9 days of complete awesomeness

I'm back in Michigan with new tan lines, new bruises, a few scratches, and a whole lot of great memories.

I accumulated about 30 hours of riding on my Dos Niner while in Phoenix. I think it's safe to say that I've bonded with my bike :-) Though technically a few of those hours were spent carrying my bike around and climbing on rocks. Jason definitely took Juli and I off the beaten track in Sedona. There were a few times where I felt like I was participating in one of those "team building exercises," as we had to pull each other up and pass our bikes to each other because the rocks were so slippery and steep. I'm usually not a fan of any sort of hike-a-biking, but this time it was totally worth it. The riding and views were phenomenal, and we rode some really fun downhills.

I was impressed by the Dos Niner the moment that I started pedaling, and can't wait to do more races/riding on it. For the first time I feel like I can ride banked turns at top speed without my bike sliding, and I was able to climb over things that normally I would spin out on.

Jason and his wife Kristina live across the street from the South Mountain trail system, and we went out on the National trail the day before I left. It had some really rocky climbs that you had to actually slow down on, balance, and then power over. As for descending, well, I made it back in one piece. Testament alone to how much of a difference big wheels make. I found myself taking lines I normally wouldn't take and loving it. And trust me, we rode some ______ ROCKY ______!!!!

While I was in Arizona I was reminded that I need to go to "switchback school." I'll be the first to admit that I completely suck at them. We rode a trail called Tom's thumb that is a perfect case in point. It had a hella lot of climbing with super steep turns. If we had been going straight down I would have been better off, but whenever switchback turns are involved my arms totally lock up. My mind will start screaming for my arms/body to relax and turn, but my body parts just don't seem to listen. As a result, I had to put a foot down A LOT! I wish that we had a similar trail in Michigan to practice on, but that would involve a mountain.

Climbing up to Tom's thumb...it was pretty steep
Stopping to eat a Payday bar!

Now that I'm home I have a few much needed rest days scheduled. A good thing, because today I hit the wall. I basically spent the whole day on the couch with Scott and Naomi the wonder dog. Basically I feel like I do after racing 100 miles. Really tired and in need of mucho food!

I have to send a big thanks to Jason and Kristina for being such awesome hosts. And to Jason, who spent HOURS working on my bike while I was out there. He saved my race!!!

Tomorrow it's back to the daily grind. Work, school, a make-up exam, and then a snow storm.

Welcome back to me :-)