Stage Start-Chambéry July 14th

Dan with L'Equipe with the Tour on the front page.

On the top of the Col de Glandon. We left from here on the way to Alpe d'Huez.

Hope you don't get car sick or this wasn't for you.

On the bus on our way up the Glandon. Wade looking a little sick.

Team Radio Shacks car with Brunyeel.

Ivan Basso who autographed my hat. , Aleksandr Kuschynski Byelorus national champ.

Today we started our day by witnessing a stage start at Chambery. We left our gorgeous hotel we called home for the past 3 days. Watching a stage start can be fun, and so I have given it it's own blog slot even though we climbed Alpe d'Huez the same day. That will be another blog.

First the caravan leaves about 1.5 hours in front of the tour. They throw trickets sort of like Mardi Gras. Free chocolate from Nestle, etc.

After getting a souveneir Tour de France cup and a hat we all got mixed up with the crowd and stood by the fence. Most of my newfound biking friend went and stood along the fence across from the Radio Shack bus. As you can imagine, Lancemania kept them from getting real close.

Me, I went to the Liquigas railing and was able to snag some great autographs including Ivan Basso, Loss, Chris Horner, Sandy Casar (the prior stage hero) and the Belorus national champion. I was the only one of our group to get any autographs. Couldn't get Lance, but thats the way it is.

Hope you enjoy the pics..

Tailwinds.....

Ty