BACK FROM EUROPE AND NEED TO LOOSE SOME WEIGHT...

Maintaining the dignity and respect for US tourist was my first priority. Eating everything in sight by utilizing the 5 course meal system was a downfall.

Choosing to visit northern Italy in early April was based around our 35th wedding anniversary date of April 6th (Happy 53rd B'day also). Going early in the year protects you from the high cost of flights, motels and attraction bookings during the traditional tourist season of June through August.

It does however, leave the spring weather to the roulette table and except for the planned day of mountain biking in Cinque Terre we beat the odds. Trails were partially closed due to rain and rock slides not unheard of in Colorado high country this time of year.

The trip was incredible and has provided the perfect "brain drain" to re-group and train in the high intensity mode till the first race in mid June.. a mear 45 minute hill climb at Winter Park. Having now seen the real statue of "David", I need to protect my namesake by do some major "glute" development in the next 30 days! Check out our fun trip slide show at:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=8njcnx5.tv4jv09&Uy=sn7bq8&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=737484133444_10552846313&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

TIME OUT WITH THE BIKE STUFF !!!!!

Time to give back to my junior high sweetheart Teresa (Quantz). We will leave Friday to spend April 6th, our 35th wedding anniversary in Venice, Italy. She's put up with decades of my selfish hunting, fishing, motorcycle racing, RVing and now mountain biking so hey.....it's the least I could do.

We'll visit Amsterdam, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre and Milan.

Should be a good time together enjoying all the romantic settings of the European cities. We've been training for the trip by sampling red wines from the different regions each night at dinner. Since my first race isn't until June, I figure I'll come back strong in May to work off the pounds gained in April.

Proud products of the union are daughter Bethany, 33 an RN in Oklahoma City and Joshua, 28 an investment advisor in Dallas. Their contributions are three granddaughters and one grandson.

Life is good........

And for those who think I've gone soft....Following Friday I'm set up for a full day of mountain bike riding above Riomaggiore overlooking the Mediterranean coastline. Don't tell the bride.