Adventures with Tickhead

This week we are taking care of Tickhead aka Rena, Jenn and Bill's dog. We took her along with us to West Virginia, to give Pilar a hand with some chores and relax in the country. 
Rena and Maya made friends immediately. They chased sticks, swam and hiked all weekend.

We hiked with Gabriella and the dogs.

Rena and Gabriella hanging out.

BJ and Gabriella 

Filling the pool for Gabriella - I see some chicken feet in the fore front.

Rena and Maya

Fun in Fitchburg

The Chikin, Sara, Amanda and I had a blast hangin' together over the 4th of July weekend. More here.

Wild and Wonderful _ _ _ _ Virginia?

The chikin and I were supposed to head up to WV for some R&R and some awesome riding, but some things came up and we couldn't. So we did the next best thing and drove up to Front Royal, VA for some hill intervals up Skyline Drive. What a blast! We saw Janelle Hubbard out there, too.

Chikin Butt

After the ride we were on our way home when Chikin spotted one of those signs with grapes on it. I knew we were in trouble, so to make up for us not going to WV, we stopped in at a couple of vineyards to check out the local juice. It was mighty tasty . . .

Just before the carnage began

Chikin sampling Rappahannock's Cabernet Franc

Not leaving empty-handed

Chikin at Cedar Cellars aka C2 just down the road from the other place . . . who needs Napa?

Here's me looking and feeling redneck.

Chikin demo-ing the new sea blue crocs

Triple Crown of Racing

Originally I had meant to post this on my blog, but accidently it was posted to our team blog. The Triple Crown was a blast and a great chance to hang with my new fabulous team!

C3-Sollay.com

Better late than never, right? After finding that I really like having local teammates, and the chicken putting in a good word for me, I have been invited to race with a new team Charm City Cycling - or C3- with our main sponsor, Sollay. These girls rock, and I feel very privileged to be a part of the team! More to come.

Fun Weekend

Fairhill was a blast . . . it was great getting back on the mountain bike and seeing so many familiar faces. Cheryl Sornson (Trek/VW) and Michelle "Sunshine" Stopper (VisitPA.com) were first and second and I was lucky enough to round out the podium in third. The course wasn't that technical, but I sure could tell I hadn't been on the mountain bike since last summer!
The chicken had a great day, too! She placed second in the Sport category and was a mere 20 seconds from winning. An early crash moved her from the lead to second - but she held on to second - way to go!

Jeff Anderson, photographer and mountain biker extraordinairre

Here are some pics from Saturday's women's skills clinic - here we are practicing putting a hand on our partner's shoulder and looking back. We got really lucky with the weather, but ran out of time so we plan on putting on a skills 'n drills clinic part 2 to address more advanced cycling skills. Look out for a post on another clinic, perhaps in May.
Thanks again to Laurel for organizing this clinic to raise money for RAAM's Green Team!

Wednesday Night Ride in DC

Cherry blossoms - this one's for you Mom! Snapped a shot on my way to the most awesome ride DC has to offer on a weeknight.
Cassie, Clifton and Lisa joined us for the ride. Here we all are crossing the 14th St. Bridge on our way to Arlington, VA.
The Route 1 Velo gang "pacelining" on the Mt. Vernon bike path just like little ducks in a row. 
The chicken demonstrating her winning style. She claims she got me at the city limit sign on the Memorial Bridge, but I'm not so sure.

Thanks to Route 1 Velo strongmen Mike, Travis, Jesse, Brandon for pulling me around and making me hurt! You guys rock.