Trees

In the parking lot of the office building where I work stands two small maple trees planted firmly in the earthen divider separating two large parking areas; other than the vibrant green grass, these two trees are the only living plants present on the divider separating the parking area.  Often when I arrive each morning, I will park in the space allocated directly between these two trees, my "default" parking space as it were...

Recently as I pulled into "my" parking space, I distinctly noticed each tree was position just outside the white demarcation lines of the parking slot, as if "standing guard" over a designated area of assignment.  It also reminded me of two trees referenced in Scripture, one tree in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, the other tree in the last book, Revelation; the Scripture informs the reader how both trees bring life, both are highly regarded and of eternal value, both are central to the faith walk of a Christian--indeed, an iconic image.

My mother loved trees, particularly redwoods & sequoias; she also loved the vibrant colors of the fall from merged blends of maple, ash, and oak trees throughout the mid-Atlantic region where I live and enjoyed her visits with our family not only to be showered in our love and affection but also to soak in the majesty of color by the trees.  Sadly, Mom passed away before Thanksgiving this year, leaving us precious and treasured memories of mountain drives & light excursions across the Virginia countryside from past visits and heart-ache desires for one more trek with her into the trees...

Today as I parked in "my" parking space, I'm reminded of life "between the trees", how Mom lived each day for her family & friends in loving and dedicated service & support, how she took time to marvel the stateliness of what reflected beauty and merited her admiration, and how her own life "between the trees" had been rich & precious...

Words are not enough to tell you of my love for you, Mom; for now, I'll keep parking between the trees with you close in heart. :`-)

Repairs

A close friend of mine brought me his old Peugeot bicycle (circa 1970) a while back asking if I could "give it a new chain & some tires for me to go ride"...

My first thought (as I'm sure was yours after seeing the picture above) was "No, you need a new bike", however, I could tell in my friend's demeanor with this near-obsolete velocipede this was something special.  When I asked about the bike's history, his response told the story: "This was a gift from my Dad--who knows, maybe someday I'll hand it down to one of my boys."  Right there in a single sentence the focus of my task became one of cementing a heritage connection versus a simple bike restoration...

After researching vintage bike parts, serial numbers, wheel specifications, and various other data points, I began the repair & restoration process to my friend's beloved bike, which from my research turned out to be a vintage 1970 Peugeot PX-10 built in Marseilles, France--a highly popular bike ridden by professional cyclists during the Eddie Merckx era (if you don't know about Eddie, click here--now you know Eddie :-) )  Five weeks later and a bit of elbow grease & great tool-assists from my friends at Arrow Bicycle, the bike of my friend's heritage returned...needless to say, he was pretty pleased--so was I :-)

Repairs take time--time to plan, time to gather resources, time to execute, time to finish, time to appreciate; they're investments of self, labors of love, symphonies of commitment.  Repairs bring restoration, renewal, and revival. Indeed, I was so very pleased by the outcome of this "repair"--part of my friend's heritage had been restored, joyful & cherished memories of that gift renewed, the hope of extending that heritage to his own children revived...Bikes are very much the friend with whom private & confidential conversations are levied where hopes and dreams are shared and deepest fears and anxieties are held in secret; if this "repaired" bike could speak, I'm sure it would have much to say, yet would only do so ever so quietly and unobtrusively with its rider, my friend, for whom this bike meant so much, as did the results of the repair and restoration.  Beyond a cyclist's context of recreation or sport, of travel or commuting, our bikes mean something--it meant something equally to the likes of Picasso and Duchamp (famous artists) and to Paul Newman's & Katherine Ross's characters in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"....it meant something to my friend as well--thanks for letting me be part of that heritage story "something". :-)
 

#EnjoyTheRide

Reflection

Gaze into a clear pool of water or a perfectly smooth pane of glass what do you see--a reflecting image, of course...a "copy" or dopple-ganger, if you will. Though a specific and direct representation of its origin, the reflection is only an image without substance, form, or function other than representing its originating source.  Its purpose is to exemplify and represent...

Now over a month into the new year, spending time "reflecting" on my life's image from the past year is akin to a silver smith examining their product through a refiner's fire--I've discovered these self-reflections are more revealing than I assumed or intended; I've learned the training efforts in which I've previously engaged do not correlate to the level of work required to achieve desired objectives; I've perceived my tolerance for adjusting the bar of quality occurs with less resistance than in the past (insert frowning emojie here); I've recognized the things which drive me are not always the things which give me cause to sing...

"So, what do you plan to do?", 

may ask...

