Robert Winder

Man, its a long way from the Bay Area to Baker City, OR. 700 miles or so, with 250 or so on highways.

The Best Western is pretty much that, not a bad place to stay, and except for being on the 2nd floor and facing east its pretty much a great place to be based. Why 2nd floor? I don’t know, but having to carry all the bikes/equipment/food/etc wasn’t something I’d planned on. And as for facing east, all I can tell you is that the sun rises early when you’re this far north.

Last nights pre-ride of the finish of Stage 1 was good, in fact my legs are feeling remarkably good. Looks like a flat-ish finish after an 80+ mile stage that goes down for 37 miles then climbs back up the same road.

Dinner of pasta and veggies, followed by some smack talk with the other 3’s at registration, then to bed.

Woke often - must find a way to switch the AC off tonight. I managed to wake with a thick head and been trying to shrug it off since. Rec’ed the TT course and the finish to stage 4 in the car - Mt Dooley is going to be a brute again.

Race starts in 2.5 hours so need to get the last pre-race food down me.

Wish me luck.