Well, pink actually, but the Giro is his hood. A Canadian, Ryder Hesjedal, leads the GC on the Giro d’Italia!

General Classification after Stage 9
1 HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN-BARRACUDA) 36:02:40
2 RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA) + 0:09
3 TIRALONGO, Paolo (ASTANA) + 0:15
4 KREUZIGER, Roman (ASTANA) + 0:35
5 INTXAUSTI ELORRIAGA, Benat (MOVISTAR)
6 BASSO, Ivan (LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE) + 0:40
7 CARUSO, Damiano (LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE) + 0:45
8 CATALDO, Dario (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP) + 0:46
9 SCHLECK, Frank (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN) + 0:48
10 CAPECCHI, Eros (LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE) + 0:52

Heading into season eight and the rides are still going strong! 14 riders today, great weather, lots of positive chatter, strong pulling made the serious headwind a much lessor force than nature would have it to be, the Cat Sass served up a tasty breakfast (or hefty lunch in Chris’s case – was it imminent prenatal anxiety or real hunger? – in any case he inhaled one humungous burger and fries). The ride started with media interviews and a photo shoot with a Steinbach Online reporter. A gorgeous red fox running in the ditch beside the peloton, a flat for Duester, and a hot new Wilier ridden by Shorty (who knew the Springhill Hutterite Colony was blowing out new high end road bikes purchased at a fire sale? Evidently he did!). This prompted a discussion on whether the venerable brand is Italian or Basque? A search of the inter-web suggests its an Italian brand, founded in 1906, and the name is an acronym of “W l’Italia liberata e redenta”, which translates “long live Italy, liberated and redeemed”. Too cool, now I want a Wilier (in spite of the fact that the MIT standard for Italian stallions is COLNAGO…although we have allowed the odd Bianchi in the pack as long as they keep a respectable distance). On the way home a robust round of happy birthday for MARK, topped off the day. Best wishes to Chris and family – it could be a laborious weekend!

Hey all!

I know I’ve been AWOL at any rides lately…yes, I have been forgoing the riding for the sake of running as of late but that will change soon enough, I promise.  Of course, I am a bit concerned you’re all going to ride me into the ground on the first few, but stubborness has got to count for something to help keep me hooked onto the pack!

Anyway – wanted to share this video link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuBdf9jYj7o  with a bit of history as to how Holland developed its path system.  I so wish some sort of similar political will could be found here someday…

See you all soon – Val