Sippin' Whiskey

Its been a good day.

Prescott is a great place, with a little, small-town feel. And a bunch of people in a good mood for bike racing. Last night we watched the Pro fat-tire crit, featuring a huge hill every lap - steep enough that you can stand in the road until the riders are 10 feet down from you, Alpe d'Huez style. Max Plaxton won, after sitting 5th wheel all day and looking slightly bored with the entire pace.

This morning started surprisingly smooth, slotting into the front of the second start coral, behind 190 riders who raced last year. No one really seemed to be riding in anger on the big pavement climbs, so a few surges and I was in 10th wheel, then suddendly second as we hit the singletrack.

Didn't have superb legs, but rode in 3rd to 5th all day to finnish 4th. The trails here are really nice. Every time I've ridden in America (Breckenridge/Prescott), the trails always have great - they develop a fast rythym becuse there's not many roots. I love it - it puts a smile on the face.

New Belgium Fat Tire is possibly my absolute favorite beer. They've got a sponsor tent here and the pints are $4m.

Right now the 6 of us are sitting on the Courthouse lawn, on New Belgium number 3, its 25-degrees in the sun, and life is good. Everyone on the trip loves bikes, doesn't get too serious, and its been fun. There's no beer like post-race beer, and no drunk like 3-beer-post-race-drunk. Pure quality of life.