………………………………I think I finally got my saddle adjusted on today’s ride? Or at least I did for the last thirty minutes of the ride. I am sure it is too good to be true but at least tonight I will sleep well since I won’t be thinking about it the entire time!

Today was the last day of team camp and Karl, Alberto, Mike and Mike are heading up north to Sacramento tomorrow. If it is not raining the Sacramento group ride should be pretty fun on Saturday………..nearly one-third of the Health Net team should be there!

Team camp has been fun but an entirely new experience for me. It was great training with all of my new teamates even though they made my legs hurt a lot. Meeting and working with the staff has been awesome…they really know what they are doing and in my opinion they are the best in the buisness.

Aside for riding, getting bikes fitted, having meetings, getting massages we did a lot of other things during the past ten days. We went out to eat a fair amount especially at Rudy’s this burrito place close by. Had awesome team dinners and team breakfasts. One night we were able to cut loose a bit and throw back a few drinks. We also met most of the sponsors and interacted with them. It was really cool to talk to the people who make the products that we use on a daily basis. Other things included freezing taking team pictures, autographing a ton of jerseys, gettings some really cool swag, riding with sponsors/mentors and most importantly having fun.

I am looking forward to this upcoming season and racing with such an amazing group of riders and top notch staff.

Just so we would not get too fast a few of us hit up McDonalds tonight for some McFlurries. I am not a fan of McDonalds but any type of ice cream is good in my book! I ended up washing the McFlurry down with a chocolate dipped cone! Even though I am really full I can still say I did not eat as much ice cream as Menzies did tonight.

So long from Buellton, CA.

later,

g.

PS. Thanks for being an awesome roomate Gord. He did not even get sick of me and let my take my half hour showers so I could shave.

Jeff and Greg. Jeff has been awesome dealing with me changing my shoe sizes and losing my shirt today.
Lars and myself before riding. Lars is a San Fran based junior rider who I am mentoring this year.
The Captain……
Menzies………you think my saddle looks level?
Leave your god damn saddle alone Garrett you are just going to stip the bolts (Chad).
Maxxis boys.
Tom Ritchey and the Australian national time trial champion, Nathan O’Neil.
Chad, one of the two awesome mechanics on the team putting bikes togehter.
Hey I am not the only one who adjusts shit.
Pre-ride jersey signing.

If I make it to one hundred days I think I am going to stop counting because the math is starting to get rather difficult. Plus I have officially kicked the habit after one hundred days right?

Today we did a team building activity. All of the riders, staff, and sponsors loaded into the vans and we went to a local park. The the team building activity was called “The Everest Challenge.” It was a simulation of what it would be like to climb Mt. Everst.

There were three teams and we were team number three. I ended up dying immediately so I had to wear these black goggles the entire time and could not see shit. I was stumbling over rocks and roots and getting hit in the head by branches. My teamates did not leave me behind which was nice but we did not reach the summit. Thus we lost the game but we were winners in the end because we kept all of our dead. The other two teams left the dead behind showing that they are selfish bastards who only care about winning! Go team number three!

Seriously though the “Everest Simulation” was pretty fun but the entire time I could not stop thinking about the cocktail/buffalo wing party Cannondale is throwing for us tonight. I guess I am starving…………skipping lunch sucks! Maybe I should not have spent so much time adjusting my saddle after the ride this morning? Son of a…………..

later,

g.

Kim (left) and Debbie (right) the team soigneurs. They give awesome massages and get to see me in only a towel almost every day!

Today was a pretty busy day at camp. Most of the team had to get up at 6:40 AM to go to the lab and get blood drawn. After that it was the best part of the day………….breakfast! I feel right at home because we are drinking Folgers coffee none of this expensive wimpy non-put-hair-on-your-chest type gourmet stuff.

Post breakfast we went for a good ride and the weather was great. I only adjusted my saddle three times and I think I finally got it this time! I believe the novelty of my adjustments is starting to wear off becuase all of my teamates are starting to razz me about it. Especially when I do a quick adjustment at a piss stop and have to chase back on. There is no waiting so I end up doing a lot of chasing. It sucks when I catch on right before a hill! I guess it will get me fit rather quickly.

I have also been a pain in the ass to the mechanics. I had 44 cm bars on and then had them swapped out for 42 cm. I found out I liked the 44 cm bars better so got them put back on. Thanks Chad and Eric even though I gaurantee I am on your guys shit list.

After the ride I got my wonderful rub and then had to get back on a bike and do a stress test. Nothing like riding, showering, getting a massage, and then having to ride again. It is another UCI thing and I got it done. Thanks Dr. San Jose and Dr. Mike for doing all fo the tests.

After my second shower I am waiting to go and have dinner.

later,

g.