September 13, 2006 Where has summer gone? Road trips, racing, riding, running, and working -- which one doesn't belong? Hello everyone! I wouldn't be surprised if I've lost all my readers due to my lack of updating. Yup, I suck. What can I say? Maybe I'm just having too much fun, but really, I don't think there is such a thing. My current situation? I'm at home in Coquitlam, perched on the top of Burke Mountain, watching civilization creep nearer every day. They've installed a traffic light in the middle of the big hill on Coast Meridian (the road that leads to my house), they're clear-cutting up here in order to build giant new subdivisions AND they're paving Harper Road, which is the formerly gravel road that leads to all my favourite mountain bike trails up here. The times, they are a'changing, and I don't like it . Oh dear, they're soooooo cute! I will give you a quick rundown of my life since my last update: July - I raced in the Goldenrace Marathon in Schleitheim, where I placed 5th in the 59km event. Martina was third and won a giant gift basket (you don't have room in your luggage)! - I returned home on July 4, after leaving much of my stuff in Switzerland with various relatives, because I didn't want to exceed the luggage weight limit. Guess that means I have to go back soon! - I started working at Local Ride Bike Shop the week after I got back. It was great to see the guys again! - One of my most important races of the season, the Canadian National Championships, took place on July 15 at Sun Peaks. Jeanine (#1 Canadian fan) and my parents came to support me through the weekend, plus I had a huge fan club on race day. Thanks to Tanya, Ryan, Sally, Ken, Suzanne, Emily, Steve and everyone else who cheered me on! - I raced Canada Cup #4 in Whistler (hot, hot, hot!) on July 22 and Canada Cup #5 at Mt. Washington on July 29. August - 2 weddings in a row: Lisa and Alistair's on August 5th, Shawn and Kris's on August 12th -- Congrats, you guys, and thanks for a couple of fantastic parties! (L) Shawn and Kris lookin' spiffy on their wedding day! (R) Alistair and Lisa get hitched -- they look so Hollywood! - Went to Whistler with Jeanine and Hector's sister, Carolina. Jannie, Carla, Nels and Leah also joined us for some tequila shots! Arriba! - I won the BC Cup Finals at Mt. Washington on August 26. It was a super fun weekend, with Melissa and her Mom, Dawn, joining us (Melissa won her race too!), as well as Jeanine and Leah. We went for an awesome ride in Parksville with Sven, Brandy and some other Parksville yokels. (L) Jeanine getting ready to be thrilled and not quite killed. (R) Me zooming down a ladder bridge thingy. September - Jeanine and I headed up once again to Whistler to do some bikin' and good eatin'. Leah, Hector and Bernardo joined us for some fun on two wheels. - I went and checked out the first cyclocross race of the season in Fort Langley. Can't wait to get my new Felt 'cross bike! Thanks to the guys at Felt USA and S.P.A.S.O. Sports in Montreal for making it possible. Exciting stuff coming up - Andrea from Switzerland is coming to visit on September 26! I'm planning a cool road trip to visit Martina's folks in Quesnel, Jean Ann in Valemount, Jasper and Banff National Parks and Gabi, Rico and the kids in Vernon. Woohoo! - There are plans in the works that involve a 10+ - day road trip to CALIFORNIA in December, which will include good friends, mountain bikes, camping, sun and surfing! YEEHA! (Top) The beautiful bridesmaids! (Bottom) What's for dessert?