Cycling Foodie

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Saturday … sleep in … then a quickie 20-mile ride … off to the Farmers’ Market … then the CoOp for BBQ and some bulk rice shopping (restocking on Forbidden Rice – hoping they still have this in bulk!) … I foresee some nice coffee in my afternoon … then a walk … then dinner … maybe a movie …

Sunday … taking on Cardiac Hill. Aaaaaaaaaaaaah! A little scared. I haven’t done this hill in a LONG time. Hey, a girl’s gotta’ do what a girl’s gotta’ do and what THIS girl needs to do is to get ready for the upcoming Tour de Cure century (yep, that would be 100 miles) coming up in LESS than 2 months!!!

I think this sounds like a pretty awesome weekend.

I am so excited about the Farmers’ Market … I haven’t been in ages!

Next week, rain and showers are in the forecast Tuesday through Saturday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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WOW! Gorgeous morning!

Pics later … have to rush off to work now.

OK, back home …

I got to see the full moonset this morning…

Full Moonset off the Russell Bike Path

Sunrise on the Russell Bike Path

… and the sunrise …

I am so ready for the weekend!

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Wah hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! That was FABULOUS! 47 minutes of pure joy – perfect temperature, very little breeze, no bugs … I am especially glad I could enjoy this tonight because I heard there is a big storm rolling in this Sunday. The forecast is for 3 to 6 inches of rain between Sunday and Thursday, and “several feet” of snow in the mountains. We need it!

No pictures from the ride; I wanted to get back while there was still enough light to be safe. Pics of dinner will have to do … 

Arugula & Spinach with Persian Cucumbers, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Fresh Basil & Thyme, Drizzled with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a grind of TJs Everyday Seasoning.

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The dinner turned out better than the pictures, but here is one of the final plates.

More to come later …

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I stopped by Nugget tonight on my way home from work and picked up a few goodies for dinner tomorrow. Wanna’ see?

Organic Heirloom Tomato

Sweet & Fragrant Organic Basil

Tomato and Basil Salad

Organic Lacinato Kale, AKA Dino Kale

Oragnic Kale

Steamed Organic Kale, with a touch of Uncured Applewood Smoked Bacon

I’m also making boneless skinless chicken breasts, which I’ll marinate briefly in fresh lemon (hmm … Meyer or Eureka?), fresh thyme, and extra virgin olive oil, then cook on my George Foreman. I’ve got a little bit of Forbidden Rice (an incredibly delicious and healthy short grain black rice) that I’ll mix with some short grain brown rice. If you’ve never tried Forbidden Rice, I highly recommend it. I think that the Co-Op in Davis has it in bulk, which ends up being more economical to buy than the 15-ounce packages. Here is a link for information on it: http://www.lotusfoods.com/Forbidden-Rice/p/LOT-00210&c=LotusFoods@All

Dessert

And, of course, what dinner would be complete without …

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I rode up Cantelow Road on Sunday! Sorry … no pictures. I got so excited I forgot! It’s been about 2 years since I have ridden this hill. I have on several occasions ridden out to the bottom and thought … next time. But Sunday, I had a riding partner who was very encouraging and I was inspired. We rode out together to the bottom, then he took the long way around and I went the short way. Our plan was to meet at the top and then ride back to Winters together.

I made it almost all the way to the top, but I did have to push my bike up the last little bit. I just love cyclists! There was a group of guys at the top yelling to me, “You can do it! Come on!” but there was no way I could get restarted on that incline. Next time. I was relieved to arrive first so my riding partner didn’t see me walk that last little bit, my head hanging in shame and defeat. When I got up there, the guys asked if I was riding alone. I told them no, and they said, “Are you riding with that guy who just flew over the hill? Did he ditch you?!” “No, we’re meeting at the top. When he gets here, pleeeeeeeeeeeease don’t tell him I had to walk to the top!” They assured me my secret was safe with them.

I confessed when he got there about a minute later. We rode down to Pleasants Valley Road and headed back to Winters. Then, we stopped in Winters for lunch at Steady Eddies.

All in all, it was a wonderful ride with lots of great views and I am looking forward to doing this again!

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2012 North American Handmade Bicycle Show (http://2012.handmadebicycleshow.com/) … oh, so like kids in a candy store!!!

But first, Old Soul Coffee (http://www.oldsoulco.com/) for a post-ride, pre-show latte.

Old Soul Co. latte

That’s all for now … this thing called work is requesting the pleasure of my company. Some really cool bike pics will be posted soon.

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It would have been Saturday, March 3rd.

Putah Creek Road, heading out of Davis towards Winters

Putah Creek Road, heading out of Davis towards Winters

I decided to take on a little extra today and ventured out Pleasants Valley Road towards Cantelow. That added about 10 miles total. Cantelow is quite steep from this direction, and I haven’t been doing many hills lately, so I wasn’t ready to venture up. Besides, I had many things to do in the afternoon, so I headed back home.

Pleasants Valley Road & Cantelow Road

Pleasants Valley Road & Cantelow Road

I made a quick stop at Lake Solano Park. FYI – the water fountains at the park are set so low right now that it’s impossible to fill a cycling water bottle.

I stopped a moment at the bridge in Winters and captured a few photos of these lovely ladies … look for the subtle differences in these photos. Click on the image to see it full screen.

Nonfat Greek yogurt, banana, blackberry, strawberry drizzled with honey.

Home for lunch …

Then, off to the 2012 North American Handmade Bicycle Show (http://2012.handmadebicycleshow.com/) … oh, so like a kid in a candy store!!! Photos coming soon…

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I know these are neither cycling nor food, but … it was a lovely day on the UC Davis Arboretum.

I love honey bees …

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If you were here tonight, you could have had this for dinner …

Salmon with Trader Joe’s South African Smoke Seasoning Blend (paprika flakes, sea salt, garlic, basil).

Stir fried snow peas with ginger and a touch of sesame oil and soy …

and pan roasted fingerling potatoes (gold, purple, and red) with fresh thyme.