Bisbee Day 3
As I mentioned yesterday today had a bit of climbing. Today there was a lot more attacking going on today. For the first hour and a half there was one after another. Dudes were getting dropped faster than G Dub’s approval ratings. Finally about 90 minutes in a move of 7 stuck. With 30 miles to go (and the bulk of the climbing) they had 4:30. That is when the real fun started. I am not a real climber. I can’t go with all the surges and attacks. I have to grind along like a diesel, hard but steady. Sure enough about half way up the final climb I am passing Pantani wannabees who went too hard and moving up in GC. Drew Miller won the stage and I finished 28th. Not bad for the oldest guy in the field.
I came here thinking that if I finish in the top half I would be happy. In the end I was 29th. On Friday there were 86 starters so mission accomplished. I know Discover won’t be calling any time soon, but I feel pretty good about my ride. All any of us can do is our best and I feel I gave it my best effort so if my best is a win or last place then I have to be happy.
I have been to a lot of places for bike races and for the most part I can tell you nothing about them. When you travel to a race (particularly stage races) the routine is usually something like this: arrive at race, sit in hotel wait for race, race, leave. Today I attempted to remedy that. To get back to Tucson you drive through Tombstone. I took the opportunity to stop and take in a little history. I walk through The OK Corral and saw where Doc Holliday and the Earp brothers squared of with the Clanton’s. Whenever I tour one of these old historical places I am always struck with the thought. It must have sucked big time to live back then. No A/C, running water or toilet paper. Think about it.
I have a bunch of pictures to post, maybe tomorrow when I am not so worked.