Simple...just as the silver smith continues kindling fire assaying ore beads until they see their own reflection in the precious metal, so must I continue to refine and be reminded of three core tenants of life: never sacrifice what you want most for what you want in the moment, to train like you work, and to do the work--true as an athlete, even moreso in life...

(Please excuse me--the road is calling... :-) )

Expectation

I was born to a ministering set of parents; my father a career pastor (55+yrs now), my mother a nursing professional for more than 30 yrs--quite remarkable by today's standards of occupational longevity.  Being the senior of their three children, many extended family members and friends speculated to my parents which career path I would follow--pastoral or medical--as I grew older, unintentionally no doubt broadcasting an expectation upon my future, assumed or otherwise.  To their credit and my mentoring, Mom & Dad attended very little merit to those specific expectations over the years, opting instead to encourage the pursuit of my own career path desires & fostering the growth of my own "expectations"...

So, what then are MY expectations?  During this "Chasing Yellow" adventure, I've held several--committing to a solid training discipline, completing 3000+ annual training miles, participating in 5 time trial races, eating better, stretching every morning & evening, going to bed earlier...nothing extraordinary, but expectations nonetheless.  But there are other expectations for myself as well--pray everyday, communicate love & appreciation to family & friends everyday, show kindness to others everyday, give my best to co-workers & supervisors everyday, to seek excellence everyday--EVERYDAY holds expectations...

It's been said the expectations of life depend upon diligence; the expectation of "Chasing Yellow", then, is not about achieving success, but rather an expectation of diligence in commitment & effort...

To quote Todd Beamer, "Let's Roll"

Essence

It's been awhile...oh, I've been on my bike often since the first showering of spring arrived back in March, even a bit before back in February as winter wrestled its seasonal spring sibling for climate real estate.  But the rides occurring then are definitely not the riding of present-day ventures--these days, my velo sessions take place at night in the quiet confines of my garage, bike mounted firmly in the Cyclops trainer and the latest training video from Sufferfest (www.sufferfest.com) or a selection from my own personal training slideshow running on the laptop, a small oscillating fan drifting side-to-side as if shaking its head warning me "This isn't going to be easy"--focused training never is.  It's been awhile...

It's also been awhile since I've spent time with my father-in-law, up  from Texas for a visit and joining in the family festivities of celebrating my youngest daughter's collegiate graduation.

  An admirable man of faith & compassion, "Pops" (as my father-in-law is known) personifies the essence of joy as he interacts with all of us, being playfully ornery at various moments throughout the day, enjoying any board or card game placed before him with the fervor of a child a Christmas or taking in masterful soundtracks on the stereo like a dry sponge immersed in a wash-basin.  Pops is also the essence of thoughtful ponderings, often offering inquiries without any intention of getting an answer ("I wonder if Abraham Lincoln had a photographic memory?"), his very questions tilling my own cerebral soil inviting ponderings of my own ("I wonder if Pops does this on purpose?" :-) )  An ever-infectious smile and deeply abiding faith reflect his essence as a cherished father, mentor, and friend.  It's been awhile...

As I consider the notion and significance of the term "essence", I'm reminded exposure to that which transforms body, mind, heart, and soul mandates the disciplined art of presence--to be a better time-trial cyclist I need to be present & focused on training; to become an admirable and humble man of faith & devotion, I need to spend time with men like Pops...

"Essence", then, requires exposure & presence... Thanks for the visit, Pops--may it not be so long 'til the next one :-)

Change

Things change---seasons...jobs...relationships...life itself is a petri dish for change. "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you."..."The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new."..."Sometimes the things we can't change end up changing us."...

The arrival of spring is accompanied by opportunities for personal change, too:

- Your diet
- Your living conditions
- Your personal training
(physical, mental, emotional, spiritual...all the above)
- Your _______ (pick one :-)

Personally, I look forward to changes the 2016 cycling season will bring...

- Training sessions (open road or indoor trainer)
- Long weekend rides across familiar training routes--like greeting an ol' friend - Coffee stops in places where we didn't know a coffee shop existed - New cycling clothes :-) - Losing the rest of the lingering pounds from Thanksgiving dinner - Participating in charity events like the Tour De Cure, Bike MS, Eat-A-Peach Ride, Salisbury Century, Lakes & Grapes, Cannonball Run, and others
- Obtaining a professional cycle mechanic certification - Racing....watching and participating 
- Meeting new friends who share my passion for cycling - Being with friends & family - Being on the bike

 Hope the changes of your season are welcoming and rewarding...Enjoy!

