On the Road with Team Astana
Lance Armstrong Leading Astana - this was amazing to see pros so up close.
We were all keen to get out and ride in Adelaide after an enjoyable first day in Australia. Tonight we would be experiencing our first racing event as the pros were going to ride in the Down Under Classic, a 50km race to launch the overall TDU. The race was at 6pm so we took time during the day to get out and ride around Adelaide and take in the local scenery. Lucy, Andrew and Gordon met Kim and I at the Hilton and we set out on our first ride Sunday morning heading for the beach front area called Glenelg. Another sunny and clear day was perfect for our ride. I am not sure if it was the Tour Down Under or just plain old Adelaide but there were thousands of cyclists riding around on this Sunday morning. During the ride we saw many of the pro teams practicing for the big race that starts on Tuesday and getting warmed up for the short charity race for this evening. On the way out to Glenelg Gordon and I hoped on the back of the Garmin Slipstream (an American pro team) and pedaled like crazy to keep their training pace. It was very cool to ride with pro riders. Gordon was amazed at how close we were able to get to the pros (we were riding in their pack) and said that you could not do this at the other pro cycling tours. Gordon has been to many pro tours so this was great to hear that we were so fortunate.
Gordon riding with Garmin
After 20km or so we ended up at Glenelg and had some great coffees by the beach. After talking with some locals and getting the inside scoop, we decided to ride up the coast and get a few more kilometers in.
After our loop up the coast we decided to head back and get some rest before going to the charity classic race.
Waiting for Kim on the roadside I snapped a photo and heard sirens approaching us. I looked up and it was none other than Lance Armstrong (dressed in his black/yellow Livestrong outfit) and his team Astana following Kim and Lucy around the corner. I quickly fumbled to grab my camera to get a pic of the legend! It was amazing seeing him after all of the hype that had been generated when he decided to ride in the TDU. After snapping a couple of pics of Lance and his team I thought...hey screw the photos, let's ride with Lance! We quickly jumped on our bikes (forgetting Kim, Lucy and anything else) and took off after Lance and his peleton. There were approximately 60 enthusiast riders following Lance and team Astana ride through the streets of Adelaide. It was actually quite dangerous but most of us were taking photos and making movies of the experience of chasing Lance Armstrong while at the same time riding 37-40km/hour. It was pure adreniline.
Kim rounding the corner...followed by Lucy, and of course Lance Armstrong.
We ended up riding approximately 20km behind the Astana car before arriving at the Hilton Hotel where we and Lance were staying. It was amazing at the end that Astana team kept riding while Lance peeled off and met his greeter/security dude at the front of the Hilton. Fans quickly gathered around and snapped a quick photo of Lance and thanked him for the great ride.
This was totally awesome. Once again Gordon said to ride behind Team Astana with Lance there in the USA or Europe is something you would pay thousands of dollars for. It was really an amazing ride. After calming down a bit I asked Gordon 'hey where is Kim and everbody else?' In all the excitement we forgot we were riding with others!
Time to rest after the ride to get ready for the race this evening. We have VIP seating near the start/finish line and today the TDU teams will be on display for the fans to see.