Time Spent with a Long Lost Girlfriend and Weekend Chores

So early this morning I slipped out of the casa at 5:40am and had a 3:20hr date with a bit of sweetness I have neglected from some time - Friday morning dirt road ride! Dale and I watched a beautiful sunrise while kicking up a little dust southeast of Bodunklivar. First hour was a bit muggy, the temps dropped (and the lightening began) for the second and made for a comfy feel, and the last hour was the best as the skies opened up (a little at first and full on at the end) and kept us cooled off with a good soaking. Back roads, cross bikes, rain = BLISS. It had been several weeks since our last FMR (Friday Morning Ride), but hopefully that all changes.

Got cleaned up and caught the last hour of the TdF (see below).

Last night Deb tossed some steaks on the grill while Jake and I hung two of the three new light fixtures; it is amazing how little things are updating the house to a new level. I knew it was going good as the corners of Deb's mouth made their way north (big smiles for you non-interpretive sorts). One (the big one) to go in the dinning area, which is going to be a task in a 20' vaulted ceiling; hopefully Ira will come over (and bring his ladder as it needs two of them) and another project will go down. Not sure what is next, but I feel confident Deb will let me know soon (smirk, smirk). This weekend my big project is cleaning the gutters, fascia, sidewalk, driveway, and patio with a high pressure hose. I did this two years ago and it is time; amazing the difference it makes.

Jake is spending some time with young Kemp this afternoon baking some pies and turns out we are eating them this evening as our crew and that of Wes and Marla are having a dinner/ride date. As much as the ride-Nazi hates to hear that anyone would ride for fun that is what this evening has in store.

!!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!! Don't read further if you are DVR'ing Friday's stage and don't want a hint of the results

TdF was pretty good today as the entire Astana team played their roles to perfection and everyone benefited (some more than others...). Attacks were controlled and another stage down where in none of the main contenders gained ground and lost another day to make up the difference. How nutty to have Astana standing on the top three steps... still a long ways off, but very doable.

Fitness: 3:20hr ride this morning at steady pace on cross bikes