We've planted a small forest of trees at our house - a new maple in Conrad's honor from his great grandma, some kawanzan cherries, another eastern redbud and a dogwood. I'm also strengthening our front border with a mass of sea green junipers and rose glow berry bushes.
I enjoyed taking some photos at the farm last weekend, where plants blossom about one week ahead of those here in Harrisonburg. This is my favorite...
This afternoon, Jeremiah won his first road race of the season! There are some great stories from the day - he's sure to have the play-by-play on his blog or at the MonaVie-Cannondale.com site.
In addition to Easter, tomorrow is also the 'Burg Roubaix! Rumors are flying. Nick Waite is just over them thar' hills in his WVA motherland, will he sneak over for the gravel? Chris Scott has readied with a "Pro Tour Taper." Jeremiah will have to rally... two races in two days. Can he throw down, or will McKeagan seek his revenge? Conrad and Ethan are planning to watch the action as riders pass by the bonfire. I've got my cowbell ready. It's sure to be rowdy.
For the past two weeks, I've been playing catch up in all areas of life. Despite the unrelenting hecticness, one thing I've managed to maintain is my daily escape to play outdoors. I've hiked in the Shenandoah National Park, fished in ponds and lakes on both sides of the Blue Ridge, continued running - something I rekindled my enjoyment of in Germany, and have had an absolute blast on my mountain bike.
Here are some pictures from last week's Ladies Ride. (If you haven't visited the SVBC's new forum, it's a great place to connect with the club and find new rides and events.)
If you've not been so lucky as to visitHarrisonburg, Virginia and experience our little city's charm firsthand, the 'Burg's slogan says it all.
Welcome to the Friendly City.
Not only are we friendly here in Harrisonburg, we're treated to a great variety of good food. Considering our relatively rural location in the Shenandoah Valley, the 'Burg is big time.
While there is already a great selection of local farmer's markets, worker-owned restaurants, and nuts-and-berries shops o'plenty, I'm looking forward to the creation of the Friendly City Food Co-Op. It plans to offer a "consumer-owned, democratically run, grocery market that emphasizes healthy foods, quality goods and local produce."
If you live in Virginia, you can join! I am.
I like thinking about our money being spent on local goods in a locally owned shop... that we can ride bikes to! 'cause it won't be on the "NOVA" side of town. I can't wait!
Friday evening, Jeremiah and I caused some trouble at the Six Pack downhill ride.
This week the fun was at Mud Pond/Oak Knob. The view from the knob was stunning. Higher up, fall is already taking over. The trails are still dry, and super sweet.
This is a quick post, but I'm including my first attempt at YouTube'ing....
If you aren't sure what you are looking at, that's Carp clearing a log pile on a Trek Navigator! Since Little Carp won the downhill this week, he'll have to ride that Navigator beast next Friday. If the video doesn't show, youtube sucks.
Big adventure in the works. I'll have a lot to blog about soon!
After dumping an entire suitcase full of casino-smelling clothes into the laundry machine, the next thing on my to-do list was to get outside into the fresh air and sunshine. And, since there's no better way to enjoy a crisp autumn afternoon than by bike, I zipped off in the GTI to the local trails at Massanutten.
The meadow at the bottom was inviting. If I had a blanket, I would have taken a nap there.
Instead, I'm glad hit the trails. It's been so dry in H'burg, the trails were as smooth and fast as ever.
I was sure to honk my holographic bear horn when I neared what I call the bear hole. This hollowed out tree stump is large enough to hide a fridge, and I think it's the perfect place from which a giant bear can stalk cyclists.
I couldn't help but notice how brilliant the colors were. Not just the new reds and yellow, but the sunshine twinkling through the green leaves.
This is an up-close look at some lichen I saw on a rocky ridge. I realized that during my entire Vegas stay I hadn't seen this much non-human life.
Here I am, hanging out on some rocks near the top of the trail, where it intersects with Kaylor's Ridge.
Not only did I destroy my feet in Vegas, but as I hurried out the door eager to ride, I forgot my socks. Lucky for me, the first aid kit was well stocked and I improvised with some soft cotton bandages. As you can see, they held up for the duration of my adventure.
It's been a good week back home. Done some more mountain biking, joined in the cyclocross fun, hosted a burgers-and-beer dinner, and gave some love to the new trails at Hillandale with the SMBC trail work crew. There's a six-pack downhill tonight.
For those of you who haven't heard the news, Harrisonburg will soon have a new trail system within the city, just down the street from our house at Hillandale Park! Bikers across town are getting excited. There are rumored reports that our favorite IMBA family will relocate nearer to the new riding, and that the sexiest man in the peleton is fast at work buying up soon-to-be prime real estate around the park. After spending time outside of Clemson, in Scott's excellent location on the Issaqueena Trails, I can see what all the fuss is about.
On Thursday afternoon, a nice sized group of about ten of us from the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Club met up for a couple hours of trail work. I'd never before cut new trail while the trees and ground were covered by 3 inches of sleet and hard-packed ice. The scenery and the icy setting provided a novel experience, and the work kept my heart rate and temperature up.
All and all, a fun evening with friends. I look forward to next week's session. That is, of course, if I am anywhere near Harrisonburg by then. Alas, I am still dreaming of 70 degrees and sunny.
