Well the tour of California came and went and I’m still here. It was a pretty hard race and I had ailments just like everyone else, take away stage 6 when I lost a bunch of time and the race was pretty much perfect. At the start of stage 6 the backs of my ankles were just killing me and I’m not really sure why. Regardless of my problems, Jens and the CSC crew smashed it and I was caught out pretty bad, I wasn’t the only one, but still didn’t make it feel any better or easier. I was happy to finish the frigin’ tour even if it was 100th place. Before stage 6 I was in the high 70’s and I figure honestly, what is the difference between 70th and 100th, you don’t put that on a resume either way. The last day I tried to get the race rolling covering the first attacks of the day and I was pretty pissed not to make the break but I burned the entire box of match’s within the first hour and after we failed to make the move, I sat back and tried to set Alex & Brice to the front for the bunch kick. It was cool to race the protour guys and I see why everyone was pretty excited for the TOC, great event and amazing courses and the organization was top notch. Before the tour Jones was feeling pretty intimidated by the protour riders having their names on the top tubes under the paint. And after the tour of course Jonezy and I found the filthiest bakery in long beach and we did ourselves right with a couple treats Now its time for a couple weeks easy and then get ready for the middle of my road racing season, should be sweet, thanks to everyone that came out and said hi at the tour and I really appreciated the people who wrote my name on the roads. Seeya

Finally updating from Jelly Belly camp in San Diego. Everything here has been pretty good, especially the weather. It’s cold in Massachusetts right now, and I’m pretty glad I’m not there. Just looking at the forecast on my computer it has icicles for Hadley, MA…Brrrr, hope my roommates are staying warm. Everyone from the teams been here for a week now and we got our head shot photos, new kits, bikes and all that. I’ll say, I was a little disappointed to have to take my head shot taken about 30minutes after I got off the plane. I know I felt haggered and must have looked even worse. I tried to persuade our guy from Orbea to take the picture over the next day when I had a chance to take a shower from my un-forgetable 15hr travel day, get those big dark circles out from under my eyes, but I didn’t get lucky. Hopefully the team picture came out nice. On Wednesday M.Jones,Baj,Corey and myself all rode in 28 degrees for a photo shoot during the day with one of the photographers from Road Mag, John, which I think will be coming out pretty good, the clouds were moving in, sun bursting through the clouds, I’ll be looking forward to seeing those. Later that night we went go carting and I kept up my podium appearance at the k1 track. Last time I went I was only defeated by the pate and Van Haute himself. This time it was Van Hautes Son trever in 2nd and B.Jones taking the W. Speaking of the pate. I finally saw that clown over in Julian driving around in his new bmw. He was looking pretty fit too! Good job to everyone who raced cross’ worlds, and big congratulations to everyone who finished on the podium, well done! I found this picture of Bart Wellens brother Geert kickin around and thought it should get posted.