I like this quote...

Whoever ceases to be a student has never been a student.  

 - George Iles

Thanks Jered! Flanders pictures...

Thanks to Jered Gruber at www.pezcyclingnews.com, I have PROOF that I actually rode the Mur in Flanders.

Jered is a great young writer/photographer/adventurer/professional cyclist (hint, he's always looking for additional work/adventures).  We rode the final 50km of Flanders together and I'm looking forward to exploring the Alps/Dolomites with him and his girlfriend in the months ahead.

Game on!!!

Am I really smiling while climbing on the cobbles?

I'm definitely smiling while climbing on the smooth stuff.

I swear... My pockets are full... I'm really not that fat!

Pink Flamingos and Tulips?

Honestly, I love running in Portland, but I've NEVER seen sights like these on my "normal" commute run at home.  Between the multi-colored tulips and the Pink Flamingos, I just couldn't stop smiling.

Yep!  It's REAL!

One of the MANY Stuttgart Stallions in the park.

A rainbow of colors.

Spring trees...

D.C. has the Cherry Blossoms and Stuttgart has... Well, I don't know what type of trees they are, but I find them really beautiful.

Pretty good day...

Schnitzel, Spaetzl, Beer... THAT is recovery...

Bonked with 15 miles until home... Obviously I HAD to have the ice cream...

Just one of many images from the day... Nearly 90 miles of great riding...

Happy...

These two make me smile...

Building the perfect beast...

http://insider.bikeradar.com/colnago/video/the-full-creation-of-an-EPS-frame/

Cobbles anyone?

They look innocuous enough...

Just a few of the 17,000+ riders who participated on Saturday...

The Ronde

Will the "Great Pumpkin" handle the cobbles?  Will I?

Puttin' on my "Belgian face" at dinner Friday night.

160 kilometers ridden

16 Climbs

30 kilometers of cobbles

Numb fingers

Big smiles