Long Over Due

Wow, has it really been January since my last post here--say it isn't so!  Ok...so it is.
This season's Chasing Yellow ventures have turned out to less about cycling & more about life events than anything--daughter's senior recital, attending to aging parents needs on the West Cost, filling in as the interim division chief at work while the boss is out for 7 weeks on convalescent leave...ah, the ever-present rhythm of life! 

 

 

 

Though my cycling ventures have been somewhat curtailed this season, I still hold motivation to train & to ride--cyclists are just that way. :-P  I've also discovered new training materials to incorporate into my regular routine like the Sufferfest series (http://www.sufferlandria.com/) ,The Col Collective (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheColCollective

), and Zwift Island (www.zwift.com) which some may find rather "intense" considering session names like "The Wretched", "Hell Hath No Fury", and "A Very Dark Place"---call me demented, but they're nothing short of a dump truck full of awesome...

As the fall season settles continues to settle into its own rhythm, my cyclocross pals are eagerly readying themselves for their next muddied outings & ventures across the CX landscape;

someday, I just might join them, but for now I'll stick with Lenny & Gino as my velocipede partners in my continued pursuit of quality training and hopefully solid results.  To be a cyclist is to be a student of endurance, of motivation, and sometimes pain.  This sport is, indeed, filled with seamless pace lines & group-ride fun, of secret single-track routes, post-ride culinary dives, and soft muscle tissue transformed to wonderfully firm stature; but at cycling's core lies pain & work, hard and bitter as the pit inside a juicy peach.
It doesn't matter if you're sprinting for Olympic gold, a local criterium finish line, the trailhead terminus, or the next rest stop on a century ride for homemade brownies--if you never confront the associated pain, you miss the essence & work ethos of sport.

When once asked about what he considered best training practices, cycling legend Eddy Merckx responded, "Ride...ride lots."  Sounds reasonable...I hear my trainer calling, time to head to the garage.

Need for Speed

Bike racing is such a small part of cycling; of the approximately 50+ million people ride bikes in the U.S., nearly 35,000 possess a mountain bike racing license, another 35,000+ have road bike racing licenses, and almost 12, 000 obsessive "freaks" hold both licenses, meaning out of some 50+ million bike riders, less than 1% (0.114 to be exact) actually race their bike.  Even from the origins of bike racing in Europe, racers are significantly outnumbered by commuters and recreational riders...



 

 

 

And yet, racing remains a significant part of cycling; get on your bike and it begs you to go somewhere--fast! Cycling is racing, whether it's a friend, a chasing dog, a leaf blown by the wind, a time mark from one telephone pole to another, an approaching storm (been there!), another rider in the distance, or even our own mortality; racing can be many things--brutal, beautiful, destructive, redemptive, awful, and awe-filled.  Every rider who has lined up on a start line knows the taste of razored pain--many event like it--that afterward leaves the participant feeling sharpened and razored, as if the protective coating against the barbs of life has been excised away, leaving one open to thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and sensations otherwise filtered out any other day. Soulful reasons aside, most riders pay entry fees to race to be recognized as warriors or even winners, or to test themselves or see where they compare amongst their peers; but there are so many more riders who for the same reasons choose not to dance with razored-pain, yet their races aren't less important, just more private...

And when you think about it---that might just be an even tougher place to seek victory...

 

 

 

Here's to the cycling season ahead... #feelinginspired

Pauses

Life is busy; the work commute, hours at work, volunteer activities, attending to the house, paying bills, taking care of responsibilities--all the things we "do" throughout our routines.  And in the busyness of things, our inherent nature is to "manage" that busyness, to control as much of that activity as possible.  Sometimes, managing that busyness is good, achievable, and necessary; sometimes, it's better to let things come to a pause...

This past week brought me an enjoyable pause of my own as I traveled to Nebraska to be with my youngest daughter & her husband as she underwent shoulder surgery to repair a rotator cuff injury.

I'm pleased to report the surgery went well & the patient recovering nicely, though she is a bit stubborn and returned to classes after only a week of rest (the doctor told her two weeks)--apparently she takes after her father, or so I'm told :-P  Nonetheless, all is progressing well. But the best part of this pause came not in the form of being away from work or the craziness of the metropolis of Northern Virginia or even the quietness of small-town Nebraska; the pleasure & joy of this pause came in just getting to be with my daughter.  We watched episodes of favorite TV shows streamed on Apple TV (whenever she was awake), talked about school plans and the remaining  semesters (when she was awake), imagined our futures  (when she was awake), and critiqued Food Network recipes (whenever she was awake...pain mess are funny that way!).  All in all, a cherished memory for Dad in spite of the circumstances...

