Cyclocross season will officially be underway this weekend. Tough to think that all year long I've been thinking about 'cross season, training for 'cross season, not worrying about the now but always looking forward to 'cross season and now it is here.
I've decided to expand my horizons this season; to make things harder on myself. This weekend I (plus Jeff, Shelli, Todd, Charles, Golden and Owen) will head to Louisville, KY for the Derby City Cup, a USGP race, instead of heading to Raleigh for the opening two races of the NC Cyclocross Series. We're upping the ante, expanding our little bike racing horizons in the hopes that we break through to a new level of racing.
I'm just hoping to survive and not embarass myself. This season for me is all about learning more about myself. For me, pushing the limits of what I think I can physically accomplish is the essence of bike racing. The beauty of turning yourself inside out seems masochistic to someone who doesn't know better, but finding the edge, going over it, and surviving is such an essential part of bike racing. What saddens me are the cyclists who don't push themselves to the brink. I once asked someone on a ride, "How do you know how far is too far until you go there?"
I know that the bike as life metaphor is hackneyed, but it is also totally appropriate in the context of my life. For me, the bike is a lifelong pursuit, an inescapable aspect of life. I find my calmest and most meditative moments in the saddle. This morning as I pedaled down the frost covered greenway, spooking rabbits out of the underbrush and trying not to slip out on leaves slicked flat with moisture and conveniently arranged just so in the turns, my thoughts unhinged from the stress and pressure of the day to come and my mind was free. My legs pumped up and down, my heart pumped blood, my lungs took in cold air, my skin was alive with the cold air that struck it. I inventoried everything within and without in rapid, subconscious fashion. I was free. For all of the time that I have ridden bikes, that feeling has never waned and it keeps me coming back for more.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Friday, October 09, 2009
The Odyssey
Saturday, October 03, 2009
'Cross season has now officially started!
Today was a great day at Domtar Park in Kingsport, TN. The course was mostly grass with a long paved straightaway and some interesting up and down, twisty-turny sections that made me feel like I couldn't handle my bike to save my life. The flyover was great and provided a very cool addition to the already stellar racing that MSG Cross puts on in E. TN.
Golden and Shelli rode away from the women's CX4 field early and never looked back. They finished 1-2 in their first outing in the Fiets Maan Racing/Luna Cycles colors. Jeff finished a very strong second to an always dangerous Andy Applegate in the Master's race. And I, unfortunately, suffered a DNF due to a pedal falling off while running in 7th place in the CX3 race. The group of 3 that comprised 4th through 6th place were clearly in my sights, but it was not meant to be today. I'm just surprised I wasn't shot off the back from the gun as I didn't know where my fitness was at this point. Apparently, in addition to catching a cold recently, I also caught some fitness...
Tomorrow we head back for more and will hopefully have good results to post again.
Golden and Shelli rode away from the women's CX4 field early and never looked back. They finished 1-2 in their first outing in the Fiets Maan Racing/Luna Cycles colors. Jeff finished a very strong second to an always dangerous Andy Applegate in the Master's race. And I, unfortunately, suffered a DNF due to a pedal falling off while running in 7th place in the CX3 race. The group of 3 that comprised 4th through 6th place were clearly in my sights, but it was not meant to be today. I'm just surprised I wasn't shot off the back from the gun as I didn't know where my fitness was at this point. Apparently, in addition to catching a cold recently, I also caught some fitness...
Tomorrow we head back for more and will hopefully have good results to post again.
Friday, October 02, 2009
No, I'm not dead, but thanks for thinking of me.
B-U-S-Y is the word of my life right now. Sad that I haven't even had a spare moment to write here, but such is life right now. I have been squeezing riding in around teaching and the shop, mostly through interval laden commutes to and from school with a dramatically overstuffed messenger bag slung over my shoulder. What's really weird is riding a bike without it - I feel like I drop 50 lbs.
Tomorrow is the first big test of the 'cross season with the first race of the MSG Cross series in Kingsport, TN. In an ongoing effort to pursue all new technologies in an effort to bring our adventures home, I am going to try a little iPhone video show. Hopefully, the window below will broadcast what we need, if not, we'll try again!
Video clips at Ustream
Tomorrow is the first big test of the 'cross season with the first race of the MSG Cross series in Kingsport, TN. In an ongoing effort to pursue all new technologies in an effort to bring our adventures home, I am going to try a little iPhone video show. Hopefully, the window below will broadcast what we need, if not, we'll try again!
