T-1

July 12, 2013

I leave for France tomorrow.

Tonight has been a bit of a whirlwind, with trying to pack and having to make decisions as to how many pairs of socks and shorts I need to take, do I really need a pair of swiming trunks, and so on. I did get it all to fit in one suitcase however, though I did not take my pillow.

I've got all the emotions rolled up tonight. I'm anxious to get over to France, fearful with the plane travel, excited to see the Tour de France in Person, scared that I might crash on a descent off a mountain, worried about forgetting something or getting injured, curious as to what the weather will be like on the Col du Galibier, but I'm ready to go. Things I have to remember: I am not a pro cyclist. There is no shame in stopping if I bonk or blow up on the climbs. I am there to have fun, and watch the tour, and the cycling is third on the list, an important part of the trip, but not the sole purpose of the trip. Becky made me a bracelet to wear on my trip, so that there's a piece of her and Charlotte with me to remind me of home. When it's on the brakes or take a chance, it will breaking for me.

Tomorrow I fly into Charles de Gaulle, then take a connecting flight to Marseilles. We pick up our rental bikes, get fitted, do a shake out ride, and then get to our hotel in Orange. We'll be about 5 kilometers from where the Lampre-Merida team is staying, and 2 km from where Garmin Sharp and Team Sky are. I'm not sure what to get autographs on, but I brought a couple sharpies just in case. When we're in Alpe d'Huez, we'll be staying in the same hotel as Cannondale and Team Saxo-Tinkoff! AWESOME! Need to get to bed now. Will post from france next. --Pete
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