I am riding at 6am. I know I am taking big breaks and Pete will
be way, way, ahead, but for me the race is about finishing. I know I do
not have the ability to win this race unless better riders fail so I
pace myself in the hope that the numbness will sort itself out and I can
then ride longer days. There is a big climb out of Helena and I make a
few wrong turns. My knee shows no improvement and I take 800-1000mg of
Ibrobrufen in the morning and the same in the afternoon. I have to walk
a lot and I'm fearful of putting too much pressure on the pedals when
riding. I am just about keeping to my average of 120 miles a day. I stop
and bathe my knee in an icy cold stream hoping it may help. I am
struggling with problems I'm unfamiliar with and battling to keep
positive. I get to Butte early evening after fighting a 20-25 mph
headwind all day.
In Butte I drop into the Outdoorsman bike shop. I feel a little
down but I'm greeted by several staff who provide me with an instant
pick up. They know of the race and they have been following progress on
the web site, they want to help all they can. The owner is Rob
Leipheimer brother of road racer Levi Leipheimer, the walls of the shop
are adorned with race photos, I feel a little humbled. I tell my story
and ask if they can recommend a place to stay. What I hadn't realised is
that the massive shop is the whole ground floor of a hotel above, the
hotel is owned by Robs father. I am checked into a room at the best
possible rate and Rob has arranged for his mother in law who does sports
massage to come over and see if she can help. While all this is being
arranged Scott arrives and he's in no better shape than me. I constantly
worry about my numbness, hands, feet and gentlemen's department. This is
all new to me, I don't know what to do, I have invested so much effort
in this race, physically I can ride on but what long term damage might I
be doing.
