so we did the coastal route this morning, 130 miles straight down highway 1 to San Luis Obispo. lots of twists, turns, bumps and hills, great views and cold rain. we rode directly into a stormcloud right as the early attacking was thick and furious, making the flow of breaks coming and going even a bit more hazardous then normal. a group of four got away, and when three more bridged the day was set. the rain lasted about an hour, and then the sun peaked through and it was back to nice weather to warm up the soggy peleton. i just sat back and enjoyed the ride down the coast, spun the legs for 5 hours and actually felt better when we were done then when we started. when we got down to the coastal plain in San Simeon (where Hearst Castle is located) the Liquigas and Rabobank teams took over the pacesetting and i didn't leave the 11t cog for an hour straight. on the final run in to town, a twisting and undulating course that is a blast to ride hard, i was on a great wheel and ready to contest the finish when i flatted within the last Kilometer. knowing that there was a sketchy corner with 200 meters to go i backed it way off and just cruised in, trying to keep it as safe as possible.