Christian Vande Velde, Giro d'Italia stage 9 “Rest” days. Everything is relative isn’t it? If you had pre-ridden tomorrow’s uphill time trial course with David M. and I this morning, it might have been the hardest rides you will have done this year. But apart from riding that course in the rain, this rest day, so far, has been going well.

We did the long transfer (400 km) last night and got in around midnight and were happy to get that behind us. Some teams chose to do the transfer this morning (3.5 hours in the car, 5 in the bus). Our transfer was actually a blast. Pizza, movies, a few beers. Now I see why bands travel in buses, it can be a good time. “Can” being the operative word. So we have ridden the course and just got done eating a great lunch prepared by Chef Willie. Happy days.

After a shower, I will finish typing this in bed and hopefully stay there until massage and/or dinner. And then the whole circus starts again tomorrow with the stress of a time trial. Morning ride, pre-race meals, riders going to and from the race all at different times.

So yeah, it’s nice to put your brain and your body in park for a few hours once in a while, even if it’s not for the whole day. That’d be too easy.