Getting famouser

I remember my mom was always writing editors, to companies, politicians, etc.  At the time I thought it was a waste of time.  Until now!  Perturbed by an article in a UK magazine, I wrote a lengthy email and, lo and behold, letter of the month.  I rule.

Now they cut just about all of it in the print version, but the full thing is on their forum, here is the link:

http://www.mbr.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/23877/an/0/page/1#23877

So enjoy it while I'm busy being proud of myself (although you'll notice, only one person has replied on the forum).  

Got a new camera

And it totally works!!

Santa Clarita mountains

Last weekend in southern cal, nothing to do but get in some sunny bike rides.  Ivan and I pored over google earth for what seemed like hours, looking for some new trails.  And since he's completely surrounded by mountains...we found some.  We hopped in the truck and headed to the trailhead.

No sleeves, eat that Belgium!  Well it was indeed sunny and warm, but up on the top of them hills....a bit windy and chilly.  Normally you can see the ocean and LA, but it was so hazy we didn't see much of anything..except haze.

This is about 1/3 up the climb.  We climbed all the way up to the top of that big mtn behind me.  Actually it wasn't so bad, but kinda steep, steep is not my game.  Whatever, it was fine and sunny.

Pretty view with a bench.

Ivan assumed the aero position for the road back to the truck.

The way down was super fun, buttery so-cal singletrack, some fun rocky sections towards the bottom, but they were a bit overrun with hikers.  Ivan rang his bell and we went slow around the corners.  All in all, a good day of LA mtbing.

back in belgium

Yee-ha!  A trip around the lummen loop is due.  Rode 140k of tour of flanders on saturday...brutal...

Jack gets married

You may know him as "Apendicitis Jack", that's his rough and tumble name, but our boy Jack went out and got himself married.  He and Jessica had been dating for a few years now.; the ceremony was held in Taiwan (all these travels keeping me from my blogging duties), in Jack's church.

Greg likes church, but he likes iphone solitaire even better.  Ok, it was all in Chinese.  There was an exciting moment when the garlands above the pews looked like they might catch on fire.  Jessica, a former professional singer, sang one song, while Jack, an karaoke burnout, sang two. 

This was actually the 2nd ceremony, they woke up at 5:30 for the traditional ceremony.  

Quite a few out-of-towners made it over (or stayed over) for the wedding.  Greg, Wes, Henri, Joop, Steve G, Matt V...

The banquet was downtown Taipei, a big to-do and they pulled out all the stops.