Back ...again..to the future...VTT in Crans

So after a few days in Turkey I returned to GE and was ready after a week off to bike. Friday night KK and I had a nice dinner and then saw a movie (Bruno). On Saturday I woke up to meet Jay at Lavaux to head to Crans Montana. We arrived on a very cool, sunny day to meet up with two friends Marius and Chis from TGR....and it was on!






..and here is a vid from Jay summarizing a great day!

Crans Montana from Ripzalot on Vimeo.

That night we hooked up with Tam, Jen, Jay, and Jen's mom for a nice dinner in Laussane at Chez Harper. Great food, great friends, and a SICK wedding quilt.. Pics to come!..thanks Jen we love it!!!!!
On Sunday we took a nice 25 mile bike ride through GE and then grabbed some food at the Croix De Rozon Marche. Another great weekend. KK continues to work too much, but I know there is an end. This weekend more biking and then off to Bordeaux for a nice relaxed weekend. I am off to Russia on Monday. More to come........

Tour De France: Yverdon Les Bain

So another weekend approached and rain was forecasted so KK and I chilled in GE Saturday and caught up on some much needed chill time after a hectic week at work. Sunday came and the weather looked good so we took the opportunity to see the TDF in CH! We grabbed a train to Yverdon Les Bain from GE and arrived to see the caravan setting up.

The caravan is a pre-race favorite with kids and adults alike where there are "floats" that drive around about an hour before the race and throw out free swag from the TDF sponsors.




..and we got some...


After the caravan passed we walked about a mile and found a slight incline so when the Peleton passed it would be more than 10 seconds...and here it comes!



There's Lance!!!

Bye Lance!


....that was cool! Next year more tailgating though.

After the race passed KK and I grab some lunch in the cute town center:


After lunch we headed back to GE and I grabbed my bag to head to Istanbul...more to come!

More biking....and a night with the girls...

KK and I hit up a nice sushi dinner on Friday night after another stressful week. On Saturday I headed up to PDS with Jay for some more VTT.
Early AM start and Les Crozet:

GG:




Jay:







....another great day...and nice ride home:

That night I arrived home to find KK chilling with the Tamsters and poach with a few Coronas and some guacamole dip! ..and our wedding gift! It is perfect!!! Thanks Tom and Tam!

That night we met up with Mette and hit Carouge for some dinner and drinks.
Sunday KK and I chilled and then went to the pool in early evening for a nice dip.

..catching up...PDS and Montreux....

Jay and I headed to PDS/Chatel to do some biking and watch the Redbull MTB comp. Marie a friend of Jays shot the day while we rode.

About 2 PM the rain came and the comp was called off..but Marie got some great shots!


Getting out of the rain:

That PM KK met me in Laussanne and we headed to Montreux to see Mos Def......to our dismay he cancelled last minute and Talib Kweli filled in which was not bad...the scene:


Even though Mos cancelled KK and I had a great time. On Sunday we took a nice bike ride to Croix de Rozon for the morning marche and then relexed.

Celebration #3...... Ticino, CH

So after some great times in the CH (Lenzerheide) and the USU (Brooklyn and FL) KK and I arrange a nice celebration in CH with our Euro friends. The week started with a visit from Becks (KK friend: USA) and Wendy (Becks friend: USA). They stayed with us in GE until it was time to head off to Ticino. On Friday night we met up with Pedro (GG/KK friend: Portugal), Paul (GG/KK friend: UK), and Tanya (GG/KK friend: Russia) in Brig. That night we grabbed some grub and few beers in Brig before retiring for the night.

Saturday we work up and headed towards Bellinzona over the Simplon pass into IT and then back into CH.





We arrived in Bellinzona around 2ish and headed to the train station to get Amy (KK friend: USA), Krista (KK friend: USA), and A; (GG/KK friend: USA/CH). After a quick pick up we arrived at Montecarasso Telecabinein about 30c heat ready to get some food and see our digs for the next few days. We were staying at the Curzutt hostel which is 1 stop up the Telecabine. So after working in my best Italian I sorted the tickets and it was off!


So after a self serve 10 minute ride we unpacked the bucket...Al on the edge!


After a quick 5 minute walk we met Salvador and arranged the rooms. KK and I rented the whole place so it was like our private playground for the weekend with our friends.
Our cook and guide Salvador:


About 5 minutes after we got to the resort Salvador was ready to serve a great lunch!

...about 20 minutes into lunch Alex (KK friend: USA/UK) and Yuliana (KK/Alex friend: Russia) called from the bottom and headed to join the party.

The next call was from Jen (GG/KK friend: USA/CH), Tam (GG/KK friend: USA/CH), Jay, (GG/KK friend: USA/CH) and Tom (GG/KK friend: USA/CH). ...and they were ready to party!


After a little food (I actually mean enough to feed a small army) we decided to take a walk to the nearby mountain church. Salvador gave us the key and we were off:






After a nice hike we came back to the hostel and chilled, relaxed, and enjoyed the local wine!


...by the time we knew it...food was arriving again! The dinner started with a Lasagna and then some nice sauted beef and potatoes.
Our dinning room:

Course 1:

Course 2:


..the crew!


...dining room dusk:

..a few speaches....



..and lots of wine!...dining room sunset:


..and some local schnapps:


..and some dancing:


...and some zipline (a fan favorite):

(Mom and we burned the wreathe):

...and a little late night Telecabine.....(so I forgot to tell you this is a 24 hour Telecabine)


KK and I retired early but the "kids" stayed up lat and partied the night away until about 4.

The next day after a nice b-fast we headed to the top for a little hike and lunch. Waiting for the bucket:


...chilling on the hike:

top view:



Juri (the MAN of Curzutt) set us up with a nice lunch of Polenta and Beef at the top cafe:

Juri met us up a the top to say hello and share a beer with us. Thank you again Juri..the place and arrangements were PERFECT!

After another great meal we hike back down to Curzutt about 800M.



..on the way we ran into a the mountain horses...looks like life is tough in CH!



...and on upon arrival we had some other guest:

After a nice nap we had a few beer and then dinner was served...these Swiss sure know how to do it!!
Course 1:

Course 2:

Dinner was great and then we danced and had a blast on a beautiful June evening in TI!

Noice!

the night ended with some stargazing (I saw two shooting stars).
The next AM the crew was a little worse for wear but it was time to go home. We left Curzutt around 1 and headed back to GE. We dropped some people off at the train stations and then over the Nufenen Pass back to GE.



On the way we grabbed some sandwiches and had a picnic.


KK and I arrived home that night around 630 talking about the next time we can throw a party in Curzutt. Thanks to all the friends who came out from around the world.