Hi everyone...

Up at 4:30 am then a short ride to Caficultura coffee shop, a new chic cafe in downtown Old San Juan, then headed out in our San Juan Cycling club jerseys.

We toured many areas of San Juan in a 45 person group followed by a team car and and emergency vehicle. We got to go through the red lights with the siren going from the emergency vehicle helping to hold traffic, and our fearless (really fearless) event leader William simply stopped all traffic- city buses and all- with a raise of his hand and had us deftly weaving through rush hour traffic.

Hawaii has nothing on this island. Puerto Rico is the best of Kauai and Puerta Vallarta smashed together with old world castles and artillary bases dating back to the early 1500's. And how can you beat 85 degree sunny days in February?

We stopped for drinks at a local small elementary school, rode past the University of PR, and dragged our bikes through a fruit market ( plaza de mercado) for a lovely fruit smoothie. Along the way were shouts and cheers from pedestrians either thrilled or irked to see a giant peloton riding through the streets.

After 35 miles we returned to Old San Juan for a press conference at the PR Tourism Bureau. We also learned that The Travel Channel will fly overhead in a helicopter during the 3 day ride filming for a segment on endurance ridng to air in May.

Lots of fun- now off to a pasta feed and debriefing. We feel ready to tackle the 150 mile ride tomorrow!

Hope you are all well :)

pics are being difficult so will try to upload in a bit