A pretty good finish to the classic, even if it was a little short, it was pretty epic. How about if the front group would have eased up for just a bit and Taylor Phinney’s move would have allowed him to make contact? That would have been perfect. It was pretty good as it was. The full results. Here’s the last 3 kms.

It is very hard for me to believe that the month of March is 2/3’s the way over. Spring officially starts in just 2 days. I’m glad it is because it means that I’m just that much further down the road on recovery from this stupid shoulder surgery. But, I am surprised because that time has definitely changed speed during this slow mending process. Sometimes the day seems forever, but then a week disappears in the blink of an eye.

I don’t usually have much trouble entertaining myself. But feeling down and out for so long, plus a lack of use of my right arm makes productively almost nil. That doesn’t sit that well with me. I got good news from Stacie, my ortho doctor now, that I don’t have to wear the arm sling after 4 weeks. So I took it off Saturday night and haven’t worn it since. But, I am still not supposed to fire any shoulder muscles, so my arm just hangs pretty much.

I have been very successful catching cats, the one project I sort of wish I failed at. Yesterday I got another kitten-ish cat. And it’s not feral. But it was starving, sickly so. This one is going to be a problem. It is so tame and so appreciative for food. And it loves to be petted. This isn’t a catch and release type cat, it’s a cat that needs a home. I’ve pretty much tapped out my friends on adopting kittens locally, so I’m not sure where this little guy is going to end up. Anyone out there looking for a kitten, bigger than kitten, type cat, this one is a keeper. Just email me.

There has been plenty of sports spectating to do this past couple weeks with the early stage races of Paris-Nice and Tirrento, along with Milan-San Remo yesterday. That isn’t even counting the NCAA basketball games that ended the regular season, now the tournament. Other than the Tour, the NCAA basketball tournament is my favorite sports viewing of the year. KU has a pretty good team this year, got a #1 seed in the tournament, but you never know what is going to happen, just because it is college basketball.

If you want to watch some racing this week, the Volta a Catalunya is on. Live coverage now here. This is where that the 3 Garmin guys, Danielson, Vande Velde and Zabriskie are making their return to the peloton after sitting out the winter because of their suspensions. Wiggins is racing here too.

Spring here in Northeastern Kansas means that the field burning is going to get into full swing soon. I hate this time of the year here. I don’t quite understand why I react to the smoke so much more than I used to, but it makes me feel terrible. I try to just leave the state at this time. To me, it seems like something that is of the past. It is only for cattle grazing and to me, it seems like people’s health is more important than fattening up cattle a bit. The EPA has been addressing it slowly, but it’s way too slow for me. And their “cure” has been to just spread the time frame out another month, which means I have to train in smoke thru May. It is unreal.

My team mates went down to Arkansas for a little warmer training, plus the Hell’s Kitchen Road Race last weekend. Brian Jensen won the race and Bill finished 4th. Brian is undefeated this season with 3 wins under his belt. I wonder how long this streak will last?

I have physical therapy in a hour. I think I get to start passive, full range of motion today. My shoulder feels pretty loose, so I don’t think it is going to be a problem. I’ve been riding inside everyday now. I actually don’t feel half bad on an ergometer. I’m sure I’m going to be very depressed when I finally get the okay to ride outside. Okay, that’s it from here.

This guy is adorable and needs a new home.

The cat seems nearly fearless.

This article was in the paper a couple days ago telling me just what I already know. Click to enlarge.

This is what is to come very soon.