the return

Team Chianti has returned. And let me tell you how much we miss the cool weather, smooth pavement, and near-trafficless roads of Southwest Harbor, Maine. It was also clearly evident the difference in air quality upon our return to Atlanta.

Yesterday we rode together in the sweltering heat, approaching Pisa status. I can now hazard a pretty good guess as to what it feels like to start suffocating. I felt like half the oxygen I was breathing was being out-competed by the sheer space of heat. And so, things are back to normal riding in Hotlanta.

Beyond that, it is complete torture to return to work.

The week of riding in Maine was the most I've ridden in a week, about 98 miles in 4 days. It was fantastic. I picked up some brilliant tips from Papa and the crew and also made some observations myself.

Beak, Bill needs to be forced into retirement - or you at least need a new rear derailleur.

Baguer, as Papa has always said, you have everything you need to be a serious threat. It could be scary next year if you actually ride more than once a week.

Papa, I'm afraid we're going to have to start calling you Skeletor. Put some weight on those bones.

As for the Pink and myself, there is lots of work to be done. By next year, though, I think the Pink might shake-up the overall classification. I'm sure I'll still be trailing, just barely hanging on to the peleton, if at all, but at least I'll pass the Beak on the descents.