Last week was the last training race, and today is the real thing. Fortunately the field isn’t packed with the usual ringers from SJBC or Specialized, so Gabe is hoping for a good finish. It’s a slower pace than previous races, and I’m happy to see Gabe hanging right at the front of the pack the whole race. He holds a pretty decent position on the last turn and pulls off a sixth with Ryan from Steven’s Bicycles taking first. ...
It seems there are windows hidden in all sorts of places. Windows to what, is the question.
Part two of our Napa adventure included the most amazing thing I saw all weekend was the Castello de Amorosa. We visited this castle out in the wine country was extraordinary. My favorite part of the castle was not actually the structure, but the animals around it. Especially the sheep, they cracked me up and made it feel almost like we were back in time at a medieval castle. ...
My family and I went on a short trip up to Napa for my little brother’s road bike race called the Cherry Pie Criterium. Yes, the winners do get cherry pies, sadly not us though. This was my first trip to wine country and because I am not yet of drinking age we had to find some pretty awesome adventures other than wine tasting. First plan for adventure: visiting cool looking wineries and taking pictures of fields with flowers. ...
We’re off to the Cherry Pie Criterium this weekend for Gabe’s first big official group crit. He’s pretty nervous considering he’s lumped in with the 17-18 year old group, and there are tons of advanced category riders. Looks like Specialized, SJBC, Tieni Duro, and Team Swift are here in force. A slow clip in doesn’t bode well. The pack is moving very fast today and there’s one crash at the switch over that came close to Gabe. They’ll be heading up and over this hill quite a few times. Specialized is working really hard at the front. ...
Teeter me tower Settle down annoying clatter Find me the fire Between your clamorous banter There is silence to be had If only it could be found Drop the dice Only to loose the die Pitter patter little rain drop Who knew you could Make such a ruckus Who knew the dove Would best the crow That the dog would never Have his day Clitter clatter of the tatters Left behind by the shreds Of all that never was But will always be Find the answer Without the question Seek a sunset during sunrise And what will you find? A frame without a photo And a world without meaning Filled to the brim Of a glass not quite full But never empty Jump to reach the sun When the stars stand in the way Find me reason Without rhyme Find the end of this poem In the next line
Gabe did very well at last week’s Early Bird Criterium, and we’re back again for another race. The field is quite a bit smaller given the rain today, but it looks like SJBC is here with a few of their best. I wish they had shown up at the group ride for SJBC we did together yesterday, so they would have known him and they could have worked together. ...
Deserts provide amazing opportunities for great photos because of their vibrant colors. This photo of the natural colors in Joshua Tree being exaggerated really excites the awesome colors, but in the end the natural colors are always best. But enhanced ones can be very fun 🙂
Gabe was sick last weekend and missed the second Early Bird Criterium, but he’s excited to do another one after a successful first race. It’s another big field, but fortunately the Spokesman rabbit isn’t here today. The pack holds together nicely for the whole race, though Gabe had to slow once for another rider’s slight crash. He’s in great position for the last couple of laps. The finish was easily won by one guy, then second and third by another, followed by the fast pack. Gabe was tired, but pulled in a nice fifth place finish. I think he’s got the fever now. ...