Stage 5 was shaping up as a feast for the senses, this morning, and Versus broadcast timed out, again. 7km to go and no more Tour. Category 3 and 4 climbs are not 'hard', per se. You could climb them on a Schwinn StingRay. It all depends on how they're ridden, doesn't it. Today they were ridden throttle wide open, and the peleton got splayed out in the final 25k. Sprinters can often climb those hills faster than anyone in the World, and that was evidenced by the finish. Freire and Zabel right in the mix. Pozzato must have felt right at home with a descent to the finish, Milan-San Remo style. I thought that we might see Chris Horner go on the offensive at the end. He did finish well, in 14th. No doubt that he will contend for a stage win late in the Tour after the GC is sorted out.

Here's a little blurb that was brought to my attention, yesterday. Sometimes you read the news and it strikes you in a different way how time is passing us by.

I tip my hat to Jay Henry. I had no idea that record was being looked after. My old Bontrager bike did weigh a few titanium bolts shy of 28 lbs back then, though. And the fork bobbed like a dime store pogo stick. I think DeFeet Custom Shop pro Chris Sheehan gave me some Milk Duds or Rollos while we drove to the race. I got in a fight on the way with my then girlfriend, now lovely wife, who had to be let off at the Outlet stores in Dillon to properly boycott viewing the race. All fuel to arrive at the start three minutes before the gun, put your front wheel on and set a 13 year mark. Try it, sometime. Now, I need a handkerchief. The DeFeet socks on my pinner ankles 13 years ago were made by a DeFeet that was only 2 years old - and I still have them around, somewhere! Near perfect condition, too.

No one played bongos for us, 13 years ago.

The one that laid it to rest. Jay Henry.