AHHHHH HOME....

BEFORE HOME, CAME VEGAS.....

Vegas was a hoot. Only 4 days there, but in that time Kate and I were able to see a show, blow some money, ride horses through and around Red Canyon and spend hours by the pool and in bed ;).

They always say that photos tell 1000 words, so i will let some of the good ones i took do the talking....

Isn't she the cutest?

Until she lost all of my money!

But i forgave her....

Only to find out she wanted to be a cowboy....

So here i am rounding 2nd with one of the Blue Men...i think she was jealous.

FRESH FACES AROUND THE HOUSE....

Upon my return home i was able to finally meet the person who for the past 6 months has resided in my bedroom. My parents and sister brought in a girl (Gracie) who needed a place to stay and she has been living with us since April. Fortunately she has been moved from my room to the spare bedroom since my return, but it has been fun to meet a new person and learn about her, considering its like she is a new sister of mine.

Pip and the newbie (Grace) cooking dinner. Its a nice change of pace...

It has also been more than nice to sleep in the familiar surroundings of my bedroom once again. Oh how i have missed my home.

PIP'S QUITTING SMOKING....

This week my sister will attempt to quit smoking....again. I say again because she has tried and failed before, but i have a good feeling about this time. I want to make it a team effort and have made her aware that i will not take any excuses or make any exceptions this time. I am even going to buy her first pack of patches, in an attempt to make her accountable to someone else...as now i will have invested money in her attempt.

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE BEIJING FUND....

Going on sale this week are a large quantity of cycling clothing that i have accumulated over the course of the last 4 years of my professional career. Some old and some new, its a mix of stuff and prices. It will all go on the table on the last day of the Herald Sun Tour, but if you want an opportunity to beat the crowd and the madness then send me an email and i will send you a copy of the listings. Photos will be available upon request and then you can let me know if you want to buy anything. All the proceeds go to the Get Richard to Beijing Fund (aimed at helping me afford to go and watch Kate at the Olympics), so get in quick before it goes....email address is richardjengland@gmail.com....

Catch you all on the flip side...

PS. IT'S NOW OFFICIAL

It has just been reported on cyclingnews, so i guess i can tell it to. I am officially a rider for the Bissell Pro Cycling Team next year. A continuation of the team from this year, Bissell has taken over as the title sponsor and i look forward to continuing my work with the 8 of my current team mates returning and the 4 + new additions we have for next year. Check it all out at http://www.bissellprocycling.com/.

BROKEN BITS

US SEASON FINISHES WITH BROKEN BONES.....BUT IT STILL FINISHES

1 month of preparation for my last race....180km of northern Michigan....3km in there was a small crash, 3 went down, suddenly it turned into a massive crash as a bunch of morons decided to run straight into the back of it. The fall out was Scotty (in his 9th crash of the season) with some broken ribs, Teddy came down, and i face planted on some guys top tube and came out of it with a suspected broken nose and thumb. I kept racing, not knowing exactly what the etiquette is for a broken nose. Scott charged his way to third, Garrett won the race and despite a massive headache for the entire 4.5hrs came in 7th. It was a great race to finish the year with. Despite the obvious frustration the course was a fantastic one and i was sorry that it had taken me 3 years to finally do it.

The final podium.....nice novelty cheque

WHATS LEFT TO DO?.....BUT DANCE

Garrett is taking dance lessons from the boss' sister....he looks like he is a future So You Think You Can Dance star.

Zirbel and Teddy follow suit.....

SOME SHOTS FROM OUR LAST WEEK UP NORTH....

It was kind of a team break up camp. We got to spend the week relaxing in Bob's sweet beach pad. It was freezing cold and raining for the majority of the week, i had to crack out the winter gear again, but there were some special moments.

Zirbel and Morgan share a moment fit for lovers....

Glen does a quick dash back to the warm shower, after a dip in the freezing Lake Michigan

WHEN THE SEASONS DONE, WHERE ELSE BUT VEGAS?

Kate and i have hit the strip. First time for me and although its a quick, 3 day, in and out it is a nice little fly by on the way home and a great way to waste some of the money i have worked hard for all year. Having said that, the Hard Rock Hotel is worth every cent. While not directly on the strip, we have a sweet room with a great view. The pool scene is insane and the hotel comes fully equipped with a Starbucks in the lobby, which for Kate in her jet lagged state is sweet.

