Hip Detachment Day :-(

The day has arrived... my winter vacation is officially over, and i'm back to work on Monday morning. Boulder has been lots of fun, and I can't wait to come back and visit!

I've finally retrieved my camera, so a few new pictures are up from last weekend. Last night Alie and I practiced for the real separation as Alie stayed in Boulder and I came to visit Laura in Denver. We are still recovering from last night's pub crawl on Colfax Ave, and we've had an extremely productive day of going to Whole Foods and then sitting in Laura's hot tub. Tonight Alie will join us in Denver for my last supper before heading to the airport at midnight!!

It's Snowing, Again

Well, today is the second to last day for me in Boulder. Alie is settling in here and we've learned a few good ride routes already, but nowwwww it's currently snowing. And we still have no new pictures to post since my camera is still in Denver.

So. While it may seem that we've turned into mega-slackers and don't ride bikes anymore, it's not entirely true. On Tuesday we rode up to Jamestown and around some other hills, and yesterday Alie explored a few more of the local climbs. Maybe we're starting to feel the effects of altitude, or just the effects and staying out later, but we're tired! This snow isn't helping either, so today we're going to go on some kind of adventure instead of a bike ride.

Days Go By

What's wrong with this picture? Yeah, more broken bike parts. It's a talent I guess.

Between a busy weekend, snowy weather, and now the equipment malfunction of yesterday, Alie and I haven't gotten in too many long miles since we've been here. But that is about to change today! The weather is looking great for my last few days in town, so we're going to make the most of them. It may even be warm enough to sport these guys in town!

So while I spent a good part of the day yesterday working on my bike, Alie drove out of town to go check out new apartments. Sorry for the lack of pictures in this post, but my camera got left behind at a friend's house Sunday night and it still hasn't been rescued!

That's all for now I guess. We miss you Oli!!!

Winter Escape Plan Stymied By Snow

It's freaking snowing out tonight. In the words of Michael Cody, "... ... aghhhhh..."

Well anyway. While Alie spent a few hours today driving a support vehicle for some pro guy's training ride (hooray for a job!!), Oli and I spent more time shopping on Pearl Street. A few hats, dresses, shoes, soaps, toys, and tea-straining travel mugs later... oh boy... well, Alie rescued our wallets from Pearl Street and we went home.

Our 5:00 bike ride was abruptly ended, yet again, by the very strong winds around here... but today it started snowing too! So instead we spent some time in the hot tub, and after dinner made some ice cream floats in our Porter's Double Chocolate Stout beverages. ahhhh tasty.

All in all, a good day again. We also thought we'd share some deep thoughts with you:

Amy and Oli, recounting the story of accepting beverages from a stranger on Pearl Street today:

Alie: "So wait - you guys drank tea that some random guy came up and offered you on the street??"

Amy: "Alie. For the same reason that you need to accept beer when it's offered to you in the feed zone of a bike race, you need to accept tea from a stranger on the street when he's pouring it from a blue porcelain teapot."

Oli, on being sad to have missed the trip to California this winter:

Oli: "I mean, I love Paul and everything; he's the best thing that's ever happened to me. But you guys are the second best thing that's ever happened to me."

Stay in Boulder with us Oliiiiiii!!!!!!!!!

Biking in Boulder

It's pretty windy here. We already told you about yesterday's ride, so I guess I don't need to repeat anything other than to direct you to this video. 

After the ride, Alie and I each invited old friends over for dinner - Alie's friend Katie from Vermont, and my friend Laura from Massachusetts both live in Denver, so they came to hang out! Laura and I began with a typical poptart exchange, and Katie found great new uses for the easter egg wrappers while we were dying eggs. OK, actually Alie and Oli did most of the egg dying while Laura and I caught up. And Oli wrote a note for you, Richie.

That's about it. I still haven't finished my coffee this morning so I need to get on that. I also realized that I have one week until I go home, so I should start practicing waking up before 9 a.m. this week...

OMIE is back!!

Early yesterday morning, Alie and I were happy to pick up the final piece of our trio from the Denver airport - Oli is here!!! We found a bike for Oli, went for a ride, and of course did some shopping on Pearl Street after a lunch (and dessert) of crepes at Crepes a la Carte in town. 

After a much needed nap, we ran into Rebecca Menke on our way to dinner at Mountain Sun... coincidentally, she was headed for the same place so the reunion continued at dinner time! After the usual group text and catching up, team Omie headed to The Foundry to play pool again with Mike Cody.

Today we went out for a ride after settling in at our new temporary home on Grape Avenue, and it was probably the windiest ride we've ever been on. Accuweather reports that winds today are blowing at 21 mph with gusts up to 51 mph... Apparently on windy days in town people head up to the mountains to ride for a little shelter from winds. So, at the top of Sunshine Canyon, we reviewed safe descending techniques for high cross winds! Safely back at home, we're excited for a dinner at home tonight and some Easter egg decorating :)

And for anyone else in Boulder, you will soon see us sporting these sweet new threads in town...

Miles Ridden 2008: 1,530... this is now getting pretty approximate!

Home Sweet New Home

Well, here we are in Boulder, Alie's new home. The drive yesterday was AWESOME!!! We woke up early on Tuesday at our hotel in Hurricane, Utah and headed for the nearby Zion National Park. We have so many fantastic pictures of rocks. Lots of rocks! and tunnels through rocks, trees on rocks, us standing on rocks, and water flowing over rocks. Check 'em out here. We could've spent days exploring the park, but sadly only spent an hour or so as we had a long day ahead on the road...

Our long day on the road flew by with gorgeous views, good company, and road atlas trivia. You may now quiz us on any official state nicknames, state capitals, and the rank of the top ten largest states.

We were welcomed last night by our gracious host and fellow former New Englander, Keith Jennings. After immediately passing out for a good night's sleep, we woke up to a day of beautiful Colorado sunshine. We went for an exploratory bike ride around town, met up with Mike Cody for part of our ride, and cooked dinner at Mike's place afterwards.

That's about it! So far Boulder is GREAT. We like it a lot. Tomorrow we welcome OLIIIIII and we can't wait for a fun weekend reunion :)

Miles Ridden Today: 31
Miles Ridden 2008: 1,471