NEW YEAR'S RIDE (NOT SO MUCH)

I had grand plans of getting 2013 off with a bang by completing a significant-ish ride with some of Bellingham's cycling finest. 

So I jumped into the Holiday Hangover Hundo, organized by Scott Alexander, and quickly realized that I had absolutely no power in the legs. Nada. Zilch. Nothing. 

I knew I wasn't up for 100, but I thought maybe I'd ride down to Samish Island and back, about 50 miles or so. It was not to be.  

I got halfway down Chuckanut, saw the sign for Cleator Road and that was it--I took a left, climbed up to the Interurban Trail and headed back into town. 

Stopped at Tony's in Fairhaven where I grabbed a quad-tall no-room Americano, a window seat and watched a mellow New Year's Day morning unfold. 

Not sure why I felt so blah. Wonder if I've been pushing it too hard lately with all the cyclocross and run training I've been doing. Kinda felt similarly blah two days ago on our 9-mile run in the Chuckanuts. Like I just couldn't get going. Perhaps I've got our upcoming Luxembourg move on the brain. Speaking of which, here's the quick 'n' dirty.

My wife, Jen, just landed a job with a health care company in Luxembourg City; ever since our trip to Paris a few years ago, we've been eager to get back and so when this opportunity came up, we jumped on it. Neither one of us has been there but here are some things we know about the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. 

1. It's the tiny European country that starts with "L" and isn't Liechtenstein.
2. How tiny? Thirty by 50 miles; less than half the size of Whatcom County. Population-wise, Luxembourg City is about the same size as Bellingham.
3. If you're ever singing the Guns 'n' Roses song "Paradise City" to yourself, you can sub in "Luxembourg City" quite easily; it fits perfectly. Go ahead, try it. 
4. Luxembourg is one of the richest countries in the world which I guess means it's probably one of the most expensive. (I guess we'll find out.)
5. Frank and Andy Schleck are from Luxembourg.
6. It's about perfectly located in the heart of Europe, wedged between France (Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix), Belgium (Tour of Flanders, Liege-Bastogne-Liege) and Germany (Jan Ullrich). Paris is two hours by train, Brussels, Belgium and Frankfort, Germany appear to be about the same. 
7. They speak French, Germany and Luxembourgish in Luxembourg. I speak English but almost 40 years ago I spoke German well enough to earn a C+ at Timberlane Junior High School. So, ... there's that.

Things are moving pretty quickly for us: Jen leaves for Luxembourg on Monday (Monday!) with Bake and I to follow in early March (early March!), as soon as we can get our house rented and take care of the myriad details that need taking care of. Plans are for Bake to go to an international school there. 

We're pretty exited. It's a daunting adventure and I'll miss the Northwest like crazy, but I presume we'll be back at some point. And hey, if you're ever in Europe and want to hook up for a ride, be sure to contact me. I'll no doubt be opening the European Headquarters of Titanium Cowboys International.