Lucky for me the Boulder Junior Cycling Team (Jill, Ellen, Brae, Ben, Coach Ann, Coach Nick and Coach Alec) leg me tag along on their annual trip down to AZ. The car ride was long but Ellen and I were able to entertain ourselves with endless games of 20 questions and I -Spy. We also came up with a great story about Steve the Pirate and his pet monkey, but that is a whole different story...
The first day we started off the morning with stretches, pushups and situps. We then went out to White Tanks, 12 miles from the house and rode the race course. We saw a rattlesnake on course but being excellent bike handlers, we were able to avoid it! :)
When we got home we ended up waxing brae's legs for most of the afternoon and evening. This was very entertaining for us girls and after 3 different boxes of wax, we were finished!
Day two consisted of a hike-a-bike for about 2 miles... asthma was not working well with me at this point. Once we got to the top of the climb, we came down on some sweet smooth single track- I think the hiking was totally worth it!
Brae crashed on some sprints and cracked his helmet, but he ended up buying a much more attractive one!
On day three we drove out to Estrella Mountain Park Competitive Tracks. Really hot temperatures so we went swimming when we got back! By this time of the week I was starting to feel the burn :)
We worked on technical skills on day four over in White Tanks. Rode a section of the trail countless times to practice our lines and speed through them. I loved this part because of the great downhilling! Later on, we played battle ship, and did homework... or at least tried to!
On day five we went out for one last look at the course. It was a great loop with some technical sections, a nice climb, some desending, and flat rolling sections. I loved it! On the way home we picked up some lemons from the trees along the road. Ellen, Jill, Brae, Ben and I squeezed the lemons, added water... and realised we were out of sugar. Maple Syrup was added making it the most disgusting drink ever.... everyone thought so except Brae and Ann- crazy!
Day six- Race day was finally here! On the first lap, going around a corner I fell over into a cactus and was able to sit my whole butt into the plant. It takes great skills to accomplish a move like that. I started walking back to the car with 15+ cactus in my butt, leg and foot when Nick caught me. He stopped and was able to rip the plants out one by one with some rocks. It was probably the most pain I have ever experience in my life. Much worse than last months road crash!
On a lighter note, Jill, Ellen and Ben all finished the race!
They did great! Ben and Jill won themselves a spanking machine and we finished off the night with ice cream!
The next day we packed up the cars and headed back home to the snowy mountains of Colorado. The car ride was enjoyable - we listened to Umbrella and Hips Don't Lie over and over again. The songs will be stuck in my head for the next couple of months I am sure.
I miss camp a lot already- riding isnt much up here and the boulder kids are so awesome to hang around. I wish I could hang out with them more than anyone because we have so much in common!
Kevin is still in Europe :( I know he is having fun but I have never been this lonely in my life. It just is so boring at the house now. I dont think he realises how much I miss him!
I can't wait to ride again- Snow, snow go away!!!!
I miss you too you crazy cactus crasher. I will write later, but now I have to go to German class! Oh boy!!! : )
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