An Exhilarating Day

On the wet roads outside of Steveston
photo Cycling Art

This morning's ride to Steveston was questionable due to the forecast of rain. I need to bank some long rides as insurance for the upcoming 100km Pacific Populaire. But, the thought of boycotting a soggy ride quickly changed after watching the heroic ride of this early season. Nairo Quintana dynamited the ice cold 4-climb stage to Terminillo by winning the stage and taking the overall lead at Tirreno-Adriatico. There are two stages remaining and Quintana has a chance to become the first Colombian ever to win the Tirreno-Adriatico in it's 50 years. Even El Pistolero didn't have the legs to fire on this epic day.

Ice-man: On the snowy slopes of the Terminillo.

I needed some motivation to get out in the soggy, grey weather. And, Quintana's legendary ice ride did it. It was so dark, this morning, that I rode with my lights. Thankfully so. In the middle of my 55km ride, I got used to the rain, road silt, cold and wet feet and warmly embraced it. Afterwards, having a bowl of hot homemade, wonton soup by Carolle was the perfect reward for my rain-soaked ride.




"In Colombia, I live at an altitude of nearly 3000 metres. Some mornings it is very cold, four or five degrees, and it can go down to zero. At altitude, it's a different cold, but then, racing in Europe, we get used to even more extreme conditions. When you are a leader, you have to have a strong head and legs, whatever the weather."

- Nairo Quintana

Time for a shot or two...
via Bettini





Epic, this video says it all...