13 Cycling Cuties

Yes, I'll admit it, I'm rather stuck in a rut, as of late. I'm "researching" like mad in order to make my current WIP, 27 Stages, as authentic as possible. This means I'm spending loads of time reading, watching and generally obsessing over cycling. My favorite sport. So it's no stretch to concede I'm having a lot of fun.

Something else which makes this fun is the fact that there are so many cyclists who are pleasing to the eye. Regardless of what you think of them as individuals, there are some lovely specimens out there. Some are cute. Some are HAWT. Some are just beyond words.

In that spirit, I offer this week's Thursday Thirteen topic, in no particular order, with their names, home country and current team:

Thirteen Cycling Cuties!

1) Lance Armstrong, USA, Team RadioShack

I'm legally obligated as a citizen of the US to include Lance.

Not that I mind, exactly. I mean, there are things LA and I disagree on, but at least he keeps good company, right?

Oh, right. This is a post about cyclists. I should post Lance on a bike. But it's surprisingly difficult to find a decent pic of Lance on a bike! But I persevered, as you know I would...

There. Done.

2) Thor Hushovd, Norway, Cervelo TestTeam

3) David Zabriskie, USA, Garmin-Transitions.

4) Mark Cavendish, GBR, HTC-Columbia.

(ahem)

5) George Hincapie, USA, BMC.

6) Christian Vande Velde, USA, Garmin-Transitions.

7) Edvald Boasson Hagen, Norway, Team Sky.

8) Jimmy Engoulvent, France, Saur-Sojasun.

9) Oscar Pereiro, Spain, Astana.

10) Andy Schleck, Luxembourg, Saxo Bank.

This is Andy with his brother, Frank. They're kind of a package deal. Bless them. :)

11) Alberto Contador, Spain, Astana.

12) Daniele Bennati, Italy, Liquigas.

I personally much preferred when Daniele rode with Lampre. The colors were more suited to him, I think. (Now that's shallow, am I right???)

13) Fabian Cancellara, Switzerland, Saxo Bank.

I'm working hard to restrain myself, here, as I could happily post pictures of Fabian all day long. I wuv him.

I wuv him.

Seriously.

On the bike?

Wuv.

Off the bike?

Wuv.

In a suit?

Wuv.



Without a suit?

Wuv.

Ciao for now! :)

Thirteen Things I Love About Winter

I'm easing back into the Thursday Thirteen groove with a gentle post, this week:

Thirteen Things I Love About Winter

So let's jump right in, eh?

1. Snuggles. Need I say more?
2. Not sweating when I walk to and from work - no matter how much I'm bundled up!
3. Hot milky tea and a slice of panettone (Italian Christmas cake/bread/numminess). Soooooo good...
4. Wearing a hat and gloves and scarf and boots and a big ol' coat...
5. Snow. The sight of it falling, the muffling of sound as it falls. Unless I have to drive in it, this gives me a distinct feeling of peace and contentment.
6. Long nights. I like the darkness. I feel more energized and creative when the nights are longer.
7. Hearty meals. I love a thick stew or pot of soup, or a particular pasta dish served at one of my favorite restaurants, here. I can only eat these things in the winter, though.
8. A fire in the fireplace.
9. The way the light falls at around four p.m.
10. The blackness of trees in a snowy landscape.
11. The tops of the mountains when they're covered with fresh snow.
12. Spying animal tracks in the snow.
13. Marrying my husband after a snowstorm. Okay, technically, I could only do this one time, but if I could, I'd do it again and again and again...
    

Now, I know I'm out of practice, but I promise, I didn't forget.










You know the drill, ladies... Scroll on down...


















In spite of my love for winter, I didn't forget the eye candy - and he isn't bundled up!

At least he keeps his jeans clean, eh?

Ciao for now! :)