Kansas or Kansas-City-Kansas :)

Just got back from a fantastic weekend visiting Kelly and Bill at their home in Kansas City (Kansas). Laura and I made the trek for a fun-filled weekend of hiking, eating BBQ (from which I'm STILL full), shopping at the Plaza, meeting Kelly's mom and step-dad and watching the National Cyclocross Championships. After spending some time in this place and not knowing which direction I was heading half the time or even which state I was in, I can see how Dorothy got lost! :) Thanks for everything Kelly!

Winter Riding

Winter arrived in full force today...10 cm of snow overnight! Luckily my riding partner Julia was not deterred from making the trek to Cambridge. We took to the trails, but soon had to abandon them for the few ploughed roads, as the snow was better for making snowmen than for riding. Until next weekend :)

Wake up Cat

When the heat isn't working...

Dougy curls up in our bed.

And Oby plants himself beside the oven :)

Wedding pictures

Our "leaf" girls Jenna and Maddie threw fall leaves down the "aisle" rather than flower petals. Stuart Summerhayes waits patiently as they finish.

Alex and Julia carry our rings - note the difference between the way they carry them :)

Jeff and his Mom (all the way from England)

Me and my Dad (who also managed to take all these amazing photos...except for this one :)

Jeff and I - MARRIED!!!! :) :) :)

Sights of Tuscany

Jeff and I in San Gimignano

A little lunch in front of the chestnut house we stayed at in Casa del Sole.

Jeff shopping at the market in Pescia.

One of the incredible fishing villages in Cinque Terre, a National Heriatge site.

One of the many Tuscan sunsets :)

Germany at last!

A view of Herrenberg - the town we're staying in before the big race.

Getting the pumpkins ready.

Fall colours.

Great training roads!

Herrenberg

Memories from France

A welcoming committee as we started out through Villeneuve de Berg on our first ride...oh the questions they asked :)

Our chalet in the campground...we had to walk up this hill EVERY morning!

A mountain top departure.

The last stage of Tour de L'Ardeche. From left to right : myself, Julie, Moriah, and Erinne (missing Alex :)

Sunset from the patio of the campground.

We made it!

At last...internet :). After two weeks in Villeneuve de Berg, France racing and preparing for Worlds we travelled by van to Stuttgart, Germany. Now we're sleeping in real sheets (don't ask) and enjoying a beautiful day before the rain comes. Yes, it's going to be raining and cold all week...fingers crossed that Accuweather.com is more accurate than Weather.com and Saturday will be rain free.

This morning started out terribly for the Espoirs when they awoke to find all their bikes stolen. The theives choose the van closest to the street. Fortunately Thomas (our German coach) has extremely good connections and borrowed top of the line Specialized bikes from the Gerolsteiner pro men's team. It doesn't make up for the loss (as there is no CCA insurance for the bikes) but at least they can race on good equipement this week.

Tomorrow I'll post some pictures from our adventures in France...missing everyone and counting down the days until I get married :).

One last day at the beach...

The Labour Day weekend was beautiful this year! We all took advantage of the weather on Monday and went up to the Pinery (where else :)

It was fun playing in the water with Alex, Maddie and Nini (or Nicholas as he now prefers to be called)

Mike and Val - two of the best parents I know!

Jeff...after a late night at work.

And now onto the final stretch of racing...I head to Ardeche, France once again to prepare for the World Championships. Looking forward to some great racing...and when I return I'm getting married!! (28 more sleeps :)

How not to park your hang glider

Sometimes trees get in the way for beginner hang glider pilots...this was a particularly large tree that Yinni (a friend of Jeff's) happened to snag. Fortunately he landed softly and was helped down the tree by a great group of instructors!

Jeff's up in Pickering for a few days getting as much flying time in as the weather will allow. I'm home from Chris Thater (my last race with Cheerwine for this season) preparing for Worlds at the end of the month :).

Our Stag & Doe :)

Last Sunday our family and friends got together for a great afternoon of festivities. Here Val (my sister-in-law) is guessing Jeff & my combined weight -easier said than done :)

The ever-so-popular Crown & Anchor.

Jeff, Jason and Chris (my soon to be brother-in-law)

Jenna and Nini...a little romance or just trying to balance :)

Ah yes...pictured here on the left in the yellow top is my brother...responsible for this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnPbAiuRveg

Frog or Toad?

Birthday Images

Once again Jeff and I went up to the Pinery...this time for my birthday :)

It was cool watching all the kids at the beach...

and all the stuff they were building!

...and watching Jeff at the fire...and all the stuff he was making for dinner!

...until next time!

Perseverance

From day one Oby has not let Dougy's growls deter him from his quest for brotherly love - even if it means getting the very edge of this table. It's a lesson in perseverance! One that, as a cyclist, I've returned to many times.

I had a great weekend in Charlotte with Cheerwine discovering the life of a crit rider. The team rode really well, with Laura placing on the podium in both races! They're now off to Chicago for the US Crit Nationals (while I'm home attending my Stag n' Doe :). Good luck Cheerwine!!!

An amazing end to an an amazing race!

Today we raced one of the fastest crits of the season averaging 41 kph. Once again, Laura proved she truly is the fastest woman in this race by taking the win. Our team worked incredibly well for this hard fought win and left with a great feeling of success. Contrary to the negative quotes in Cycling News by a director who wasn't even IN the race, the women in this year's Tour de Toona raced one of the most aggressive races in it's 21 year history - congratulations to everyone!