Tough Break
By Leslie Varsha

What do Levi Leipheimer, the Pope, and our Versus cameraman, Hector, have in common?  All three have broken their wrist in the last few days.  I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s quite bizarre.  Levi Leipheimer will head home in the next few days, the Pope will surely rest up as he’s getting on in years, but Hector will stay at the Tour working hard until the last yellow jersey is received.  Hector might not be in the peloton, but he’s digging into his “suitcase of courage” because his duties surpass the camera. Everyday, Hector must set up and break down the studio in addition to his camera work.  This is no easy task for him as his cast is unusually cumbersome for a broken wrist.  Nevertheless, he soldiers on because you have to be tough to be on the Versus crew.

As we head toward the Alps, most towns resemble something out of a Disney movie.  Old buildings made of wood beams and plaster line the cobbled streets and it’s gorgeous.  It also means that laundry day is coming.  I realize bringing up clothes washing seems mundane, but if laundry services weren’t provided for the crew, we would have an awfully stinky truck or no room in the car for luggage.  Everyone is issued a laundry bag with their name attached and we drop off our clothes in the hotel lobby.  A few days later, we get our clothes back-usually with a mysterious pair of underwear, but it’s always great to have clean clothes.

Although the second rest day is a while to come, most of the crew is counting down the hours.  It’s what keeps you going on those four hour drives after a twelve hour day of work.  A big group of us are planning on hydro-boarding which I had never heard of until a few days ago.  It involves boogie boarding down river rapids instead of riding in the standard raft.  Hydro-boarding should be an exhilarating experience.  Let’s just hope no one else breaks their wrist!