Life up in the country
Camilla and I have taken to riding bikes together recently, which is all good and fun, as long as we keep it nice and mellow. My baby has a tendency to get turrets as she goes uphill, directed at the hill. And if we go too long, I start feeling those jabs in my ears. Beyond the hiccup of many hills and hours vs. an hour and streamside, we have lovely rides and continue to see tons of wildlife. Like two Bald Eagles flying along the Delaware River. Always a sweet sight.
And surprisingly, a Black Mink (why can I only say minx when telling someone this?). The first thing I thought of was: 'ohh my, that'd be a nice scrunchie.'
We also watched a Beaver making the trek across the entire river to grab some
dinner.
Dang, by the end of the summer I could have an entirely new wardrobe.
On the cycling front-
I just watched Bobby Lea crush the Omnium at T-town tonight. I have to say, I'm really proud of him making the Olympic team, and I also really hope Friedman does too. Both are stand up guys and former teammates of mine (at PSU). In a sea full of legit douchebags that is road racing, it is always a pleasure to see them and watch them work their magic.
My epic month of racing is about to begin, starting tomorrow with my first track race, followed by some silly qualifier race for Mt. Snow. I do love the competition and excitment of these big races (Mt. Snow, Windham, etc) but my god they've become a complete rip off. Somehow our regional series manages 300-500 riders per race, low entry fees and really good payouts, sans USAC; yet national caliber races charge literally twice as much with absolutely no reward beyond 'doing a big race.'
Anyway, I'm still doing two of those bastards in the coming weeks (two a year ain't so bad) PLUS! the fabulous visitPa.com Stage Race and Festival next weekend. Phew boy, thats really the only event each and every year that I really look forward to.
We will be including more fun stuff this year like bike polo, a trials course (hopefully) and possibly/maybe a top secret dual slalom. Of course, this weekend being Indy Day, Harrisburg is having fireworks all three nights, which can be watched from the ridge above the farm.
So i can assure you, if you don't make it to the Stage Race, you're weekend fun factor will only be a mere fraction of ours.