Jay Richards

Skating on the rink for the first time. A little rough in spots but I will flood it a bunch more times so it is like the Excel energy center!!! Well, maybe. The kids had a blast and we had our first game of shinny, playing for about a hour. I was playing goalie when I took the picture.

I didn't get to groom and ski like I had hoped today (no new snow) so when I had a hour of open time, I rode one lap of the Sport/Expert loop. It took me about 50 minutes. The last time I rode a full loop was at race pace back in September and I did it in like 30 minutes. Most of the track was free of snow although there is snow in the woods for the most part. The track was rock solid some spots and real fast and other spots were freeze dried and all cheezy. All in all it was a blast. The sight lines are the best they can be so you can see through the woods nicely.

Well a big storm seems to be a brewing. And wouldn't you know Jonell and I are leaving for a four day trip to Mexico. I booked the tickets 10 days ago. Kind of a crazy time to go but we need a few days to get recharged before hitting it hard for the winter. It has been since August since we really have had more then 24 hours off. The boys will stay with my parents so a huge break. I am bringing my mt bike and hitting the familar trails in the hills and mountains in Puerta Vallarta. And I got a huge stack of Cyclesports, Velonews, Freeze,Ski and other mags to catch up on. Last spring we were north of town in the sleepy surf town of Lo De Marcos and Sayulita. Todd Wells family has some property there so I e-mailed him to ask him about some trails but he said when he goes there he only surfs. Anyways, I thought it was nice of him to respond. This will be like the 10th time Jonell and I have gone there. It is nice going to the same spot as we know the area, where the good restaurants are and I know where all the trails are. There are these mountain roads that go on and on and some of them I have timed out on. Looking at the map I think you could go all they way across to the other coast. There is one ride that you climb for over a hour which I really enjoy since there aren't the long sustained climbs around here. Will try to post once or twice while down there. Cheers!!