i wanted to climb Tower trail again today after seeing Alex get it all, and to make up for my crash last week. Alex said he put a marker where i went down — asshole. but it rained again this afternoon. it has been raining for a week straight. i heard that the past 2 weeks rainfall has equaled the past 11 months. this is good, but it’d be nice if it would just stop raining for the afternoons so I can get out for a real ride – stupid rain! the reward, however, is all the rain has dumped 10 feet of snow at Wolf Creek, right on time for mine and Byron’s now 3rd-annual low-overhead highly-flexible ski trip. 3 trips, and what looks to be a 3rd epic weekend.

but that is still several days off, so instead of Tower Trail i rode the canal again out to Gilbert road to figure out where i got lost. far less sexy, but at least it would get me dialed back into playing in the cold and wet. and i wore about enough clothes to go snowboarding, right down to proper shells, and left the camelback home choosing instead to stuff gear in my pockets. i am a little nervous about the boarding. First run of the year in 10 feet of powder with Byron pushing me into things I want to ease into could have unpleasant — or at least very silly — results. but the gearing worked well and I didn’t get too cranky despite being rained on and splattered for 2.5 hrs. Ready for the white out!

meanwhile, i managed to score some amazing TdF photos from Epic Images . One of my coworkers is married to a professional photographer, and herself had been a pro photographer and cycling enthusiast. We’ve gabbed here and there about riding over the years, and i’ve complimented her on a few of their shots that are displayed around our office. at the Xmas party last week, she mentioned they had some old inventory they were getting rid of and would i like any?

thank you Paula and Jonathan!!!

normally this is where i’d offer to return a favor by helping someone with either their computers or their bikes, but i don’t think they need either. the cost to me will be a ride with Jonathan sometime, which should be a hoot. I have no idea what kind of rider he is; they live in Fountain Hills and do Dixie Mine\Pemberton a lot, but he’s been around cycling for a lot longer than i have so probably will crush me. whatever… i’m sure it will be fun with lots of great conversation.

today is also my 15th anniversary.

i remembered, Beckie did not.