Cascade Happenings

Hello,
I'm here in Bend, OR for another fine edition of the Cascade Cycling Classic. If you want to read about what's going on in the race with me this week, I will be updating a blog on Wartburg College's athletic website (my alma mater): www.go-knights.net where there will be a link, or you can just go to straight to the blog they created: www.ontheroadwithtomzirbel.blogspot.com I promised I'd do a good job of updating so the pressure's on!

Fitchburg

Fitchburg has been a unique experience so far. After a 14 hr travel day due to delays and layovers, we got to our hotel 14 hours before race time. Not that I'm complaining, the J-M bros got in roughly 20 min. before the start and Vennell never even made it to the start due to cancelled flights. So after that rough start, we were greeted w misty rain and fog all day during the TT. At one point during my race, it was so foggy that I had to take off my sunglasses just to avoid the potholes and finish the course in one piece. A few hours after the race, the race organized a podium presentation at the Senior Center in Fitchburg. We ate spaghetti and homemade meatballs while listening to an accordian player. I found it very entertaining and unique. There were kids there as well, so we signed a few autographs and then they held a raffle for a couple jerseys and a bike! The little boy who won the bike was so shy that he hardly smiled while receiving his prize. But he did manage to mumble into the microphone that he'd be beating me in a few years on his new bike! It was a fun experience. The community seems excited to have us here (it IS the 50th edition of the race!) so I'm hoping the weather cooperates and caters to the viewers and fans.