Wow that was an amazing week of riding...
I was starting to lack motivation in Febuary and I really needed somthing to start that flame again.
When I arived in palm springs the sun had set and it was still in the mid 20's(shorts weather!)
The first day of riding was spectacular the joshua trees were so beautiful, as well as the breath taking rock formations in the desert and the epic climbs that make richter pass look pathetic. O yeah and did I mention that it was snowing in Vernon while we were riding in 30 degree sunshine, not a cloud in the sky. It was great to try out my new shoes and helmet from Olympia. And wouldn't you know it, my cold started to clear up with the warm weather.
As far as running and swimming the trip was first class. We swam in a beautiful outdoor 50 meter pool in palm springs. With stroke analysis from Andrew. And a few cocky californians who didnt like getting passed by a 15 year old... We ran through the desert between the steep canyons of Indian Cove on a trail with one group cheering for me Ally and Bev as we ran through the heat. The other running routes were great apart from being chased by a chiwawa...
The last day Me and Mike finished of the 28hr training week with a 6hr 170km ride across the park to Cottonwood and back... We had a slight headwind going out and were looking froward to the tail wind... AS IF!
We hammered into the wind, over a mountain pass or two ( lbp-20-30 of course) and enjoyed our last day of riding in paradise.
The riding was amazing but the highlight of the trip was Joerg's cooking! It was delicious as well as very healthy food, plus there was more than enough for seconds... Or thirds.
I look forward to next years camp and hope you will all join me in Cali next spring, for a great jump start to a year of living with balance and racing with passion!
Joel
