Andrew arrived in Tucson just over a week ago. I was nervously primping (because even though he’s stuck with me for life, I don’t need to make him regret that decision) when my roommate asked, “Do you have any clothes that aren’t for cycling or the gym?”

No. I have mascara and sweatpants.

When he arrived, it was a whirlwind of activity for three straight days. I wanted to show him my favorite places around town (Stella Java, La Estrella Bakery, Mt. Lemmon, Time Market, Le Buzz…hmm, this list is rather food-heavy) and we also had to get all of the team bikes ready for camp. By “we”, I mean “Andrew” while I spectated and offered helpful suggestions like, “How’s my TT bike coming along? Will you be done soon? When can we go eat?”

And then in no time at all, we were driving with Julie in a caravan towards the Phoenix airport to collect our people and kick off team camp.

Pepper Palace took over a mansion just outside Scottsdale for the week. The house was awesome; brand new, massive, and full of perks like a pool table and an arcade. The only thing missing was a refrigerator large enough to hold the colossal load of team groceries. You could have fed a small country with the first grocery trip, and yet we were back at the store in a day. Because cyclists.

It wasn’t long before we’d exploded all over the house in a sea of red clothes, sparkling waters, hot sauces, and Gu products. Did you read the article about the chick who generated only enough trash to fill a mason jar over a period of two years? Yeah, that was not us. Taking out the accumulated trash yesterday required multiple trips by six people, one of whom (GOKES!) had to jump up and down atop the dumpster to get the lid closed enough to keep the coyotes out.

Camp itself was exhilarating and exhausting all at once. It’s hard to be constantly surrounded by so many people and so much energy; team camp is a crush of new everything, perpetual motion, and unending stimulation. Sometimes it felt like Andrew and I were just passing ships, crossing as I’d dash from one thing to the next while he raced around in the garage building bikes, adjusting bikes, doing everything bikes. Each day was jammed from morning until night with rides, team meals, team talks, and endless chatter and laughter.

And then, just as quickly as it started, it ended. I woke up at 4:35am today to drive Andrew to the airport and head to Tucson to live with a smaller group of teammates and race the Tucson Bicycle Classic.

Saying goodbye to so many people felt like a punch in the gut. It was wonderful to be surrounded by my team; I love each member and cannot wait to see what we accomplish this season by working together and how much fun we will have doing it. There was not a single person that stuck out as a bad fit (….wait, what’s that expression about how if you look around the room and can’t see the asshole, it’s you? Shit). I have never been more certain that a group of people were meant to be together and never more proud to be part of that group. And to be able to share that with Andrew was wonderful.

I hate goodbyes (and pre-dawn alarm clock settings) but optimistically this is just the beginning of something new. Andrew will be back in a little while, I’ll see all of the Peppers again in time, and there are a lot of snacks waiting in Tucson. Huge thanks to everyone who made this past week enjoyable – Sarah for building this team, Julie and Amy for their non-stop efforts to pull everything together, Nicky for being our new director, Andrew and Johs for being our tireless mechanics, Jay and O’Neill for their support, our sponsors for providing heaps of cool stuff, and my teammates for being the kind of people you can spend a week with and leave wanting more. It’s going to be a great year.

2015 Holy Shitballs!
Terzan surprised me with a gift in the mail and this is just one of many reasons as to why she is awesome.
2015 Cyclists at Stella
Yet another coffee shop ride in Tucson. Yes, that is an insole sitting on the table off to the right. Adam rolled up with it in his jersey pocket.
2015 Hardcore Atop Lemmon
Andrew had to do the iconic Mt. Lemmon climb as part of his visit to Tucson. When he got to the top, I was all, “Hooray! Let’s take a selfie! Look hardcore!!” And this is the result. I don’t think he actually tried to make a face.
2015 Drew and the Van
Andrew rocking the rental van. I was cranky that night, so he ate my discarded contact lenses while driving as part of a deal to cheer me up.
2015 Drew Breaking In My Bike
My new race bike on its inaugural ride…under Andrew’s butt.
2015 Drew in Saguaro
On a spin through the gorgeous Saguaro National Park. The desert is breathtaking.
2015 Dead Pig and Me
This was breathtaking, too. He was sleeping (forever) right on the side of the road in front of somebody’s house. So of course I had to take photos and then sing a song about it…

2015 Look! The Uhaul.!JPG
We were waiting on the side of the road for Julie when she pulled up with the Uhaul and a cup of coffee for me. Julie always has all of the everything I need.
2015 Road Trip to Camp
We are EFFING READY to get our team camp on.
2015 Us in AZ at Camp
We got to the team house before everybody else, so we ran around like children, played a game of pool, and explored the yard.
2015 Welcome to Camp!
No cacti were harmed in the shooting of this photo. My legs, however, thought the jumping felt like shit.
Jules and Me and That Paper Cow
Sweet paper mache cow decorations, dude.
2015 Team Camp
Getting ready to roll on day 1. Nothing moves more slowly than a full team of women trying to get out the door for the first time in new clothes on new bikes.
2015 Zanna and Beer
Terzan photobombing the team refreshments.
2015 Girls Night Out
Staying hydrated during our night out on the town. We were supposed to go salsa dancing after dinner, but in true cyclist form, we bailed on that plan and went to the grocery store instead.
2015 New Kit New Bike
New kit, new bike. I love this Scott!
2015 Rice Mask
Terzan made turkey lettuce rice wraps for dinner and then let me talk her into applying a rice wrap to her face for $5.
2015 Team Dinner
When we weren’t on bikes, we were gathered around this table inhaling food and sparkling waters.
2015 PEPPERS!
PEPPERS! No, seriously, that spells PEPPERS! We spent 20 minutes in the sun trying to get it just right.
2015 Peppers on a Roll
Rocking and rolling. I love seeing our little red army.
2015 Hardstyle
We bring the hot sauce.
2015 Pepper Mojito Night
Mojito night! Terzan and I juiced roughly two dozen limes by hand, and then later learned that there was a juicer tucked away in the kitchen. SHITBALLS.
2015 Peppers Go Metal
The Peppers doing 80s rock style, with the notable exception of Amber in the back, who is just lurking.
2015 Us in AZ 1
Andrew. This doesn’t need a caption.
2015 Peppers 4Ever Yo
The Peppers. This doesn’t need a caption either.

One thought on “Pepper Palace: Your #1 Source for Awesome Sauce

  1. Didn’t see any snow! A great review of riding, the area, you and Andrew, and the hot Pepper ladies! Looking forward to a great great season.

Comments are closed.