Univest #2

Overall a great day of being a bike racing fan with Luke. One thing I have realized recently with Luke is how we learn to complain about things that don't really matter when we become "adults". Example number one is when Luke and I were on a mountain bike ride in some singletrack a few days ago he was aiming for the roots and the rocks. I thought "what is he doing"? Then it dawned on me, those roots and rocks he was hitting make the ride fun. I think at times as an "adult" mountain biker we are so focused on avoiding this debris you forget they are part of the reason you started riding in the first place.
Example nuber two was this weekend at the Univest race when the rain started to come down hard, the "adult in me was saying stay dry! Luke was wearing his rain coat but did not want to stay under his umbrella. He soon became soaked and loved every minute of it. To him the rain was fun! Amazing what you can learn from your 4 year old! Get out and be a kid. Hits some of the rocks on the trail.

Univest 08 Chapter 1

The Univest Grand Prix road race is always a fun day to watch bike racing. You get to see the riders race the roads you have trained on and had some of the best road rides of your life on. Eichle Rd. is a SUPER steep hill on the back side of Green Lane Park and it is also included in the race route. It is a hill that would test anyone. It is a hill that you only ride a couple of times a year because it is just that hard. Thats why I love it. When the race comes up Eichle everyone pays the price. Motorcycles, cars, and bike racers all are put to shame. You can smell the burning transmissions after the team cars go through. The racers are reduced to zig-zagging, walking, or being pushed!
This years addition had an unwanted visitor, Hanna. She brought with her wet roads early on and floods later in the day. Enough that Luke built a leaf dam in the water flowing down the street in Souderton. More to come!

Skinner

"You are cooking"! We love the movie about The Rats!

Sign

I found this on a fellow mt. bikers blog. The sign is located in Hurricane Utah. Very fitting for my Luke

Back to School

Here they come! Starting my tenth year of service! I love my job!

Happy

Happy Birthday Becki! I love you! We started the day at the golden archs witch always makes the family happy. I love a good greasy breakfast sandwich. From McD's it was off to Valley Green for a family hike. We decided to take a look at the trail that is under construction and check progress. It ends up that I ran into the NC pump track guru! He is a fellow blogger who builds some amazing trails. Keep up the great work. The PH trail will be calling. Yes, the trail and its builder also made me happy! The kids also decided they would be starting to climb large cliff type trails. I was happy we all made back to the car with no injuries!

Look Out Phelps

We did a good amount of swimming this summer. Meg became much more comfortable in the water. Luke learned to swim underwater. He learned by watching Bear Gryllis swim underwater through the swamps of the everglades. Yes, you can learn something from T.V. The picture of Luke underwater is for NaNa and PaPa!

Visit

Grandma and Keith came to visit last weekend and they brought a toy for the kids to ride. Needless to say the kids thought the motorcycle was the coolest! Keith thanks for all the rides through the neighborhood, and thanks to the neighbors for not calling the police on the crazy Wendlers.

B Day for DC

Just a quick post going out to Dave C. Happy Birthday! Soon you will be old like me!

Many

I have been able to get out on many a ride lately. Thanks to Becki and the kids! I have really been enjoying my rides this summer. I have also learned as time goes by not to take any of them for granted! I am luck to be able to get out and enjoy what I love to do! Although many of the rides are in the same area I can always find things to take pictures of to help me remember the day! These pictures are from a recent trip to Valley Green. The great trail work continues. Thanks to those folks! Get out and do something you really enjoy!

Riding At Jim Thorpe

I have done many mountain bike rides in this mountain town but none as enjoyable as these! Riding with the family is slower, easier, and more visually enjoyable then my normal bike rides. Check out the full face helmet on Luke!

Camping Trip #1

The Family went on our first tent camping trip on Thurs. into Friday! Jim Thorpe would be the location. The weather was calling for possible showers or thunderstorms, when we arrived in town it startrd to rain within minutes. We proceeded to kill time and wait for the rain to subside. After eating dinner at Hotel Switzerland it was time for a decision! Stay or Go! As we stood in the ceter of towm and looked up at the sky I was leaning toward coming home and Becki was thinking lets stay! I knew their was a reason she is a great wife. She can predict the weather! We drove the few miles up to Mauch Chunk Lake and set up camp.
The weather got much better, the tent set up went well, and we even got a camp ground with a view of the lake. The only thing left to do was set up the FIRE and hope I could get it started. As you will see in the pictures it did start and the kids loved it. Overall, a great family first camping trip! More to come on the activities we did in Jim Thorpe!

New Camera

Beach Report #3 Rides

The kids loved the rides this year. Thanks to Nana and Papa for spending the big bucks for the kids to ride. The faces and the memories were priceless.

Beach Report #2

Andy and I battling the wind at the shore. It was great getting to ride with Andy! We went into the wind for about 45 min. and then turned around and flew home! Yes, he forgot his helmet! He looks very european!

Beach Report #1

The holes were the big hit on the beach! Andy, dad, and I would dig some holes and pathways that would connect them. The kids would then play for hours! Luke and Meg model one of our creations.

What do you want to be?

I think Luke is on his way!