Video clips at Ustream
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The monster wins again
We found out several months ago that a good friend of ours in Arizona had been diagnosed with a particularly nasty form of cancer. Jeff and I last saw Doug at Interbike last year and it was shocking to think of the rapid changes we were hearing about in contrast to our last meeting with him.
Doug was hands-down, one of the nicest people I have ever been privileged to know. Every time you saw him he would give you this crooked smile that was a true and genuine sign that he was happy to see you. Doug had a remarkable way of making you feel like you were his best friend, even if you just barely knew him.
Doug passed away earlier this week. It was sudden and shocking. To be honest, it hurts like hell knowing that Doug is no longer with us. I do not ever espouse any religious or spiritual viewpoints, but I do sincerely and whole-heartedly hope that Doug is in a place that deserves him.
Every morning when I ride to work, I think about Doug. I know that lots of others are doing the same and Doug will live on in our hearts and thoughts.
Doug was hands-down, one of the nicest people I have ever been privileged to know. Every time you saw him he would give you this crooked smile that was a true and genuine sign that he was happy to see you. Doug had a remarkable way of making you feel like you were his best friend, even if you just barely knew him.
Doug passed away earlier this week. It was sudden and shocking. To be honest, it hurts like hell knowing that Doug is no longer with us. I do not ever espouse any religious or spiritual viewpoints, but I do sincerely and whole-heartedly hope that Doug is in a place that deserves him.
Monday, September 07, 2009
A few moments to spare
A month is a long time to go without writing. In the past month, school has started and since the beginning I have been hanging on for dear life. I have felt inexplicably flat-footed so far; my sense of creativity has been massively blocked, but I think I might be peeking around it.
As for cycling, the past month has been pedal to the metal at the shop. Floods of repairs and lots of business have made my absence from the trenches difficult for all of us. An extra set of hands is always useful! We have done lots of events, too, in an attempt to gauge where we are at in terms of the early cyclocross season. I did my first mtn. bike race in I don't know how many years and felt like I would like to do some more of them in the near future. Golden and Lara Cassady did the 50 mile Mountain Bike Marathon race at the National Whitewater Center in Charlotte as a relay team and came in 2nd place. A great result that they both agreed could be improved upon.
The Lenoir Triathlon was Saturday. Jeff and I provided tech support (which primarily consisted of installing handlebar plugs). Chris the Fish, Shelly and Golden competed as a relay team and won both the coed and overall relay race, besting Team Manly Men by some 4 minutes.
Yesterday, I had to get out in the woods. After working hard to get both Golden's and my 'cross bikes ready, a dirt road ride won out over a mountain bike ride. Jeff called up Sunday morning and asked if we were down for a Maple Sally Rd. ride and thus we set out from Hard and Flossie Clark Park in Collettsville. I must admit that Maple Sally Rd. has never really been my strong suit, so I always approach it with a tiny sense of trepidation. However, yesterday I felt good - strong even, owing probably to the fact that for the first time I was riding Maple Sally in temperatures above 40 degrees and without bulky winter clothing. It was a blast! Golden enjoyed her new 'cross bike and Jeff had a good shake down ride on his new bike, as well.
As for cycling, the past month has been pedal to the metal at the shop. Floods of repairs and lots of business have made my absence from the trenches difficult for all of us. An extra set of hands is always useful! We have done lots of events, too, in an attempt to gauge where we are at in terms of the early cyclocross season. I did my first mtn. bike race in I don't know how many years and felt like I would like to do some more of them in the near future. Golden and Lara Cassady did the 50 mile Mountain Bike Marathon race at the National Whitewater Center in Charlotte as a relay team and came in 2nd place. A great result that they both agreed could be improved upon.
The Lenoir Triathlon was Saturday. Jeff and I provided tech support (which primarily consisted of installing handlebar plugs). Chris the Fish, Shelly and Golden competed as a relay team and won both the coed and overall relay race, besting Team Manly Men by some 4 minutes.
Yesterday, I had to get out in the woods. After working hard to get both Golden's and my 'cross bikes ready, a dirt road ride won out over a mountain bike ride. Jeff called up Sunday morning and asked if we were down for a Maple Sally Rd. ride and thus we set out from Hard and Flossie Clark Park in Collettsville. I must admit that Maple Sally Rd. has never really been my strong suit, so I always approach it with a tiny sense of trepidation. However, yesterday I felt good - strong even, owing probably to the fact that for the first time I was riding Maple Sally in temperatures above 40 degrees and without bulky winter clothing. It was a blast! Golden enjoyed her new 'cross bike and Jeff had a good shake down ride on his new bike, as well.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
What are you thinking about?
