Jacques at home telling the cook it was great

spaniard wins

A exciting week w/ lots of highlights and great company.One for the record books and better than we could of imagined.Today we had a balcony looking over the most famous road in the world watching the finish.The picture is about one mile from our hotel and the time trials are exciting.We road the time trial the day before and averaged about 30 km/hr w/ drafting and the winner averaged 50 km/hr solo,very humbling.

Oh Phil

Phil trying to get Bulldog fans in France.

French dancer at race

Alot of rain

Today we woke up to a down pour of rain and figured to go for it.The ride was brutal and cold as we experienced alot of obstacles.Californians do not know how to prepare for mornings like today.Phil and I made it two thirds to the top before the police told us to turn around because the president of France was coming and their was land slides and down pour of rain.This was one of the hardest days I have ever had riding and are glad it is over.We decided to have a toast for completing a tough day.

Phil and I just finished climbing to the top of Gavarnie in the Pyrenees it was a easier day we only had to climb 3000 feet.Phil of course wanted more and went on another climb of 2500 feet while Paul had a beer with some other riders.Thursday climb is only 12 miles but the grade average is 10-12% which will take about 3 hours to the top.Relatively speaking Rocky Hill is @ 5-6%grade for 1 mile.

Lance in lead on Tuesday

2 bad VIisalians finish with Lance

TOULOUSE

Waiting for Phil and Judy watching cyclist come and go

flying rats everywhere

I guess things never change, once again I was going to be romantic and this was my view as I opened the blinds.Well maybe next time I will check the view before opening my window.

jacques

I am ready to get on my bike and all Jacque wants to do is go to every deli.The place we are at in France is very beautiful and the french will always be the french.Meeting alot of nice people from all over the world but my language is struggling past my 1 word in french beer.Jacque french is doing pretty good as she is able to communicate and order my food.

LAX TO PARIS

Bad start at LAX airport as it felt like we were not in America.The bus driver was a jackass then we were checking our bags in and that took one hour, due to the fact nobody speaks english. in America anymore.No change for luggage fee of fifty five dollars had to wait for twenty minutes as they had to get my ten dollars of change one mile away.Finally we go thru customs and didnt know about lap top computer rule and they thought Jacque was a terrorist took another twenty minutes as the line behind us got very impatient and long.Arrive in Europe, and funny thing, it felt like America people speak english and give excellent directions.

Lance saying goodbye to Willemina before the Pyrennes.