Bitter Sweet

Yesterday was a bitter sweet day. It started with me waking to amazingly mild weather...so I thought. I stepped out on my deck at 8AM and it was really nice out. I hopped on my bike at 9AM and descended off my mountain.......and out of the mild weather. When I hit the valley I was in THICK freezing fog! What? I couldn't see more than a foot ahead of me and I'm sure the cars could not see me at ALL! I couldn't see the cars with lights on until they were right on top of me. When I entered the freezing fog the temp would drop 10 degrees!!!! No joke. I would try to push myself to go faster to get out of the dangerous fog and end up coughing and choking on the air. The air was so full of water...but freezing....it would choke me if I breathed too deeply.
Finally I found myself climbing out of the freezing fog into the beautiful sunshine....10 degrees warmer. Instantly I would fall back in love with my bike! I tried to stay on the ridges for as long as possible, but ultimately would have to drop back into the freezing fog and emerge out of it looking like a freezer burned peice of chicken! I would be COVERED in frost....head to toe.
So my ride continued to be bitter sweet as I dropped in and out of the freezer!

Furthermore, my sister who lives in Germany has been home in Vernon since September with her two beautiful daughters. Madeline was able to really get to know her cousins and aunt. My brother in law would come visit every six weeks and stay for two weeks which was really nice for Bill and I as well. We wish that they lived closer and that we could spend every Sunday night together for dinner. But unfortunately, they had to fly home yesterday. We were SOOOOO very sad...lots of tears and still crying! We are saving our pennies to go visit them in Germany as soon as possible. Maybe I'll even do a few races over there???

Off to ride with Dave now. Dave is an amazingly strong cat 3 soon to be cat 2 rider that lives in town. I'm taking advantage of him being home on holiday break from teaching high school. It's lonely training alone all the time and nice when I can get out with others. I've even been able to ride with Bill once this break. We saw an albino deer out on our adventures. Sure hope the hunters don't get him. All white with brown shins.

Pictures of Christmas and some rides to come......