now I know what some of the older handicape horse races were like, as we race well above the logical altitude for athletic performance.  for 10 days we were above 7000 feet elevation, 3 days in a row well above 10,000 feet, several mountain passes around and over 12,000 feet, and several several KM’s suffering.
I did not even think I was going to make it to the 3rd day when Jermey Powers and I were totally blown off the back on the first road stage and we had to……really push it to make the time cut for more than 60km…..well we actually got some of the hardest motor pacing I have done in a long time to get back to the small groupetto well off the back.  I am already attempting to forget all about the knee suffering elevation gains, hypothermic conditions at times, insane speed at those elevations, french fries/white rice/and snikers bars to survive, and some of the most beautiful views I have seen during a bike race.
Thank God I survived that thing to be able to come home alive and ready for some Mexican food!

http://www.tdql.cn/english/index_en.asp

so just click on the link to this 10 day stage race.  then click on the race link on the web page to view the terrain of the stage race.  Just laugh because that is what I did.  oh ya the stage race is at wicked altitude also.

 Olympic motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius, which is Latin for “Swifter, Higher, Stronger”.

These simple 3 words have been etched in every aspiring athlete all over the world who wish to achieve seeing the colors of the Olympic rings for their very own eyes.
Most athletes only dream and wish for this too happen….”wouldn’t it be so awesome if I or we made it there!”……”he wins the Olympic Gold in unpresidented fasion….at Olympic record pace…..this is the first time an American has ever won an Olympic Gold in Cycling!”  so on and so on. 
I have worked and worked to come close but not actual make the games. 
Although never did I imagen that I would be able to go the Olympic games.  Well in 2008 I am getting to go to the Olympic games.  I will not be there in the flesh, but I will be there in the heart of my best friend.  Mike Friedman.  Mike Friedman has made the coaches selection to achieve his life long dream of actually compete in the 2008 Olympic games.
I am so excited for Mike and all of the other athletes that will be participating at the 2008 Olympic games.
Although this is a bitter sweet victory for myself as I was so close but yet so far from making the Games.