I went down in the basement yesterday and found a dirty, forlorn thing hanging from a hook and felt a huge wave of guilt wash over me. While my wife would hope that it was the mountain of storage containers that have overtaken most of the basement floorspace during our months of basement wall repairs and are awaiting me putting the finishing touches on the new shelves I have built to hold them, the thing that made my heart shudder was my 'cross bike. Covered in a thick layer of dust from having one of our foundation walls replaced, missing the saddle and devoid of pedals, my much loved 'cross bike hung neglected and nearly forgotten.
But the end of the Tour and the beginning of a new school year signal the giddy weeks that lead up to the start of cyclocross season. Around our shop, 'cross is pretty much the best thing you can do on two wheels. If you know 'cross, you know what I'm talking about, but if you have never tried it - be forewarned, 'cross will break you and remake you in short order - and you will be a better cyclist for it.
With 'cross, everything is a nit to be carefully picked. A big box arrived with brown Santa at the shop yesterday. Upon opening it, Jeff started pulling out 'cross equipment for new bikes being built up by Beerman and the Guru. The first item out of the box were Grifo Fango tubular 'cross tires. Heck, tires alone ended up being a topic of careful conversation between Jeff and I for at least an hour - and we still haven't figured out what we are going to run this season! But that is one of my favorite parts. Every aspect of the 'cross bike must be carefully chosen, evaluated and tweaked in order to tune the bike to the rider, the course and the conditions. Miss the right set up and you will have an excellent view of the leaders of the race as they lap you.
But the bike is just the start. 'Cross is such a beautiful blend of all the aspects of cycling that it favors the rider who is not just fit, but smart and adroit as well. Handling a bike, reading a course, finding the fastest lines, having solid dismount/remount technique, all of these things are key. Where criteriums favor the big engined horses of cycling, 'cross can make mincemeat of cyclists who are "all horsepower and no steering wheel". The beautiful thing is that you can always improve, always learn something new and do better because of it.
Our 'cross season starts Oct. 3rd and 4th with the first two races of the TN series. The NC series begins Oct. 23rd and 24th. As always, we will do cyclocross training clinics to help with all of the ins and outs for what is to most people a new sport. If you have never tried 'cross, come let us usher you into a whole new two-wheeled world.
And so begins my epic poem of this 'cross season. A dirty, neglected bike is walked from my house to the shop, beginning its process of rebirth and renewal. And hopefully, I will follow the same path.
But the end of the Tour and the beginning of a new school year signal the giddy weeks that lead up to the start of cyclocross season. Around our shop, 'cross is pretty much the best thing you can do on two wheels. If you know 'cross, you know what I'm talking about, but if you have never tried it - be forewarned, 'cross will break you and remake you in short order - and you will be a better cyclist for it.
With 'cross, everything is a nit to be carefully picked. A big box arrived with brown Santa at the shop yesterday. Upon opening it, Jeff started pulling out 'cross equipment for new bikes being built up by Beerman and the Guru. The first item out of the box were Grifo Fango tubular 'cross tires. Heck, tires alone ended up being a topic of careful conversation between Jeff and I for at least an hour - and we still haven't figured out what we are going to run this season! But that is one of my favorite parts. Every aspect of the 'cross bike must be carefully chosen, evaluated and tweaked in order to tune the bike to the rider, the course and the conditions. Miss the right set up and you will have an excellent view of the leaders of the race as they lap you.
But the bike is just the start. 'Cross is such a beautiful blend of all the aspects of cycling that it favors the rider who is not just fit, but smart and adroit as well. Handling a bike, reading a course, finding the fastest lines, having solid dismount/remount technique, all of these things are key. Where criteriums favor the big engined horses of cycling, 'cross can make mincemeat of cyclists who are "all horsepower and no steering wheel". The beautiful thing is that you can always improve, always learn something new and do better because of it.
Our 'cross season starts Oct. 3rd and 4th with the first two races of the TN series. The NC series begins Oct. 23rd and 24th. As always, we will do cyclocross training clinics to help with all of the ins and outs for what is to most people a new sport. If you have never tried 'cross, come let us usher you into a whole new two-wheeled world.
And so begins my epic poem of this 'cross season. A dirty, neglected bike is walked from my house to the shop, beginning its process of rebirth and renewal. And hopefully, I will follow the same path.
Monday, July 27, 2009
What now?
