Sunshine! The Cycling Gods must be smiling on the Discovery Channel team, ‘cause the weather was sunny and warm (after a real cold night and morning). Today was team photographs by Casey Gibson and Jon Devich. It became clear to me that getting over 30 guys to stand still, stay in one place and smile was a real challenge for any photographer. But the guys lined up and shaped up like the pros that they are. The setting was a beautifully green and groomed golf course about a half-mile from the motel. Casey and Jon did a great job and the guys looked really fine in their new kits.

We did a four-hour ride today through the most beautiful, green countryside that you could imagine. The pace was brisk and steady. The guys were divided into two groups - I followed the group that Lance was riding with. Eki, George, Max, Tony, Michael, Pavel, Fumi, Roger, Ryder, Jason and Benjamin were in the group. What a group - first-class all the way.

I drove a videographer, Mike, who was shooting for CSE and Discovery Channel - He certainly got a lot of footage of the rider’s behinds today! I cruised up alongside the team a few times on long straight stretches so he got some good sequences, too. I think that we are all gonna see a lot of great television coverage of Lance and the team again this year.
Lots of good stuff planned, I hear.

I am driving a silver ‘05 Subaru Outback, and is it ever sweeet! Wish it were mine...
Got a few shots during the photo session, and then Mike shot some while we were driving. I’ll put them up in the smugmug gallery.