Team LifeCycle

Today was the world debut of Team LifeCycle at Boston's 7th Annual Hub on Wheels.  Team LifeCycle is a cycling club of over 10 of our bike loving Boston friends that Mitch started for the Hub on Wheels.  The event consisted of a 50 mile course that wove around Boston and included a car-free Storrow drive, a tour along the Emerald Necklace, and spectacular views of Boston harbor.  While the sponsors stressed the event was a ride and not a race, there were still a few injuries suffered by the team including a scraped knee and broken handlebars.  Despite these shortcomings, the team successfully finished the ride and cumulatively raised $500.00 in support of local Boston charities.  The day also featured the Mayor's Cup, a professional criterium around Goverment Center.  Check out pictures from the day here and keep an eye out for the official Team LifeCycle jerseys!

Rachel

This past weekend, Rachel came out to Boston for her first trip to New England.  Bekah was able to take off a couple of days to spend time with her.  While visiting, Rachel got to see many of the best Boston sites from the seat of a Hubway bike (thanks Dan & Laura!).  Rachel also got to experience a ride along the Charles River, the scene of people bargaining for produce at Haymarket, the fascinating deep sea tank at the New England Aquarium, and calzones and canollis in the North End.  We went on a whale watching trip in attempts to do just that, but unfortunately, we saw only one whale very briefly and - even worse - the ride was incredibly choppy with many passengers around us tossing their cookies.  It is amazing Rachel is still smiling in the picture above.  Of course, she also got to meet several of our friends and enjoy some time just hanging out in our apartment.  Thanks for visiting, Rach!

Conference

This past week Mitch attended a conference out in California, leaving his lovely wife to fend for herself back in Boston.  The conference was a good excuse for Mitch to learn more about human genome variation, network with other professionals in his field, and present a poster of his research (printed by PhD Posters).  On top of theses professional opportunities, he also got to explore the San Francisco Bay area.  This included a San Francisco Bay dinner cruise, riding the Caltrain, catching up with Adam and Katelyn, and hearing John Ortberg preach.  Adam and Mitch were even able to squeeze in a ride up Old La Honda.  The above picture is the view from Mitch's hotel room.

Rabbits

This year was a difficult year gardening in the Fenway Garden plots with an unusually high census of rabbits grazing through the vegetable plots.  It seemed just when the vegetables were a few days from reaching their peak level of ripeness a mischievous rabbit would snatch it before we could pick it.  Well, the area hawks soon became aware of the well-fed rabbits living in the Fenway Gardens and began to indulge in a feast of their own.  Needless to say, our pest problem has now been remedied.  Above is a sample of some of the lovely tomatoes we grew this year.  In addition, we beat the rabbits to fresh broccoli, hot peppers, and basil.  Brussels sprouts, a first for us this year, are nearing their prime soon too.

Elevation

This Sunday, Mitch and some friends decided to test their biking endurance in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Bekah went along in the support vehicle to keep the riders well-hydrated and in high spirits. The weather was hot and humid, but everyone was able to get in a few good climbs and descents. The ride finished at a picturesque covered bridge that spanned over a crisp, clear river that the riders were thrilled to cool off in. A day of biking makes one pretty hungry, so we made our way over to the prefect local barbecue joint, Moat Mountain Smokehouse, and made an impressive dent in their family feast. Want to see pictures of the day? Click here.