Greetings from Paso Robles

It's the fifth stage of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. I'm exhausted sitting in my hotel room in the next little town somewhere in central California. I had planned to run everyday, brought all my stuff but each night I am so tired I end up eating a little something and crashing right after. I have a new appreciation for what these guys do each day. Okay so they have drivers, and chefs and souniers and mechanics that do just about everything for them but they're still riding out in the elements, 100+ miles everyday. Right as they finish the winners go to the press conference, after which they go to change/freshen up and get their massage in before dinner. Then, they have a short while to relax before going to sleep for the next morning to wake up around 6 am, get ready, eat breakfast, have their team meeting and drive to the start. I've known about this but actually following the tour myself now, I'll be so happy to sleep in my own bed and it's only been 5 days!! Seriously...perhaps its standing out in the FREEZING rain for 4 days that did it, but I can't imagine doing this, and riding 100 miles a day for 3 weeks straight!

California itself is beautiful though, having traveled through most of these United States I have to say that it's on my top favorite list of States to visit. It's an adventure stopping by each town and finding your way around. You learn, following the tour to stop to buy the local paper upon arrival because it has the map of the race, start times and local events, road closure, etc. From there I usually get some cash for my spending quota for that day which is minimal at best for merch/parking/and food expenses that day. I've managed to snag some cool things though...Livestrong scarfs, Astana/Rock Racing/Columbia team shirts, posters, socks, pins, etc. It's amazing the kind of discounts I get just wearing my volunteer shirt and showing up each day.

So if its a finishing line city then I would have driving an hour or two in the morning after getting up at 5:30 to pack up, set my route from the map, and take off. I will arrive in the city (or town) a couple of hours before the cyclists are expected in order to enjoy the local festivities and watch a bit of the tour on the jumbo trons. About 30 minutes or so before arrival I would have scoped out the team bus location and am looking for a good viewing spot, hopefully on a corner near the buses. If I'm volunteering then I go to my post at this time. I wait for what seems like an eternity until the convoy arrives..."ARE YOU READY!!!?" The announcer calls out, who is in a lead car with speakers..."WELCOME THE AMGEN TOUR OF C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A!!! Riders are ___________ miles (or minutes) behind with the breakaway about to be caught. MAKE SOME NOISE!!!!!"

The cyclists pass shortly after, in a blink of an eye. "Was that Basso? hmmm he was in the front but no, it's a sprint so could it have been Chicci perhaps? Where was Lance? He's wearing his Livestrong helmet but wait is that him in yellow or Levi?? Was that Sastre at the back end? No, why would he be at the back??" All of these questions start popping up because you don't have the luxury of hearing Phil & Paul making the call (BOY do I miss them!!). The stage is over, only press is allowed around the award presentation stage, while the VIP tents blocks any possible view...so you go back to the team buses instead. "OOO!!" There's Andy Schleck! Boonen, Cavendish, Basso! Wait...JENS! Worn out, dirty, starving, still on their bikes looking for their buses but yet they stop anyway. "sure I'll sign, where?" "Picture? SURE! of course!" They're so tired, they don't say much else except for Jens, "How are you? You following the tour? Cool! Yea, stage was pretty difficult today but good, SO glad the sun was out today" Wow, hell of a guy and a DAMN good cyclist! :)

I didn't know exactly what I expected before I came. In only the past year I have fallen in love with a sport that at first intimidated me because of all the jargon and foreign language on top of the complex strategies that are involved in winning a race. Yet it all fascinated me, and now that I'm completely submersed I am convinced this is the best, most invigorating sport there is! Until you have ridden a century yourself and know the fatigue one feels after riding such lengths, compare that with the gradients and elements these men ride in will you have any idea of how inspiring this is to watch. While being so generous to their adoring public, and how accommodating they are, will you understand the appreciation and passion I feel for this sport, even more so after this experience.

It's been an exhausting, invigorating but most of all, truly inspiring adventure so far. Onward...