Due to an error in a configuration file, whatever that means, this site was down for a few days and the web was spared my ramblings. But no longer.

Things have been busy lately. After telling everyone that asked for the last couple of months that I wasn't going to be at the Sea Otter this year, I found out just over a week in advance that I was mistaken. So I got to go back and pin the number 1 to my jersey as the returning winner, even though I had not actually won the circuit race last year. The road race, which I did win in '05, was cancelled this year along with the time trial. It's a shame to see what was once one of the major US stage races reduced to just a two and a half hour circuit race. Hopefully things will take a turn for the better next year. Nonetheless, the leadup to the race was a fun experience. The race itself, however, was much less thrilling. Karl Menzies proved to be our best rider by far, but unfortunately we left him alone for the finish against three Jelly Belly riders and there was little he could do. I made it to the last climb before completely exploding. Quite a contrast to the euphoria 12 months previous. Oh well. The plus side was that Health Net holds a big corporate retreat in Monterey based around the race, so we were treated to two nights of incredible dinners. Maybe the problem was that I ate too much lobster bisque the night before.

I'm back at home now, but not for long. The Tour of Georgia starts next Tuesday, and from there I'll be going straight to Europe for a month of hard racing. We'll be doing the Trophee Grimpeur, the Four Days of Dunkerque, and the Peace Race. It should be a great experience, but it'll be hard. I'm enjoying my last few days of training in Portland before heading out. It'll be a long time on the road.

That's it for now.