Finally!

Blue skies!

I cannot tell you how much of a difference a sun-soaked course made for everyone. For the pros and certainly for MASH. Today’s stage, climbs up from Merced into the Sierra Foothills along historic Highway 49. Its a grueling stage of two dramatic climbs with a handful of smaller climbs in between. An elevation gain of almost 4,000 feet. Had it been raining today...well...I can’t even imagine it.

Then again, had it been raining and 15 degrees cooler, it would have been snowing.

For more of Matt’s photos from the Tour, check out flickr.