry wanted to do the Alpine Slide but we got caught up watching this. Evidently the Chinese team was there training.

I have a sweet video too! I'll try to post it.

This pic is for Jason R.!

Park City was the 'Usual'.

By the time we got around to renting mountain bikes it was near 4pm and the local spot we targeted was sold out on our size until late Sunday - total bummer! But we figured Sunday, we could just rent from our resort and stay in Midway to ride. Saturday night we drove south and ended up finding a really cool water fall area and a local film festival.

Love the coordination of winter fleece vs. summer t-shirt here.

Sunday, was my final morning class and our last afternoon to ride. Unfortunately, we talked to the resort and while they did have bikes, they said the local trails weren't in the best shape and it might be better to ride in Park City. Oh geez. I was itching to ride but I could tell Barry didn't want to hassle with going back to Park City again to find a new shop to rent from so, we opted for a hike. Ok, so this 'hike' turned into a trek up 2,000 feet in a little over a mile. One word, Rocks!

How many rocks do you see?

So, Bonnie doesn't like heights all that much...so this is where I sat.


But, hey!, it was straight down!

Barry's perfect toilet @ 12,000 ft...

From the parking lot...up to where we were.

On the way back, I mastered the skill of driving down mountains in neutral and dodging stray cattle. I didn't realize that the gas light came on just before we got to the trailhead and we had 30 miles to backtrack before a town.

Playing life-size chess when you're really tired is not a good thing.

To Utah and Back

Aaaahhhhh...it's nice to be home. I guess I forget what it's like. I was talking with a person from my client site the other day about travel and I said, 'going home feels like a vacation'. She gave me a strange LooK that said that's good and sad, at the same time.

So, once I'm rested today, I'll try to post some pics from our Utah adventure. I weekend was good, even work included, despite the 7AM meeting times. But, I did spend 12 hours traveling yesterday, from UTah! I had already booked my flight this week to return to Kansas City so instead of passing the non-refundable ticket expense to the client - I had to take 2 connections. Funny thing is, I only got in 2 hours after Barry. Oh, and a little more sleep each night would have made it perfect - I had back to back presentations all week, travel to Utah, 7AM class start time, cocktails (IPA for me), dinner, pick Barry up back at Salt Lake Airport, hour drive back, 7AM REPEAT! Yeah, lets just say I like things busy!

Stay tuned for a full Utah recap, minus work details, later today. But first, my work team took me out for a farewell dinner last week - it was a nice time especially after spending 11 months with all of them (yes, you). Here's a few pics from our fancy feast!

Let's play, What's for dinner! Go ahead and take a stab.

HELLO Utah!

Wow! I have to say I'm impressed - my job perks are finally paying off - this workshop location ROcKs! I'm so excited I can't sleep! I don't want to jinx it though as I have to ACtually go to my training tomorrow - ALL DAY! So much for playing hooky on the first day - don't think that would look so good. This place is amazing (did I say that?) - It's a very European resort at that. So much so that when I pulled up not only were the Swiss Tudor buildings a dead giveaway on style but so were the valet boys in their Swiss-German Knickers! I couldn't help smerking when I walked by them to check in. As soon as Barry gets here...and after my workshop each day, we are going to have a blast! There's full-suspension mountain bike rentals, hotspring heated crater diving, hiking, tennis, golf, mountain biking, fly-fishing - and that's just here at the resort. Here's some pics so far.

Do you see the rainbow??

Bad picture of the resort from my blackberry but you get the idea.

Hello Fall, Hello Cold

Yes, I have a cold. Not allergies, a cold. I guess my natural germ defenses packed up early this year and left. Being the dork I am, I am actually thinking of adding a nasal spray to my collection of anti-germ travel defenses after listening to John Tesh Radio Show on the drive back from the airport Friday night. Supposedly it helps prevent infection, especially when the airplane apparently is as dry as the Arizona Desert. Arizona,....hmm, maybe I need a vacation.

This weekend flew by, especially getting back home Friday night - family dinner, 3 loads of laundry, biking, hiking, lamb kabobs, Wii, in-law family dinner, turn the suitcase and boom, it's 5am Monday morning. Repeat. But, this week, I had to pack the big one, it's not only my last week flying to my current work project (has it really been 11 months???) but I'm heading to Utah this weekend. It's half work, half play. Barry plans to meet me out there Friday after my full 7am-6pm class to spend the weekend exploring. Now, I just have to convince him to haul the bike helmets in his carry on and pack less clothes.

Hiking? you say. My finally got to see my friend Blair and we planned a hike in Yankee Springs Rec. Area on Sunday followed by a yummy coffee-cake brunch. After hearing about the Kisscross kickoff ride being held there courtesy of Danielle - we hiked in that direction. We arrived just as everyone was gearing up, scoped it out, and hiked quietly back but I did secretly search for a cyclocross bike on Ebay last night. gah!

Running Injury Update

I finally was able to get a referral from my general doctor to see a specialist down here in my work city (most of you know where that is by now I'm sure). Tuesday, I got off the plane and headed straight to the appointment. I have to say I was pretty disappointed as they didn't have me see a specialist but just a physical therapist who's not really a doctor. But then again, what is the doctor really going to tell me.

My assigned PT was Kimberly. She took my history and talked about the pain I experience when I run, how long it lasts etc. So basically, no prognosis was made, but a two week regiment of Stretching, PT Strengthening, and No Running was prescribed. I guess I'm not too upset about the last one, as I've stopped for two weeks already. Plus, I think I renewed my love for early AM spin classes (at least I'm letting myself think that). But, I'm two days into the strengthening exercises already and my injured leg actually aches around the knee area at night and during spin class. We'll see what they have to say about that on Friday. Part of me just wants to go get an x-ray by an actual doctor and receive some sort of diagnosis. But, I know this is really not that easy - being the injury that it deep in the shin/calf area. I did get in a great anaerobic threshold spin class this morning and a swim. I hope to get in a good long ride this weekend, maybe chase down Danielle??? and watch some of the Priority Health Classic.

No blog is complete without a picture. My Sister recently ran into a few celebs while at work. Meet Jerry!