My Irish Eyes Are Smiling!

My ride today was amazing in so many ways!  We began at the base of WILDCAT.  From there we turned right on Maxim on to Trimmer Springs.  Trimmer Springs was magnificent!  Orange wild flowers everywhere.  It's early for such beauty on the hillside, but because California has not had any rain, it's been unusually warm.....which has made our "winter" rides GORGEOUS!  My Irish eyes are in awe of the splendor of the KING!

Trimmer Springs takes you to Piedro and then you wind around to Belmont Ave.  We rode to Riverbend all the way to Ashlan, which turns into Watts Valley Road.   

47.49 miles - 4:05 minutes on my bike - 3,235' of climbing - and the last 7 miles was tough!

One thing I can count on is being challenged every time I ride with Dan & Karen Ray.  They definitely make me a better rider. 

The picture below reminded me of a passage in Isaiah 43:7- Bring all who claim me as their God for I have made them for my glory. 

Psalm 19:1 - The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  How blessed I am to have such beautiful rides right in my backyard!  Yes, my Irish eyes are smiling!

Kiss Me I'm Irish!

Happy Valentine's Day 2015! 

Mitch and I took a wonderful 50 mile ride to Humphrey Station with Parker's Team today.  It's amazing how green it is right now with the little rain we have received this year.  Absolutely GORGEOUS!

Usually, Humphrey Station is open to all who travel this path with a greasy, yummy breakfast, lunch or dinner.  At the moment, it's closed for business.  I have heard it will be re-opening soon under new ownership!

Mitch's 1st time to Humphrey's Station!

 

Valentine's Day is always special for me........We announced our engagement 32 years ago.  I am truly blessed to be married to the LOVE OF MY LIFE!  My home is filled with MUCH laughter.  My pockets are filled with treasures money can't buy.  And, my heart is FULL of happiness and the LOVE that only Jesus can fill!  I AM LOVED!            

Going GREEN!

It's not surprising that Green is my favorite color.  One of my "visions" of Ireland is miles and miles of GREEN rolling hills. 

My ride yesterday was one of the prettiest ever.  It's about 40 miles from Shaw and Academy to the base of Pine Flat Dam and back. We are getting some much needed rain in the valley, and rain, plus hillside, equals GREEN!  This picture really doesn't capture the beauty of the day but it was spectacular!

 

I haven't been riding a lot this winter so 40 miles was a stretch.  Mitch waltzed thru the whole ride and he hadn't been on his bike since my birthday weekend in December.  What else is new?      

 

Really excited to be doing the Ireland trip with our friends, Dan & Karen Ray.  I got reacquainted with Dan when I joined Parker's Team.  We actually graduated from Bullard High School together.  His wife Karen and I have become good friends and I look forward to training with them for our trip and riding with them in Ireland. 

 

We are also do some pre-training, as Parker's Team is do America's Most Beautiful Ride - The Lake Tahoe Century, in June.  It will be Mitch's 1st century ride!

I have been having trouble with my back wheel, but it was Mitch who had the flat yesterday.  Look at the great teamwork!  10 minute change and we were back on our bikes heading home. 

When we finished our ride, we needed to take both of our bikes into the "shop."  Mitch had a broken spoke and I couldn't close my back brake all the way or my tire wouldn't move.  Unfortunately, I had a cracked wheel!  So, I am getting two new wheels (they come in a set). 

 

Happy Valentine's Day to me!

Always After Me Lucky Charms!

              

Well, it's official!  Tickets have been purchased (I should say points have been used......we had enough points to pay for both tickets!), and now I am studying the "playbook" to see what cities we want to visit and what sites we want to see!

Mitch and I are embarking on a wild and crazy adventure this summer!  We, along with 21 other cyclers from Parker's Team, are going to be riding our bikes in IRELAND beginning in Kenmare and ending in Killarney!  Yes, the Circle of Kerry!  This is a 6 day tour with several stops along the way on our ROADBIKES!

REALLY excited to go back to my roots......

Maloney, Daugherty, McGee!