What a Difference a Year Makes

Results from yesterday are here. Team Exergy's Morgan Schmitt finished 4th, and Matt Cooke 5th. Personally, I landed the 31st spot. Here's what I think about that:

Thanks Veloimages for the shot. 

Last year we would have been thrilled with 4th and 5th. But that was before and this is now.
Before we had nothing to prove, a first year pro team at its first big race. 
Now we're wanted men with bounties on our heads, and a Cali invitation to honor. 


Last year I would have been satisfied with 31st. But that was before and this is now. 
Before I would have been happy to have beat so-and-so, or to have paced myself well. 
Now I'm frustrated that I'm far so far down in GC that I don't apply much pressure to the yellow jersey when I go up the road. 


Today we race in the rain, which I love. Things get hectic and confusing, and at times, scary. I'd prefer it to be a little colder, so that as the race progresses, the smaller among us, those whose bodies contain less thermal mass than mine (read: most everybody in the peloton), begin to suffer and shut down and ultimately grind to a halt. But I'll take what I can get. 54° with heavy rain ain't exactly a walk in the park. Today, should the predicted 2-inch deluge actually materialize, this race shall get crazy. And oh -- I like crazy. 


Sincerely, 
-nice giant