Pauses are good things and necessary...chose to MAKE them instead of having to TAKE them. :-)

Connections

I recently attended two development seminars, one on organizational development led by a Disney University consultant, the other on church ministry connections led by a professional life coach; both seminars were equally valuable professionally & personally,  both provided solid sources of mentoring information & instruction to improve my skills as a growing servant leader, both were...well, fun! 

So what made these separate events significantly similar? 

Dogs....lovingly loyal, slobbery, ear scratching, distracted-by-the-simplist--oo, Squirrel!--things in their environment canines sporting big brown eyes, beautifully brushed coats of hair, "smiles" seemingly beaming from their slightly opened mouths, their focus always in the direction of their handlers.  Both seminar instructors were dog lovers & used dog stories and themes in their presentations; the Disney guy owned a pug named Reginald (appropriately named from the film "Pocahontas" for a Disney employee,  don't you think?) whose talent was visiting children's hospital wards and seniors in assisted living retirement centers to offer bright moments in the residents' days while the pastor's pal, a rottweiler/lab mixed named Big Daisy, rescued as a puppy from an abusive environment, now serves as a therapy animal during counseling sessions conducted by the pastor.  Both animals were obvious "pals" to their handlers, both exhibited behaviors you & I would expect from a dog; yet, these two "unique" personalities exhibited a very basic characteristic in human nature so marvelously genuine I almost missed it...

 

They wanted my affection. :-)

 "Uh, duh Lane...isn't that what all dogs do?"  Well, no...at least not Reginald & Big Daisy; very rarely did Big Daisy walk over to someone trying to call her, most often wandering around the room, stopping briefly for a head pat or ear scratch before moving on (Reginald`s story was a video presentation vice live, but his actions were very similar to Big Daisy).  But then Big Daisy would fix her eyes on someone and venture directly to them, then proceed to sit or stand very near the person for an extended moment of time as if to say "You need some loving, so I'm gonna sit here 'til you feel loved."  Both handlers recounted several instances where their canine pals demonstrated an elevated sense of affection to someone as if acknowledging a deeply hidden need...

Isn't that reflective of us all?  Don't each of us need a "connection" affirming our human nature?  When was the last time you DIDN'T need a buddy or pal to come sit with you or drink coffee with or go for a bike ride.  Yeah, I thought  so...

I don't have a dog or a pet (for now anyway :-) ), but I do have a fabulous wife & family, some fantastic friends, and bike (or two) reminding me of the awesome connections life has carried across my path.  As the new year begins to unfold, I look forward to the affectionate & thoughtful reminders of those connections and how they weave the very fabric of cherished relationships & memories, as if strands from Shaddai`s ball of yarn weaving a blanket between people, places, and events...

 

 Blessings all around to everyone...here's  to 2015!

The Good Student

Training 2.0 continues, but it has also taken a twist from the cycling world to include some professional vocational development study in project management, something I never really set out for myself as a professional goal but have found myself in recent years being thrust into--turns out I'm surprisingly good at it (well, at least according to my contractor team anyway). Spending a week in an instructor-led training venue and another week in a service organizational development seminar (which earned me 35 professional development credits, yay!) has affirmed the personal characteristic of study, of discovering and exploring material and subject matter interests previously unexplored---kudos to my Dad for modeling that characteristic in his life as a pastor & minister.  Training 2.0 also had a shining moment in a recent time trial race, nearly placing me on the podium for a 40km points race as a result; alas, a flatted front tire snuffed out that shining moment only 6km from the the finish line, but the consolation came when analyzing the effort from cycle computer (power output, speed, heart rate,etc)--Training 2.0 is indeed working...
<insert big GRIN here>

Here's to the the classrooms of the day & the next chapter of Training 2.0...next lesson, please.

Training 2.0--The Next Chapter

My first Saturday back from France, and what'd I do...a bike race, of course!  The beautiful Blue Ridge Valley town of Shenandoah, VA (http://www.townofshenandoah.com/) settled along the Shenandoah River hosted the annual Shenandoah Time Trial a 35 kilometer out&back race into the foothills of the nearby Blue Ridge mountains--what a beautiful area for cycling! 