Now the Tour is over, and I have this big empty space in the day. No more watching the stages and no more poring over the results to calculate the Fantasy Tour. The worst part is that the end of the Tour signals the coming close of summer vacation and the return to the teacher's life. I aim to wring as much enjoyment out of the remaining bits of summer vacation that I can as a way of fighting back against the dying of summer.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Provisional Results
The provisional results of the Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France -
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 13271
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 12267
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 12177
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 12035
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 11751
Shane Norris Team Inizio 11490
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 11422
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 11192
Grom Team CrashWagon 11093
John Hansen Lumpy skates 10985
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 10966
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 10890
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 10648
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 10508
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 10499
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 10271
Steven Boike RPM 10141
Jenna King Le Chiffre 10052
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 9991
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 9962
Player barrett team player 9217
Scott Staley JRB Racing 8702
Charles Bennett, our yellow jersey winner, needs to come on down and pick out his Specialized glasses. Ron Swenson can come down and pick up his Pedro's pit kit cleaning supplies. Nicole Thomas can come down and pick up her 3rd place prize. Scott Staley, you will be getting your prize at the first 'cross race of the season!
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 13271
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 12267
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 12177
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 12035
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 11751
Shane Norris Team Inizio 11490
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 11422
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 11192
Grom Team CrashWagon 11093
John Hansen Lumpy skates 10985
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 10966
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 10890
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 10648
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 10508
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 10499
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 10271
Steven Boike RPM 10141
Jenna King Le Chiffre 10052
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 9991
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 9962
Player barrett team player 9217
Scott Staley JRB Racing 8702
Charles Bennett, our yellow jersey winner, needs to come on down and pick out his Specialized glasses. Ron Swenson can come down and pick up his Pedro's pit kit cleaning supplies. Nicole Thomas can come down and pick up her 3rd place prize. Scott Staley, you will be getting your prize at the first 'cross race of the season!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
She's singing
Neither Jeff nor I was able to watch today's stage since we were busy at the Day on the Greenway. Sounded like an interesting, yet ultimately unfruitful stage. Like him or not, Armstrong's 3rd place finish is pretty impressive given his age and coming out of retirement.
Our own Fantasy Tour de France is shaping up to be a bit of a nail biter as 2nd and 3rd place are still up for grabs. Charles Bennett has locked up the top spot of the podium and Scott Staley has locked up last place as well. A message to Scott: a) manpri's are a statement of confidence in one's manhood, and b) it isn't the pain train you really need to watch out for, it's the Night Train!
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France GC -
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 12783
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 11782
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 11514
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 11460
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 11398
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 10941
Shane Norris Team Inizio 10884
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 10697
John Hansen Lumpy skates 10680
Grom Team CrashWagon 10585
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 10504
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 10426
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 10133
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 10077
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 10018
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 9841
Steven Boike RPM 9739
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 9708
Jenna King Le Chiffre 9701
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 9654
Player barrett team player 9012
Scott Staley JRB Racing 8370
Our own Fantasy Tour de France is shaping up to be a bit of a nail biter as 2nd and 3rd place are still up for grabs. Charles Bennett has locked up the top spot of the podium and Scott Staley has locked up last place as well. A message to Scott: a) manpri's are a statement of confidence in one's manhood, and b) it isn't the pain train you really need to watch out for, it's the Night Train!
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France GC -
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 12783
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 11782
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 11514
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 11460
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 11398
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 10941
Shane Norris Team Inizio 10884
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 10697
John Hansen Lumpy skates 10680
Grom Team CrashWagon 10585
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 10504
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 10426
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 10133
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 10077
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 10018
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 9841
Steven Boike RPM 9739
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 9708
Jenna King Le Chiffre 9701
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 9654
Player barrett team player 9012
Scott Staley JRB Racing 8370
Friday, July 24, 2009
Mont Ventoux looms
Big day tomorrow with the Luna Cycles Day on the Greenway. See you at the Lower Creek greenway from 8 to 2!
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France General Classification -
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 12330
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 11100
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 11083
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 11078
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 10897
Shane Norris Team Inizio 10524
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 10459
Grom Team CrashWagon 10249
John Hansen Lumpy skates 10240
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 10226
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 10166
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 10092
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 9664
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 9601
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 9555
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 9512
Steven Boike RPM 9434
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 9382
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 9227
Jenna King Le Chiffre 9216
Player barrett team player 8607
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France General Classification -
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 12330
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 11100
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 11083
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 11078
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 10897
Shane Norris Team Inizio 10524
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 10459
Grom Team CrashWagon 10249
John Hansen Lumpy skates 10240
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 10226
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 10166
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 10092
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 9664
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 9601
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 9555
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 9512
Steven Boike RPM 9434
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 9382
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 9227
Jenna King Le Chiffre 9216
Player barrett team player 8607
Scott Staley JRB Racing 8198
Thursday, July 23, 2009
TT travails and triumphs
A skinny spanish climber beats the world time trial champion, Lance is human after all, Andy figures out how to make a bike go fast in a time trial, and Wiggins just misses the mark. Funny that Cancellara is kicking back with a beer trying to figure out how Contador beat him today. The man that both Phil and Paul gush over and describe with that fay British accent as "a beast", was beaten by Contador in his specialty. The questions now arise about the legitimacy of Contador's performance and rightly so. Andy Schleck locked up his podium spot, but Armstrong's 3rd place is looking to be the target for both Wiggins and the elder Schleck brother. My feeling is that the Schleck are going to be lloking to shred the GC contenders on Saturday's Ventoux climb.
