Back in the groove

One last shot of a fantastic vacation!
Leaving just in time. Driving into Phoenix the out side
temps were climbing. That is crazy for April weather. Thank goodness
we did not have to ride in those temps this past week. The average temp for us was in the 70's and low 80's.

More fun in the sun

All this riding can catch up with you so Ty and I decided to do an

easy ride up Bell's rock yesterday to give our bodies a break. Twenty minutes into the ride

my seat post snapped as I was climbing. Thank goodness we were on this trail and not on an epic adventure. I at least got in some practice riding while standing up, sure works out the calf muscles.

Some slick rock which is a lot of fun.

Keith and Karen in love


Mike learning how to ride and not wipe out.

Relaxing after a hard 6 hour epic ride

Relaxing poolside

Best shower after a hard ride

Oak Creek Brewery again?

Yummy, BEEEERRRRR

One good day after another...

Three chiefs trying to find the trail head
A grueling 1/4 mile climb at the beginning of Ridge Trail
The hill continues, testing your psyche to see how long you

can endure the burn climbing on loose rocks.

Riding along Ridge trail things started to get tricky, edgy loose rock single track

that was very scary to get of your bike even to stand and walk it. The rocks were so loose when you would step down that half the trail you were standing on would slide under your feet down the mountain side. Dan and I were behind Captain and Keith, I kinda thought I did not recognize this trail from yesterdays ride, luckily Ty and Keith turned around, they too headed in the wrong direction. We found out it was the back end of Airport loop that was PUCK 10+, Captain tells me shear drops and huge boulders, difficult to even walk in areas less than one foot wide trail.

Dan and I decided to do the Carol Canyon trails, Old post trail, Bandit trail up to the front half of Airport trail which leads to our house. We had a blast on some fast switch back down hill sections that were a sweet reward after all the climbing. After riding through the canyon we decided to hit up bandit trail which was a technical uphill challenge. The single track was 1 foot wide with very tricky medium size rocks, not loose, easily rideable, but there were" Cactus to the left of me cactus to the right, here I am stuck in the middle maneuvering like a bandit with great balance." You had no choice, dismount and your getting pricked.

Dan showing off his down hill skills

Caffeine

It is very interesting that while on vacation certain coffee addicts arise from the dead to be the first to the coffee pot in the morning. Is it getting the first fresh cup before everyone else so exhilarating? What causes such addiction? I do have to say,it is nice that Dave is not here this trip with his super 8 coffee mug hogging the first pot of the day. The simple aroma of coffee is very uplifting.

Puck-O-Meter-9

Yesterday we decided to ride the Huckaby Trail. According to Cosmic Ray's

Fat Tire Tales and Trail handbook, it states this is a tough scenic loop along Oak Creek. This is a puck factor 9, effort hard, skill level expert with wicked exposure and big drops.

We started off heading up Schnebly Hill to catch the trails, nice little 5 minute climb for a warmer.

Looks deceiving, shear drop off to the left, but if you look straight

ahead the scenery is awesome. Lots of climbing on loose rocky stuff which is a good burner for the heart rate ceiling, but it feels great no matter how bad it hurts, once you get to the top you can't wait for the next challenge. We finished down the stairs of "HELL" (hike a bike) to the creek for a double wet crossing and then up to the bridge. We had to cross the river and it was waist deep in the middle, not too treacherous if you have a solid downhill type mountain bike. Of course, I brought my carbon fiber bike so when I was crossing the creek and using my bike to hold me up, while trying to balance on the slimy rocks, the currents pretty much took over the bike and it was almost a goner. Luckily, Ty was to the rescue and saved the bike and me from going under. So we headed off to Jim Thompson trail to catch up to Keith, Mike and Dan. We went through Jordan trails and Tea Cup for the round trip delight.

Down hill descents on Jordan trails. My balance this year is better then last which makes riding more delightful when you can control the bike.

Rock star Dan attempts and conquers.

Piece of cake for Captain, nothing challenges the man.

Mike took a dump after a long climb on Jim Thompson trail. He reached the very top
heart rate most likely maxed out, was down for the count just as he conquered.


Hours of riding can take a toll on the body, nothing beats

relaxing poolside with a cold "Fat Tire" beer and taking in the views and dreaming

of tomorrows adventures.

Stay tuned

Kickin up the red dirt

Finally off to a fantastic week of fun riding in the red dirt

of Sedona Arizona.
After a hard days ride, we cook up some fantastic
meals and relax. Taking in some breath taking views
from the home we rented off Air Port Road.

Flying over the Rockies, can you believe all he snow they
got again. Lucky for the skiers!



Cindy showing off her jugs at Oak Street Brewery.

