bland

sorry about the boring updates lately. maybe i can get some pictures or some good stories going.

I start tour of Namur tomorrow. 5 day stage race in Wallonia (french speaking part of belgium). Mid-length stages with plenty or 2-3 kilometer climbs and supposedly super hard. I'm excited to kick off what should be a good block of stage racing.

I've done some good training around here lately. I think I'm finally learning my way around well enough that I don't get lost as easily, and I'm starting to find the good training. It takes some effort but I've found some beautiful, traffic free roads and even some nice little climbs out in the flemish countryside.

crits with crosswinds

aka kermesses. done a few of those since i got back to europe. the form is good, but tactics, so far, aren't up to par. Missed breakaways by being too conservative, and by being too agressive. Frustrating since I have the legs, but kermesse racing ain't always about the legs. These belgies are just so crafty.

today, as a consolation prize, i smashed around the peleton and eventually got away in a group of 6 or 7. Then, i shocked myself by winning the sprint (and don't worry, the other guys were sprinting. They sprint for 30th here. actually, i think they sprint for 100th).

can't wait for some stage racing soon. first time i see a hill i'm going to be a happy bike racer.

just like that

and it's time to get back at it.

some mid season time off racing was a good thing, I have to say. Good times with family and friends? Check. A couple days off the bike and a few more pretty relaxed? Check. Getting back to training on my old roads? Check. Mini-camp at my home away from home in the Gaps? Check. Motivation to go hurt myself some more? Check. Bags packed? no, of course not.

Thursday afternoon I'll be back at the now very familiar Atlanta airport, Friday morning I'll be in Izegem ready for some more euro racing. Time to make the second half of this season count.

home

Back in Macon. Enjoying time at home and a little rest. Soon it's back to work to prepare for the rest of the season.