Check it out. We are not high rollers, but it doesn't hurt to pretend every now and then.

Keep a look out for our holiday snaps next week. Until then....peace.

KICKING IT LOCALLY

THE SEASON IS WINDING DOWN IN THE US....

Proof of this was the free spirited party that took place after our local Grand Rapids criterium. It was an opportunity for many of the guys to let down their hair and enjoy themselves for a night. For those who are interested, Menzies won the race, so it wasn't a local victory but I managed to bring home 3rd in what was a great first year event. Here are some of the photo's from our evening....enjoy!

Scotty knows how to throw them back....

So i took advantage of him later on...

Our fearless director, teaches the boys how they chug beer down in New Zealand...

The night hurt some more than others...

MVA'S...BRITTANY'S COMEBACK WAS A BUST....

Brittany's performance left a lot to be desired. She slut'ed it up as best as possible with the costume but that was where the efforts finished. She lip synced (badly), she danced like a wobbly middle aged women and showed no energy at all. To be honest it was hard to watch. One reaction from the crowd explained what most people thought of it perfectly (right).

WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT....

HOT!

Menzies is just so friggin' hard to beat....

NOT!

Lazy ass ball boys at the US Open....they all chuck the balls in stead of the classy ball rolling of the Aussie Open.

Scotty crashing in the GR crit....AGAIN.....thats 8 for the year and he definately has time to make it to double figures. Stay away from this guy on the track.

PEOPLE IN MY LIFE......

INTRODUCTION TO SCOTT ZWIZANSKI...

7/13 DAYS TO GO....

7 days until i see Kate again. 13 days until i sleep in my own bed for the first time in 6 months.

Later everyone

US PRO WEEK

ENGLAND DIRECTS PRIORITY TO 9 OUT OF 10 DNF'S....


So i finally got to take the reigns as director of the Priority Health Cycling Team. I love being a bike rider, but i also think that one day i would love to do this as a profession. Despite the fact we only had 1 finisher (BJM in 15th), the overall consensus was that people were happy with my job. I did a reasonable job of predicting how the race would unfold and as such the boys rode a well prepared structure. I was proud of both there days, with an awesome comeback from Tom Zirbel in the ITT. It was an exiting weekend for me and i hope that the sponsors i got to take care of in the car weren't too terrified by the way i drove.

Some actions shots from the weekends work......

BJM, CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR....

After 7 months of blood sweat and tears, Ben Jaques-Maynes (left) has gone down in the NRC battle in the last race on the calendar. Whilst it was to a worthy foe, in Rory Sutherland, there was a thick air of disappointment despite having won the race. At the end of a long season, it was unfortunate that it came down to a conflict of interests within the team. Not the best way to run out a season, but an unfortunate situation for everyone involved.

BEING A MECHANIC AIN'T NO BREEZE....

Shout out to this weeks hero Ben Oliver, who drove 13hrs after sleeping for a measly 3hrs, to get me back to Michigan safe and sound after the Atlanta 10k. It was an amazing effort, that was achieved with enormous quantities of caffeine and determination. Im not going to lie to you though, he has been working extremely hard....(see below)


This is Ben, during a post ride work out. Chin ups and dead lifts and the results have been amazing. He insists that all his progress has been completely natural, but i think its time that USADA started testing the mechanics....just dont put caffeine on the band list or it will cost us all.

SERENA WILLIAMS MAKES A QUICK GET AWAY....

Lots of tennis has been watched over the past week with the US Open. I was surprised to see, however, her choice of vehicle to get away from the waiting press, who were upset by her loss.

WHAT'S HOT AND WHAT'S NOT

HOT.....

Getting to DS for my team and friends at the US Pro road race. It was an awesome experience that i wont forget.

Cycling obsessed people and how they express it with household implements.(below)

NOT....

Losing the NRC in the final race on the calendar.

Middle aged men wearing ankle socks....its a big no no, especially when your not directly involved in a sporting activity....and even then i have to question it. (below).

Until next week....ill try and include some video inserts....later