While some of the team is battling away, leading the race in Georgia, another chunk is prepping for war in the ardennes and teammate Timmy Duggan is still recovering in a Georgia hospital after a terrible crash during stage 3, I am out in fruita Colorado playing on the mountain bike and remembering how much fun riding a bike can be! Two days of some of the most amazing trails I’ve ever ridden have put a huge smile on the face. The fat tire festival is going on this weekend as well and seeing so many people out on bikes, having a great time and doing it for the love has been a great reminder as to how much fun a bike can be. One week left to nourish that spirit and then back to Europe, starting up next Sunday with trophee grimpeurs. After a good little break it will be great to get back at it.

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After a few days off the bike it’s been great getting going again and enjoying some unreal spring weather at home in Boulder. Yesterday we headed into the hills and after a solid cookie and some patio time at the Ward General Store inched our way further up towards Brainard Lake. At about 1 10000 feet the road was all of a sudden completely snowpacked and the hordes of cyclists below turned to folks on snowshoes and skiis. Amazing how much snow they have up in the hills right now. Even more amazing, and something that always shocks me when I’m away for long periods, is the sheer volume of cyclists here. On a nice Saturday there is a cyclist every hundred meters for hours and hours on end.

Despite the fact that the bubble is as bubbleish and weird as ever it’s wonderful to be home - and promptly fit right back in to the Boulder steriotype so often panned. It’s weird, but hard not to love it none the less. 10 more days to enjoy and then back at it.

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Although not so spring like right now here in Boulder… In true Colorado form the sun is back out and things should be clear by this afternoon. Having not dealt with the winter most people have here it’s actually a nice little treat for me - as long as it’s the only one.

Apologies for the lack of roubaix follow up, it’s been a crazy few days. The race was a pretty wild experience, and confirmed my belief that roubaix isn’t for me. I’m stoked to have taken part, as it’s an amazing race, but once is good. Martijn put out an unreal ride for 4th - he’s going to be a superstar here soon - remember the name. Maggy unfortunately was out of the race with mechanical issues, otherwise I’m confident they both would have been up in the action. After watching maggy sacrifice so much for that race and be out with bad luck was tough. Amazing what a role it plays in our game.

I spent my morning hunting for the big break group and by the time we approached the first section of pave was already pretty smoked. After that it was help out in any way possible, be around to give a wheel if need be, and jump in a car to the finish after arenberg. Then off to a dinner with a few sponsors that came over to share the weekend with us, and after a short night’s sleep I hopped on a plane back to the states.

After a few months of racing it’s a real treat to be home and “get away”(vacation at home?!?) a little bit. Amazing how quickly the breaks go however…before I know it I’ll be headed back over and back at it again. Better take advantage…
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The past few days we’ve crashed away from all the craziness in a little town about 30k from the start. Today however we had to enter the fray for the team presentation. Until now the magnitude of this race hadn’t fully sunk in, but after the presentation and all of the accompanied nonsense it is finally feeling like a bike race. It’s amazing the resources that go into this one day. We have more staff here than would be at a grand tour, 5 soigneurs and 6 mechanics, and then there are those with the sponsors and VIP crew as well. With all of the equipment involved there are two trucks, the bus and the camper, a sprinter van, 6 cars… It’s nonsense. Felt has styled is out with some custom bikes, just for the day, with a longer wheelbase, a kicked out fork, and some serious reinforcement throughout. Zipp built up some “clydesdale” 303 wheels that are glued up with prototype 27c pave vittoria tires. Slick. And clothes - well, there will be a lot of em on, as it’s looking a bit burly on the weather front. And they’ll all be cooked after a day in the mud. With all of that there’s no pressure at all… 24 hours from now we’ll see if it all paid off. Fingers crossed for good legs all around, especially for sir Maggy, and a big helping of luck as well with the weather headed this way. I guess it’s only fitting for a first attack on the cobbles. Yesterday when we pre-rode some of the early stretches with nice dry mud almost like grout between the stones they weren’t too bad. Tomorrow should be a different story all together… Thanks to everybody for the notes of encouragement - we’re looking forward to adding a bit of argyle to the show.

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Talking about the fun of racing up north:).   

And, I LOVE BELGIUM! I DO! REALLY!  I can just feel the good karma building…