Today I east to Indio, which is just outside Palm Springs for a big money crit.  30k on the line and lots of racers who weren’t there to fu*k around.  The race was fast 44km/h which might not seem super fast, but there were 8 corners on the mile course with the final one being about 130 degrees.  Toyota United, Health Net and Kodak all were there to throw down, and throw down they did.  As for me, well I didn’t really see much of the race as I tried to shelter myself from sketchy riders, wind and the pain that one inflicts during a crit of this nature.  Oh yeah, it was hot too.  Like high 80’s and my Santa Monica groomed self hasn’t seen the thermostat hit 75 in a month.

I did get to see the highly elusive Ryan Roth and his counter part Mark Hinnen.   Both are looking on good form.

Tomorrow I’m going to do it all again, 100km crit in L.A.  Andrew tells me these events are good for leg speed, you know what…he just might be right.

Data for the race…for those who care.

Time 1:36 Power 306w avg. 168hr avg.

44km/h 77km covered

sweet.  I’m spent and tired from racing and driving 500km today.  Looking forward to a nice mellow 30km drive to the race tomorrow.

On the way to Palm Springs you pass through a valley of wind turbines.  There must have been well over 500, maybe more.  Very cool and very progressive.