on the shoulder

Today’s stage of the US Pro Cycling Challenge was a first for all of us: none of us had ever seen a professional cycling event. With many of the top teams and riders from the Tour, it has arguably the best field of riders to ever race on American soil.

For weeks we were warned about all sorts of road closures. The race didn’t come through town until 3:30, but we were told by local officials to get where we needed to go by 1 pm. We followed their recommendations and parked ourselves a little after 1 pm by the 10 kilometers to go sign. In hindsight, we could have waited until 2 or 2:30 to set up camp, but we had a fine time entertaining ourselves by the side of the road. We read books, we danced, the girls tried to beat each other with swimming noodles, and they dug up who knows what with their beach toys. Who knew sitting on the shoulder of the road for two and a half hours could be so much fun?

Before we knew it, all the official race vehicles and team cars were streaming down the road and then Andy Schleck pedaled right by us. Chase groups followed and I glimpsed the back of Cadel Evans’s calves (I didn’t realize it was him until he passed by). I have to admit, seeing the racers was really anticlimactic—it just seemed like a bunch of skinny dudes on bikes. Nevertheless, I’m glad we saw it, and the girls thought it was great.

our spot for the race. I figured we’d be easy to spot on the television coverage…