Since Sunday I have been dealing with a rather severe case of post tour depression and I think today is rock bottom.  Somewhere I read that to be happy a person needs three things: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

Well, during the tour all of these needs were satisfied.  We had plenty to do everyday….eating massive breakfasts and dinners, pedaling our bikes for five hours, packing, changing hotels, adjusting saddles, getting rubs, etc. 

Speaking of getting rubs I loved those so I definitely had something to love and believe it or not I actually love racing my bike and adjusting shit on it.

That brings me to the last condition something to hope for….and yes each day of the tour I hoped that I would not get dropped and that umbrellagirls would stop by my room in the evening to visit!

Now fast forward to today which was jammed packed with activities…I rode down to the coffee shop and ate a turkey sandwhich then came home and took a nap.  Believe it or not the nap actually wore me out.  On top of that I got a nasty head cold so I really cannot taste or smell.  Since I cannot hear as it is I am basically running on two senses sight and feel…I am sort of like a modified version of Helen Keller…which I am not loving.

I am hoping everyone had a great Wednesday.

later, g.

The TOC of California is finally over and it was a successful Tour for the team.  Ben Jacques-Maynes rode awesome holding 3rd overall for the first half of the tour which included a 3rd in the prologue and top ten in the TT….nice job BJM.  On top of that Sheedy won the “King of the Mountain Jersey” on the first day and we were represtented in most of the breaks throughout the Tour. 

Speaking on behalf of myself and everyone else on the team we would like to say thanks for all of the support and keep it coming since the season is just getting under way.

Now onto some pictures from the second half of the Tour.

 BJM and I sporting our hot pink robes from the Madonna Inn. I think our director Glenn gained about three pounds from the amount of cake he consumed at dinner there.

 The lovely Ann and Vanessa were at Long Beach to cheer me on.  Ann has since become the official Priority Health/blog photographer.

 BJM had an awesome tour and was in the break that was away all day on the final stage.

 Me at the start line just before I went back to the car to get a 5mm wrench from our mechanic Benno so I could raise my saddle a touch…..seriously!  Thanks Benno for letting me adjust and not getting pissed.

 Me again at the start in Long Beach…wait…I think that might be Bettini but it is easy to get the two of us confused.

 Andrea Peron giving me some last minute advice before the start of the stage.

 We did soo well at the Tour T-Mobile gave us their van.

Later that evening after the tour had come to a close most of the riders headed out for a night on the town.

 Jones and Nicolar (Nick’s name was misspelled on the results throughout the tour)….both supplied me with Sport Beans on various stages…Sport Beans rock by the way.  Jones and I even got a ride together a few days when we were off the back.  It was nice riding with you buddy and see you and Fresno.

 Emile, Mark, and Bob enjoying a  post Cold Stone ice cream beer at the Irish pub across the street.

 After a few Irish carbombs were consumed Freidman challenged Zirbel to a drink off.

 Aside from Zirbel and Freidman chugging beer there were many other attractions at the party….for example Sarah and the rest of the umbrellagirls.

 Justin England back in the hotel lobby waiting for his post party burrito.

 Heath also waiting for his burrito.

 Helen ditched Thor for a burrito….ouch!

There might be a few more photos coming but that is all I have at the moment.

For the rest of this week I am fortunate enough to be hanging out with Ann in San Rafael…..thanks for hosting me this week Ann.

Overall, I had a blast at the tour.  There were definitely a few rough days along the way and a little bad luck but each day I felt better and I am looking forward to the race in Merced this weekend.

later, g.

Since my last update we have completed stage 1 and 2 of the Tour of California.  Both stages where pretty long and hard but Ben is still flying and sitting third overall.  Tomorrow is a big day with the largest climb of the tour only twenty miles from the finish making it rather decisive. 

Stage 1 was really hard and we had some bad luck.  Omer and Emile both crashed I was complete shit and there was some controversy regarding a crash at the finish which would have made Ben the leader of the Tour.  Unfortunately a call was made that did not go in our favor.

Stage 2 was a bit better except Scotty DNF’d due to illness and Emile and Teddy both crashed but are alright.  Ben is still in third as I type though which is huge for the team.

 The van ride to the start of stage 1 in Santa Rosa.

 Getting ready to race at the start in Santa Rosa (stage 1).

 This afternoon I brought a little treat back to the hotel room for Coach O (sorry Cheryl…he was behaved).  My wife (Heather “Miss February Playmate” Smith) who also double as a soigneur. 

 Aside from looking really really good in magazines Heather also give great massages and is an awesome backpack carrier….seriously!  *This picture was sensored to make it appropriate for the blog and yes that is me.

Alright time for bed but wish Ben the best of l tomorrow…..the rest of us will be getting him to the base of the climb as fresh as possible and then rolling in just before the time cut.

later, g.

To begin with I would like say thanks to Coach O. for taking pictures at todays TOC prologue TT. 

I gave Coach O. my camera before the prologue started and many hours later after the racing was concluded he gave it back to me with ZERO pictures on the memory card.  Lucky he is not a photographer because he would be poor.

 The man responsible for today’s wonderful photos of the prologue.

Okay, I can’t rip on Coach O too much because he is a good guy.

On a different note my teammate Ben Jacques Maynes tore up the short 1.9 mile tt and finished third which is huge for the team. 

The Sheeds (Brian Sheedy and my teammated) won the King of the mountain jersey today which was awesome

Hopefully tomorrow is as successful as today.

night, g.

The start of the season is getting pretty close…..a bit over fifteen hours away for that matter…..at 1:37 (west coast time) I will be starting the TOC Prologue.  It will be nice to get things rolling and actually do some racing instead of just training.

Aside from that today was pretty uneventful besides the four twenty-ounce diet sodas I drank, the Udder Balm shopping Scotty and I did at Walgreens (greatest chamois cream ever), and getting setup on a tt bike that I just decided I am not going to ride in the Prologue afterall!

I do have a few pictures from last night and today……..

 Scotty moving in on my girls at the presentation dinner last night (from L to R Lynn, Scotty, Angela, me, Audrey, and Tasha).  He really is lucky to be my friend…..actually I might have to start charging him more!

 TJ….why are you looking down and smiling…..I don’t think Lynn would be too happy and I don’t approve of you looking at Ann that way

Then today…..

 I did a little stretching.

 Went to dinner in the banquet hall of the hotel where we also eat breakfast.

 Sheedy got served some Decaf coffee by the lovely Maria who works here at the Crowne Plaza. She is a nice lady and works hard….hopefully her boss reads this.

 Mr. Jenny Craig helps me watch what I eat.  If I have accumlated too many food points during the day and am still eating he calls me names like blimp, fatty, puffy, husky, thick, fat ass, flabby, etc. until I am soo self concious that I stop eating.  It seems to be working except my self esteem seems to be running a little low.

 Inside the Priority Health Presented by Bissell team meeting.

Time for bed and wish me luck tomorrow.

 later, g.