Escondido is Spanish for Hot Box

The Tour of California is here again.

I feel for these guys, 100 degrees plus 11,000 or so feet of climbing 

does not make for a pleasant opening stage. 

I just hope they rehydrate well tonight because stage 2 is going

to be even nastier. Hot valley floors, more climbing, and then 

ending in Palm Springs where the temperature is expected to reach 108. 

Good Luck guys!

Here are some pics from this morning, enjoy:

Philippe Gilbert

showing why you wear white shorts

with WC stripes.

Audi.

Marco Pinotti 

the (Italian) gentleman rider

The Vacansoliel stable

Andy had a little spark on todays stage, maybe I can finally

 wear my Luxembourg socks with pride again.

Not my roof rack,

wish it was.

Sylvain Chavanel

His tattoo is getting bigger. 

 Tyler Farrar the ginger warrior.

 Omega Pharma something or other,

or as Phil Ligget would say: Omeeeeega 

Vacansoliel, the team of the day.

Must of been the bikes. 

Thor.

Hell of the West?

Lord almighty Mr. Farrar has beaten Mr. Cavendish. I have not been that excited for a victory since my own cheesy victory this spring. I actually jumped up from the ottoman and screamed till I realized what the neighbors must be thinking. I must of looked like Kramer in the Seinfeld episode when he was betting on horses, because I believe I actually tried to whip myself trying to will Tyler over the line. Unfortunately as soon as he crossed over the line it stopped recording and I couldn't watch the replay or see the actual moment on Mark's face when he knew he was defeated and he wasn't going to win the Hell of the West. What?

Now, I haven't said anything in my posts about the Universal sports cycling commentators, Gogo and Steve Schlanger. I will be nice and just say they are the poor man's Paul and Phil. Sigmund and Puff and Stuff are up there because I couldn't find a photo of Gogo and Steve.Puff and Stuff kind of has eyes like Gogo though. Ah, serendipity.