MORE STAGE 5
As we hammered towards Brasstown Bald we managed to catch the race again as it came through Cleveland. If they had been routed the way we were bypassing the route from the house they would have been riding on one of the most scenic roads in the area. If they could have gotten some local riders involved in course selection the route would have been the same distance, gone to the same towns but been off of the main state highways. This would have been more enjoyable for the riders and kept local traffic flowing much better. This was a minor issue though as the rolling road closures worked pretty well.
As soon as the peloton rolled through town and the road reopened we drove on to the base of Brasstown and found decent parking. The race organizers had shuttles moving spectators from the parking areas to the mountain but we chose to walk. We walked about two-thirds up the final climb and found a nice steep grade that was not overrun with other spectators to watch the riders suffer up towards the finish. The first group up was being driven by U.S. Postal with Lance riding comfortably. We noticed Cesar sitting on and looking comfortable with the big boys. He started his break just a few hundred meters above where we were camped out.
WE CATCH LANCE AND THE PELOTON IN CLEVELAND
WE START UP THE HILL TO FIND A GOOD VIEWING SPOT
THE OFFICIAL CARS START COMING BY
HERE COMES THE LEAD GROUP
OF COURSE POSTAL IS DRIVING THE GROUP FOR LANCE
A FEW RIDERS ARE FALLING OFF THE BACK AS THE GRADE A PACE INCREASES
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