Author Topic: Tour de France (Read 779 times)

meput · « **on:** July 02, 2011, 04:47:35 am »

The Tour starts today - whoopie

. Can't wait for the mountain stages.

I'm rooting for Andy Schleck. Leipheimmer too old. Would like to see Contador get stomped.

The Tour and the Red Sox - only decent things on the TV during the summer.

jim-ratliff · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2011, 07:33:53 am »

Thanks for the reminder. I'm on the Schleck bus as well. Much more appealing personality than Contador.

I'm an Orioles fan, however. Sort of like being a Sox fan before they got good.

midwif · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2011, 08:34:06 am »

Quote from: meput on July 02, 2011, 04:47:35 am

The Tour starts today - whoopie . Can't wait for the mountain stages.

I'm rooting for Andy Schleck. Leipheimmer too old. Would like to see Contador get stomped.

The Tour and the Red Sox - only decent things on the TV during the summer.

Agreed!

Contador is quite the pr**k personality wise. Rumor has it so was Lance, but learned to put on a better face
publicly.

Go Andy!

bushwacka · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2011, 12:06:41 pm »

Schleck is likable sure, but likable has never won a bike race. You have to be brutal, you have to attack at the right moment with out thinking of any negative consquences, you have to put a hurt on your opponent while not making yourself hurt so bad you have to quit. Shleck has the aggression of a bowl full of pudding, he will not win this tour.

You guys see that finish today? Gilbert was my man today and he delivered! i think he can do at least 2 more times in the first week.

http://tdfchallenge.nbcsports.com/cycling/draft/draft.asp

if you guys want some fun pick your team and lets race!

meput · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2011, 03:54:54 pm »

Lance was a real pr**k before he had cancer. A pompous you know what as a teenage triathlete. Sad to say but cancer did wonders for a dose of humility. Post cancer, still a big time alpha male, even with only one nad. Still he was a hoot to watch during his Tour run. Poor Ullrich never knew what hit him.

Never been into fantasy sports. I'll have to check it out.

LivingProof · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2011, 08:34:36 am »

Quote from: meput on July 02, 2011, 04:47:35 am

The Tour starts today - whoopie . Can't wait for the mountain stages.

I'm rooting for Andy Schleck. Leipheimmer too old. Would like to see Contador get stomped.

The Tour and the Red Sox - only decent things on the TV during the summer.

Meput,
We have something in common, I really enjoyed watching the Red Sox as they lost 2 of 3 to the Phils.

The 3 weeks of the TDF are just a special part of July. I love the event and respect those that ride (clean). Don't really follow pro cycling, so I don't have attachment to any rider or team. For sure, I'm anti-Contator...to bad he's riding and loved hearing Mr. Bad Beef get booed.

Can't imagine even completing one mountain stage let alone doing the entire 3 weeks.

I did read a Lance bio titled "LA - The World's Greatest Champion". The author was so pro-LA that it just destroyed the credibility of the book. For sure, LA was, and continues to be one tough SOB. But it was this competitiveness and goal orientation that got him where he is at. My belief is that he would do dope to obtain his goals, but, until it's proven that he did, he remains innocent under a very dark cloud. To his credit, his work with cancer is a inspiration to those fighting for survival. The cynic in me does think that he is also a major beneficiary of $$$$ so he's not Mother Theresa. While he rode the TDF, he was the king of the world.

So, let's enjoy watching the "boys of cycling summer" do their magic in the TDF.

meput · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2011, 03:45:55 pm »

Really enjoyed the team time trial today. The American based teams really showed how the team time trial is done (hats off to Team Sky from Great Britain as well). Was also impressed with Cancellara pulling Schleck's team to a decent finish.

Jim, if you watched today, you can see how easy pace lines are

. You have my pity for being an Orioles fan. Until '04, I used to be a long term baseball sufferer.

Mike, I think the Phillies are the favorites for winning the World Series. Best starting pitching in baseball & solid offense. Huge disappointment if they do not represent the National League in the Series. I am not a fan of interleague play. Who do the Red Sox get - the Phillies. Who do the Yankees get - the Mets

.

