Cold French Mud Bath

We've had a pretty full weekend...had friends over Saturday night...was quite cute when our youngest visitor decided to check out Tigger's view!














Sunday, Brenna and I joined two collegues from work and we biked for about 3 hours near Cernex, France...Right at the start Brenna had a close encounter with a mud hole ....
Being the caring, responsible father that I am, I quickly asked, "Are you ok?" Brenna answered, "Yes..? " and then I said..."Ok...don't move, let me get my camera!"






























Muddy and wet, she braved the whole ride...including nasty bug bites when some angry insect flew into the back of her t-shirt! All took a turn for the better when she got a chance to wash up in a natural waterfall! Pretty cool....






















Aubrey's off tomorrow for a week long Astronomy camp. We are going to miss her terribly! She, however, seems very excited and roaring to go! Please keep her in your prayers!

Fun Friday Shots

Caught some fun and some pretty shots ...;-O Dave

Here's a shot of the "rabidog" dog poop bags, ...how's that for a creative name?









Packing Container...good stuff inside? I wonder....



















Crusty" Cereal.... hmm nice way to start off day!
















Hmmm...Candida mouth wash....

















...."Past" milk, let's see, when's the expiration date? "






















Tigger, staring down local cat ...

Roses in bloom...

Aubrey Skateboard Skills

Here's a shot of Aubrey practicing one of her Skateboard launches!

Fondue Mountain Biking

We picked up a Mobility Minivan and somehow stuffed 4 mountain bikes and our family into it....We drove all around the Jura Mountains (not by choice...just result of not having a map!) and finally made it to Col de Marchairuz where we unpacked and rode into the mountains...It was a beautiful day and a great ride...Aubrey did have an accident...went down hard on a steep fire road but despite many scrapes and a sprained shoulder, she was game for more riding. Our drive home was equally long with many wrong turns..we even got turned around at the French border! Long story short, we ended up looping lac de Joux...about a 50km detour!..

Right before a major thunderstorm hit, we found refuge in a small very swiss, restaurant...our choice of food was Fondue or Fondue so we chose Fondue..."Water?"

"oh no!...we can't serve water with Fondue that will make you ill"...

"Ok, how about a cold beer on tap? "Oh , that's not possible with Fondue either...how about a local white wine and hot tea for the girls?" "OK!"

so we had wine and tea.. Then when we were all stuffed (and still very thirsty) she wouldn't let us leave unless we ate the Graton" (crust) that forms on the bottom of the pot. I obliged as she scraped it up and spoon fed me! I kid you not!

As soon as we got out, I found my trusty camel back and sucked down 2 liters of cold water...I hope it doesn't kill me.

Views From Restaurant:






























Pre-Foundue smiles

Sixteen years and counting! To celebrate Dedi and I had a nice dinner at la le Debarcadere in St-Sulpice...We had a nice window table with Lac Leman in the background. The food and wine was great and the service was fitting for a king! It was a bit of a splurge but well worth it! We reflected much throughout the evening...how much we miss our friends and family but how thankful we are for our life here....It is definitely a more simple life...more time to smell the roses and fewer distractions...Deid pointed out that even being car free has it's advantages...that hidden stress that comes with the responsibility of driving a 2 ton vehicle 65 mph is no longer a daily occurence... I never thought much of it but I agree...this is quite nice. On that line, after dinner, we had nice stroll back home!

Missing you all and hoping some of you will voyage across the Atlantic and pay us a visit!
;-) Dave

Yvoire

After a few false starts, we finally made it to Yvoire, a medieveal town on the other side of Lac Leman....It was bit hot, but a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon...


Lunch setting...
View from Hills....








The Flying Nun?

Montreux

Not a whole lot happening this week...Soccer fever is at a high...and much seems to shut down when a game starts...Flags hanging from balconies highlight local alliances...pretty diverse!

the girls went swimming today in Ouchy...We started out by riding into Lausanne and looking for a new bathing suit for Brenna...the best price we found was 110 swiss francs so so much for that...The girls managed with their existing wardrobe .. it was nice but the water was so cold that Aubrey had to get out...she couldn't breathe she got so cold...so I guess they sunbathed more than swam.

I wandered out further east looking at bikes in bike shops and ended up riding out to Montreux...it sure is beautiful...rode up to the Chateau de Chillon...a beautiful castle that inspired the poem "The Prisoner of Chillon"...Will have to take the tour sometime. I like my road bike but sure do miss having nice x-country wheels...


Tomorrow we plan to take a ferry out to Yvoire France...hopefully it will stop for us this time...sure was a bummer on last attempt watching it sail on by!

Cheers!

Cyclo Tour de Léman 2006

Wow....Just finished my 110K ride from Evian to Lausanne. This was a wild ride with very limited traffic control, bikes flying by at high velocity competing for road space with motorcycles, barriers, cars, and pedestrians! This makes mountain biking look like child's play! The day started at 7:30 with a boat ride to Evian. Pretty crazy....500 riders & 500 bikes piled onto a passenger boat.Lots of spandex, aluminum, titanium, and carbon packed in pretty tight.

We hit Evian at 8:00 and started the race at 8:30. The weather was beautiful and I must say I enjoyed the sensation of riding fast, in a peleton, with just the sound of whirring wheels...no wind! I got my first reality check about 20km into the ride when a group of riders merged thru my peloton and in the process put a s0lid hip into my handlebars...was going about 25mph and almost lost control...one of those wobble wobble wobble events for about 50 feet...

The first rest stop provided a break from the rush. Unlike what I've seen in US events, the menu included chocolate and various Swiss cheeses...not bad...

Then it was back to the bike cloud...

Once we past Geneva it got a bit better but near Nyon my collegue Anant got clipped by another rider...this drove him head on into a fixed barrier and took him out of the race. He's badly bruised, but no broken bones or head injury. (his helmet though was split in two!).

After Nyon I pulled over for a nature break and then found my self riding solo into a head wind. Finally hooked up with another rider and we shared the load until we hooked up with another pack. This makes it sooo much easier! My legs burned going up hills at about 80km but somehow I was able to hold my own.

I will say it was tough keeping up with some of these leather skinned old men who despite their girth, had calves that made mine look small. These guys hauled and if you get get in their pack, they did a good job of breaking wind (or should I say blocking the wind). Reminiscent of my sumo buddies without the sound effects.

Finished in 3:30:51 almost exactly 30 minutes behind the winner. Average speed 31.4km/hour). To me this was quite good considering most of my training is riding an older commuter bike 1km to work each day.

And of course the best news is that both bike and I feel great!

Cheers, Dave