Armstrong asked that the official's credentials be confirmed by the International Cycling Union, the sport's world governing body, and while this was going on he was given permission by the official to take a shower.
The answer often determines whether we should drink a beer to relax or hop ourselves up on Red Bull, whether we take a long shower or stay late at the office.
The scenery, mostly taiga forest, can be monotonous, and there is a handful of worthy stops like the unreal Lake Baikal to break the trip - and to take a real shower.