Have you ever wondered what it would be like to ride with Lance Armstrong?
The seven time TDF champ is currently on the Spanish island of Tenerife, surfing with team Astana as part of their winter training camp.
But just a few short weeks ago Armstrong was still riding and training in the Texas Hill Country.
Ted Arnold of Pez Cycling News had a chance to ride shotgun next to Armstrong for a 5 hour training ride.
Here's part of the report Arnold filed for Pez Cycling:
"Wednesday, 19 November
• 6:45 AM - Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop in Downtown Austin is the
designated meeting spot and is where I find Dave Bolch, LA's right hand
man in Austin. Dave's friendly demeanor is the stuff of legend, and
quite simply put there isn't much he can't do. From making his own
espresso this morning, to taking care of Lances' bike needs, Dave is
the do-it-all-and-then-some type of guy.
• 7:17 - After a caffeine boost and some breakfast we make our way to
Lance's place to start the ride. Dave's stint with LA goes back to the
early USPS Team days where he was a soigneur. We hit the gated drive
and pull up to the guest-house garage, where the bikes and toys (like
an all Black Chip Foose Pontiac GTO*) reside.
• 7:32-7:50 - Dave readies the follow vehicle for a long day. In the
back a few sets of Bontrager training wheelsets with 25mm tires and
traditional spokes, along with food, bottles, and all of the clothing
needed for a day in the saddle. A few minutes later Lance makes his way
down from the main house dressed in LIVESTRONG cycling clothes and ready for the day.
• 8:00 - Occasional training partner and long time friend John
"College" Korioth arrives and the jawing begins. It will be a theme
throughout the day, but it starts over a wheelset. It seems a certain
someone doesn't approve of John's choice of lighter wheels and tires so
the boss goes to the garage to make sure John has a set he can use just
like the set on the boss's bike.
• 8:05 - Realizing that we're missing a few goodies Lance needed, it's
back to the shop while Lance and John make their way southwest from
central Austin. By 8:30 we're on their tail and Dave's long slog at 20
mph in the driver's seat begins.
• 8:33 - It's rush hour as Dave tells me how Austin's sprawl has
'removed' some of Lance's favorite old routes from the list. Soon we
have our first follower for the day who doesn't realize she should pass
us in the three open lanes to our left. Oblivious to what goes on
behind, Lance turns over the pedals in perfect, round circles while
Korioth, a Masters National Champion mashes a bit more.
• 8:42 - As we make our way out of town Armstrong's Oakley shades fly
off his helmet and a certain eagle-eyed PEZ-man eyes them tumble into
the brush along the road. At a stoplight later, I hand them back while
I discuss with Dave just what the Barney Fife's of the world think of
some guy in lyrca on a bike holding up traffic on their small country
roads. Dave says they usually figure it out quickly, all is okay and go
on their way. If traffic starts to stack up behind the car Dave will
pull ahead so they can pass, waiting ahead so everyone in Mayberry
stays happy.
• 8:55 - As we pass a cyclist going the other way the subject comes up
of the average rider getting passed and trying to jump on Lance's
wheel. Sometimes it will happen but pretty soon they go way over their
limit and that's when things can get dodgy. Before we finish our talk
Korioth punctures and it's time for a nature/Blackberry break. Lance
peruses his mail for what will be the first of several sessions during
the ride. Dave laughs that in the 5 minutes after the Blackberry goes
back in the car the thing goes crazy while people respond to what Lance
just sent out."
You can read the rest HERE.