2008 Tour of California

My posting record has been less than stellar lately, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy. I just returned from another week-long cycling event, this time the Tour of California. Wow, what a well supported event! The organizers have done things right and the crowds have come out in force, despite some really bad weather. If you think it's just an endurance event for cyclists, though, sign up as a volunteer or purchase space in a booth. These events make marathons easy by comparison. Most mornings I was up before 5 am, and most evenings I wasn't home until 8 pm. Some evenings were much later.

It is always so much fun talking to cycling fans, and particularly to readers of my books. I've been blessed that so many people have reacted so positively to my work. It makes me particularly happy when young people tell me their impressions. I particularly remember an eleven year old boy who told me how meaningful The Race has been to him. He asked me lots of great questions, including, where do I get my stories from? I'm lucky, because I've never run short on story ideas and I can't imagine that I ever will. Writer's cramp? What is that?

Today I'm both exhausted and swamped. I've got a ton of work to get done before my family (including my parents), Saul's family, and Marty Jemison's family all go to the Moab Skinny Tire Festival next weekend. What a great event that's going to be!