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 the Strada del Vino, a picturesque cypress-lined street famous for its numerous vineyards.  Many of the Super Tuscans  The ride was precisely as the itinerary described:  "relaxing".

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A group of racing cyclists whizzed by us.  Fabio 1 charged ahead to join them.  I <em>attempted</em> to join them as my tour group cheered me on from behind, but no way, no how.  The racers were probably clocking 35 mph, maybe more.

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I slowed down to my original pace and soaked in the perfection of this morning.

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Well...it was ALMOST perfection.  90 degrees is a bit warm, even in a tree-shaded street.  Feeling thirsty, I reached for my water bottle and...

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Crash!

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Boom!

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Splat!

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I can't remember exactly, but I'm pretty sure that I

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strada photo

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matthew mc pic and marco pic

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"It's the American way."