Stevens Cottage, our Race Headquarters for the day

I've done this race before, but this time it was made better by having cycling teammates Rod (Tank) & Sue (Sprint) Gregory joining me to help out with the bike gear & the driving--what awesome teammates to have there not only to help me with the warm-up but to see me off at the start line and to be there when I crossed at the finish.  Though I missed my target time goal, this event was a good one as a follow-on to last week's Thomson Trip--motivating, challenging, and "teaching"...

And what was I "taught" today...?  That I really like riding bikes...that no matter how much I think I'm ready for something, sometimes I'm not (see Rule #51, Sometimes You're Wrong)...that the conclusion of one finish line is the starting line for the next training session...that good friends are dear treasures...that apple donuts, while very tasty, are dangerously addictive...that I really like riding bikes. :-)

This week marks the 2nd half of 2014 cycling season and the launch of Training 2.0 where everything changes--workout sessions, food choices, sleep, everything---the Next Chapter begins now...

Day 4 - Day of Tears

Today's adventure across the French landscape took us down the Aiton-La Chapelle valley south from Albertville to the small quaint village of St Martin and the base of the Col de la Madeleine,  another legendary storied climb in cycling lore.  And while the 19 kilometer (11.4 mile) continuous 7% average climb was indeed extraordinarily awesome & difficult and ultimately rewarding, today's ride became a "day of tears" witnessing the breathtaking majesty of these magnificent Alps & the breathtaking beauty of the valleys below them. As I rode down the valley today, the very thought of Jehovah Almighty placing His loving & powerful hands upon the Earth forming these mountains with the creases of His palms was simply overwhelming, tears rolling down my cheeks over the very image. Think of it this way; the next time you have mashed potatoes for dinner, take a small hand full of them (without the gravy :-P) and place your hand palm down on a flat surface (preferably a plate) but do not "pancake" them. Then, slowly lift your hand and watch the creases of your palm naturally create ridges similar to a mountain range. I had been riding with one of my new-found Aussie mates from the start this morning,  but soon I found myself riding solo in reflection & contemplation, an experience I had not expected on this trip.  Shaddai is indeed the Almighty Teacher...

I'd only achieved 8 kilometers of the Madeleine climb when BOTH my legs reminded me THEY controlled my destiny this day, so I wisely acquiesced to their "recommendation" of taking the SAG wagon to the top & meet up with the crew for lunch and prepare for the corresponding descent to the valley floor on the other side---and what a RUSH it was!  At times even down right scarry as other more talented local area & even Continental level pro cyclists would pass us as if standing still though we were achieving speeds at times of 83kph (51 mph) under control (meaning constantly applying the brakes)--simply amazing. But interestingly enough and almost down right disconcerting during my descent was reliving my 2006 crash in my mind as I made the various switchback turns & chicane type twists throughout the 15 kilometer drop.  As I finally approached the bottom and our group all gathered to catch our collective breath, I suddenly found myself in a stream of tears again from a sense of historical release & accomplishment.  Since our arrival on Monday, many of my fellow team members have shared "war stories" with each other and with the Thomson crew from various rides, one of which being my Mt Weather crash--their support & encouragement to me as I stood there shedding joyful tears was gratefully appreciated, again something I had not expected on this trip...

No doubt more adventures lay in store over the remaining three days, but this day of tears will no doubt be a favorite Chasing-Yellow memory...

Day 8 - Heading Home

Breakfast this morning was quiet...oh there were many people gathered for a morning meal, sharing cappuccino & espresso, bagels & baguettes, cereal & crepes, but none shared the commonality of the bike 24 other people had in recent days.  No doubt everyone attending this past week's Thompson Bike Tour experienced some great riding and took with them wonderful memories,  many in which I share; in those memories new friends have been found, new connections established,  and fresh perspectives of life revealed, all because of a bike ride--who says the human race can't find the common ground of koinonia...

I head home today with a great sense of completion & anticipation of reuniting with my wife, my family & friends, and with the local roads upon which my bike & I have trained these past few months preparing for this trip; I suspect, though, each ride from this point forward and throughout my life will mean so much more....

The Chasing-Yellow journey of life continues...may mine give you praise, Adonai!

