Another good weekend

The weekends around here have been pretty stellar this year. It's great to be able to get away from the desk for a few days and spend time on the bikes or hanging with friends. This weekend was no exception!

We got a late start both days, and got home well after dark, but got in two solid rides in Orange County (change of scenery!) and had a blast riding bikes.

Justin had put a deposit on a 2009 closeout frameset for a Tarmac SL2 a few weeks ago, and the final build was all ready to be picked up Saturday morning. So, we stopped by Rock N' Road to pick it up with some other random goodies (yet another Halo for me, because I always forget to bring one, some nutritionals, and some sweet custom Rock N' Road Sock Guy baselayer sleeveless tees). I'd never used this type before, but used it both Saturday and yesterday and was very pleased!

From there we headed over and got a late start riding Aliso Woods over near the coast. We knew it was going to be a day heavy on the hills side of things, and we came up with some pretty good repeats and had a blast on the descents and just riding around chatting with others.

Cruising out to the bottom of Mathis



Sooo green

Top of the World



Love riding my S-Works Epic





From there we cruised over to the top of Meadows where I enjoyed listening to the bugs buzzing and the breeze blowing





I came around the corner to massively tall flora and it sooo reminded me of Crested Butte... sort of!





Awhile later the fog was rolling in...



Rock-It!





Cruising back up to Mathis for one final push



Fun descending back to the truck





Sunday it was time to break in the new Tarmac in the family!



I was stoked to get some new white shoes (white grip tape is new as of last night - love the S-wrap Roubaix tape).



After Steph and Dan got in their weekend trail run they met us at Pannikins where we demolished Dan's baked goods and all enjoyed some coffee.



Justin and I took it a bit slower on the way back up the coast (head wind, and we were getting pretty tired). His saddle slipped a few times, so we stopped here and there.



I was running low on energy, and out of fluids as we hit the final push in the rapidly cooling evening air...



Wasted.



Looking forward to some more intervals this week! Always a good time.

Stopped at Pannikins

Good Riding!

Justin and I managed to get in two great days of riding in amazing weather. So stoked. Saturday we set out from home and did a big road loop down to the coast and back with Luke.











I broke in the Tarmac right with plenty of mini-creek crossings and some mud!




Pace was mellow for the first half of the ride, but we somehow got caught up with a fast-paced paceline down on the bike path to Oceanside. Not so steady!



Justin's buzzing as Luke sets out for some aero bar time





The beach!



We stopped to fill up before heading back inland









One final stop before the last push home!



Spent the evening cleaning house and watching some Olympics coverage before prepping for our big day on Sunday and then bedtime!

Pre-ride brekkie



I remembered as we were about to pack up and head out that it was Valentine's Day! We had celebrated early (Friday) with surf & turf for dinner.

Heading up Maple Springs to chase Steph (and Chris)



Hittin' dirt



I love the sight of the snow-capped mountains in the distance!





In pursuit



Group up at 4 Corners



Heading out to Joplin



Not today, friend...



Justin Buzzing again



Joplin!





Finally made it!





Nick owns the steep slidey stuff



HAB





Steph and I at Old Camp



Luge!






Roading it up to Modjeska Grade and down to Harding



I think if he'd had more energy he would've flipped me off



4 Corners after the Harding climb







The crew finishing up before our descent down Maple Springs





Justin had offered free burritos, but after the parking lot fail in Irvine it was probably best there were only 3 of us, and a TON of food! We ate.



And ate again...