Bonjour mon ami,
I’ve been away at the office for a few days now……but now I’m back.
Allow me to explain.
First off, if you didn’t get the opporunity to travel this past weekend via airplane……….consider yourself lucky. I flew out of Atlanta early Thursday morning about the time word was getting out about the terrorist plans getting busted up in London. I have never seen a line as long as the one I saw Thursday morning at Atlanta’s South Terminal. Fortunately, it was Marc’s problem to deal with because I was flying out of the less visited North Terminal. While checking in my bags the lady told me I wasn’t allowed to carry toothpaste, shampoo and other liquids on the plane. To lighten up the situation I decided to make a joke about not needing shampoo due to the on going daily disapearance of my hair. She didn’t laugh and I decided it would then be a good time to stop making jokes in the airport. While the security line at the South Terminal was still plenty long, it was nothing compared to Marc’s hour long wait. Needless to say he missed his flight……….and then they lost his bag……….and then he crashed hard in Friday nights crit………..and then, as of Monday evening, they still haven’t found his bag. Merde!
Ok, back to the travel…..so luckily Evan, Pete and I somehow cut in line and only had to wait for about 30 minutes. The huge bummer of this was that due to the country’s newfound heightened security, the inevitbale bare foot metal detector tippy toe dance would have to take place. Of all the days to wear flip flops…….and that floor…….so, so filthy.
After boarding the flight I was incredibly lucky to have not a single delay or lost piece of baggage. Hot diggity damn! The team and I were heading to Montreal for La Classique Louis Garneau. It was the 58th edition of this 250k race from Montreal to Quebec City. It was a really cool race and an important one for us due to Garneau being one of our bigger sponsors.
As for me……I stepped up to the plate, calmly took a sip of water and then lobbed a long bomb……the big momma hootchie Hail Mary herself. What a marvelous thought……..”90k down……..160k to go……….2:20 gap……..just me, Mr. Cross Wind, and some short and stubby guy unable to provide adequate draft”. The short stubby guy and I were part of an original group of 4. Quickly, the other two began to tire and sit on so I split off and brought the short and stubby guy with me. He and I would then swap off for the next bazzillion or so kilometers (it sure felt like a bazzillion, maybe even two bazzillion?). With about 40k to go, he and I were finally caught by a fast moving peloton as the road began to go up and down. I nearly went right through the bunch like you-know-what through a goose……it didn’t feel too good but my job for the day was done. I did however get a bit of reward by taking out the half-way through sprint prize of $500.
What goes through your head while out front nursing a couple minute gap?
Well, besides the obvious thought of winning, I had Bob Seger’s “Against the Wind” on repeat in my head.
Don’t know the song? Shame on you. Turn your computer off right this minute and run out and buy it. You’ll thank me later. It’s a classic……like candy for your ears. Particularly the part at the end where he repeats, “Let the cowboy’s ride, against the wind”. I also had an odd phrase pop into my head…….I have no idea where it came from so don’t hold it against me…….ok ready?…….. “Drivin’ it like Al Cowlings”.
Yeah, I know, pretty retarded, but like I said….no clue where the hell that one came from. You may (or may not) remember Al Cowlings as the man who drove OJ Simpson around in that now famous slow-speed white bronco police chase.
I would also like to extend a huge thanks to Louis Garneau USA for taking such good care of the team while up in the great white north. They went way out of their way to accomodate the team in a very gracious manner. The team’s very fortunate to have not only such a good sponsor but also a very fun and kind group of friends as well. Also, a huge thanks to big Louis himself for putting the team up at his sweet “Clubhouse” Sunday night after La Classique. Merci beaucoup! There was a foosball table, and a disco ball and fake geese on the ceiling…….that’s so hot.
We’ll talk again soon.
Categories: Daily Jibber Jabber.
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