Don't forget that this Saturday is the Luna Cycles "Day on the Greenway" to be held at the Lower Creek Greenway parking lot on Powell Ave. from 8 am to 2 pm. We will have lots of different greenway bikes from Specialized and Fuji for test rides. You will get 1 free raffle ticket to win a Specialized Carmel 2 bike with your test ride. Additional tickets will be for sale with all proceeds going to Caldwell County Pathways, the folks who bring you our awesome greenway system. Tell everybody you know to come take a spin and see what a difference a good quality bicycle makes!
Your Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France sponsored by OMGWTF Energy drink GC:
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 11752
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 10562
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 10481
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 10456
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 10274
Shane Norris Team Inizio 9919
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 9913
John Hansen Lumpy skates 9798
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 9693
Grom Team CrashWagon 9647
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 9600
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 9596
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 9180
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 9154
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 9077
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 9063
Steven Boike RPM 8938
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 8928
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 8761
Jenna King Le Chiffre 8553
Player barrett team player 8141
Scott Staley JRB Racing 7758
Scott, I hate to say it, but looks like you are really solid in the lanterne rouge. There is a prize that awaits you at the end of this arduous journey. I won't tell you what it is, but just know, the pain train's a-comin'...
Don't forget that this Saturday is the Luna Cycles "Day on the Greenway" to be held at the Lower Creek Greenway parking lot on Powell Ave. from 8 am to 2 pm. We will have lots of different greenway bikes from Specialized and Fuji for test rides. You will get 1 free raffle ticket to win a Specialized Carmel 2 bike with your test ride. Additional tickets will be for sale with all proceeds going to Caldwell County Pathways, the folks who bring you our awesome greenway system. Tell everybody you know to come take a spin and see what a difference a good quality bicycle makes!
Your Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France sponsored by OMGWTF Energy drink GC:
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 11752
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 10562
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 10481
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 10456
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 10274
Shane Norris Team Inizio 9919
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 9913
John Hansen Lumpy skates 9798
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 9693
Grom Team CrashWagon 9647
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 9600
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 9596
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 9180
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 9154
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 9077
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 9063
Steven Boike RPM 8938
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 8928
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 8761
Jenna King Le Chiffre 8553
Player barrett team player 8141
Scott Staley JRB Racing 7758
Scott, I hate to say it, but looks like you are really solid in the lanterne rouge. There is a prize that awaits you at the end of this arduous journey. I won't tell you what it is, but just know, the pain train's a-comin'...
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wow
Sooooo glad I watched today's stage. The Astana stranglehold on the tour has loosened somewhat going in to tomorrow's time trial. What I saw today, however, wasn't exactly what was reported in the cycling press. Cyclingnews talked about how "unflappable" Contador was, but I disagree. Unflappable riders don't make a move that drops their own teammate, then gets easily nullified by two guys who are teammates on your rival squad and then look over their shoulder for their drop compatriot for the better part of 10 minutes. The Schleck brothers have figured out the chink in Contador's armor, it just remains to be seen if they have the strength to exploit it. The weakness that I think they see is that Contador doesnt have much beyond an explosive acceleration. Sure, he jumps like nobody's business and gets a huge gap with breathtaking rapidity, but how fast is he really climbing? What I saw today was two guys who weren't blown away by the acceleration. Two guys that saw that maybe Contador is more show than go. Ventoux is going to be very interesting indeed...
