Looking Back / Looking Ahead!

My vantage point for all that looking is Rm 240 of the Ayres Hotel here in Mission Viejo CA. I'm out here @ a Cervelo Dealer deal.......after having one of those travel-days-from-hell that have been goin' around.

Anyway - the "looking back" part is my way of heapin' some praise on our team mates for steppin' up and riding their respective tails off @ the Ultimate Cycle Challenge last weekend. Our Team was a goodly-sized chunk of the effortthat raised nearly 60K for the L.A.F. and I think that's pretty dang cool. Thanks to everyone that rode (and if I miss ya please know thta I've had less than 10 hours of sleep since Fri morning) and that would be :

Linda C
JD Stone
Maggie Stone
Kaat
Brad S
Tom M
Sarah Andro
Linda TeaPea
Katie C
Becky M
Coach Did
Kirsten D
Walt F
Tom's buddy Joe

If you were there 'tween 10-3 I missed ya 'cuz I was @ the 'cross race.

Extra Special "Hard Arse" points to Krazy Kaat, LPT, Sarah & Coach Did for joining me in the Century Club and it must be pointed out that Kaat also managed a podium spot @ the race that afternoon!

Big fun all around, thanks for comin' along for the ride and let's do it again!

Now- time to look ahead! This comin' Sunday is the Big Deal Team Kick Off Party on Sunday! The time is 4-7 and the place is New Holland Brewery. We'll have some chow (the Chapter's buying some appetizers and soft drinks!), cover any questions about 2011 and just get fired up in general!

Remember - this is a great affair to for prospective new riders so invite 'em!

I suspect you'll see a more official reminder/invite shortly, I just wanted to talk about it now 'cuz I can't wait!

Remember - Ride Registration opens on 3/7!

See you guys soon - hopefully this weekend.

You guys rock like no Teamhas ever rocked before, you know that, right?

RIGHT!

Ride on,
Coach MC

Death by GPS

There was an article in the Travel section of today's Grand Rapids Press talking about Death Valley. Specifically it was discussing how the lack of cell phone coverage and spotty GPS has caused deaths there recently. In August of 2009 one woman was stranded for 5 days, had run out of water and her six year old son had died. According to the ranger who rescued her "She turned down a wrong road. She said she had been following her GPS unit." The article went on to say that people overly depend on their technology and it gives them a false sense of security. It's not just technology to blame for some of the recent tragedies, poor planning and faulty judgement also come into play. Also, a lot of people want to visit in the middle of the summer when the temperatures are over 120 degrees. The article concluded by saying that in the past 15 years over a dozen people have died of heat related illnesses.

The reason I mention this is to say that it's never to early to start hydrating. Hope to see everyone for some hydrating at New Holland during our team kick-off party next Sunday.