last saturday was a 30-mile buddy ride at gilroy with a steady hill that i really didn't feel like climbing. my legs weren't as fresh as i thought they would be. i tried to get a good breakfast in my stomach the morning before the ride but my teammates, Rob and Mike, were walking away from me on the hill. i ended up pacing up with these two ladies: Lauren & Shelley. Shelley's bike bag was left open and she lost her innertubes as well as her co2 cartridges :-( . but these two were great company and my mentor (Alexia!) said it the best when she said, "Now that's a smart man - why chase a couple of fast guys when you can have the company of a couple of nice girls? : )." Thanks ladies, you guys rock...plus keeping the 24mph pace! ;-)