Pedal Faster: Which ever attribute receives the most training points will be double. If there is a tie, the attribute which receives the double points will be chosen at random between those stats.

Stat Lock: Marcus Diamond is reaching the point of his career where his potential isn't limitless. While his prime is still on the horizon, to get there his focus needs to be locked in. As such, Diamond gets his first stat lock.

Any attribute that receives less than a point during this training ground will be in danger of getting locked. Locked attributes can't receive points in future training grounds. Only under rare circumstances can attributes be unlocked.

Trouble: Some of the boys got too drunk at the team hotel after Gravel and Tar race and were shipped home for violating team rules. Those involved included Silver Maoma, Andrew Fenn and "Dino" aka Dinmukhammed Ulysbayev.

They missed out on a fun day of beach hopping and sight seeing the next two days in Australia. I mostly hung out with Australian teammate Chris Herbert. He showed me around and got me into some events.


A majority of the time, though, Herbert was approaching girls as my unofficial wing man. I didn't ask for this. He was just sick of hearing me complain about the mix signals I was receiving from Alex Vogel.

"Dude, forget it. You are on vacation. Alex isn't even here. Let's have some fun and get your mind off it. Live a little... Oh, how about her?" Herbert said while already approaching her.

"Hi there, sorry to bother you, my friend here won't stop sulking about a relationship he isn't even in. Could you help him out? If not, I'm also available," Herbert said with a cocky smile.

The girl didn't even make eye contact. Herbert continued: "Miss, he's a professional athlete. Not very funny, but a pretty decent guy."

I had to punch Herbert on the arm to get him to stop.

The girl actually turned around, perplexed by the offer, and looked Diamond over: "Sorry, I'm already taken (flashes wedding ring)... But, I have a friend staying with me who might be interested."

"For me or him?" Herbert interjected.

"Definitely him," she said while looking directly at me. "She's an actress and is struggling to find work at the moment. She could use somebody like you to take her mind off things."

Herbert nudged me forward and I took down the digits.

The next day while waiting around in the team hotel, Herbert handed me my phone... "Hey, when did you steal that..."

The phone was already ringing. I should really put a password on it.

"You're welcome," Herbert said as a girl picked up on the other end.

"Hello?"


"Hi, um... yeah," I stumbled over my words, unsure of what was going on and what I should say. "Yes, hi. My friend is being an idiot and trying to play match maker. I'm sorry to bother you. Enjoy the rest of your day."

"Wait... Are you the guy my friend was telling me about from yesterday?"

"... Yeah, that's probably me."

"Look, I know this weird, but I'm open to the possibility. I just got out of a long-term relationship, so I'm not looking for anything serious."

"Honestly, I'm kind of pursuing someone else right now. Then again, it's not really going anywhere at the moment."

"I get it. No pressure. Just text me later if you want to hang out."

I didn't know what to say and paused for a few seconds.

"Oh, by the way, I'm Marcus." She had already ended the call.

After much thought and plenty of peer pressure from Herbert, I decided not to text the mystery girl. Too sketchy for my standards.

Karma rewarded me.

Later that evening, the EvoPro Racing replacements for the Herald Sun Tour arrived at the team hotel in Melbourne. I was surprised to see that Alex was one of the new cyclists brought in.

We decided to grab dinner and catch up.

That's when my phone buzzed. It was her. Alex caught a quick glimpse of the text because my phone was on the table. There was a moment of awkward silence.

"So, who's this 'Mystery Girl,'" Alex said with a slight smirk.

Trapped, but I didn't want to lie: "Someone Chris (Herbert) is trying to set me up with. It's nothing, really. I don't even know her name."

Alex jokingly grabbed the phone out of my hand, "Let me see."

I had just opened the text message, "So, are we doing anything tonight?" Oh, and of course, there was a picture.


Alex nearly fell out of her chair: "No way. There is no way. Is this a joke?"

"What?" I said confused. "Do you know her?"

"That's Alycia. You know, from Fear the Walking Dead."

"I don't watch TV."

"Seriously?"

"I don't have time for it. And that can't be right, I'm probably getting catfished or something. Is that what they call it?"

Alex glanced down at the picture again.

"Well, it's definitely her in the photo. I say go for it, but that's just because I'm a big fan. And, I mean, come on Marcus. Look at her, you are going to pass that up?"

Alex handed me my phone back with a look of excitement on her face. I always wanted to invoke that look from her, but this time it was different.

This time it came with a non-verbal message — she didn't care if I chased after another woman. She only saw me as a friend.

I texted Alycia back.

Spectator: After the morning prologue, Marcus noticed Alycia in crowd. Well, technically Alex spotted her first and ran over to get a photo.

"Sorry about my friend, she's a big fan," Diamond said. "What are you doing here?"

"Just thought I would check out this whole cycling thing. You wouldn't stop talking about it last night, so I had to see what it was all about."

Alex, sensing she was a third-wheel, made a departing comment: "Well, it was nice meeting you."

As Alex wandered away, Diamond pondered on what he should say next.

"Well, thanks for coming out. I really enjoyed last night...

(Option A) "... are you interested in doing something again tonight?"

(Option B) "... I'd love to hang out again sometime, but right now isn't the best time. I have to stay focused on cycling."

(Option C) "... But I don't think we are going to work out. Long distance is never easy and I'm just way too busy at the moment."

jandal7 wrote:
... and what is it with Mre’s riders and becoming involved with actresses?