A warm weekend for biking and baking

It has warmed up the last couple of days. Though the heat makes it a bit difficult to bake, as I don't really have the desire to turn my entire apartment into an oven, its perfect weather for going out and spending some time in the sun.

On Saturday, Chino, Cindy, and I went for a bike ride down the Stevens Creek trail and up to Palo Alto for a nice lunch.

Michela surprised us with a visit from SF and we spent part of the afternoon shopping. Here is Chino and me acting a bit silly.

On Sunday I decided to bake a cake for a coworker who has sponsored me a few times for the Tour de Cure bike ride in Napa. But what cake to make? A sponge? Cheesecake? Layered cake? I got a bit lazy and just decided to do another version of the Elvis Pound Cake. I'm getting a tad bit tired of seeing pictures of bundt cakes, but it really is quite an awesome yet simple recipe!

I jazzed this pound cake up by adding a cup of miniature chocolate chips, a chocolate glaze made out of Guittard semi-sweet chocolate and condensed milk (yes time to reach for the defibrillator), and topped with more chocolate chips. Yikes.

It looks like a ginormous glazed donut. I love it!

Back on the saddle

Today I went for a bike ride with Gino and Victor. Turns out it was a Meetup group...and there was a total of 7 riders, and of course they all left me in the dust. Reminds me of how much I need to get back in shape. It also reminds me of how much I enjoy the crisp clicking sound of gears shifting.. gotta love the Dura Ace. I'm far too wimpy and undeserving of my bike.

Theres also something really hot about a pack of cyclists whizzing by you.. buff calves pumping. Maybe its just that they're all wearing matching jerseys and shorts...or maybe its the spandex.

We started out at Pete's Coffee at Homestead and Foothill, took Foothill down to Palo Alto.. did the Loop (in reverse) and headed back. Around mile 15.. my slow ass (can't handle climbs very well) lost the group. I wasn't even sure if I was going the right way anymore...

Being lost sucks.. but it sure is pretty: