America's Hat

Welcome to Canada! People sometimes refer to Canada as America's Hat. I don't believe it. I don't stand for it. I don't condone this behavior. I just put it into writing.Don't believe that I'm in Canada? Here's incontrovertible truth.Now in my final season as a professional cyclist, I'm in the midst a whole bunch of finals. Last week wrapped up the USA Pro Challenge which marks my final race ever in the United States (...yes, the United States: the body to which Canada wears its hat). Next, while I'm not terribly familiar with this northern geography, I'm pretty sure we're now somewhere up near the North Pole at the Tour of Alberta, my final ever stage race. Not to be confused with the GP Quebec City and Montreal which are next week which will marks my final races. Ever.*If any of these "finals" make you scratch your head, you can study my schedule at length here. Mind you, they include a couple of events that don't involve a race. Like the Krempels King of the Road Challenge which you should all attend this October.We're now two stages into the Tour of Alberta. Two days ago was the day before my final Tour of Alberta and the weather looked something like this, which appears stunning and beautiful.Alas, fast-forward to day one and the temperatures plummeted and the rain started falling. Look closely and you can spot Tom Jelte Schlacter in our pre-TTT warm up. Don't see him? He's in the trailer.And being that we have 2 hours 23 minutes left on this fine Thursday, here's a throwback Thursday to this summer's most glorious day, the 200 on 100. Made by Chris Milliman and with generous support from Cannondale, 10 Speed Coffee, UnTapped, and Skratch Labs, this was a day that goes down as among the best I've spent on two wheels.Video is HERE *Unless I stage a comeback. But that's not in the cards. Yet.