Lovely day on Sierra Road

It’s 7:30.  Beth and I are parked on the side of a mountain, 100 meters from the Sierra Road KOM sign.  We’d been warned that fans would flood the place and that the road would close at 9:00.  So we got up early and drove up the mountain, and now we’re the first on the mountain and have five hours to wait before the race comes by.  Insane vacation, awesome wife.

Tunitas Traffic Jam

Tunitas Creek is one of those you-can’t-get-there-from-here places.  The boreal rainforest was indeed rainy and boreal.  The approach was like driving through a tunnel of moss-drippy redwoods.  Stunning place.  The roads were collections of switchbacks, hairpins, and bad pavement.  We were alone on the road and congratulating ourselves for finding this remote spot to see the race when suddenly, rounding a bend, we were in a traffic jam.  Cars filled every possible parking nook and race fans filled the road.  We pulled over and joined the crowd amblin

Pace quickens at the Legion of Honor

Stage 2 made for another messy & exciting day.  After an early start in Sausilito, the roll-out was neutral around town and during the photo-op ride across the Golden Gate Bridge.  The racing began when the riders hit the SF end of the bridge.

Fast Freddie heads out to sign in

Today, as a spectator I was cold and wet.  I can only imagine what it was like to spend 107 sogging miles in the saddle without the comfort of cafes and wine.
 

Cancellara with his game face one & gold medal glasses

So we're in Sacramento for Valentine's Day.  How cool is that?

Yesterday Fabian Cancellara took the day and squeaked by local favorite Levi.  About 100,000 lined the streets.  It seemed that most were there to catch a glimpse of Lance Armstrong.  In fact, the Astana van look like the site of a Who concert all day long.