Friday morning Ira and I loaded up the mtb's and got in 2 hrs at Sac. Everything was dry and the trails were in super condition. I usually get bored with Sac pretty fast, but today both of us were flowing really nice and it made for a great ride. Hardly any 'regroups' (which drive me nuts on mtb rides) and a steady pace the entire time. This coming weekend is the Omba Caramba mtb race at Sac and I initially had no intention of doing it as I was taking some time away from intensity on the bike, BUT... I had such a good time Friday that I am re-thinking it and might throw a leg over my stead come Sunday (weather will be a big factor in participation as I am not going out for 2hrs for a steam bath as I am not a good performer in the hot stuff - we'll have to wait and see).
*** Pic #1 - Ira getting ready for the action Pic #2 - window/mirror shot prior to departure Video #1 -Not Ira riding in a fog bank at Sac, but rather condensation on the outside of the camera and my lack of attention to detail - the effect looked pretty cool though***
Got back home as it started to rain and found Deb cracking open a paint can in our master bath. She knocked out some impressive work this weekend and I from time to time would make a special guest appearance to make her think I was involved. Played multiple rounds of catch with Ian. Tom & Sarah Jones (known from now on as T&S) brought over their crew's bikes (six of them) and I did a little maintenance on each and got T&S a bike fit to make their mile more comfortable.
Friday late afternoon Jake, Deb, and I (Ian was at a friend's birthday party and sleep over) went to a friend's house for some good grilling/chow down fest and fellowship. After stuffing ourselves silly, we went to another friend's home for bonfire and fireworks. Got home pretty late, but just in time to fire up the DVD player for Jake and I to watch the last two Matrix movies (we had watched #1 the evening before). He and I stumbled to bed around 3am.
***Just a little look at one of the tables of food***
Saturday morning was a late start for everyone: I slept until 10am and the rest of the crew (to include Ian) rolled out of bed around 11am! I caught the opening TdF stage then got a little mowing and yard maintenance done. Ian shot off some fireworks in the drive way (see video below) which was huge as it was the first time we let him actually light it up - he felt pretty big (even though the fireworks were not). Deb spent a big chunk of the day working on the master bath paint while I continued my 'guest appearances' here and there to show support.
I stayed up until a little after midnight working on some bikes in the garage.
Sunday morning got some garden/yard work done before heading off to church. After a quick bite and watching the DVR'ed TdF stage (Ian is a huge Cavendish and George fan so he was stoked with the finish) Deb and I hit the master bath again to finish it up. We finished off the ceiling paint and touch ups and called it a done project. I say 'we' did it, but she put in 90% of the work and did a great job.
Sunday evening we loaded up and went out to T&S's for some desserts and MORE fireworks. We have done this for the past couple years and it continues to be a great time - super relaxing, great snack, zip lines (not only for the young ones), kids running all over the place, and grown men trying to make multiple combinations of fireworks to outdo the others. Ron Evans (our family doctor and cyclist) and I took the prize with a small fountain that ignited four separate artillery shells and during all this lit on Roman candle (bonus). Unlike last year, none of the explosions took place in the viewing area (still one of the funniest things I had seen in a long time - mostly as no one got hurt). Got home a little after 10pm and everyone hit the sack quickly.
***Ian flipping some pancakes on the griddle. He is always in the kitchen wanting to help stir, mix, or cook something***
TdF - What can I say, I am a slacker and didn't give my extended predictions... no biggie as I would have simply gotten blasted for 'being an expert' by my peers. Opening TT was not a huge surprise with Fabian dominating, but Contador looked super nice while making a statement to teammates that he IS the true leader. Astana as a whole looked super while I was impressed also with Evan's ride. Lance looked good, but not great - welcome to reality and how the rest of his TdF will go... Cavendish and Columbia looked like business as usual on stage two and it will be interesting to see with how many wins he gets.
Fitness: 2hr mtb ride at Sac and the rest of the weekend NOTHING (and loved it!)
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