CYCLISM SATURDAY

After using the televised Giro d'Italia to give us a little motivation, we got out for a nice road ride around Camarillo. The Cytomax powder in my water bottle certainly gave me the boost that I needed, though Donna probably would have preferred that I drank just water, or nothing at all. We took it easy, enjoyed each other's company and the usual spectacular Souther California weather.

BREAKFAST WITH DONNA

A CHANGE OF SCENERY

Monday we decided to ride closer to the coast, for sake of cooler temperatures. There was a super dense marine layer hovering over the ocean that blew up the hillsides and into sycamore canyon, which made for some spectacular scenery. We've been so used to blue, sunny skies that we forgot how weather variation can enhance the landscape. It was a great ride to say the least. Afterward it was back home for some r&r and Giro d'Italia highlights on tv.

RIDE TIME

Sunday we got out for a great ride in the Cheesebro area. It was hotter than blazes but the scenery was great and the downhill singletrack was well worth the climbing.

AWESOME BREAKFAST

Sunday morning we really chowed down in preparation for our ride. Strawberries, imitation sausage and waffles with peanut butter and sugar-free maple syrup. If you've never tried PB & syrup, you must... it's awesome!

ARRRRR.... DARN PALM TREES

I broke out my weapon of choice for Friday night battle with the three palm trees in the front yard. These things are friggin' nasty when you get up close and personal with them! Basically, they're covered with shark teeth.

THURSDAY POST-WORK RIDE

I got out for a solo ride Thursday evening after work. I snapped a few photos, soaked up some scenery, felt the legs & lungs burn a bit... and then it happened... coming around a corner, through an intersection, I saw a mountain lion! I was already moving fast but I dropped the hammer and kept all the momentum I had, looking back about 5 seconds later to make sure it wasn't chasing me. All was clear but I kept my speed the whole way back to the car.

WHEN IN ROME...

Of course you can't go to Valencia and not stop for some fresh oranges, right off the tree!

POST-RIDE TOGETHERNESS

After riding the trails we ran to Jersey Mike's for subs and returned to the lake for a picnic in the shade. The food was good. The scenery, shade and breeze were fantastic. And the company was enough to make you look toward the heavens and say 'thank you.'

RIDING: DAY TWO

After staying in Valencia Sunday night, we took a short drive up the highway to ride the trails at Lake Castaic. Short but extremely steep climbs wiped us out in no time. Considering we paid $11 to get in, I wish they had done a better job with trail work - all the trails were extremely overgrown but fun nevertheless. We had a great ride, enjoying each others company, as we always do.

CHILL TIME

After four hours on the trail, a hot shower and dinner at BJ's, it was time to chill out and call it a day.

BBQ TIME

After our Sunday ride we ran into a brush fire on Interstate 5. It did wonders for traffic of course. If only we had remembered the hot dogs and marshmallows!

SUNDAY MOUNTAIN BIKING

We got in a great ride on Sunday. We also remembered that the air is considerably thinner at 8,000 feet than it is at sea level! Ouch! We even ran into a few patches of snow - that cold white stuff that we haven't seen in years. All in all it was a 9-mile climb followed by a 9-mile descent that was spectacular.

RARE ROAD RIDE

I've been doing so much MTN biking lately that I forgot what it feels like to ride the road bike! Fast! Wow, to say the least.

TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE

Despite feeling less than motivated, I got out for a ride Tuesday night with Bruce, a friend from work. Thirty minutes into the ride I was thrilled to be out and thankful that I didn't follow my instincts, which were telling me to head home for the sofa.