Tour of the Gila

Photo dump. Words to come. I know I say that a lot, but this time I really mean it. There is much to say for this incredible experience. Stay tuned!



My family for the week, Team Diadora-Pasta Zara. L to R: Eleonora Patuzzo (ITA), Amber Pierce (AUT), Rachel Neylan (AUS), Mara Abbott (USA), Claudia Haeusler (GER), and Manel Lacambra (SPA).

Mara Abbott wins the first stage of the tour!

Mara wins the polka dot (or polka leap) climbers jersey and is Queen of the Mountain.

Mara wins 2nd overall in the GC.

The girls on the "Vomit Comet" from Silver City to Albequerque.

Eleonora Patuzzo sprints for 3rd place in Stage 4's criterium race in downtown Silver City.

The shop where I spent a few late nights preparing for the next day of racing.

Unloading the van and preparing the team car for the caravan.

My view from the backseat.

Just in case, though fortunately I didn't have to leave the car once.

Our hosts' house overlooked Wind Canyon and Silver City. Not a bad place to be while washing the bikes.

Pretty maids all in a row. Ready to "kill the bitches... in the middle of the face!"

The start of Stage 5.

The photo I waited all week for: The team and their mechanick.

The view from my office

Photo dump. Words to follow...

South Sister and the alpen glow from the sunrise.

South Sister's reflection in the windows of the pro shop.

We're special.

Our boss, Sparky, not feeling it.

Sunrise lift and Mt. Bachelor's summit on a bluebird day.

Corduroy.

Stallion, in danger of being dog-napped by me.

Oregon Trail of Dreams sled dog tours, owned and operated by world class mushers, Jerry and Rachael Scdoris.

Happy New Year

Laura and Matt, climbing Burma Rd.

The view from the top of the Burma climb. Too bad the camera can't capture emotion.

A fun, bench cut out-and-back that traversed a ridge. Awesome.

The setting sun and the Deschutes River make the backdrop for the end of an amazing ride.

I did my first mountain bike ride of the year yesterday. The place is called Smith Rock and is a popular rock climbing spot, but the trails around it are pretty sick, too. I brought my camera, but was too busy being blown away by what I was seeing to stop and take many photos. Here are just a few.