On to the next stage...

Back to school two weeks now and starting to get into the flow of the next stage of my life. It's really good to be back with everyone at GCI...can't wait to start up a mountain bike team!

Beijing 2008

At long last, I've put together a web ablum of my incredible experiences at the Beijing Olympics. (You'll find it to the right under Web Albums) Again, I can't thank everyone enough for all their love and support as I ventured along this path. To share this journey with you and to see the excitement that it generated meant more to me than you'll ever know...thank you!

Back from Beijing

And VERY jetlagged...will post more pictures and a web album soon. It's good to be home!

So Cute :)

For more photos of Kyoto, check out the web album to the right!

Some more sights along the way

One of the MANY Cicadas! You could close your eyes and feel like you were in the jungle.

A statue guarding one of the MANY Temples.

Yesterday we rode to Lake Biwa (the largest lake in Japan). We came upon these Lotus flowers along the shore - absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

A preserved Bamboo forest in the outskirts of Kyoto.

One of the many mini-temples set delicately within the walls of the buildings.

Kyoto

One way to beat the heat :)

We're staying in the East side of Kyoto just off of Gojo-dori (Gojo Street)

The Kamo River runs north/south throughout the city. There are lots of bike paths along this river - some paved, some dirt.

We're heading north to one set of mountains.

This is the view from the top of the climb we did yesterday.

We've Arrived!!

Vincent, Svein and I went out for our first ride in Japan today :). Vince Flannigan, our guide, took us up a beautiful climb from which we could see Kyoto to the south. It's very hot to say the least - should be perfect for Beijing! I'll post a web album of the Tour de Thuringen on this blog shortly...it was a super fast race with lots of opportunities to stretch our limits. Felisha won the mountain jersey and our whole team stepped up to the challenge of Euro-racing. :)

I'm Off! :)

From one end of the world to another :)

Thanks to all the generous donations, I'll be seeing my coach Frank Fogolin in Beijing!

And my husband Jeff :)

See you when I get home Oby!

How I imagine parts of China...in my Dad's own backyard!

WOW!

I can't begin to express what an amazing day the fundraiser was yesterday!!!! Thank you soooooooooooooooo much to everyone who joined us and to those who weren't able to make it but still sent their support. I was telling Jeff that it was a lot like our wedding day - spending time with so many wonderful friends! More pictures to follow soon :)

Onward and Upward! :)

On June 19th I was officially selected to represent Canada at the Beijing Olympics for road cycling! I can't believe I'm actually going :). I've said it many times in this blog but I really couldn't have done any of this without the support of my friends and family. On Sunday July 13th we'll be having a fundraising BBQ to help bring my husband Jeff Evans and my coach Frank Fogolin with me to China. Drop by to 3 Dayton St. if you're in Cambridge that day -I'd love to see you! :)

One last race...and what a race!

Nature Valley Grand Prix is one of the toughest stage races in the NRC. Cheerwine once again won overall team! It was my last race with this amazing group of people...I'm going to miss you all!

Couldn't have done it without you Jeff!

The best race of my life... 3rd at the Montreal World Cup!

Thank you Hugh and Linda...

...for such an amazing stay while racing Mount Hood! You've definately set the bar for host housing :).

From desert to rainforest

We're now in Portland, Oregon awaiting the start of Mount Hood, where the weather has been anything but dry. Looking forward to a great week of racing!

Does this helmet make my face look thin? :)

We Won! We Won! :)

1st Place Team at the Gila!

Getting ready for the Gila :)

The Mur de Huy

The penultimate climb of Fleche Wallonne! This road will look much different on Wednesday :)

Beautiful Belgium!

We're now in La Gleize, Belgium (about 45 km from Liege). It's wondeful to see the hills again! Today was beautiful and sunny, but my friends at home would be happy to hear that it's much colder than Cambridge! :)

Only in Holland...

...are there more bikes in the parking lots than cars.

...can you fit a peleton of 140 women on roads this wide

...will the organizers seek out a garbage hill for the QOM

...do you find such an innate passion for cycling :)