Happy Holidays!!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! This year, the family and I decided to go down to Southern California to spend some time with my brother and his family. But, I had to bring the bike with me to keep up with the training! With a van full of kids, luggage, and presents, the trusty ole steed had to go on top of the van on a bicycle rack! I hope she'll be ok!

Probably one of the best presents I could get from my wife, Laarni, was when she told me that she wanted to try and enjoy this new found sport of cycling with me! Yup, we found a bike shop near my brother's home in Chino that rented some nice Specialized (all carbon fiber frame) bikes. They also sold some nice cycling clothes. Laarni has always done well in the sport of shopping! :o)

Laarni had not ridden in over 20 years. Her first ride was around my brother's neighborhood, which by the way was very bike friendly since they had bike lanes everywhere, and she successfully pedaled for about 13 miles. The day after Christmas, we decided to head out on the Santa Ana River Trail. We went out and rode 22 miles. Not bad for someone who didn't know how to shift gears or use the brakes! It was a fun day. So now what, Laarni needs a new bike. Well, the great supportive wife that she is, recommends to me that I give her my bike and then I go out and shop for a new bike! WHAT? Uh, ok, I'll sacrifice and buy a new bike dear!!

Needless to say, it didn't take me long to find something that would work for me! Since we were down south, I looked around down there, test drove some bikes and even looked on-line. I found the new bike at a shop (Art's Cyclery, which by the way provides excellent customer service and has a fantastic shop) San Luis Obispo. Instead of driving home on hwy 5, we decided to go up 101 and pick up the new bike! I was ready for the new year on a new bike!! I feel faster already!