Stage Four: San Jose to Modesto

The start of this stage was marred by the previous night's failed attempt to find food outside the hotel. Keith and I walked a bunch of blocks around that joint trying, and failing to find food. We settled for hotel bar quesadillas and beer. It was fine, but it was also really sad that there was nothing but empty lots, closed up stores, and a 7-11.

I rode this stage with the sweep crew which is very cool. The nuts and bolts of the job are simple: pick up all the crap that was put out by the advance crews. The complications: a constantly moving peloton who never stop, people that instantly want to move once the race goes by, local pd who don't know what you're doing, and slack-jawed gawkers.

We, however, got stuck at some point behind a tour ambulance that was off duty...but by the time we realized this it was too late. We were about 7 or 8 miles off the pack, and in the weeds. For the clean up crew, this is not good; it typically means your day is over, and you'll be behind for the rest of the stage.

Thankfully, not only is Racecar Steve an actual race car driver, but he also knew the roads inside and out. Though he was doubtful, and we were afraid that we would be stuck hours late, his ability to drive a pickup truck 80+ mph through winding valley roads. It was a double win, we caught up, and we also had a really great ride. Closed roads are really, really nice!

We pulled into the 1K area absolutely exhausted. Its hard to describe the toll that the jumping in and out of the truck, the sun blaring down, and the constant scanning of the roads takes, the crash after that adrenaline high hits hard.