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France sponsored by Oops! General Classification after Stage 17:
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 11291
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 10181
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 10108
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 9974
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 9810
Shane Norris Team Inizio 9656
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 9420
Grom Team CrashWagon 9334
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 9321
John Hansen Lumpy skates 9240
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 9238
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 9235
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 8877
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 8747
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 8721
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 8670
Steven Boike RPM 8605
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 8484
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 8394
Jenna King Le Chiffre 8243
Player barrett team player 7839
Scott Staley JRB Racing 7583
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France sponsored by Oops! General Classification after Stage 17:
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 11291
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 10181
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 10108
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 9974
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 9810
Shane Norris Team Inizio 9656
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 9420
Grom Team CrashWagon 9334
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 9321
John Hansen Lumpy skates 9240
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 9238
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 9235
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 8877
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 8747
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 8721
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 8670
Steven Boike RPM 8605
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 8484
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 8394
Jenna King Le Chiffre 8243
Player barrett team player 7839
Scott Staley JRB Racing 7583
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The gloves are off
A day of attacking and I missed it. Damn. Hopefully, tomorrow holds the fireworks that I have been predicting.
Your Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France GC -
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 10672
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 9724
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 9583
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 9304
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 9297
Shane Norris Team Inizio 9261
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 9001
Grom Team CrashWagon 8858
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 8840
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 8782
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 8742
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 8633
John Hansen Lumpy skates 8535
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 8204
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 8190
Steven Boike RPM 8114
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 8092
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 8049
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 7886
Jenna King Le Chiffre 7812
Player barrett team player 7450
Scott Staley JRB Racing 7285
Your Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France GC -
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 10672
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 9724
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 9583
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 9304
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 9297
Shane Norris Team Inizio 9261
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 9001
Grom Team CrashWagon 8858
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 8840
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 8782
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 8742
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 8633
John Hansen Lumpy skates 8535
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 8204
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 8190
Steven Boike RPM 8114
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 8092
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 8049
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 7886
Jenna King Le Chiffre 7812
Player barrett team player 7450
Scott Staley JRB Racing 7285
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The war begins, or the war's not over
I have to confess that I didn't watch the actual part of today's stage that meant anything. What I do know is that Astana's script is just like Discovery's - put in a big attack in the mountains, take the yellow, and then grind everybody down to the point that there are no attacks. Hopefully, somebody, anybody, will not follow the script and will do something cheeky.
Charles Bennett is pulling out a big lead in the Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France powered by Ambien. Current standings after stage 15:
GC
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 10133
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 9343
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 9193
Shane Norris Team Inizio 8896
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 8734
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 8680
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 8651
Grom Team CrashWagon 8461
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 8454
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 8379
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 8262
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 8212
John Hansen Lumpy skates 7923
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 7764
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 7711
Steven Boike RPM 7674
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 7478
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 7452
Jenna King Le Chiffre 7372
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 7309
Player barrett team player 7132
Scott Staley JRB Racing 7043
Charles Bennett is pulling out a big lead in the Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France powered by Ambien. Current standings after stage 15:
GC
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 10133
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 9343
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 9193
Shane Norris Team Inizio 8896
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 8734
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 8680
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 8651
Grom Team CrashWagon 8461
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 8454
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 8379
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 8262
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 8212
John Hansen Lumpy skates 7923
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 7764
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 7711
Steven Boike RPM 7674
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 7478
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 7452
Jenna King Le Chiffre 7372
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 7309
Player barrett team player 7132
Scott Staley JRB Racing 7043
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Why we need Vinokourov
Today's stage gave the first thrilling rush of excitement that this tour has had to give. On the edge of my seat, I played that age old mental math game of counting down the seconds to see if George Hincapie was going to wear the first maillot jaune of his long pro career. Sadly, he came up just 5 seconds shy of the mark. Regardless of what side you fall on with regard to the Columbia/Garmin polemics, it would have been great to see George wearing yellow after such a cheeky move from the 12 km mark. If only we could see some audacious riding from others.
It is this point that we need to discuss the imminent return of Alexandre Vinokourov. Vino's return could be the breath of fresh air that the stagnant peloton needs. Vino is the wild card, the joker and the ace in the hole all rolled up into one. He is a time bomb full of hand grenades with a hair trigger and a mean streak. Vinokourov can be counted on to do the unexpected, the unconventional. The easiest way to predict the unpredictable nature of Vino is to think when would be the dumbest time to attack and that is the moment when Vino will throw it down, launch the reckless attack and ride with a wild-eyed abandon.
While everyone seems to have resigned themselves to the script that Astana has put forth for this tour, the peloton lacks a rider willing to go for broke. To my way of thinking, Cadel Evans is the man with nothing to lose and everything to gain by doing the audacious, unexpected, and foolhardy move. It can't be just one attack and "oh well, that didn't work". Evans needs to go again and again and again until he either explodes or gains something. But that's the gambler in me talking. Lance Armstrong has once again turned the Tour into a poker game of grim-faced players who aren't willing to go all in, lest someone else make the lower step of the podium. Vino is the embodiement of the slots player run amok in the poker game, pulling the lever over and over again on the off chance that three bars or three cherries will line up and the coins will come dumping out. Who cares that the odds are against such behavior; he certainly doesn't.