View from the kitchen porch.

More views from the house

Every night we are able to watch the sunset

from our living room, can't beat that after a hard day of riding.

More riding adventures to follow.

HEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WITH A LOUD BELLAR!

ARE YOU READY ?

There seems to be the buzz word around the WORS community this past week. Everyone I run into asks the big question, "are you ready to start racing?" This winter dragged on and I don't know about you, but I am ready to just get out and have some fun with other crazy obsessed racers like myself come race day. It's lonely over the winter months, and as we creep closer to the start of the season, I get so excited just to see everyone and be around normal people like myself. No one understands the love of mountain biking more than the community of WORS HEADS, and I may add even those of you who do not do all twelve races, I still would consider them just as well.

Over the past several months I have kept up with training, nutrition and you can put it all together come race day and only hope for good outcomes. I always set my hopes up high until that dreaded moment when a young punk, (no pun intended) passes me and then I get reminded I am not 21 anymore, but it sure feels good to act like one. So if you ask me if I am ready, I am more ready then I could ever be. Are things perfect with my training, I don't have a clue but I have to say I have done some good homework and I am ready to take my first test.

So...The question of the day is, ARE YOU READY?

Whats New with Team Alterra 2007?

Planning takes place for race season 2007. As of August

2007, Tony G steps up to team captain while Greg continues duties of race
director.

New Team members

Ann Wakefield

Tim Scanley

Jeff Petersen

Jim Liesen

Marni

New team member Cindy
Water Girl

Anna, new member who finally decided to come over to the cool side.
Member Tammi not present, who is recovering from her bionic hip

MORE PHOTO'S HERE
http://www.flickr.com/photos/super_fly/sets/72157600088420674/show/

PARTAY

It's that time of year to gather the ALTERRA Gang together for a party. Uniforms have arrived and that give us another excuse to live it up. Of course there will be the usual (monkey) business to be discussed, but I guarantee I will get some good pics tomorrow night. Stay tuned.

Otherwise nothing new other than I am ready to launch the trainer out the window. Only one week to go and then I can ride my ass off in Sedona, vacation could not come at a better time. I day dream about the thoughts on how I will spend my days on vacation. Ride, jacuzzi, ride, take a nap, drink, lie by the pool, drink....get a little nookie

Lance endorses FRS

The Secret is out! Quick, buy stock now in FRS.

Wake me up when it is spring

Choora

Last weekend I had the honor of attending Anna's wedding shower. For those of you who don't know, Anna will be marrying this dude on May 27 Th 2007. We are all excited for these two and wish them the best.




This is one of the special gift's that Anna received.



Inside are these beautiful bangles that she will wear on her wedding day.

I had to look this up, since I do not know much about India's wedding traditions. Choora are bridal bangles that the bride puts on her arms on the day of her wedding which signifies newly wed status.



She also received a little bling, bling which was a gift from her mother. Looks like Anna is off to ta good start! I can't wait till the wedding!

So much to do, such little time...

Bourbon Street

I am glad to be back to my regular routine. If life was one big vacation I would get bored with it. I like the leisure pleasure of doing what I want on a trip, or when ever I have time off, but there is something to say about having structure in your life, I think I thrive on it. Four days away for a convention and a little fun can catch up with you, quite quickly. New Orleans is a bit tarnished from the devastation of hurricane Katrina, but I think in time they will swing back to a full recovery. The spirit still lives on even though the city edges are a bit ruffled. Interestingly, aside from the usual festivities in the French Quarter where we happened to stay, I hit up a few art galleries that were pretty cool and learned a little bit about a few local New Orleans artists.

Check out Martin Laborde, born in New Orleans, he spent the first two decades of his life in total silence. He compensated by developing a heightened visual sense and his art became defined by the spiritual and mystical world he envisioned. Many want to purchase his work and display it in their children's bedrooms, but his art is meant to be displayed for the adult. His work demonstrates the childlike qualities in all of us that we tend to hide. Again I stumbled upon another interesting artist that demonstrates a mischievous dark side in his paintings that are a reflection of his life as he peels away the layers, Harouni http://www.harouni.com/ has had an interesting past and I believe some of his work has been displayed in several movies.

I really had a good time learning how to use my new SLR. I have a lot to learn and I can't wait to take shots this race season.

Cafe Absinthe

First stop after I found out they lost my luggage

Did I mention that I am glad to be home and back on my routine? It felt great this past week to ride on the bike, even though the weather is a bit trying. Keeping up on the nutrition and rest this week is the easy part. I wonder if doing my homework will make the grade. Iola is just around the corner and having heard about the carpet machine's finish this weekend has me stoked for this season.