Une semaine! (one week)

AAAHHhh. One more week and Mello Velo will once again roll in the south of France! You might ask what are you looking forward to most? The food, wine, people, riding my bike on the most amazing roads????? Right now I have to say............getting away from election 2008 coverage! I pledge to all the 3 people who read this that I will not open a single news source during my 3 weeks in France. I do fear that much like a Soap opera that nothing will really change and upon my return we will be no closer to a decision.

Here at Mello Velo we are starting a "Drink of the day" section in the blog where we will share a picture and the composition of our chosen drink of the day, stay tuned for continuing eduction credits toward your PHD in Mixology. The photo is from the restaraunt Maison Gouin, the guests go down into the wine cellar and choose there own bottle! A highlight for all guests.

Once again last week I read how as Americans we rank last in vacation time! We are actually the only industrialized country that the government doesn't mandate any days of vacation a year! Sadly all this is true and worse yet, we as a people believe we don't deserve a vacation (shown by lowest vacation actually taken). I criss cross the country encouraging people to come on a bike tour and treat themselves to some much deserved pampering. Many people legitimately are unavailable to come but I see a consistent lack of believing they deserve a vacation....."I wish I could go but I have children" well I guess in 12 years when they are gone you can join us on the trip you always wanted to take, but then they will be in college and you wont be able to afford it, and then you'll be planning their wedding and wont have the time, and then the grandchildren, and then the dirt nap. As a long time ER nurse I have watched too many people miss the chance to live life another day and therefore I get very frustrated when people don't grab life and celebrate. So the next time you find yourself daydreaming a vacation, make it a reality, for yourself, your family, for the people who don't have the choice.


Hasta Siempre
Joe

Whenever will this winter end?

Holla at my peoples out there in the 2-wheeled-world! Big Ups and boomshakas to all who (like me) can only afford mental counseling through their bike, while on the bike, from friends who will only hang with them if they're biking at certain speeds above 30 mph.

Short topic for the day: So what's a rider supposed to do when it's been raining cats and dogs for days, Norcal (right) and Mallorca are quickly becoming distant memories, and the Wildflower Tours are still 12 days away?????!!!!

Life's tough, that's what people say to me when I tell them I lead cycling tours in Europe. I say life's tough when you have to return to the states and reintegrate into the inescapable world of bi-partisian politics!

Well, enough for now. Soon I will be happily posting daily from the terrace on the south side of our villa in Provence...

Lavender and Poppies

Well we are only two weeks away from the start of the 2008 Mello Velo Tour season and Blake and I are ready to bust out! We have been growing more and more impatient with the spring weather here and are ready to head to the South of France.

Blake has been integrating himself into his new team Flanders Bros. and is showing the selfless attitude that we at Mello Velo are Known for. The team is having some identity problems but as the season continues they should tighten up.

I have celebrated spring with the opening of my outdoor kitchen and the rebirth of the yard (we killed our lawn last year when we replaced our siding). We had an impromptu dinner party here on Tuesday to kick off the season. Hollywood and Kristy among others enjoyed a little cuisine from the Yucatan. Unfortunately the spring weather has returned us to cloudy and rainy again this weekend.

Well this is the first post for the Mello Blog and we will be doing daily reports from France on the spring tours.

Pictures: Blake with ever stylish sunglasses and always present buzz materials. Pic 2 playing an evening game of Boules

Peace Joe