A long ride today, but sunshine was with us. However, it’s pouring rain tonight – who knows what tomorrow will bring, We didn’t do Figuroa today, instead we took a beautiful route to the East hills, and up through Santa Maria. No traffic and a beautiful rain-kissed countryside that gleamed in the afternoon sun.

Ivan Basso tried out his Time Trial helmet and bike on the out-of-town streets of Santa Maria. You can imagine the heads turning and the looks from folks in farm trucks as they passed by. “What the Hell are they up to now? Those crazies on them fancy bikes… They just stop right in the damn middle of the road, or they just pull over to the side of the road and take a piss right in public view,” Quote from guys at a gas station where I stopped.

It’s about 9:30 pm and I just rode up in the elevator with Ivan. Made me sorry that there are only three floors in this hotel! Ivan is so nice and so handsome…He told me that he was tired because after dinner, there was a long photo shoot that had just finished. All the other guys got to head for bed right after dinner, but not Ivan. The guys have put in two days straight of six-hour rides…

Can't put up pics in the smugmug gallery today 'cause it's too late to go to the Bulldog, and the wifi here at the hotel is as slow as dial-up for uploading images.