Been a while, but it has been pretty busy at home, work and on the bike as much as possible. After the boring trip to Galveston we had our annual pilgrimage to Avery Island where lots of good food and cocktails were readily consumed for 2.5 days. We had a full house and enjoyed entertaining our guests, but it really wears you out. So this week has been detox time. I finally got back on the bike tuesday and suffered through a fairly easy ride. I had to sit up at the end unexpectedly due to the rumbling presence in my lower intestines. Time to get home! Only problem was if I tried to go faster the worse it was. Relief came about 30 minutes after I got home since the wife was occupying our only bathroom getting ready for work. Not a fun 45 minutes.
Wednesday's ride was much better as there was a smaller then normal group and no one really attacked. Nice and steady. Thursday I went later with David, Luke, Mark, Joe and Margeret. We went later to get Richard to ride with us. Of course he was a no show so we soft pedalled for about 5 miles before we got into a nice rhythm. We saw the early group just past Williams and decided to jump in. Ronnie was pulling around 25 on his TT bike and kept it going for about 2 miles then VJ took over and did the same. Once Randy got to the front the pace picked up slightly and I felt like the guy in front of me would attack when Randy pulled off. Sure enough he did and we were going 29. When he pulled off I kept the pace for about 3 signs and pulled off thinking I could then ease back to 25. Well the same guy attacked again but it was a pretty futile attempt and he was gone. VJ came around me and we kept it steady at 25 and rotated a couple of times. My pulls being shorter as I was about at my limit and then let him go thanking him for pulling. Soon Randy and Ronnie caught me and I just hung on to the end. Once there Richard showed up. Imagine that. So I turned around with him and rode a few more miles and headed in. Boy was it hot. Enough rambling for now. Until next time as a local radio host says, "Entertain your own damn self."
This is the way to see Napa. I haven't been riding much this past month but was happy to go on a short tour of a few wineries via pedal power. Catherine and I had a blast on the bike and I was really glad that she enjoyed it. The rest of our trip she wanted to go riding. The weather there was incredible. Very different from what we have been experiencing in New Orleans. We had a blast. Not too fast and not too slow, we had lots of time to check out the scenery and taste quite a few wines around the Yountville area. If you are ever there and want to ride check out Napa Valley bike tours and they can hook you up. Great people. They were even impressed with our use of the "water bottle" cage. As for coming home work has been crazy and I head out into the field sunday. Man o man summer sampling is here and won't stop until the weather cools in NO. That will be a while. Not much else to say, just going to hook up with my sister and one of the bros this weekend with all their kids at the parental units home. Should be a mad house.
