Hi Angels.
I must confess that I haven't written about the last day of the Tour of California. I also haven't been riding much. All I have been doing is to be a bad blogger. I apologize.
Almost all of June, I was out of town on a job and vacation. It's been a few weeks since I got back, and the dust has finally settled. So here I am.
First of all.
The Tour has started! Hope you guys are watching it on Versus or Tour Tracker. It's been truly, truly exciting. As Ben wrote in the previous post, we have a lot of contenders this year! Who's your favorite? One of my favorite, Frank Schleck-Andy's big brother, crashed out with a broken collarbone unfortunately. Very sad for him and Andy. Here's the video (from Team Saxobank's website) of Frank saying thanks and good-bye to the fans and his team. Watch about 2:45 into the footage. It made me cry.
It's this kind of very, human drama that makes cycling so amazing. You get to know the riders like they are your friends, and you start to care... not just as riders but as people. It's amazing.
Next.
So, on the last day of the Tour of CALIFORNIA, (I know, jumping from one tour to another... confusing.) Oli, Amal and I went to see the boys one last time. (For the first time for Amal, who is a total trooper for geeking out with us.) The race was amazing as usual, but more importantly, I had a mission.
I was going to chit-chat with Andy.
I'd say I accomplished that mission. OK. It wasn't so much a chit-chat. It was more like a "chit." Nevertheless.
Wanna know what I said to him? I know, all of you dirty mofos out there are thinking something naughty. I wouldn't do that to Andy! He's a good, innocent 25-year old boy!
I asked him if he missed Frank. (Frank was back in Luxembourg with his family and did not race ToC, so Andy was all by himself in the US.) Andy's response. "I miss Frank VERY much."
So there you go. That's it. And, he continued to sign more shit I brought him to sign... I told you he's a good boy.
By the way, I think he's famous now... Look at the number of reporters around him. This is a VERY special footage... behind the scenes with Andy Schleck. (Special because I shot it. Sorry, no fancy editing.)
Lastly.
I am finally getting back to riding. After a month of not riding and eating Mom's home cooked meal for a couple of weeks, I feel out of shape. (A tub of lard is more like it, but let's not tell it like it is, ok?) So, I've put in a few easy rides since I got home. The weather here in Venice has been on the cooler side, which I like, so there will definitely be more riding in the coming weeks. Our riding group team a2b has been doing well, too. We have been constantly getting new riders every week, and turn-out for each week has been pretty good, as well. So, if you haven't ridden with us yet, come join us next Sunday! Find us on Facebook for ride info (time, place, route and pace etc.)
OK. Gotta get back to the Stage 4 of the Tour.
See you soon and until then, ride safe.
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