Stage 1 - USA Pro-Cycling Challenge (Aspen/Snowmass)

I was a bit shocked to find out that from my hotel to the start/finish line was going to be over 2 hours. Enjoyed a beautiful drive as directed by the GPS until I got to what I believe is "Independence Pass" (which the riders would do on Stage 2). I was having crazy vertigo and trying to not have a panic attack. No wonder it was going to take so long going that route. Anyhoo, as I got into Aspen, the GPS was continuing with commands, but I could see the roadblocks ahead so (on the good side) I knew I was in the right place (on the not-so-good side) but how to park etc. Just like that, I see a parking garage and Tour signs indicating media etc to park there. Perfect! (I'd gone early so there was still room).

I then walked around and took in the first experience of the atmosphere around a pro-Tour. Things were still being set up and I couldn't believe that I could go anywhere and had my pick of places to set up. I went and got some food/drinks to prepare (in case I didn't get to move around later) and went back to the car to get a collapsible chair. I set up and things got more exciting as the start got closer. Oh, and a very nice younger woman (older girl? youth?) gave me a cowbell (Strava sponsor) out of the blue, which was very nice. Next thing I know, I'm looking at a Cannondale rider literally like, a foot, from me (over the barricade) thinking 'that looks like Peter Sagan' and then realizing, holy crap, it is! Me - me - *I'm* standing beside Peter freakin' Sagan! Then I see, Chris Froome is close too. THE WINNER OF THIS YEARS TOUR DE FRANCE IS THAT CLOSE, WTF?!!!!! So I end up standing pretty much at the start line and the peloton does 2 (or was it 3?) neutral laps so I get to see them not at full speed.

Then the "real" laps start, I go down to about 300m to go (near a corner cause, you know, could be action) and watch 2 laps there.  The "free swag people" (yes, that's an official term, ha) gave me some bam-bams and a sheet with all the racers and their numbers and such. I then moved to about 50m to go and set up for the third and final lap. Wow, how cool.

AND THEN... some of the riders looped back after the finish - and could it be, yes, it was, Jens Voigt (beloved by all, myself included) and he was giving side high fives to a section along the barriers - just as he got to me one of the hydration people got in the way a bit, so I got a partial - but my fingers touched Jens Voigt's fingers. I couldn't believe it. I mean honestly, if I went to a Bronco's game, would I ever get close to Peyton Manning?? Touch his hand?? I don't think so. What other sporting event could the average fan be THAT CLOSE to the action and FOR FREE. Pro-cycling is AWESOME.

Anyway, I recognized a couple of other riders and just gawked, basically. I mean what am I going to do, yell, Andy, Andy Schleck!? Or "oh my goodness, Richie Porte!" (They know who they are, they don't need me to tell them). I went over to the stage after for the presentations but I decided to leave - I was so excited I wondered if someone in my state should be driving ;) I decided there was no way I was doing Independence Pass again so I took a longer route which also meant getting stuck in traffic because a lot of roads were still closed. I got ridiculously stoked at one point though, as I was in between the Jamis-Hagens Berman team car and the Novo Nordisk team car so I felt like I was part of the race convoy :)

I may have forgotten some parts, everything's blurring together. Which stage? What day was that? But WOW, what an intro to being LIVE at a pro-cycling event. And how cool that it was a circuit. O-V-E-R-T-H-E-M-O-O-N

My Favourite Nickname

Best nickname to date: "Lawfirm" for Benjarvus Green Ellis (I'm sure there is at least one hyphen in there but as I've already misspelled a Super Bowl winning QB's name on this blog I might as well continue the trend).