Wednesday

A great vacation


We've had a wonderful time in Mexico, and are now back in San Jose. La Ventana, the little town we were in, was a blast and we met some really cool people. I took some kite board lessons from New Wind, I'm not very good yet but had fun, and then we did a bit more relaxing and touristing once Andy and Josie came into town. They were all going hard for final prep for cx natz, but they mellowed out a bit. Nothing like all day at the beach and waking up to roosters every morning to get you in a different mindset. i did get in a few hard rides with them, including a 5.5 hour mtb marathon complete with "longcut" through the desert.

I'm very relaxed though and looking forward to getting together with the team soon, I'm keeping most of the same teammates and a few new ones who will be great additions, I think. I didn't let my guard down too much and more simplified my day and diet, I excercised when needed and relaxed when needed. I actually lost weight during the two weeks, a welcome surprise.

Anyway view some pics here and let me know what you think. Cheers, BJM

posted by Benjaminiac at Wednesday, November 30, 2005 0 comments  

Saturday

Baja California

we're on vacation in baja, a little town called la ventana down the coast from la paz. it's famous for its wind surfing and kite boarders, this place is overrun with gear ladden pros and poor but happy sports fiends who come down for 6 months and camp on the beach, living for the wind. about 10-10:30, the wind goes from still to gail force like god threw a light switch, and soon dozens of bright sails are cruising back and forth around the bay. everyone's very laid back and cool, and some have come by to see the ¨pro biker¨who´s come to town. there's also a group ride three days a week, which seems strange, but 10-15 people come out and roll around for an hour for fitness, or out of boredom as they need something to do before the wind picks up. anyway, we´re having a relaxing time and are going to be here another week, i´ll try and get some photos up if i can hijack an internet connection. cheers, BJM

posted by Benjaminiac at Saturday, November 19, 2005 0 comments  

Wednesday

Tour of California


Brand new over the wires: " The first ever Tour of California, set for February 19-26, 2006, announced its title sponsor, route and participating teams today in a press conference in San Francisco - which will also serve as the race's starting venue. Race presenter AEG announced that biotechnology company Amgen will be the title sponsor, and that U.S. sports network ESPN 2 will serve as the official broadcast partner.

AEG's president and CEO Tim Leiweke pointed to the importance of having a strong television package to promote the race to the country and to the world. "With the partnership with ESPN, we will be talking to a million people every night, and with the worldwide distribution rights, this will be the most televised cycling event on American soil." 16 teams will take the start of the 700 mile race, with eight teams already confirmed to participate. Discovery Channel, Gerolsteiner, Davitamon-Lotto, Phonak, Saunier-Duval and T-Mobile will represent the Pro Tour teams, while Health Net/Maxxis and Navigators Insurance will defend the Continental Tour's reputation. Beginning with a prologue in San Francisco the race will move south, from Sausalito to Santa Rosa, Martinez to San Jose, an ITT in San Jose, and then from the Monterey Peninsula to San Luis Obispo, then to Santa Barbara and south again to Thousand Oaks. The race will finish in a circuit race around Los Angeles, specifically in the south bay area of Redondo Beach."

I'm stoked to have a stage end in my home town, I know whatever roads they're using and I hope they use Calaveras to get into town. All the other stages look sweet too, no real big transfers, AEG puts on a great event, and ESPN2 coverage so my entire family can see us race. Looking forward to it already!

posted by Benjaminiac at Wednesday, November 02, 2005 0 comments