Life On Two Wheels

Along the river and toward the mountains a morning shadow shimmers across the road. The rays of the first light jet through the trees and across a figure gliding upon the road. His breath trails in short spurts, petrified as it hits the icy air. All is quiet except the slight sound of the athlete as he summons himself for yet another days work. Soon the rest of the world will bustle with life as well and the brief simplicity of cyclist and nature will disappear into the everyday struggle of life in full motion; the errands and intervals, the appointments and intersections, and the deadlines and finish lines OutPaceTheRace

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Preview: Stage 2

Santa Rosa, CA to Davis, CA
Monday, December 11, 2006

The riding was quite fantastic today. I’m not quite sure, but today’s course seemed totally new to me. There were two new climbs, neither of which were significant enough to alter the future GC. Aside from the wind ‘n stuff near Davis, the scenery leaving Santa Rosa was spectacular. There were lush rolling hills, seemingly endless vineyards, and mile after mile of roads without cars… I’m kinda glad we’re pre-riding the course ‘cause there’s absolutely no way I’d be checking the scenery out during the race…
The weather seems to be kinda on ‘n off. There’s been nothing as bad as what we’re enduring up North, but there’s stuff you just don’t expect from California… Like a little drizzle that’s hardly enough to get your attention. Of course everyone’s complaining like we’re in a flash flood or something, but even if it was raining, it wouldn’t be cold enough to have any effect. But that’s California, they’re not used to rain or cold, so a little of both is kinda harsh.