We are back in Edmonton. Sleeping in our own bed and partially into our regular routine, with one addition, the Tour of Alberta. Our plan for viewing the race today takes precision timing. We figure we should catch the feed zone and then race across town and pick up the finish at CFB Edmonton near Namao.
We can only guess at where the feed zone is but we think it should be easy enough to find. If we follow the race route from slightly over 1/2 way we will find the signs that indicate the feed zone, then find it exactly, park and wait for the race to pass. We score big. We get on the highway heading to the route with plenty of time to spare and figure we are doing well when a caravan of race vehicles passes us going to…….the feed zone of course. We knew right away where they were headed so we just tucked in behind and voila! we are in place with over an hour to spare.
At the Feed Zone
The pack passes, compacto, the whir of the bikes is always something to marvel at. A few more riders grab musettes today and we are able to pick up a couple of bags and a couple of bottles. It is always interesting to see what sort of treats the riders throw away, leaving them for us to snack on if we desire. Today there was a couple of very small fruit pies, several power gels and bars and a homemade snack made with rice and blueberries constructed from a recipe book Debbie knows of comprising of cyclist specific food.
View from the road
After a short trip combing the ditch, we are back on the highway, cutting across the NE corner of the city and into Namao. This is a Canadian Forces Base and neither of us is familiar with where the finish is, where we are allowed to travel or where we can park. When we arrive there is a congregation of police vehicles and occupants trying to discern exactly the same thing we are. So I ask directions and get a general idea where the race route is. Not quite as easy as following a caravan. We park, not exactly sure where we are headed. One of the marshals heads us in the direction of the finish but sends us the long way. We eventually end up more or less where we want and stake out a spot on the fence ready to watch the finale. We are on the outside of a corner exactly at the exit point of the curve and the riders are riding flat out and close enough to touch. This is cool.
Circuit around Namao
Three laps and it is all over with a sprint between two riders for the finish line.
Circuit around Namao
Today the plan was executed flawlessly. Some days are like that. We’ll see how things go tomorrow following the Tour of Alberta.