from the Tour of California

[PinkBike]

DH and i are here with the Trek Travel group, today we rode the whole stage in the morning before they closed the course. it absolutely poured, but the climbs were pretty tough so i dont see how they can get those times in the low 30's! after we rode we got back, cleaned up, then went back out to the race. i stood at the entrance to the start ramp so i could get pictures as the riders came by on their way to sign in. my digital camera's memory was used up and i couldnt dowload the previous days photos so i went and bought a disposable camera.

after the race, we went to the astana team hotel and got to talk to their mechanics as they were washing all the bikes and to their promo guy, he brought out several riders and also eki to talk to us. well, csc is in the same hotel and we were standing right in front of cancellara's and o'grady's door so we saw them several times, saw mario cipollini go in their room, then unbelievably behind us i see jens voigt - my absolute favorite rider in the pro tour - so i break off from the group and catch him going up the stairs to his room so i said "hey jens, one photo?" and he's such a cool guy he says "come on up" so he says to hand the camera to another guy (yes the crappy disposable) and so i got my picture with him. just a real nice guy. thanks jens, you so rock.

[rij73]

Wow! I'm soooo jealous. Very cool.

[Kalidurga]

I dunno why, but reading this stuff surprises me. I think I expected that pro bike racers would be like rock stars and you wouldn't be able to get anywhere near them. It's so cool to find that that's not the case.

Congrats on such a cool experience, PinkBike. You'd better post those photos!

[Brandy]

I dunno why, but reading this stuff surprises me. I think I expected that pro bike racers would be like rock stars and you wouldn't be able to get anywhere near them.

When we arrived at the Long Beach stage last year, we walked right through the area where the team cars were parked. All of the kids had to go potty, so we stood in line for the porta-potties with all of the racers. So cool.

[jobob]

then unbelievably behind us i see jens voigt - my absolute favorite rider in the pro tour - so i break off from the group and catch him going up the stairs to his room so i said "hey jens, one photo?" and he's such a cool guy he says "come on up" so he says to hand the camera to another guy (yes the crappy disposable) and so i got my picture with him. just a real nice guy. thanks jens, you so rock.

Hee hee, Jens is used to being chased down by fans in Solvang
(cherished memory from last year)


And yes, he's a sweetheart. I always get such a kick out of seeing pics of him with his race face on, it looks like he could eat trees for lunch.

Jens is at the top of my list of "guys in the peleton I'd love to have a beer with" - I bet he's a hoot.

[Aggie_Ama]

I am so jealous!!! We had such a great time that I have asked DH how he feels about taking in a few days next year.