SAY GOODBYE to Winter Ride - aka do not climb Old La Honda with improper gearing

Today the sun came out - first time in what seems like 100 days of constant rain. Granted, I live in Northern California where the temps rarely dip below 40 and am not dealing with blizzards. HOWEVER, I still feel that I should have the right to complain about the weather occasionally, as this happens to be a human pastime.

To celebrate the end of winter, I rode to the coast with some friends, Matt and Christine. Aside from riding in Monterey, this is one of my all time favorite rides. When I first started riding I learned to suffer on these hills while trying to stay on Pataky's back wheel.

I always seem to forget how hilly this ride is. We climbed up Old La Honda and I made sure to remember the recent Slowtwitch.com debate about what is the acceptable RPM for which to climb this. I am happy to report that I have an acceptable RPM, despite my horrific gearing (clearly I don't know how to talk about bike gears correctly. I just know the important things...like I have a 23 on my training wheel and a 25 on my race wheels...and this does seem to make a difference when climbing.)

I decided to take some pics while riding with my newly acquired iPhone. Unfortunately, I am not terribly gifted in photography...especially while riding... so you'll just have to pretend the pics are about 50 times more beautiful than what you see.

GOOD BYE WINTER!!!! (Note: I will ignore the latest weather forecast indicating more storms for my hood this week.)



Notice the overcast sky - It was sunny on the other side of the hill. Note to self - bring sherpa to carry warm clothing when heading to the coast.



PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric) ruined this shot with their freaking power lines.



Road that reminds me of cycling in New Zealand (sans the multitude of sheep.)



iPhone shot of the day - charlie waite should hire me.

I Rate this a Slam Dunk

"Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don't feel like doing them."

- Basketball Hall of Famer, Julius Irving aka Dr. J.

I came across this gem of a quote in a book on motivation: Drive, by Daniel Pink. Mr. Pink is a metro red line neighbor of mine and an authority on 'the changing world of work.' More or less, his book falls under the umbrella of self-help. His 2-month long national book tour is winding down in the DC area and his speaking engagements are posted on his blog... just an fyi for any DC area residents (i.e., non-Canadians) reading this post.

To continue with our slam dunk theme, please enjoy the video of Le Dunk de la Mort. In the 2000 Olympics, Vince Carter JUMPED OVER a 7'2" French player, Frederic Weis, in the USA's 85-75 win over the French for a ... Slammmm Dunk.




(blog fodder: Lauren told me she would post last night, but nary a bold word appeared in my google reader from the rookiepros blogspot this morning... i SURPRISE her with a new post of my own and the only commentary from LAHP is: why did you include that basketball video)

Washington DC Snowfall

DC has been a ghost town the last 6 days due to the snowfall, lack of cleanup on the streets/sidewalks and the federal gov't closings.

Notice the 3 inch thick layer of compacted snow/ice in the roads...

On a Sunday morning walk...
Here, Connecticut Avenue Bridge crosses Rock Creek Park--this is where I usually cycle, but currently this is where I sled (FULL DISCLOSURE: I went on ONE RUN on an abandoned garbage lid... after living on the edge, once, I can resume my risk-averse lifestyle)

2 girls loving their cardboard sled

Marilyn looks on as Carl cookie-sheets it down the hill

Sledding essentials

Aside from working from (someone else's) home... notice the plethora of natural light, occasional stops at the office, training indoors and walking through food-less grocery stores, I am having a blast in the kitchen and making the best of the extra morning time in egg creations.

Midwestern frittata (FRITTATAS ARE SO EASYYY to assemble and retain their heat longer than scrambled eggs; fact)

Sweet and Spicy Cashew Chicken

Rib Eye Steak w/ blue cheese, lemon asparagus, chambord carrots and cinnamoney sweet potatoes. Note to Lauren, I ate a PORTION of the steak
Calvert Street, NW DC on Saturday, Feb. 6

Calvert Street, NW DC on Wednesday, Feb. 10