So here I am in my room thinking about that to write for this weeks diary ... and nothing comes to mind. There hasn't been much of any excitement in the last week; in fact, you can label it as the most boring week I have had in Belgium so far. So this leaves me with a problem, what to write about?

    All right, let me just spew off a topic and let's see where my spastic mind brings this weeks rant ... So what makes a cyclist tick? Personally for me it is a deep desire to free myself from the things around me. In a race, even with upwards of 200 riders, I find myself the most free. I am allowed to turn off the logical thinking part of my brain and let the instinct based animal part run free. I don't have to worry about things, deadlines, money, loved ones, work, or even life itself. It all becomes mute when you're barely able to recall your last thought as you are driven to the extremes of pain while pedaling just to stay on the wheel in front of you.

    I guess that is what drives me ... for Lance, it's a Subaru. Lately the drive hasn't been running at full steam. I lay the blame on myself for not preparing as well as one should have during the winter time. I'll use the cliché of, "One who is ill-prepared is preparing for failure." I wasn't ill-prepared for racing bicycles, just not up to the European level. Racing here is relentless. Last year I came here full prepared and ready, but this year I wasn't and I am paying for it with consistently inconsistent results. There is little motivation to step into the arena of battle (which every race here can easily be compared to this) when you are going to receive a beating.

    So what do you do? Two choices: (1) Quit or (2) Bide your time and prepare for the next battle and eventually to wage the war. I choose number two. I have the advantage of time on my side, but not enough to make another major misstep. I am not in a lull if some of you are worried about that. I am just in a position where reorganization of my plans is in order. Preparation is the key to any good season and I am going to finish out this one preparing for the next.

    I guess I found something to talk about ... thanks for reading and till next week keep the rubber side down.

    Tot ziens,

    -Gregg Germer-