So it had been a nice long summer and now fall is here with a bang!
Just got home last week from a two week spat in China with the US National U23 squad. The Tour of China would be my first time in Asia, and it wouldn't dissapoint. An amazing trip, touring about 2000km across china in two weeks. We flew in out of Beijing down to Xi'an, then made our way along the Yellow river, and northwards to Tianjin to finish off. The racing was varied, some nice city circuits, and highway "interstate" racing. One Mountain stage finishing up beautiful Mount Tai, and a couple of transfers to make life difficult.
All in all it was an amazing experience, that I'll try and write more details later, before I soon forget!
We were able to do some minimal touring. We spent a good four or five days in Xi'an, and was able to get over to see the tera cotta warriors. Our guide took us through all three pits, and got a good look at it, simply amazing! We'd check out a bit of Xi'an while there doing some shopping, keeping things on the cheap was nice and easy, and traffic was utter chaos. From there is was off to stage two finish in Huashan, then a quick drive over to Sanmenxia for stage three start. We'd finish in Luoyang, and spend the night there. I had the "privilege" of visiting the local hospital, after slicing open my left middle finger, requiring 4 stitches. About an hour and $15 CAD later, I was on my way back to the hotel to get rested for the next days start. We'd head off from Luoyang to Zhengahou for the longest stage of the race. A transfer day would follow, and we'd drive about 450km to Taishan. The stage in Taishan was probably the best one. A 20km circuit, four and a half laps, peeling off (the end of the half lap) to head up Mount Tai, a nice 10km climb averaging 6-7%, with the last 200m really kicking up (well over 10%, maybe as much as 15%). It was a beautiful climb, very scenic, with a nice road. We'd stay in Taishan another night before heading off for another 350km transfer to Shijiazhuang, for the penultimate stage. This was looking like an all out logistical nightmare of a stage, that would get changed into an easier two lap jaunt around the city, ending in a mass sprint. Quick trip back to the hotel, then another 300km transfer for the afternoon to Tianjin. The final stage would be a ten lap circut around the canal in middle Tianjin. Really nice modern city, lots of spectators, and lovely sunny weather to finish off the race. Good time. From there the racing was over, Monday we'd head back up to Beijing, giving us a bit of time to tour around there, before flying home on Tuesday.
The trip home was a bit tireing, not much sleeping happend, until the delay getting back in the air out of Chicago.
I'm now close to back on time, but not fully there yet. Cross season is now underway, and two weeks off the bike certainly took the snap out of the legs, but hoping to get them back soon enough!