Day 7 -- The Big Circus, Part Two

Our last day of riding in the Alps as well as Stage 14 viewing took us to the boarder of Italy up the Col d'Izoard,  the highest elevation on this year's Tour at 2360 meters (over 7000 ft) and while the gradient inclines may not have seemed as austere as previous days, they were...and long!  Totaling 19 kilometers in length, the first 11 averaged 5-6%, but in the last 8 the average gradient rose to 8.3%, at times pushing 9. Many riders prefer shorter & steeper climbs to the longer & more stringent gradient climbs--understandable!  During my efforts of this storied Tour climb, who would I come across but DiDi Senft, the famous "Tour Devil"
(http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didi_Senft) who has graced the Tour "unofficially" for almost twenty years & become a Tour icon legend.  After passing the 1 kilometer marker to the Izoard apex, I made my way through the growing crowd of fans to the last of 5 short harpin turns, stood up from the bike saddle and proudly "danced on the pedals" the final 600 meters to the summit, another cycling mecca conquered...

After venturing my way back down the mountain to our group's viewing point, we settled in for our afternoon lunch & live stage viewing of the Tour, breaking from our chairs only for the spectacle of the Tour Caravan then finally the pro peloton passing us within inches; several of our Thomson support crew speak several languages and spoke directly to specific riders as they passed, Alejandro Valverde being the most notable, many of who responded & glanced at our group for some great photos. Our vantage point this day was much farther away from the finish than the previous day's Stage requiring us to drive two hours back to the hotel following the conclusion of the stage reducing our ride time a bit for the day, but having put in the effort of climbing the Izoard, the respite was very welcomed!  It was also quite welcoming to have so many cycling fans surround our tent viewing area & join us in cheering the peloton and exchanging promotional "swag" tossed from the Tour Caravan--at that moment, the  joy of sharing the bike community overcame any language barrier present as strangers from across the planet stood toasting the racers, the Tour, and life...

Arriving back to our hotel in Albertville, now almost 930 in the evening, the entire entourage of Thomson clients & crew kicked into packing mode in order to be prepared for the return trip to the Lyons airport early the next morning; as an added incentive, the hotel hosted a party for the group with a wonderful dinner (every dinner this week was wonderful!) of lamb, roast vegetables,  and creme brulee', inspiring either some highly efficient packing methodologies or defaulting to lackadaisical logistics; I saved my "true" packing effort for the overnight stay at the Lyons airport hotel & focused on getting my bike packed as secure as possible--I'm hoping the British Airways attendants on the boarding side of my flight here were not trained by TSA...

Day 6 -- The Big Circus, Part One

Today was cool, really cool...actually, it was rather hot (low 90s) on the mountainside where our Thomson Tours reception venue was positioned 2 kilometers from the Stage 13 finish line at Chamrousse, but the cool part was our group getting to ride 36 kilometers (20 miles) of the actual Tour stage route up to the finish line & witness all the craziness required to put on a Tour stage -- the "Big Circus" as the riders call it.  As in previous days, the inclines reached gradient levels in access of 8 & 9 percent over the last 15 kilometers, making the effort quite challenging yet rewarding reaching the top.  I've been to professional bike races in the past, even been to other professional sporting venues like baseball & basketball, but nothing--NOTHING--is like the Tour; the openess of the venue & "playing field" (to an extent) to the fans & spectators yet the clear delineation between professional & non-professional participants, the carnival-like atmosphere of the Tour Village much like a county fair or town square parade, and vast amount of technology vans & trucks proving the digital infrastructure broadcasting to the world. And if that isn't enough,  add thousands of journalists to the mix, the majority of which are NOT sitting like those in a stadium or a broadcast booths, but view openly and commentate from tent-like structures mounted firmly on a flat bed trailer.  And while all that was rather amazing to this technology savy cyclist, I found the mountain top venue hosting this spectacle beautifully captivating and inviting...

I made my way as far as I could to the closed off finish line, about 100 meters away (mandatory arms raised photo op, of course), then proceeded back down the mountain to our group's viewing venue, pausing for a moment to take a picture of the village Usias bellow where we began the morning. I arrived to our group's location where a fresh set of pre-staged clothes awaited each rider along with a picnic venue of prosuitto baguette sandwiches, wonderfully fresh cucumber & tomato salad, watermelon, and Coke--and it's true, European Coca-Cola products taste BETTER than USA products, who knew! And Pepsi?  Fughettabowtit...!  Not being a regular consumer of Coke, I think I've more than made up for any  Coca-Cola deficit I may have had.  The remainder of the afternoon consisted of witnessing the infamous Tour Caravan where all the corporate sponsors of the Tour make their way up the route tossing out various promotional "swag" items, some of which are highly sought after by Tour fans; finally, we could see the TV helicopter  providing live viewing footage approaching the mountain side and within moments the lead riders were upon us--what speed & strength of effort! 

Vincenzo Nibali stamped his authority on this year's Tour this day...I know, I was there. :-)