Thursday, July 17, 2014

Thankful for the Grass

Yes, I had my sixth (and a half) crash of the Tour today. The half is for the mechanical I had on the climb the other day. A foot out and on the ground because of the other's crash is considered a half crash. I really have no clue what even happened today. It was over and I was rolling on the ground (in the grass thankfully!) before I knew it. I picked myself up fairly quickly and remounted, but I knew I wouldn't see the peloton again and just kind of took my time. I found some other dropped riders and crash victims and we made a little grupetto to get to the finish. It actually became a little bit of a panic situation because we were thinking somehow we might be close to the time cut. I couldn't believe it really, but thankfully my veteran teammate Jens knows these things and had the wherewithal to ask our director in the radio. In the end we were all good, so I'm still in the race! Tomorrow we will visit the big mountains (in the Alps) for the first time. I'm hoping to be up to the challenge. And I'm excited to experience the real Tour atmosphere in the mountains. Ciao for now.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Best of luck in the mountain stages!

-Former Johnnie CC runner ('08)

Anonymous said...

Julie Wilson here--Craig and I have enjoyed following your race. We're on the road ourselves right now, so catching less of it. Glad you are still in the race and having such a great experience.

Unknown said...

Matthew, I'm following from Eau Claire, WI. We raced against each other as Cat 3's way back in 2005. Superweek, Tour of Holy Hill. You won from our breakaway group, I finished 2nd. I had no idea you'd turned pro until last year, & that was only because I saw a photo of you at Tour of CA in Velonews and thought you looked familiar and I wracked my brain until I was able to place your face... So I just wanted to say it's been awesome following your experience at the tour. Keep up the good work and especially the positive attitude! The storie's are great and I tell everyone who'll listen that there's a dude from WI racing in the tour this year!

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear all went well yesterday, and good luck in the Alps.

Peter Diotte said...

Matthew
Glad you are still in it. Mary and I in Wauwatosa are watching daily and flying the French flag. Best wishes. Peter

Unknown said...

Matt,

Your old coach is impressed. You were always such a gutty competitor and so I'm not at all surprised by your success. Cherish every moment of the experience, it's very well deserved.

Anonymous said...

Needed to chime in here with some cross country love.
Go Booooooo-Shay
- U of M (MN) cc runner 1988

Kelly said...

Sending lots of support from this runner in Oregon. I seem to 'run' across these diehard but friendly Luther alumni from time to time here and heard about you. Followed you in TOC last year and this year. Enjoying doing the same in the TDF. Great riding. Onward to Paris!

Anonymous said...

Hi Matthew, good luck!! Tosa luvs ya bro!! Very proud of you, young man!! You've come a long way..........