Tour DAY

So, today ends our 3 weeks of bicycle racing. OK, our 3 weeks of TV watching. But it is still an accomplishment. Here we are.... Gina, the sprint champion, wearer of the green jersey. And your faithful blogger, King of the Mountains, proudly wearing polka dots.

The team manager had to make strategic changes to the game plan. We tried to wake up each day at 5:00am to watch, only to fall right back to sleep. So we decided to tape. Then we had a couple technical problems. No, not like David Millar's carbon fiber bike falling apart (twice) in the time trial. But twice we watched for 3 hours, only to miss out on the end of the stage cuz the dvr stopped taping before the end of the show. A QuikStep call to our sponsor, Comcast, and we solved that issue. merci.

We are proud of making the gran boucle. Starting in London, over to Belgium, then to France, over the Alps, down to Briancon (oui actually have been there), a fast trip to Saugatuck, MI, past Marseille, up into the Pryennes, then back up to Paris. I'm exhausted thinking about it.

So, today we took our own real bike ride of 30 miles to Seward Park and back.

Yesterday we had a mini, well, almost real sprint tri with Coach Lesley's group, here at Green Lake. It was fun. and also an eye opener... I have adjusted all expectations for this year's Danskin Tri. I do not think I will be anywhere near the podium. Last year was a fluke.

Or was I doping?

CHEEZeS

Well, I should have a full report on all the family fun in Michigan but we spent the day watching tapes of the days of Tour DAY France that we missed. All afternoon cheering on Rasmussen. Only to go to the computer to get final time differences (yes, we need those #'s to discuss at dinner) and as they say online "WTF" ? Or our personal favorite "cheezes" . So Rasmussen is out of the race, not for doping but for not being available to be tested in the off season, and lieing, lying, whatever... telling lies about his whereabouts. And my other fav. Vino out for blood doping. Some say it was his father's blood. He says no way, or else it would have tested pos. for vodka. a little humor whilst going down.

So, the Tour Day Farce will continue. Tomorrow we will just wake up tres early to watch live. Just to see what happens.

The news does leave two Team Discovery guys in 1st & 2nd place. for now........

Reunion time

We head to Saugatuck, Michigan for a Rinehart family reunion.

The above photo is my dad and his sisters.... The ones responsible for all the cousins that will be gathering. Doris, dad, Barb, Phyllis, and Helen (ok, so Helen claims no responsibility for any)

We fly to Chicago, and drive around. Probably will stop for a visit to one of the sand dune state parks along the way. Should be good for a run. and photos.

And because I know you care............... a Frenchman won today's stage of le Tour. (Cedric Vasseur) This news is bon bon bon for those folks over there. Another frenchie, Sandy Casar, took second... and boy was he not happy about that. Used some "excuse my french" terminology to describe his displeasure.

Gina and I will have to hope that the Best Western gets the Versus channel.. I'm guessing it does not so next best hope is that the Detroit Free Press has daily coverage of the race.

Old Dog, New Trix

So, encouraged by Annalise's new blog... (see MY new list of links to the right) I've taken a few moments to learn , ok, point and click, a couple new features on my blahg. Wait til I start adding the Question of the Day poll.

You see I still like the colors and scheme. Some ruts are too deep.

Tomorrow we ride to Cougar Mtn. and then run on the trails for a few miles. Coach Lesley (see links) will be driving this train. That's new lingo learned by listening to Phil Ligget and Paul Sherwin on the Tour DAY France. Today's an off day. Them from racing us from watching. whew.

Here's hoping we don't see any cougars or bears or straying/lost/just out for a run - husbands.
For those of you non-local, that story is dude went for a run... never came home, wife sends out search & rescue news news news... 3 days later he returns, just fine.. oh, fell and was in a coma for all that time , but did not suffer hypothermia, dehydration, anything. I'm thinking the "frost" from his wife might be still affecting him. As the commenters in the papers said "What's her name?"

Chef Gigi is calling le salmon is ready, time to dine.

Friday the 13th

Nothing unlucky going on here.

This week we had a visit from Torian Thirdgill. The sweet little almost 4 year old son of Traci. I don't thing they've been here for 2 years, but Tory went right up to Gina to give her a hug. He is a gem. Chip off the old block.

Let's get some photos posted here.

And sorry to say to you old Husky fans, I don't have a shot of Traci. She was here, filling me in on life at the Parks Dept. Next time I 'll get her to pose. That should be easy.

Ichiro

Inside the park home run in the All Star game !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The even better news? It seems he will sign a 5 year extension to his contract with the Mariners, and not become a free agent and go running off to the hated Yankees or the not so hated Red Sox.

Milo's not dead....

Or maybe he was killed off so that he could get over to Europe in time to win the prologue time trial of le Tour. What !!? And omigod he wins Stage 3 in a long sprint finish today?? Talk about defending le maillot jaune.

Yes, Fabian Cancellara and Milo, the CTU agent, seem to be look alikes.

Ahh, "24" is still on my mind. Especially since one of my favorite bloggers, Martin Dugard, http://dugardsports.typepad.com/ who actually does live blogging from the tour day france, and is there and told us that they are practically twins. Martin is also a "24" fan. His blog postings give an interesting view of the tour. Mostly because he spends a lot of time describing the towns and sites as he drives everyday with the race. And he has some inside scoops.

What time of year is it ??

Tour day France time !!

I should have lots to say about this but my computer is having a rough week. Could it be that the guy that came to "fix" the printer/network problem did something? probably cuz the timing is correct. We love Kolt but fortunately he is returning on Monday to install the switch. And if he doesn't fix this 'speed' that my machine is having I may have to use the switch on him.

Anyway, it's making it a D R A G to use the computer.

And I've had a knee ache for a while now. I think I've got it figured out and thru an exercise and constant icing it might be getting better. Oh, and no running..... so you know I am cranky to the max. No running and a computer that is injured? What's a girl to do? Yes, I've gone swimming, and done yard work.

So, check back next week for all the biking stories you'll ever want. Maybe I'll even get a surreptitious photo of our local bikey-boy. Nut job in full bike gear.