Sometimes you're the nail...

Only one word can describe tonight's pain train.

Ouch!

I missed last weeks first pullout (coaching the Dodgers that night), but I thought it would be much the same as last years weekly sell-your-first-born, kill-your-own-grandmother-to-get-ahead ride. I was wrong.

Within the first mlle it became clear that this year's pace is designed not just to drop those who can't keep up, but to kill them first, then spit them from the rear.

Last year it was always my goal (while riding with the A group) to stay with them through the neighborhoods and to the end of Ruffner Road.

This year it looks like the goal is going to be to arrive at the neighborhoods with the group. Never mind staying with them the whole way through.

Why was it so fast? I really have no idea. I'll say this though, it isn't very often that you look over next to you and see a rainbow jersey (a world champion) riding next to you. I guess this makes two WC's I've ridden with (Mario Cippollini at the Tour De Georgia in 04).

Tonight I was the nail. Give me a few weeks. I'll start swinging the hammer.