There seems to be a few things that come along with welcoming in the summer...one of them would be the heat (which is my favorite) and another would be bugs (not my favorite).

When vertically, we are around one to maybe three feet tall, these little icky creatures define play time, but when we are no longer vertically challenged, these icky creatures become not so fun and maybe even our enemy.

About a week ago, I got home only to be greeted by an army of ants who were trying to take over my kitchen. Determined and busy are a couple of words that can define these insects, but are not the words that came to mind when I stood witnessing their single file line that began to look like artwork down my wall and across my floor.

I pulled out all of the stops that I could think of and went to battle with these little guys, but the battle became war and it was only a day or two ago - after many long fought hours that involved sheets of paper towels, gallons of bug spray, bait traps and much frustration - that I can say that I actually defeated them.

They definitely messed with the wrong house and I am leaving them no reason to even attempt making their way back in.

Summer is definitely here.

The nightmares of waking up to ants taking over my house had just ended when I was out on my ride today and it may not have been ants, but as I was pedaling on a typical ride that I consider fun - a vertical gain of nothing less than 4,000' - I was joined by the nats that decided that it was their job to keep me company along the way.

The nightmares began coming back...

Once a friend told me that as long as you pedaled at a speed of no less than 8 mph you could out pedal these guys and I could not get that out of my head so I kept pedaling a little faster. I think I was moving at a decent clip, but I don't believe that it was the speed that saved me, I believe it was the slight breeze that I would get as I turned each corner. Either way, I am completely convinced that I will not be riding out here without my nifty mosquito netting. As silly as it may look, I will be able to stare at those little guys as they swarm around my face with the utmost determination of making their way in and I will be able to just laugh at them from a safe distance.

Again, summer is definitely here.

It may sound like I am complaining - and maybe I am complaining just a little - but with that being said, I have to say that I absolutely love the summer and would take the bugs any day so that I can have the heat.

In a few days we have the next stop of the Pro UET series in our own backyard...Big Bear.

It has been over a year since I have ridden in Big Bear and it has been more than a few years that I have raced up there and I am super excited! It is a 50-miler that is made up of two 25 mile loops with a good mix of both fire road and some of Big Bear's sweetest single track. If you have nothing to do this weekend and are looking for a race, you should come up and join us.

The heat is definitely turned on, but I think we will be safe this weekend when it comes to the bugs!

And this has absolutely nothing to do with bugs, but I thought I would share something that I have been getting into...trees. As I travel around, I find these amazing creations that are so unique and I try my best to capture their beauty.

Hope you like them.

Until next time...hope to see you this weekend.

Alooooha!

pua