Please Stay Beautiful Lake Tahoe

It's officially the day before the start of the 2011 Tour of California, and Team RadioShack is 100% ready mentally and physically. We enter the race as heavy favorites and are excited to carry that "burden" on our shoulders. Undoubtedly we have assembled a strong team with the ambition of getting Levi his 4th title. He has prepared, and now we simply need to deliver him to his time, and there is little doubt in my mind he will deliver.

Emerald Bay and the Lake Tahoe backdrop.

The boys playing in the snow.

I arrived to Tahoe on Thursday and have enjoyed two days of easy riding to shake the legs out and ensure freshness for the start tomorrow. It is going to be a hard week of racing with a few Tour de France quality stages and a strong field of riders assembled. I did a little exploring around the hotel area yesterday. It is beautiful here in many different facets from the surroundings to restaurants to shops. It is a definite tourist haven for the sport enthusiast, although the general tourist looking for a nice, tranquil, mountain getaway will find peace here, too. Heck, even the water skier and beach goer would love it here in summer because Lake Tahoe has beautiful beaches and refreshing water in the summer! Wow, I sound like a tourism board commercial. Seriously though, it is very nice here. I guess this is a big perk of my job. Many times I don't get the opportunity to really see a place, but sometimes I get a little time to have a slightly more intimate look, and I am glad I had the chance here.

The amazing custom Team RadioShack ToC paint job.

With the start approaching tomorrow, I am sad to report that the weather is looking more like winter than mid spring with snow showers and temps in the low 30's forecasted. I am asking Lake Tahoe to stay beautiful, but whatever is thrown at me/us, we will embrace it. It could be a very interesting start to the race! It really is special for me to be taking part in the biggest US race and arguably the most important race for Team RadioShack. I am super excited for the family and friends coming to be a part of this special race with me. Many friends and family will be arriving/viewing various portions of the race, and it is just a reminder for me of the awesome support I have. For that I am truly thankful and really lucky. Unfortunately I have to report that their travels are all a waste because I decided to take up a new sport on my way in from training today...





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Meet my new friend Gizmo!





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I will now pursue professional mini-horse/pony jockeying!