Excellent Margarita recipe

While we were out in Mexico, we wanted Margaritas, and not the type that come pre-mixed. We wanted some authentic Margaritas. I did some research and found many recipes, all of which were different. Many agreed on the 3:2:1 ratios, but even those disagreed as to which ingredient was in what spot. Many recipes call for Cointreau specifically, but we discovered that in Mexico, tequila might be in every corner store, but good luck finding even a basic Triple Sec. We ultimately found a basic cheap orange liqueur, and used that.

Considering there are really only four ingredients in a Margarita, I just don't understand the need for a premix. It might be the resistance to having to squeeze all those limes, but honestly, that's not that hard if you get the right tool. We have a lemon juicer that we got from Bed Bath & Beyond, but can be gotten from many places, such as Amazon or Williams Sonoma. With that handy tool, you just cut the lime in half, put it in face down, and squeeze. Quick and simple.

Anyhow, let's get to the ingredients:

1 part Triple Sec/Orange Liqueur
3/4 part Tequila
3/4 part Lime juice
1/4 part simple syrup

Mix it all up and serve on the rocks, or blend the ice and have it frozen.

Comments on the ingredients:

The triple sec can be Cointreau but we haven't tried that yet, and since the results seem to be fine with just a plain triple sec, which is cheaper, that's what we've been using.

The tequila should be white, but if you happen to have a gold on hand, it'll work. The color of the finished margarita won't be quite as nice but it still tasted good.

Simple syrup is just a 1:1 water to sugar mix, and the only need for the water is to dissolve the sugar.

Enjoy, but be careful! They're pretty strong!

Back from Utah...

We're back from Utah. Internet connection at the hotel was crappy so no updates while I was out there. Had fun although I could have ridden WAY better. Spent most of the time at the back, thanks to my back. Also decided it's time to give a trailbike a try. The hardtail just wasn't working for me.

Still, Utah is freakin' beautiful and the trails were great, even if I wasn't. Would definitely go back, although this time with some suspension travel. ;)

One week left!

This time next week we'll be on our way to Las Vegas, from where we'll drive to St. George Utah. That'll be our base of operations as we do a long weekend of mountain biking. We're all looking forward to it, although I'm looking to be the slow one. It looked like Lance would be back there with me, as he hasn't been riding that much, but DZ just informed me that Lance rode with him and kept up just fine.

Oh well, I've been at the front of the line on MTB trips, I can handle being on the other end.

One month to Utah!

In a month, Grace and I are joining some friends and doing a long weekend of riding in Utah, with a stop in Las Vegas for a night when we're done. I've been hitting the gym and riding the rollers, as well as eating better, but I'll still be totally unprepared for it.

Sweet rides

So far, we've been on the bike every day this week. Some days weren't long rides, but yesterday made up for that. We started at Monica and Rich's house, and Grace, Rich, and I rode the road out to Country Park. We did a loop in Country Park, then rode the greenway.

Bikes in Greensboro

Ah, vacation in Greensboro. Might have seemed a little excessive to bring five bikes, but so far all but one have been ridden. Five bikes for two people, you say? Here's the breakdown:

• Grace's Santa Cruz Juliana Superlight MTB
  
• Grace's Giant XTC hardtail MTB
  
• My Santa Cruz Superlight MTB
• My Giant TCR roadie
• Schwinn Fastback Comp roadie for Rich, borrowed from BVL's girlfriend Lisa

Rich has been talking about getting a road bike for a while, so I borrowed the Schwinn from Lisa and Rich and I went for a ride. Surprisingly enough, I didn't even have to adjust the seat height for Rich. We got out and did a 23 mile ride on yet another totally beautiful day.

So far, only the Giant hardtail hasn't been ridden, but that was because it wasn't completed. I finished putting it together the other day, and now it's ready to rock. Set up as a 1x9, it will weigh just slightly over 20lbs! Pretty darn light for a mountain bike.

I could get used to this.

Today, for the second day in a row, everyone left and I was at the house. I set up shop in the garage, enjoyed the beautiful weather, and worked on bikes. Dug into Rich's music collection and fired up the Grateful Dead. Buddy sat outside with me and kept me company. Nothing I had to do, no responsibilities, just hanging out, listening to music, and working on bikes. Good times!

Yeah, I can live like this.

I spent today more or less like yesterday. Everyone got scarce, going shopping or something like that, leaving me back at the house with the dogs and the bikes. I set up shop in the garage, and worked on the bikes. Today I added some music, and all was well. Sunny and warm, and plenty of time to just sit and work with the bikes.

When Rich finally got back, I informed him that whenever he's ready for a live-in bike mechanic, I was ready.

Riding holiday in North Carolina

Grace and I are visiting her sister and family for the Thanksgiving holiday, and we're getting to ride some of the great trails in Greensboro. While there isn't anything epic or incredibly technical in the immediate area, the trails in Greensboro have wonderful flow and are just a hoot to ride. Major kudos to the Greensboro Velo Fat Tire Society for all the work they've put into these trails. Some of the trails are only a short ride on the road from Monica and Rich's house!

Of course I've got to bring a camera, so I'll be posting the best of those pics to my gallery:

http://www.db94.net/gallery/Bike/Rides/TDayNC/


Yesterday we got out and rode Country Park, which is swoopy and fast. Today we rode the jewel of the Greensboro trail crown... Owl's Roost. Owl's Roost is an 8 mile long trail which can be ridden in an out-and-back fashion, and is just tremendously fun. Mostly hardpack with frequent roots, it's got flow out the wazoo. We had hoped to meet up with a local group for a group ride, but it looks like nobody showed up. No worries, we rode on our own.

The trails were pretty crowded, but everyone was really cool. Maybe it was the weather, sunny and in the mid 60s. Back at home there's a severe weather advisory for rain and snow. Yuk.