Despite racing through another rain-soaked day, Phil Gaimon found a few things to brighten his mood.
By Phil Gaimon
Stage two started at 8:30 a.m., with a neutral, wet, cold, seven-mile ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was pretty scenic. That, and a pee break a couple hours later were the only pleasurable experiences of the day. As Floyd Landis told me during the pee break, “You have to take pleasure in the small things.” So true, Floyd.
For a while, I actually thought it might be a short day for me. When
the neutral portion was over, we descended toward the coast, into a
nasty crosswind. As the attacks started to fly, many of us were
unprepared for the hard effort that early, having slept only a few
hours, and lacking the time to eat and digest enough for breakfast and
dinner. I (among others) ended up popped out of the race, and into the
caravan.
When you’re dropped from a race like this, the key is to stay calm. There are
plenty of cars behind the race to draft, and I just had to remind myself that if
it was hard for me, it was hard for everyone else, too. Therefore, the field
will slow down. And slow down it did. I was only in the cars for a couple
minutes. Once the break went, the aforementioned pee break took place, and Rock
Racing set a hard, but manageable pace for the rest of the day. I started to
feel better after an hour or so.
On the last climb, as predicted, the race exploded. I fought diligently to stay at the front leading up to the base, but couldn’t quite get where I needed to be on the tight, twisty roads. Levi and his team detonated the race into groups of 10 to 20, and I was somewhere in the middle.
We did find another small thing to take pleasure in: As the group coasted into Santa Cruz, the sun finally came out! After over five hours in the cold rain, two days in a row, I’m not sure if I was happier to see my shadow or the finish line, but the combination almost brought tears to my eyes.
After each stage, our staff hands me towels, Gatorade Recovery shakes, warm clothes and more towels. When we arrive at the hotel, we’re handed our keys, and find that our luggage has already been brought to the room. There’s a white, mesh bag on the floor, in case I have any laundry, and I get a phone call to tell me when and where I’ll get my massage. At first, I thought all this service was a little overkill. Today, however, I had a good bit of trouble walking down the stairs to get off of the RV. There’s no way I would be able to lift luggage. And it’s only stage two!
The consensus in the field is that the course and the race is too hard. I’ve heard this from both Carlos Sastre and Tom Boonen, and I think they would know, although Levi might say it’s too easy. I’m still in it, though, and not feeling too terrible. One day at a time.
14 Comments
February 16th, 2009 at 09:02
Phil:
If being a professional road racer gets tiring for you, you have a second career as a writer. I have enjoyed your daily “diary” greatly. There is such a humorous touch to your writing, and you are self-effacing, which makes for very enjoyable reading (as opposed to slogging through someone who writes about how great they are).
It is also great to see the race from the “inside”, without the hype of the commentators.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Keep up the good work.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:02
Thanks for your inside account - just the account of your legs getting off the RV is engaging in its truth and humility, yet makes us appreciate by its frank acknowledgement of pain the amazing achievement of professional cyclists, day after day.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:02
Hey bshort — if you enjoy Phil’s writing, be sure to check his personal blog - http://philgaimon.blogspot.com. Just ignore the sophomoric comments by some posters. Except for maybe one professional rider, they’re all just very normal guys who have bigger hearts and lungs and skinnier legs than the rest of us. And maybe a higher threshold for pain. I was thrilled because the only two riders in the tour I have personally met — Phil and Floyd, were mentioned in the first paragraph taking a pee break. Priceless! Best wishes for a long career Phil.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:02
Go yellow shoes go.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:02
[...] Rider Diary: It’s Going to be a Long Week | Tour of California [...]
February 16th, 2009 at 11:02
So glad to hear you’re human…and somehow that makes you cooler and more admirable. Also glad to know that even pros get stiff and a bit sore after a long hard ride– although we each might define what’s long and hard a bit differently. Thanks for taking the time to write…very meaningful to read.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:02
We’re all rooting for you down here in Gainesville, FL! Keep it up!!!
February 16th, 2009 at 11:02
good job, I also enjoy reading your writing
I’ll be checking out your other blog as well!
February 17th, 2009 at 01:02
CAn you believe it two top riders complaning ..course to hard and its only Stage 2??!!When will they think when they hit the start of Stage 3 up Sierra rd? Very tough way to begin the Day. Very proud Of Local Ben Jaques-Maynes. Have had privelege of riding along side him and Andy over What we in area refer to as “The Dell” ..They are both very fresh and personable young MEN!
February 17th, 2009 at 02:02
WAY TO GO PHIL!
keep up the good work - we
are all rooting for you back in gainesville
February 17th, 2009 at 07:02
Great Job Phil! Keep those wheels turning.
Cheers from Gainesville,
Ken
February 17th, 2009 at 10:02
Rain and pain aside Phil, you must be having an awesome experiance.
I love the luggage part. Now you know how we feel back here in Gainesville trying to keep up with you on the Hipp rides or Battle of Olustee!
Rock on!
K-Dogg
February 17th, 2009 at 11:02
Yeah Coach Phil!!! Do it big and hang in there! You got this one in the bag.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:02
A very mature and sobering race report, coach. It doesn’t take a fast man, just a wise one, to know that road racing is short on glory and long on humility. Your attitude in this race report brings knowledge and inspiration to all of your charges here at University of Florida, and it makes this old roadie, sometimes critic, and Gator alum proud to know you, and proud to keep recommending riders to become Gators.
James Thompson
Chain Reaction Bicycles
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