Joe and Phil arrived last night, which I had the fortune of bumping into just as I was completing laundry. Clean jocks are put aside quickly for a reunion hug - but just like a family one, the hoohaa doesn't last long and we are quick into swapping barbs and ribbing each other on anything and everything. Although with Phil being Phil, we quickly dissolve into extremely frank questions of a personal nature. I should have known..
A meeting in the middle of time zones makes me struggle with early morning times, while the two east-coasters are up early. As I stagger from breakfast I pass them already donned in their sharp new lycra and on their new bikes, ready to roll. Saved by a hypo-ing Joe: I am given 10 minutes to get into any old kit and on any old bike if I wish to join them. I opt for the ready-to-go Specialized and now ye-olde 2007 red kit. Their new kit looks sharp - an almost royal blue edged with a green shark-like teeth on the edges, and white panels across the chest, back, side of shirt and an even wider panel on the side of the shorts. Perhaps better with a visual, and of course I have none.
We cruise through Solvang, a very-Danish and homage paying village to former Danish King Frederick, and onto the AmGen(?) Tour of California TT route with a massive mountain and wine country backdrops. We decide to keep the ride in the valley, which is just as good as the weather seems to be closing in on the higher areas (yes thats the main reason I prefer the valley route, naturally) - and head across to the Santa Rosa Road as ridden and enjoyed previously. Riding with Joe and Phil is a blast, if it is disjointed by regular toilet stops and adjustments to their new bikes. Phil parts with the gift to me of being the 'same old smart arse', one of the few comments I really appreciate. As we approach Lompoc, and the disappointment of no town sprint, the rain kicks in. It pretty much stays with us on the return to Buellton (again, no town sign, what the?).
With Phil and Joe rugged up with long fingered gloves, bootie covers, long leg warmer and jackets I feel particularly tough with 'only' my fingerless gloves, knee & arm warmers and wind vest. Until the coldness really starts to get to me and I struggle with the return to Buellton.
We return to the hotel for a shower and de-thaw. Slowly the hotel begins to be populated with Sanofi and associated folk, and 5pm marks the commencement of the media training session and meeting the TT1 folk for 2008. I secure a seat next to Andy and re-acquaint myself with the concepts and media lessons we will need to take on board for next year.
Finally the media session finishes and we are rewarded with a great dinner & chats, with catchups with folk such as Tom Schuler and Rick Crawford and a review of the schedule for tomorrow, which indicates a very interesting and Phil and Joe-focussed week ahead. Perhaps a bit more of the same old smart arseness?
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