The calculating tactician in me looks toward Wednesday's stage as a game changer. Four Cat. 1 climbs, 2 of which are in the final 30 km with the last being a scant 15 km from the finish and one Cat. 2 climb, all on the day before the ITT has the makings of a day of attacking and counter-attacking. At this point I would think that a 1-2 punch combination from Garmin's Wiggins and Vande Velde is the only serious move that can crack Astana and their slow grinding tempo train. Do something, no matter how stupid or ill-advised or else face the inevitability of racing for scraps and allowing Astana to make the race all about them.
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France powered by Ambien GC standings after stage 14:
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 9557
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 8825
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 8799
Shane Norris Team Inizio 8493
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 8261
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 8231
Grom Team CrashWagon 8119
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 8031
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 8018
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 7912
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 7876
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 7677
John Hansen Lumpy skates 7308
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 7219
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 7205
Steven Boike RPM 7175
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 7022
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 6862
Jenna King Le Chiffre 6853
Scott Staley JRB Racing 6790
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 6701
Player barrett team player 6680
It is this point that we need to discuss the imminent return of Alexandre Vinokourov. Vino's return could be the breath of fresh air that the stagnant peloton needs. Vino is the wild card, the joker and the ace in the hole all rolled up into one. He is a time bomb full of hand grenades with a hair trigger and a mean streak. Vinokourov can be counted on to do the unexpected, the unconventional. The easiest way to predict the unpredictable nature of Vino is to think when would be the dumbest time to attack and that is the moment when Vino will throw it down, launch the reckless attack and ride with a wild-eyed abandon.
While everyone seems to have resigned themselves to the script that Astana has put forth for this tour, the peloton lacks a rider willing to go for broke. To my way of thinking, Cadel Evans is the man with nothing to lose and everything to gain by doing the audacious, unexpected, and foolhardy move. It can't be just one attack and "oh well, that didn't work". Evans needs to go again and again and again until he either explodes or gains something. But that's the gambler in me talking. Lance Armstrong has once again turned the Tour into a poker game of grim-faced players who aren't willing to go all in, lest someone else make the lower step of the podium. Vino is the embodiement of the slots player run amok in the poker game, pulling the lever over and over again on the off chance that three bars or three cherries will line up and the coins will come dumping out. Who cares that the odds are against such behavior; he certainly doesn't.
The calculating tactician in me looks toward Wednesday's stage as a game changer. Four Cat. 1 climbs, 2 of which are in the final 30 km with the last being a scant 15 km from the finish and one Cat. 2 climb, all on the day before the ITT has the makings of a day of attacking and counter-attacking. At this point I would think that a 1-2 punch combination from Garmin's Wiggins and Vande Velde is the only serious move that can crack Astana and their slow grinding tempo train. Do something, no matter how stupid or ill-advised or else face the inevitability of racing for scraps and allowing Astana to make the race all about them.
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France powered by Ambien GC standings after stage 14:
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 9557
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 8825
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 8799
Shane Norris Team Inizio 8493
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 8261
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 8231
Grom Team CrashWagon 8119
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 8031
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 8018
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 7912
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 7876
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 7677
John Hansen Lumpy skates 7308
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 7219
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 7205
Steven Boike RPM 7175
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 7022
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 6862
Jenna King Le Chiffre 6853
Scott Staley JRB Racing 6790
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 6701
Player barrett team player 6680
Shake up in the GC!
No, not in the TdF, but there has been a change in the lead of the LCFTdF!
Complete standings after stage 13:
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 8878
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 8479
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 8121
Shane Norris Team Inizio 7988
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 7933
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 7771
Grom Team CrashWagon 7659
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 7593
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 7566
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 7380
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 7339
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 7104
Steven Boike RPM 6918
John Hansen Lumpy skates 6875
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 6873
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 6691
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 6613
Scott Staley JRB Racing 6584
Jenna King Le Chiffre 6503
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 6489
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 6410
Player barrett team player 6267
Complete standings after stage 13:
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 8878
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 8479
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 8121
Shane Norris Team Inizio 7988
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 7933
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 7771
Grom Team CrashWagon 7659
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 7593
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 7566
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 7380
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 7339
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 7104
Steven Boike RPM 6918
John Hansen Lumpy skates 6875
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 6873
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 6691
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 6613
Scott Staley JRB Racing 6584
Jenna King Le Chiffre 6503
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 6489
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 6410
Player barrett team player 6267
Thursday, July 16, 2009
TdF update
Tour de France 2009: does the fun ever start? Another predictable day of no hopers going off the front early, the peloton decided not ot have a bunch sprint finish and Sorensen won. Yeah.
