Interbike was a happenin’ place on Wednesday – Names like Tom Danielson and Floyd Landis created long lines of fans with pens in hand. The parking lots were totally full – a constant stream of cars circled floor after floor of the huge parking structure, in an endless, hopeless search for an empty spot. I kissed it off after a half-hour and hit the valet parking. Even that was a wait…

Tom D. is such a great guy: totally nice, genuine and available to fans. A firm handshake and looks ‘em straight in the eye – takes the time to talk and listen to regular folks like us. I really like him… Chatted with Dan Osipow about training camp, and how we were gonna be missing somebody… you know who… But I betcha Numero Uno will be there on the bike, maybe not all the time…

Dave Letteri came up to say Hi – he’s one of Lance’s buddies from way back, and one of the good guys. Dave has a bike shop in Santa Barbara, so he was scoping out all the new stuff. We talked about last year’s Ride for the Roses – he liked my shots from the back of the old turnip truck. Actually, it’s a new truck now, and has lost quite a bit of charm from the old one of years past…

Ran into Frankie Andreu, with his usual devilish, charming grin. He and I spent about three hours sitting by each other on a VeloSport Vacations tour bus a few years ago. Tooling along thru the French countryside to the next stage of the Tour, I really got to know him well – he is a treasure… So funny…

Phil Liggett was signing away at the Cycle Sport booth, but he stepped away to give me a little hug and kiss. People just love Phil so much. When I saw him at the Tour of Georgia a couple of years ago, he was just like the Pied Piper of Cycling – people followed him everywhere he walked. He is so gracious to fans – he’ll always stop to have his photo taken with everyone, and say a word or two to them. Every four or five steps, he has to stop and stand beside someone, with his arm around their shoulder and a smile for the camera.

I put up a few shots in the smugmug gallery - click on the Link.