The logistics for the event are daunting. Destination Cycling definitely has it down. We start with breakfast in Strasbourg hotel from 6:45AM onwards. I was eating at 7AM. Then we are to be checked out, with our bags out at 8:45AM. Then Van No 1 takes all the suitcases and heads over to the next town. Van No 2 has all the bikes loaded already. The group gets into Van No 2 and Van No 3 and heads to be start of Stage 2.

We get setup and get going fairly quickly. Then we ride. Van No 2 is in front scouting the route. Today we have the benefit of the Tour de France signs. They are marking the route. It is like going to an organized ride will all the arrows posted, so it is very easy to follow. So Van No 2 has an easy time stopping every once in a while to see it get by.

Van No 3 is the support van and has all the food and drinks. We load with goodies on our jersey pockets before heading out. It is a couple of Blocks for me and a couple of Cliff Bars. My bike is already loaded with the clear bottle (mint green stuff) and the blue bottle (water). Then we head out.

As the ride progresses, we go through water bottles like crazy. No nursing of bottles here. You drink, shower yourself with water if you want (it was 91 degrees today). When you need more you lift your bottle and the support riders get more of what you need.

There is one nature break before lunch, an hour into it. Not even 5 minutes.

We get on the bikes and continue riding. When we get to the feedzone for the Tour, we stop and get sandwiches (ham and cheese or chicken and mayo I think), coke, M&Ms, fruit. Not much time to each, just 10-15 minutes. So I put one sandwich down and get another one in my jersey pocket. I load on more blocks and Cliff Bars also.





Then we get to the finish of the Stage. Van No 2 is already there ready to load the bikes. Van No 3 is there also now and has recovery drinks - white bottle, coke and more sandwiches. You change quickly and in 15 minutes we load to go to the hotel.

Once we get to the Hotel, Van No 3 is already there has checked us in, put our luggage in our rooms and we are told the massage schedule. I need to be ready in 10 minutes, so I get to my room quick shower and on to massage. There are two soigneurs so the schedule is tight. Dinner is at 8:30PM and it is already 6:30PM. Some guys are on massage after dinner.



The days are long for everyone, including the support staff. Us riders are done, but the support is staff is nowhere done yet. The bikes have to be checked, the water bottles washed and vans washed. Then in the morning, or evening, I am not sure, they have to get the food ready again for the next day.

And tomorrow we start all over again. Kudos to the organizers. These guys treat us like pros.