Counting down....and getting excited....

December 5th.  I thought I would post a short note today.  It's starting to feel a little like Christmas around here.  We put up a small tree 2 days ago.  It's all of 4 1/2 feet tall.  Last year we skipped the tradition and this year we decided to put up a tree and adorn it with some of our all time favorite decorations even though we will take it down before we depart on December 22nd.

Weather here sucks!  Lots of rain and the temps are in the 3 to 8C or 40 to 50F.  Plus, lots of high wind.    Fortunately no snow, yet, and minimal frost.  We got out 2 days ago for a longish ride only to get caught in a downpour.  Looks like Tour d'Basement this afternoon.  Thanks to Robbie Ventura's RealRides Hill Climbing and RaceDay Crit DVDs riding on the trainer is not boring.  We have been getting in several rides a week so I can't complain too much.  We have also taken up trail running and that is fun too and great cross-training.   I can't tell you how much we are looking forward to training in the dry, warm Arizona desert.

We are getting the bikes tuned up for the trip.  Hub rebuilds and new bar tape for Dana.  Don't ever get white bar tape unless your sponsor is paying the load.

All for now.   Our "To Do" list grows and shrinks daily.  At some point we will begin packing, hopefully less that we packed last year.  The countdown has definitely begun.  Bring it on!!!!

Ciao, and Merry Christmas to all..........