Sunny and 60

Saturday was the best day we've had so far. There were so many cyclists on the roads along the St Croix river I bet the motorists were getting frustrated. It was a full on invasion. Sam, John Thompson(of course on his mtb), and I met up with Brian Abery (the guy that planned the France trip last summer) by lake Elmo. We went down into Afton and stopped at a cafe where I saw Patty(speed skating teammate)with her Birchwood teammates. We headed south and when we got to the 4 way intersection going into Afton Alps a posse was standing on the side of the road. Andy Kruse, Ben Dubay, and Joe Dubay joined us and we pace lined down to Prescott. We all split up in Prescott and it was just us three again heading back with a tailwind. Going in a group is a lot easier than riding 4.5hrs alone. I had plenty of energy left over after the 85 miles this time. We had a good time out there.
Yesterday John invited Sam and I over to watch the Flanders RR. He bribed me with milk and cookies so I couldn't resist. Great race and a brutal classic. I know the cameras don't give those climbs any justice. 20% wet cobbles is insane. Epic for sure.
Here is Joe's sprint up a climb in the 2008 JOs in Anchorage. He is smokin up that hill



We have to keep John company now since he has become an "empty nester". Eric Thompson has been living the dream out in North Carolina riding with one of the best cycling colleges in the nation. This is his first year of full on long hour base miles and his fitness is has sky rocketed. Not to mention he is on his first real road bike. Hopefully he will be up to a cat 2 by the time the Duluth Classic rolls around or I will be hanging on to his wheel for dear life. They had a team time trial recently and they averaged 31mph on a rolling 13 mile course with 3 guys. It will be interesting to see what he can do when he comes back for the summer. His daughter Stephanie made it into the Nature Valley Grand Prix so he is proud of that too.
How about Mike Phillips place this week at nationals. 9th place in his 2nd pro race is stellar. He has been doing his homework in the cold snowy weather.