The Rain and Pain….

... will hopefully bring gains. That is pretty much how I am feeling about my Beauce experience. It has been a few long days for me…actually a long few weeks…I think my months on the road are really starting to add up and I am feeling less and less like a trained athlete... oufff.

The race this year has been a real challenge for me. Lots of pain, not a lot of power, especially early on. I have spent more time than I hoped chasing the pack instead of the leaders. But it has been a hard year this year, and there have been a good number of great riders packing it in early. Andrew being one.

It was really starting to get me down, I had hoped after Ireland that I would come here climbing and riding better than ever. That has not been the case. The speed of the races have not been high, I just haven’t had what I or my team have needed.

But I have to pick myself up and look at what I can get out of this…and from that perspective it hasn’t been a total loss. I finished my first 180km day ever, and in a stage race no less. I have struggled through inches of cold rain and bad roads. And I have fought back from being dropped my fair share of times. All things you need to become good at-- even as the strongest rider in the race. When I come into a race really flying I will need these tools just as much as I need them here when my form is less then good.

And finally today on the 5th of 6 days, my legs feel like they are coming around. I was helping out in the group and generally being much more productive. We had Charles in break and he won the stage. So, for today anyway, things started to turn around.

So its been a good Beauce, even if my results don’t reflect it. There was quite a few times when I just wanted to wait for the broom wagon--but if I had I wouldn't have have been there today. Now I just have to make sure I am really recovered for Track nationals…it's coming pretty quick. But with the legs coming around I feel much better about it.