Nature Valley all done!
Hey, so quick rundown on the rest of the stage in Natre Valley!!
Stage 3 Thur; about 95km. 1 big loop, then 4 smaller finishing loops. Ok so today was pretty sweet, once we got going I started to feel better. Everything was going pretty smooth till we hit the gravel road that took us to the finishing circuits. I knew I had to be near the front coming up to the right turn, but what I didnt realise it was onto a tiny almost like a driveway road, even the leading motorbike missed it, and it was slight chaos in the peleton. Most of the people that were near the front ended up half way back and had to unclip etc.. I was on the wrong side of the road moving up, and had to do a complete U turn and was basically dead last wheel going into the gravel… by the time we hit the finishing circuit a couple of us were way off the bunch… anyway it was a pretty frustrating day…. finished with a small group!!
Stage 4 Fri: crit. 1 hour. dead flat. Man these girls can ride!! Again starting almost last wheel I didnt exacly give myself the best opportunity…. It was strung out from the start to the finish!! Thankfully I stayed upright and finished safely in the bunch! The highlight of the evening was the time we spent at the Jazz Apple tent, promoting and giving away apples!! I really enjoyed that! We actually got to meet the Kiwi growers that were in the US for a bit!! They were buzzing we were there and likewise for us too!! They were cool!!
Stage 5 Sat: 145km. Pretty flat. 1 long loop with 4 finishing circuits (1 massive hill about 700m long steeeep) Quite a few attacks and about 100km later, finally a break got away with our own Dotsie!! It stuck right to the end with Jazz finishing 2nd!! Not a bad day in the office!!! The team worked well today and backed each other up all the way!! So it was awesome to podium! The other major highlight was hearing that Mike placed 3rd in the stage and was now in the young rider leader jersey!! yaaaaayyyy!! 
Stage 6 Sunday! 13 laps of a really cruel way to finish a 5day stage race circuit!! That’s just evil!! Start off stright up the hill, basiclaly the only bit of flat was about 200m around the start finish area the rest was either vertical uphill….almost vertical uphill mixed in with slight uphill with a touch of downhill… so perfect for me really!! hahahha not…. nah seriously it was pretty cruel but I actually really enjoyed it… the crowds were insane!!! The hill was packed with spectators and it was just like in the TDF where they clear the road just enough for you to squeeze by!! it was awesome!! After our race it was the men!! I was so nervous for Mike, pressure was on to retain the jersey!! oh he did so well, ended up 3rd overall on the young rider category with his team mate taking the honours!! So it finished off the tour on a high… well for me ayway.
So right now Im in Portland Oregon, (where Mike’s team is based) and finally I get to spend more then 4 days in one spot and I am stoked!! 2weeks all up actually! The first thing I notice is the change in weather!! One day its got and humid and the next its wet and cold 
kinda reminds me of Belgium last year!!
kinda reminds me of Belgium last year!! Ok thats all for now folks, back soon!!
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01:45:24
