Thor Hushvold won the stage today. If you watched you got to see wonderful Barcelona and the street that the street my hotel intersected (right by their version of the Arc di Triomph).What a day! Almost 11 and just back to hotel. Long days but so full of excitement!
We started in Girona and had access passes to the riders village where there was free food, schwag, and some fun entertainment. And I found Raymond Poulidor and got an autograph and photo. Of course noone else in our group but the guides knew who he was.
Then to the area where all of the team buses were parked. I was in heaven! After the start one of our guides, Olivier, asked who my favorite in the peloton was -- couldn't answer as I like so many. He was surprised I liked so many from Europe! And with Eric (another of our French guides) help I was able to really get some great autographs and photos. I know so many by name or face it was easy on my own after a bit. I got so many -- really an ideal situation for me! Bjarne Riis, current green jersey holder Mark Cavendish, the ever cute Thomas Voekler (yesterday's stage winner!), Eric Zabel who won 5? green jerseys and many of the classics before he retired, Oscar Peiriro -- and wow just a ton. Oh -- and just about the entire Garmin team. They live locally when in Europe so their families were there -- all were so nice. How cool was that!
Then it was off to Andorra. We didn't get to ride along the sea (sorry Debbie no cool pics!) as we needed to head in the opposite direction. We rode uphill for a good 30 miles -- it was constant! But wow -- it was beautiful (sorry the batteries on my bike cam died so no pics). Then a quick downhill (really -- we climbed much longer than that -- wasn't fair!) to the bus. Loaded our bikes in the bus, changed best we could, then a 3 hour drive to Andorra.
Seems rough I know -- after all that riding, running around the rider village. But some of the most stunning mountain views. Some of the mountains were green, covered in trees - then peeking in the background were mountains of cliffs. The Pyrenees are really wonderfully and beautiful.
Andorra is just a small country -- their language seems to be a mix of spanish and french (wow i should be totally confused!). It's all either up or down - not sure where it will level off.
Tomorrow is a very tough day on the bike then we'll be at the top of Arcalis to step on the podium for a pic and watch the finish. I'd love to share more but I really need to shower and go off to bed!
A Bientot.
A bike cam - how COOL is that - thanks for the ride down the mountain - I didn't even get winded! Your book must be getting pretty full with all the riders you're meeting. Sounds like you are having a GREAT time. You were SO CLOSE to the Mar - too bad you couldn't see it - could add a water picture to your collection Love you-keep on pedaling:)
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