Glad to know everyone's still here.

I rode a fair amount last month and was spinning with my club once a
week (I'm in the US now). I was feeling good, optimistic, and psyched
up about all the gran fondo rides in Italy that are on my calendar.

The end of Jan. my son slipped and fell on ice while shoveling snow,
breaking his shoulder and hip. It's the busiest month for our company
(we sell award medals, with ski racing being a large part of our
business) so I haven't been able to ride at all, not even indoors, as I
must run the company by myself. There were some beautiful days this
past week and my heart was aching every time I went from the front door
to the garage.

We all have new alpine skis and my son has new xc skis too, all of
which will have to wait till next year, I guess.

I'm thinking that other years I didn't do much training in the winter,
and still was able to do all the rides I wanted. my endurance comes
back right away, it's just that I am very slow.

I noted that Oege's name is not on the list of Maratona dles Dolomites
participants, unfortunately. There is, however, another event that
he--and everyone else on our list--would love: the week long, 6-stage
Giro delle Dolomiti. It's nothing but climb, climb, climb, and it is
fantastic. I can provide details of there's an interest.

April