Please help our troops bring home their best buddies from Iraq and Afghanistan. The bond between a soldier and a stray, starving animal that they have adopted is often what gets them thru the horrors they experience. Everyone can spare $10 - please give something today. http://tinyurl.com/yk5vcd2 Read the heartwarming story of one dog who came home: Saving Cinnamon http://tinyurl.com/y9wkboj

Don't seem to have much to say about the cycling world this year. However, I did do a little bit of Twitter www.twitter.com/velogal. Not very regularly, I must admit. Part of me thinks, "Is there really anything new to say about cycling?" Yeah, I know.... But, if you're bored with cycling, or even if you're not, you could read about my new passion here: http://sammaryelewisphoto.blogspot.com/

That totally sucks about DZ's house getting looted. How in the Hell did nobody notice? Or maybe his house is isolated. And even stealing his cars, too? Hope they catch those bastards, lock them up and throw the key away. If you're on Facebook - join the group to keep watch for his stuff.

ATOC Stage 5 - Sweet lead out by Renshaw for Cavendish.Yeah, Cavendish is really good, so he gets labelled as "cocky" and "arrogant". Sound familiar?Note to Versus: Bag that moronic gal who pesters the team guys with her not funny, not clever interviews. Her segment today with Mavic was pathetic and idiotic. I know darn well what the team guys say after she and the cameras leave.

ATOC Stage 2 - It was just awesome to see Levi take off on the Bonney Doon climb, in the pouring rain. No Fear...

ATOC Stage 1 start in Davis is at noon, and the weather forecast is ugly for the Sacramento Valley. From www.wunderground.com:... Wind Advisory is now in effect until 4 PM PST this afternoon for the central and southern Sacramento Valley... Delta... northern San Joaquin Valley and Motherlode. A strong Pacific frontal system moving through northern California has brought strong southerly winds to

ATOC Prologue - Bobke is all cleaned up - no mutton chops for his interviews. Lance is looking lean, wearing his Mellow Johhny's hat. Phil called Chechu "an aging veteran". Chechu is a year younger than Lance... Rain is holding off, but the wind is ugly.

Wow - Never thought I'd see the day when I would write this, but the ATOC is going to have to take second place to other obligations and things that pay the rent.  Maybe I can sneak downtown on Tuesday - not sure.

OMG! Can you believe it? Now that pro cycling season is back, that zany Podium Girl Gone Bad has been sighted on both Facebook and Twitter! Rumor has it that she has been seen being naughty behind the podium at the Tour Down Under! If you are on Facebook, better search for her page...It is under Other Public Figures, of course...

The cycling community and the cancer survivor's community, are mourning the death of Jim Owens. He has become an inspiration and a symbol of courage. Altho I did not know him, I am sorry to hear of his passing, and I wish him peace on his greatest ride. Follow the Link to learn more about this courageous man and his 2004 Tour of Hope Ride...My good friend, Andy Anderson, posted this on the

Please go to spca.com or baghdadpups.com and make a donation to help bring home the dogs that our soldiers have rescued in Iraq or Afghanistan. These dogs and cats have become loving buddies to our soldiers, and we cannot leave them behind. The lives of dogs and cats are meaningless in those countries, and most of the soldier's animals have been rescued from a cruel death. Please help!

So Lance is gonna be a daddy again?http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081224/ts_alt_afp/cyclingusaarmstrongbaby

You can also find Velogal on Twitter, and Twitpic, too. Follow the link...

Well, well, our old friend, Podium Girl Gone Bad is now on Twitter. Guess she just can't keep her nose (a-hem) out of the 2009 Tour.

Oh Jeeze, not the Armstrong-Andreu thing again.  Let's put it to rest, Betsy...  None of us care anymore....

Heads-up, y'all. Lance says he may do the Rocky Hills Round Up MTB on Sunday. He pre-rode the course today.

You gotta watch the 38 minute video interview of Lance at the Web 2.0 conference in SF this week. I must say Lance was in top form, and there were some really funny moments, especially his response to the last question from an audience member.Hey Lance, why didn't you let me know you were going to be in SF? Oh well, I guess it must have been teensy weensy forgetfulness on his part... Uh huh,

Lance, Levi and Alberto in the San Diego wind tunnel. Combo of bonding and competition, if I know those guys. And I do. Levi is really competitive - good on him. Lance and Levi share that same drive that allows them to suffer for a victory...

According to Lance's tweet this morning, he and College "smoked" the Texas Tour de Greune TT, winning by three minutes...

Thanks to Mark for the heads-up about Lance twittering. http://twitter.com/lancearmstrongVery cool to keep up with Numero Uno via Twitter....So... not to be outdone, I renewed my Twitter account. You can check it out by following the link, but warning... it won't be all cycling.