We did it. We successfully defended Amber’s jersey til the end. It was no easy task, mind you, but we did it. Technically, the last stage of a tour should be “tranquilo”, a celebratory stage of sorts, but the last stage of the Route de France was anything but “tranquilo”. We rode tempo at the front when we could, during the few rare moments when Bouba (aka “the jumping bean”) wasn’t ripping our legs off or the Chirio girls weren’t bobbling from side to side as they made their attacks. There were a few “oh shit” times, too, when a few of us thought we might not see the front group again as our legs seized up as the group hammered the hills and gaps opened up, but in the end the group arrived onto the finishing circuits intact. Leading into the final several hundred meters of the last furious circuit, I was D-U-N done. Knowing that Amber would safely cross the line, Katheryn and I sat up and cruised across the finish line with smiles of pure elation on our faces, signifying a win for the US AND the fact that we could now wake up tomorrow without having to put a chamois on! We celebrated our hard earned win by wining and dining at a pizzeria that made fabulous pizzas, calzones and salads - much coveted food after the bland, tasteless food provided to us throughout the race.

Now, here we are in Germany, begging our legs to open up again as we contest the Albstadt Women’s Tour, just 2 days after the Route ended. Last night was definitely what you could call a “leg opener” – a 4km prologue. There’s really no better way to get the pins pumping again then to wake them up with a full-on, 100% 5 minute effort. The rain didn’t help wake up my motivation, though, but fortunately this morning the sun is shining and my spirit seems to be rekindling. Yet, I can’t stop thinking how HARD this afternoon’s stage is going to be and questioning whether my legs will be up for it. Ten, 10km laps with a climb similar to the Montreal World Cup each lap - it’s going to hurt like hell, but at least we only have 2 more days left and then it’s sun, fun and rest in Lucca for a bit.

Usually sightseeing isn’t part of the program when we are on the road racing, but since we were in Albstadt before any of the other teams arrived, one of the most gracious race organizers took a few of us and a UCI official to the local castle - the Burg Hohezollern. The castle was built for the first time in 1267 and rebuilt multiple times again over the centuries as it was repeatedly demolished during various wars. The architecture is stunning and the views of the countryside from the top are amazing. We enjoyed our little excursion very much as it got us out of the hotel where we have no phones, no internet (except for this one secret spot), no TV, nothing but our books and each other’s company. Don’t get me wrong, we are having a great time together but one does need a spot of fresh air time and again.

Haka and Kohi now weigh in at 22 and 20 pounds. They are going to be little monsters by the time I get home!!!

Ciao ciao
-MM