A New Post

So, off and on since January I run into friends who will at some point mention that I haven't updated my blog.  Yes, I know.  Perhaps because I feel as if I am updating folks via Face Book.  So, in no particular order here are some of the things that have been happening:

Had a great weekend the end of February in Atlanta.  Spent the night at the W Midtown, saw  Cirque de Soleil, drank quite a bit. Night cap was a drink called the Bon Bon....an incredibly tasty treat. It also snowed there.

A long weekend in Wisconsin visiting the fam. Good visit, good times. 

A cyclist in Chatty that I knew was killed after being hit by a truck.  A ghost bike marks the spot a a constant reminder.

Elected to BOD of SORBA Chattanooga.  These are the folks that build the trails that many of us ride and run on.  My way of giving back w/o manual labor.

Moved over to the other side and bought a MacBook.  Like it, don't love it yet.  

Got some new wheels for the Mountain Bike built just for me.  Those I do love.

Spent a weekend camping at Davidson River at Pisagh.  Those Flynnski's can cook.  It was great ride fun trails.  The ton's of climbing, not so much...but the downhills were sweet, technical and flippin' fun.  Camping could be a go again, though I would prefer temps higher than 30 degrees.  

Am planning to visit Austria in September for a riding vacation in the Alps. 

Pic's to follow....

New Years

Happy 2009. Hope it's off to a great start!

Left: New Years at the House of Hotties, with one of my BFF's. Below: The Countdown.

New Years day was a a four hour ride with the fast folks in 20 degree temps, one mountain climb and one flat/2 tire changes at the top of the mountain. Most of us spent the time huddling from the wind.
2009 has not gotten off the great start I envisioned but I am hopeful that after the death of a close friend, a reorg at the office and illness I can put these first couple weeks behind me and start having fun again (Ok, so this week I did get out Sunday, Monday and Thursday. No wonder I am sick).

Gotta get back on the bike regularly. Cohutta 65 will be here soon!

What am I listening to right now? You Better You Better You Bet by the Who. Life can imitate art! On board, Loveless by Bare Jr. Ha!

Alittle Christmasy

Christmas Eve I had coordinated a ride with friends who, like me, were in Chatty and not spending time with their families. Jeffrey, Tony, Micah, Micheal, Rebecca and I hit the trails up at Raccoon. The group split early and soon it was Reba, Tony and I making our way. A mechanical on Rebecca's bike meant an early end to her ride. Tony and I decided to accompany her to the parking lot and wait on the others. Upon arriving, we saw that Michael had set up a stove and was heating soup and cider for us. He also had packed an array of rum to add that little extra kick to the cider. We weathered a brief rain shower and spent the next couple hours kickin' it in the lot.


Christmas Eve eve was spent at Chili's. Try to find a place open that evening. Here. The staff at Chili's cheered when I walked in and requested a table for eleven. We enjoyed three hours of two for ones drinks and a great evening with friends.

Good Bye My Friend

I was still in bed Tuesday morning when my phone rang. I picked it up and saw that it was my friend Paula calling. It was 6:45 in the morning and I knew why she was calling. I put the phone down, unanswered, as I needed to process the information I was about to receive. Kim was gone. We had been riding buddies and friends. I am thankful that she was in my world. Kim had wrote after I completed the Black Bear Rampage that I was her hero. No Kim, you were a hero. I will miss you. We will bike together again one day.

The Holiday Season

It's been a busy month celebrating the holidays for me here in Chattanooga. It all started back (it seems soooo long ago now) at Thanksgiving.

Part of Thanksgiving weekend was spend in North Carolina riding the trails at Tsali. Though the weather was overcast and cool, it was a great day with 3 hours of riding . The night was spent at the Nantahala Inn...this place rocks! Great rooms with fridges, microwaves, rocking chairs and a sweet deal at 69 bucks!! Saturday the weather did not cooperate and the morning was spent in Sylva visiting former Specialized rep Kent at his bike shop and meandering through this quaint little town. Saturday evening it was back to Chattanooga for dinner at the home of the Flynnski's and a second Thanksgiving with grilled turkey from Rachel and Foye and sweet potato chili (delish).

The following weekend was the true test , with 3 parties to attend that Saturday. Starting early in the evening the first stop was the Velo Vixen's holiday gathering at BMW of Chattanooga , one of our wonderful sponsors.The building was decorated fabulously. With food provided by another sponsor 212 Market and toys collected for Toy's for Tot's it was a great event.

From there I headed to the Hunter Museum where I met Susan, up from Atlanta for a formal holiday gathering hosted by Archie, Tab and several others. It was a great gathering of many friends...I am very grateful to be included in such a fun event. Sadly, my sassy three inch heels were starting to wreck havoc with my pain threshold and after a break in the Uggs and numerous texts fired off at 1 am the journey to the third and final party was aborted and I called it an evening. My poor feet were suffering for days!

The following weekend was a visit to Jenny and Sherri's holiday gathering at Sherri and Adam's new home. Wow...was all I could say. Their media room is about the size of my whole house! More friends, and Karen performing karaoke to Sweet Home Alabama with Adam. That's the natural song for Wisconsin girl to sing, isn't it?

Birthday 2008

It turned out to be a great few days of celebration. Monday the 10th I attended my first Sobra meeting...Big J and I were nominated for Board positions..guess that's what happens when you show interest. After munching on pizza, discussing trail building and the multitude of projects they have on the horizon several of us including Barry, Jeffrey and Eric hit Bluewater for Martini Monday. Great fun was had, including a visit from Wendy and Rebecca.

Tuesday was finally cake day, and it was carrott and de-lish. a HUGE thank you to Mike for taking the time to bake for little ole me. It was a great surprise :).

The day also included a celebratory bike ride up the W road and around the top of Signal Mountain. Thanks to Kim, Mike, Cindy and Steve for a great ride. We even came across our friend Dr. Greg, and he joined us for a bit.

Tuesday evening was dinner with Anita. Thanks to all who made Birthday 2008 a good one. 47 aint' so bad.....so far.

2 Days To Cake!

Some people are birthday people. We acknowledge the day, encourage you to acknowledge the day and enjoy the day that is about ourselves to the fullest. If you know me the least bit, you know I am a birthday person. One can be an attention whore and not feel the least bit guilty. I started the birthday pre-parties this weekend with the arrival Susan and Rachel. After being out of town for most of the week for work and returning home ill...I was ready for some solid food and drinks. We had a great time at Taco Mamacito and a dessert and champagne nightcap at Terre Nostre. A befitting end to a day that also included boutique shopping (a new Kooba bag.....LOVE IT!) and a pedicure.

Sunday afternoon Rachel and I headed up to Raccoon for a short ride on the trails. The lots and trails were filled with people...many from out of town. While riding, we came upon a couple guys who, based on their jerseys where from Atlanta. Turns out one was none other than my "you have some of my underwear dude " friend Firewater Shane. It was great to see him and spend time catching up.

Monday and Tuesday I am enjoying off of work, out and about and attending my first Sorba meeting. I am also thinking a birthday road ride is in order.......