The 2009 Tour of California is underway under some heavy conditions. Rain and gloom so thick the cameras couldn't transmit the television pictures. It made for some boring coverage on Versus today, but it could have been worse. No, wait, it couldn't have. Rock Racing has the yellow jersey.
Fransesco Mancebo pulled out on a break that lasted to near the end, was caught, but out raced the two guys that had caught him, to take the win. The only good part of that was he was wearing a generic gray rain jacket so we didn't have to look at that hideous Rock Racing kit when the TV coverage finally got it's picture back. These guys just came back form blast furnace conditions in Australia to race in hard man spring classic type weather in California. The pros do earn their pay, I reckon.
Me, I finished up the spring tune-ups on the bike fleet and spent some time on the tred mill. The balky knee is holding up so far, knock on wood, and the rest of me is tip-top. Except the gut, of course, but that's a constant battle. I've got nothing going on the job front, so let's hope Obama's economic recovery plan takes hold soon. We're just barely keeping the wolves away from the door, but you can only hold them off for so long. Being over qualified sucks.
The 2010 Dirt Spanker at Mont Du Lac was a real mess-a muddy mess. We got there for the start of the last race and it was already over. I guess with the wet weather they must have shortened the races. A couple of guys said they quit after a lap because the couldn't shift or brake. They pretty much just stalled out due to drive train jamb. The line at the water hoses for clean-up was epic. I'm just glad I didn't race. I didn't see too many smiling faces afterward.
Finally, back to cycling. I ran down to Milaca on Sunday to catch the 'cross race. I haven't been to the course before, but from what I saw, I would be a good one for me to start on. Not a lot of running, some long stretches to put the rouleur power to good use, and some MTB-esque wooded trails. A very nice venue central to the Mpls/St. Paul and Duluth area racers. If my knee holds up, I just may try it next year. To do that, I would have to get a CX bike. Seems to be plenty of Redlines, Ridleys, Surleys and Specialized running up front. Doug Swanson held off the A men for the win, Jenna Zander took the A women, with several area riders, such as Harry Anderson ( pictured above), riding strong. The weather was almost too warm for racing, but perfect for spectating and photos. But no cow bells ?
