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The Rory Sutherland Tour of California diary
San Francisco may be a long way away from the streets of Canberra, Australia, where Rory Sutherland spent his childhood, but the 24 year-old feels right at home there with his HealthNet presented by Maxxis squad. The 2004 Australian Under 23 National Champion will keep Cyclingnews readers up to date every day on his and the team's progress in the Tour of California.
All the conveniences
Stage 5: Solvang Time Trial - 23 kms
Well, sometimes it goes and sometimes it doesn't. Today was the latter. Again, I won't sit here telling a sob story and finding excuses to help my justification of my 'not so fantastic day.' A big head wind, a few pre-race nerves, and I didn't have the legs to back it up. For me personally it was a shame, from sitting third on GC this morning, and now down to 13th is definitely disappointing. However, if I was told before the tour that I'd be in 13th place, I'd be pretty happy. That all being said, I think it's only human nature to want to do better than what you are.
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Ok, so that's all done, on to the bigger and better things! Of course I'm in America, the country of 'big' and 'Drive through.' So for those of you unlucky enough not to have seen or experienced some of these monstrosities, I'll run few a few of my favorites.
- drive-thru Starbucks
- drive-thru banks (what the!!!!)
- drive-thru pharmacies
- drive-thru weddings
- drive-thru liquor/bottle/grog store!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This last one I think is just asking for trouble. Think of the possibilities. On your way home from work, you can go and get some coffee, money, prescriptions, then get married, and if that's not enough…. Some alcohol to sip on during the rest of the trip! I will admit that I do have my lazy moments (NO) and some of these 'conveniences' are in fact becoming more of a necessity.
Off to the second last stage on the 'morrow. I'm kind of looking forward to getting to Santa Barbara for the start as I've heard a lot about it all from Timbo 'roomie extraordinaire' Johnson.
We'll see how the plans go, and try again to get one of us Health Net Presented by Maxxis in the break. Who knows!
Rory