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France standings after stage 12:
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 8062
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 8009
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 7521
Shane Norris Team Inizio 7462
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 7435
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 7379
Grom Team CrashWagon 7159
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 7051
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 7020
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 6826
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 6682
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 6579
Steven Boike RPM 6519
John Hansen Lumpy skates 6421
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 6359
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 6335
Scott Staley JRB Racing 6275
Jenna King Le Chiffre 6069
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 6061
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 6004
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 5908
Player barrett team player 5775
Complete results are here.
Complete team rosters are here.
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France standings after stage 12:
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 8062
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 8009
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 7521
Shane Norris Team Inizio 7462
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 7435
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 7379
Grom Team CrashWagon 7159
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 7051
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 7020
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 6826
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 6682
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 6579
Steven Boike RPM 6519
John Hansen Lumpy skates 6421
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 6359
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 6335
Scott Staley JRB Racing 6275
Jenna King Le Chiffre 6069
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 6061
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 6004
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 5908
Player barrett team player 5775
Complete results are here.
Complete team rosters are here.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tour de wake me up in 5 days...
Every morning I swear I'm not going to waste time watching what has got to be the most stultifyingly boring Tour de France of my life. I feel like the intention was good: to make a close race that would end in a last day show down in the Alps, but the reality is a non-race. All the favorites have no way of distancing themselves from each other and no reason to attack, either. But like a crackhead, I keep turning that video on and watching, hoping to get a small hit of that sweet feeling that comes from watching a truly riveting bike race. Today's hit of ecstasy came when it looked like Tyler Farrar was going to best the Manx Missile, but it wasn't meant to be. Another 30-40 meters and maybe, but Cav' is just crazy fast when he sees that line sway into view. All I know is that the end of this Tour better have enough fireworks to make up for all of the non-action we have seen so far...
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France standings:
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 7481
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 7307
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 6918
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 6833
Shane Norris Team Inizio 6831
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 6651
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 6557
Grom Team CrashWagon 6539
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 6410
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 6320
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 6152
Steven Boike RPM 6136
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 6059
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 5981
John Hansen Lumpy skates 5883
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 5882
Scott Staley JRB Racing 5774
Jenna King Le Chiffre 5680
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 5611
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 5574
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 5524
Player barrett team player 5450
We are on the verge of having 2 women on the podium!
Full results are here.
Luna Cycles Fantasy Tour de France standings:
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 7481
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 7307
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 6918
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 6833
Shane Norris Team Inizio 6831
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 6651
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 6557
Grom Team CrashWagon 6539
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 6410
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 6320
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 6152
Steven Boike RPM 6136
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 6059
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 5981
John Hansen Lumpy skates 5883
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 5882
Scott Staley JRB Racing 5774
Jenna King Le Chiffre 5680
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 5611
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 5574
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 5524
Player barrett team player 5450
We are on the verge of having 2 women on the podium!
Full results are here.
Current standings through Stage 10
Full results are here.
Current standings:
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 6756
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 6711
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 6323
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 6217
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 6208
Shane Norris Team Inizio 6088
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 6039
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 5874
Grom Team CrashWagon 5868
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 5710
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 5678
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 5655
Steven Boike RPM 5617
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 5502
John Hansen Lumpy skates 5438
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 5368
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 5245
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 5222
Jenna King Le Chiffre 5218
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 5082
Scott Staley JRB Racing 4992
Player barrett team player 4991
Current standings:
Charles Bennett Bernanke's Bumblers 6756
Nicole Thomas Espresso Train 6711
Peter Purcell Team Heal With Steel 6323
Mellie Black Team Limp Along 6217
Ron Swenson Team Theoretical 6208
Shane Norris Team Inizio 6088
Charles Hicks Team Buuurrnn! 6039
jim brown stylin' and profilin' 5874
Grom Team CrashWagon 5868
Chris Thomas Dessel Engine 5710
Eddy Winkler Team Not Caught Yet 5678
Grant Dunstan Lone Beer Ranger 5655
Steven Boike RPM 5617
Mary Ann Brown Hope & A Prayer 5502
John Hansen Lumpy skates 5438
Jeff Welch Pigs in Zen 5368
Chris Harris Equipe Poisson 5245
Trey Barnes Steam Donkey 5222
Jenna King Le Chiffre 5218
Lara Cassidy Lara's team 5082
Scott Staley JRB Racing 4992
Player barrett team player 4991
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