I spent this morning at Lance Armstrong's place (Juan Pelota Ranch) in Dripping Springs, TX (just outside of Austin).
I keep having wonderful moments when I realize that Texas, this new state of mine, is just gorgeous! The Texas hill country's rolling hills are an amazing backdrop for this race, with its rugged and rocky limestone hills, scrubby trees and brush, and huge blue skies.
I've been learning very quickly why people adore Austin; I am beginning to appreciate more and more why these same folks also love the hill country.
Lance is one of those folks -- he's got a huge ranch and it's an amazing venue for the Mellow Classic. Two full days of racing, with two UCI Pro races, a bike expo, local vendors, beer (very important), and good times with Central Texas cyclists.
(No Lance sightings today, by the way. I'm pretty sure he's in France getting ready for TdF. But he's around... my friend got the "cycling nod" from him the other day when he saw him out on a ride.)
I should mention that it was hot today. A scorcher. I visiting the Nuun vendor booth about ten times to refill my bottle (and I wasn't even racing!).
If you look in the slideshow above, you'll see a shot of a bunch of spectators on the big hill, all sitting in the only logical place: the shade.
I skipped the pro men's race to go get cool and get home. I reserved some sweet equipment for Monday's CapTexTri: a wetsuit, Specialized TT helmet, and Zipp 404s. Oh sweet cycling gods... I love those Zipps.
Isn't she gorgeous?
