With all this talk about some teams folding and other teams merging and riders being flicked and people feeling horribly left out, I have decided to take a moment... and ignore all of that and just write a blog.Gossip sucks.I am here among the rest of the cyclists racing up in Canada (eh) awaiting the second annual Grand Prix Quebec City and Grand Prix Montreal. Personally with back to back races so close to each other both on the calendar and on the geographical map, I would have been more creative with the names. Sure use "Grand Prix" in one title, but I think being more distinctive with the other would have been wise. Saaaaay, Grand Prix Quebec City and Montreal Race of Excellence. Yuup, that'll do.As I was saying, I'm at the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac, which I remember fondly when my family and I drove all throughout eastern Canada when my brother and I were mere youngin's and my parents wanted to give us some French-Canadian culture. Although Robbie and I spent most of the time staring at each other and poking and prodding each other within the echo'y confines of a car, rather than taking in the Gaspe Peninsula. This Chateau hotel resembles something of a castle and it's as rich in storied history as it is unknown by me. As in, I have no idea anything about its history. It sits upon a steep hill in Quebec City and it's big and that's about all I can say for certain.That large white tent in the foreground is filled with bikes and European mechanics piecing together bikes with dexterous professionalism. In the morning it's also full of European cyclist wearing neckgaiters since we are in Canada and Canada is deemed to be cold. This all despite the fact that it's humid and muggy and warm outside in actual Canada. Whatever. Further confusion is why there are flags resembling those of the UN; this is an entirely new mystery that I don't want to get into now.And speaking of our northern neighbor, seen below is one of Quebec's finest shops: a maple store. They sell virtually everything you could think of from the maple genre, but mostly maple syrup. I didn't buy anything, however, since we all know that New England maple syrup is even better than Canada's. Just like our hockey teams.Au revoir