Thanksgiving has been a wonderful holiday this year.  So far we have had ZERO kitchen fires, a big improvement since last year’s highlight of flaming corn souffle (imagine accent mark here).  Also, the weather has been great.  I think its about 36 degrees everyday . . . who likes the mid-70’s of California?  I’ve also found some new training partners to kick my ass. 

This is me and Pat training together.  Usually I just call him “Dad”.  We do recovery rides together . . . that’s when I just sit on his wheel and beg for mercy. 

This is Annie, our borrow-a-dog-4-the-holidays.  We do our morning walks together.  She doesn’t like the leash, tug tug tug. 

Annie is special.  She can get an apple stuck in her mouth. 

Yesterday my mom asked me how to make an apple pie. 

I told her.  She made the pie.  We ate it.  We all agreed it was a wonderful pie.

My mom then turned to me and told me how to make a pie as good as hers, mouth full of apples, crust, and vanilla ice cream.  Unbelievable.  The woman just asked me for a recipe, followed it, and then turned around to give me more advice.  Do you see what I am dealing with here? 

If you want a challenge for your Saturday ride, try hitting Marin Avenue in north Berkeley California. The steepest block is a grueling 25% grade! Today I threw in a couple of intervals here . . . just for fun.

When I did the San Francisco Grand Prix two years ago I tried doing some intervals here but I couldn’t get up the street. Today they were tough, but a big improvement since the last time I came here.