The 2007 Amgen Tour of California didn't disappoint. The World's top riders and best teams turned out for another year of racing and the California crowds showed up in support. Over seven days, 1.6 million spectators lined the streets and towns across the Golden State to witness what is quickly becoming "The Tour beyond France."
Race organizers hope to add a few more stages (making 10 total) to the 2008 event and we hope San Diego is chosen as a Stage host city.
Just a quick note to let AMT-ers know that we will be at Stage 7 of the 2007 Amgen Tour of California tomorrow (Sunday).
The final stage will feature 10 laps around a 7.5 mile flat course through the heart of Long Beach.
We'll be sure to take a lot of photos and grab a few interviews, so check in for our post-race coverage on Monday.
This spring, ExpressJet Airlines will break off from Continental to begin operations as a stand alone carrier and passengers will be able to get athletic-minded traveler content on board.
"XJet" will target "under-served" markets with non-stop service on 50-seat planes. That's right, all routes will be non-stop. As its name implies, the company will fly jets, not prop planes, and each will have leather seats, only window and aisle chairs (i.e., no middles), and free XM Satellite radio.
Last week, Erin and I flew for the first time with our 5-month old baby. Our annual trip back to Chicago for early xmas with the extended family was the occasion.
Both Erin and I were anxious about the 4+ hour flight as well as the 90 minute wait prior because, as first time parents, we just had no idea how Sevrin was going to handle the airport, security, the takeoff/landing, and the monotonous hours at 35,000 feet.
Much to the benefit of travelers everywhere, hotel chains have gone head to head over which offers the best sleeping experience.
You have likely tested out one of the many sleep systems out there: "Heavenly", "Cloud Nine", "Sweet Sleeper", "Simply Smart", "Comforts of Home", "Elite Dreamer", etc. These clever marketing terms refer to various iterations of pillow-top bedding, adjustable firmness, mattress thickness, quilting, sheet numbers and thread counts.
What they do NOT refer to is NOISE.
Let me explain.
Since we're constantly on the prowl for the ideal hotel gym, people always ask us about our view of hotel fitness perfection. Accommodations such as the Houstonian, Four Seasons San Francisco, and Ritz Carlton Boston Common, are examples of a hotel gym "10".
What do they have?
Here are some thoughts from Carolyn after completing her first marathon in New York City.
How often have you had to unplug a desk lamp or some other hotel furnishing to make way for your computer, phone charger, digital camera, or other techy tools?
When I was last in Vegas, the room occupant before me clearly had to do this and didn't bother to reconnect anything. When I arrived I was forced to spend the first minutes of my trip getting everything working again-which was much faster than waiting for the hotel's "tech support."
About two weeks ago, I enjoyed a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The Department of Defense, through the U.S. Navy, operates a ?Leaders to Sea? program?an initiative providing business leaders with an opportunity to experience, first-hand, our military in action.
Coordinated by Chief David McBride, the day started early?0645 hours?with a group meeting at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, CA.
