Remember when I cryptically mentioned that I was still here but <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/09/29/yes-im-still-here/" target="_blank">SOMETHING happened in Italia</a></strong> that prevented me from updating the blog in my usual, almost every day fashion?  I promised a legit excuse.

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On the morning of Day 356, I hit my stride.  It was my 4th day on the bike, and my cycling immersion training in Tuscany was paying off.  Instead of being the weakest link at the back of the pack, I leading at the front!  I am not sure if my tour group was humoring me, or if I was genuinely racing like the wind, but whatever the case, I felt AMAZING!  Lance Armstrong, kiss my bike shorts!

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We were cycling along

strada photo

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matthew mc pic and marco pic

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"It's the American way."