James Piccoli (photo: Arne Sideco)

Tucson, Arizona, February 2016. It was a sunny morning when the air is sweet before the heat sets in, and the cactus needles fight their way into your rims.

I was pedalling along the road that leads to Mount Lemmon. It is a long 46 or so km climb; not very steep, and ideal for spring training, when a young rider passed me. I spotted his local team jersey (Transport Lacombe). Fortunately, he wasn’t riding tempo so I was able to catch up with him.

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