Get off the Couch!

Mt. Saint Helens in the spring

Right after another win at the PIR crit races.  Over the last 4 weeks we have gotten 3 first place wins and two 3rd place finishes.  Liberty has been working hard and it is paying off with some fun results.

Nice valley view heading up the climb to Mt. Saint Helens.  We did 6000 feet of climbing in 54 miles.  The weather heading up was great.  Heading back down we were engulfed in a cold windy rain storm that just about made us cry.  I had doubts about making it back to the car but we finally did. 

Larry with Spirit Lake in the background.  The pic makes the lake look small but it is quite large.

This pic is from the highest point that you can drive to the crater of the mountain.  Still looks really far away but its amazing to see.  I wish we could have a clear day to see the new growth.  All in all it was well worth the suffering on the way down.  It is experiences like this that we never forget or regret.

Boston here she comes!

Michelle's # and race food goodies.  I like riding, at least you can eat real food on the bike:)

This is the "Oh what have I gotten myself into" look, but I never had a doubt that she would be able to make her goal to qualify for Boston.  The time she needed was a 3:45, I predicted she would do a 3:38:57.
Mile 8.5 and she still had energy to shout out.

Mile 17 and still all smiles,  at this point she was 2 minutes ahead of the 3:40 group and I knew she would make it.

At the finish with her friend Katy who ran the last 10 miles with her.  She makes the Boston time no problem and came within my predicted time by 12 seconds to finish with a 3:39:09.  What a day! Congrats Honey!  I would have to admit that I had short lived thoughts of running again, there is a part of me that likes how simple it is, shorts, shoes and a watch.  Oh well my knees can't do it so I will have to live the dream through my speedy wife:)

A Huge thank you to all of the family and friends who showed up to cheer her on.  I know it made the race for her, she could not have done it with out all of you.  I hope we will be able to come cheer you on next time!

Scenes to Sienna

The long road to Sienna was full of lush fields and quaint buildings.

Me towing a few guys on the long straights to get there a little quicker.  It's hard to get pics of myself when I am the one with the camera all the time, so here is one of about two. 

Inside the main walls of the city, riding on the old pave' of the city if fun.

Group shot in front of our lunch spot and then we head back to Loppiano for a round trip of 100 miles for the day. 

Food, Fun and a meeting of the Minds!

We would start each day by riding down the hill to Cafe Baby- funny name of a cafe.  We would meet the Italian crew that would lead us on a new adventure every day.  The guys were always a kick to be around, full of life and laughs.

Our Italian friends would normally do an outdoor grill day for us but the rain kept it from happening, instead they decided to bring it to us at an outdoor covered tent area near Cafe Baby.  The food was amazing, including wild boar and rabbit.  We all left stuffed to the max and ready for a nap.

And of course we always had time for a few gut busting laughs:)

Two of my very best friends fighting it out on a climb, Steve and Greg, I think Steve may be able to take the climb but Greg will take the WWF hits. 

Fighting the Good Fight!

I wanted to give these guys (Joe above and Ken below) a huge Kudos for doing the camp with big smiles alllllll the time and gutting out some really tough climbs, mind you that both of them are recent cancer survivors. It was a pleasure for me to get to know them.  Great job Guys!

This one is for Michelle

The landscape this trip was in full bloom with lots of green and plenty of flowers.

This was a private house that I saw on a mph descent, I hit the brakes and took a shot just for my wife, I knew she would like it. 

We visited this artist studio, this is where it all started for Greg when he worked for this guy one summer as an apprentice and met all the Italian friends that we now visit.  His art is in high demand all over Europe.

Epic Ghisallo ride!

A nice lap around Lago D'iseo the day before the Ghisallo day.

Like my cycling shoes for the big climb day?  Not the way I wanted to do the Ghisallo.  I still made it up in second place. 
Switch backs on the Ghisallo.   It was easier doing it the second time and knowing what to expect.  There are sections that seem like they  never are going to let up. 

Lago D'Iseo Round 2

A quick stop at the De Rosa factory before the ride for the day.

Easter in Jersey

I am now in Jersey and we enjoyed an Easter dinner with Greg and his fam. and Steve Zoumaras our friend from S.D.  Steve had a bad crash this winter and broke his back, clavicle, and hip in three places so it is a miracle to have him on this trip.  We will be going for a short ride in the a.m. and then head to the airport for Milano, Italia.  More to come....

CIAO!

Taking off for Italia via Newark, NJ.  This trip will be shorter and with a new group of guys.  It should be equally as fun and I look forward to meeting a few new riders and seeing some old friends as well.  My buddy Steve Zoumaras will be joining us on this trip, no doubt he will help make it a gas.  More to come......