Bobke

I love watching the Tour de France coverage each July, mostly because I find Bob Roll so amusing.

Last year I had the opportunity to meet Eddy Merckx through a Z Team charity ride, and this year they brought out Bob Roll. I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to meet the legend.

The 45-mile ride set out from Woodland's Market in Kentfield. I was a bit nervous before the ride, as last year I was dropped about three minutes into the ride. I had a feeling that this year I would be dropped yet again (partly due to the sheer speed of the Z Team and partly due to over-indulging in some fabulous wine the evening before).

As we grouped together to start the ride I heard Bob Roll's voice and turned to face a man with an incredibly scruffy beard. Where was the voice coming from? It took me a moment to realize that Bob's voice was coming from the bearded man! Someone asked Bob if Al Trautwig would support the beard on-camera. He laughed and replied, "No."

I LOVE RIDING WITH A POLICE ESCORT. In a sport where I often fear that vehicles are going to run me off the road, it is such a different experience to ride with a police escort. To near an intersection and know that you can just roll through it, even if the light is red, because a police officer has closed it for you is so much fun. I wish I had an escort all the time! Ha!

This year Z Team took extra efforts to keep the pace a bit more conversational than last year. While I was riding along through Fairfax I found myself next to the legendary Bobke. What a nice man! We chatted for a few minutes about life and cycling. I knew Bob was from the Bay Area and we talked about cycling in the area. He also told me about his family home, built by his grandfather back in the 30's, and the fact that he was staying there this weekend.

I managed to stay with the peleton for about forty minutes this year before I got dropped. I knew it was coming. The group started riding faster and faster and faster. This year I was prepared and had researched where I could cut a few miles off the ride and still finish with a little dignity. I must admit that for once I was glad I was dropped, as I met a wonderful couple who own a bike shop in San Rafael. We rode in together and even managed to beat the peleton back in by a few minutes. I laughed when some of the Z Team members thought that we had rode in ahead of them! HA HA! Not.

FUN DAY. I met some great people and enjoyed the ride. I can't wait to see who the Z Team brings out next year.