New(er) Bike

Ah, my new Cannondale Super Six. After a couple months of riding this I am can say I'm quite happy. Certainly does the job, and looks cool - modern, yet with some nice traditional lines. Thanks to some good friends and generous people out in Southern California!

California with Nealy 2009

In order to escape the last bit of February coldness, I hopped a plane for Southern California, to visit my friend Sean and his family, and do some riding in a warm climate. I was not disappointed. Though I was under military surveillance some of the time (the picture with the helicopter), I was able to find my way to some nice climbs along the pacific ocean (top pic).

I like Southern California. Probably one of my top choices in terms of North American living options. There's a bit of traffic, but when you're on the sailboat, looking at the coastline and snow-covered mountains, you quickly forget all about it. For exoticism, you have Mexico nearby, which is great for those needing to brush up on their Spanish. I hope to get back there soon.

Fall Retrospective

The riding out near Shelburne Falls, MA, is quite nice. No suburbia really, just nice quiet country roads and some good, short climbs. This bridge is over the Deerfield River, with two good climbs on either side. I used to ride here all the time when I was at school in the Valley. It was the very essence of freedom, and I don't mean freedom like a shopping cart! So here are some nice pictures to enjoy. If you want to ride here, head up South Shelburne Road!

An August Ride

With roads like this on today's ride, I thought often of my friend Sean, who used to go find these roads on purpose. I think he's still doing it in California. He just had a baby boy (congrats!), but I'm sure he's already thinking about where he's going to go riding with him.

My route took me into Colombia County, NY. The weather was perfect - cool for August - and the roads excellent. I had not done a nice ride like this for a while, and I am also not used to taking pictures while riding on my home roads! One gets spoiled riding in Europe, but there are nice roads to be had out here, too.

Sandwich on the Summit

I recently hiked up to the Point de Gallopaz, near my place in Chambery. I got a bit hungry, hence the sandwich. Note the Cyborg Glasses. You really can find nice things in Italy.

Not Your Everyday Ride

There are times when the shiny panes of everyday life shatter. This ride was one such time. My friend David and I ride 170km with 3000m of climbing over the Col d'Iseran and the Cormet de Roseland in Savoie, France. There are bigger rides and there are tougher rides...but just riding over two of the most beautiful cols in the Alps on a mythically beautiful day speaks for itself. Thanks for reading.

Riding behind my house...

That is Chambery in the background. Epic.
This is me, and that is the rock face on the upper slopes of the Col du Coq (no laughing...) that takes off from the Gresivaudan Valley up to the Chartreuse. My friend David and I went for a little five hour spin in the hills, with three pretty good cols in there. I've not been riding a whole lot, but when I do, I seem to get form quickly.

It was unseasonably cool today. Not sure what to attribute it too, but considering I freeze in the cold, I wish it were a bit warmer. David and I hadn't been on a such a ride in a while, and it was a nice re-introduction back into things. The riding in Chambery is epic. I still consider it the best all around riding I've ever done anywhere in the world. There are more exotic places, places with higher roads, but no other place matches the variety of roads along with a good climate.

I'm looking forward to more of this in the fall. By this, I mean the photos above. Thanks for reading.