May 21, 2011 - Tuscany Photo Update

Devon and I had the tremendous score of being Olympian hosts on a trip to Tuscany, Italy and started our training season off with road biking, music, wine and great people. The guests come from all over Canada and buy the trip at the live auction at the Gold Medal Plates gala dinners in their respective cities. The schedule has just come out for fall 2011 so for an amazing experience, including a culinary competition between the best restaurants in your area as well as great Canadian musicians and Olympic medalists check out www.goldmedalplates.com. It's just amazing that these guys bring together these different elements and as an athlete I really appreciate the funds everyone contributes towards our training through the Canadian Olympic Committee and Own The Podium.

Here are some photos from the trip:

I led poolside yoga post-cycling.

Dustin Bentall and Kendall Carson - two awesome musicians you have to check out!

Stephen Leckie and Lisa Pasin are two of the main creators of this awesome organization and I think this photo captures their capacious ability to ace it all the time and keep the generous spirit of the organization going.

Jim and our good friend Juno winner Barney Bentall coached Devon to a level of performance greatness and here he gets a pat on the back after singing his verse.

The guy in red in the front is Contador - Devon and a few hardcores checked out the Giro d'Italia as it passed very near our beautiful property called the Borgo San Felice (I highly reccomend going to the dinner, bidding on it and coming next year if you can swing it!)

Kershaw's long locks flowing in the gentle Tuscan breeze while he bangs out 4 hour rides every day with the "Espresso group."

Me absorbing the benefits of Brunello wine after a day of road cycling in a Montalcino meadow

Olympians Curt Harnett and Marnie McBean hosted and together we took out groups of all levels from capuccino (beginner) to machiato (intermediate) to espresso (advanced) or even doppio espresso (keeping up with Devon on the post-ride ride)

Gelato!

Roses were in full bloom. This is at our hotel.

Small towns like San Sano nearby were a hit for mouthwatering Italian fare that was the best food I've ever had.

Blue skies in Tuscany.

Up next Bend, Oregon training camp until June 1. Can't wait to see my team, coaches, and American friends as we start the first camp with skiing in the morning and dryland in the afternoon.

Thank you to Gold Medal Plates and everyone from all over Canada that I got to meet - an unforgettable trip for sure... I'm so glad it's on for spring 2012 - score!

Happy training,

Chandra