Jim

meput · « **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2011, 04:15:19 pm »

Wow, what a day in sports. Fantastic day at the Tour. Crashes, cars hitting riders, Voekler was great to take the yellow.

Then the US win over Brazil in the womens World Cup. Talk about last minute goals. Playing one man (woman) down and still dominating.

No miles for me, but I finally had the maiden voyage of my Hobie Wave. ~12 - 15 wind speed. Great wind to get a feel of how she sails.

Good day,

meput

PS Jim, I will leave out the Orioles and Red Sox

bushwacka · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2011, 07:54:28 pm »

http://unofficialnetworks.com/le-velo-29354/

LivingProof · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2011, 07:46:23 am »

le velo = the bike

Today is a TDF rest day, same for me. I rode 145 miles last week, they rode about the same each day. Amazing! Put's me in "wannabe" status. I'm really tired today, they are out riding on their rest day. A typical day during the TDF is that I watch the opening on TV, then go ride for 2 hours and still plenty of time to see the live ending.

Last week, the TDF showed what rain can do to the world's best riders. Large Peloton and narrow, wet roads puts a whole different spin on the race. Can Contador recover from all the time he's spent on the ground? Funny that everyone just gave the race to him in predictions, but, it just goes to show that you have to ride and take your chances over 3 weeks.

Is there any scenery in the world that rivals France for a bike tour? Just spectacular.

Ride on!

jim-ratliff · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2011, 11:41:57 am »

Quote from: LivingProof on July 11, 2011, 07:46:23 am

le velo = the bike

Today is a TDF rest day, same for me. I rode 145 miles last week, they rode about the same each day. Amazing! Put's me in "wannabe" status. I'm really tired today, they are out riding on their rest day. A typical day during the TDF is that I watch the opening on TV, then go ride for 2 hours and still plenty of time to see the live ending.

Last week, the TDF showed what rain can do to the world's best riders. Large Peloton and narrow, wet roads puts a whole different spin on the race. Can Contador recover from all the time he's spent on the ground? Funny that everyone just gave the race to him in predictions, but, it just goes to show that you have to ride and take your chances over 3 weeks.

Is there any scenery in the world that rivals France for a bike tour? Just spectacular.

Ride on!

145 miles? Well done sir Michael (at least by my standards).

Yes, pretty amazing to have someone get hit by a car in the race. I think the race organizers have to take credit for some of this. Seems like they have had the Tour on a lot of routes where the roads were inadequate for the velo/auto traffic that is part of the le Tour.

Contador seems to be having the kind of "luck" that Lance had last year. I find it interesting that Schleck hasn't been heard from much, but it seems he was the one announcing the "cease fire" after the big crash yesterday. I doubt that he made the decision unilaterally, but it was interesting that it was him and not Contador or any of the current Jersey wearers.

After my simple fall (effects just now completely going away, I can finally sneeze and breathe deeply painfree), I really empathized with the guy sitting along the side of the road with broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a broken scapula (AND the knowledge that his Tour for the year was over). WOW.
At least I still made it to work the next day.

jim-ratliff · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2011, 11:49:24 am »

Quote from: LivingProof on July 11, 2011, 07:46:23 am

le velo = the bike

Today is a TDF rest day, same for me. I rode 145 miles last week, they rode about the same each day.

Is there any scenery in the world that rivals France for a bike tour? Just spectacular.

Ride on!

Would love to be able to take one ride through the Lavendar fields, the smell permeating the air. The hills, I can pass on those.

So for the recent 145 mile week, how many rides and how many miles per ride.

I need to start getting some longer distances. Been having too much fun exploring off-road on the mountain bike -- however, we reached 38 mph on mtb yesterday, downhill on asphalt and it felt more exhilirating than on road bike or maybe just surprising that it would go that fast with squishy tires and lots of frontal area.

Guess those Aero spokes really work

bushwacka · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2011, 06:27:40 am »

riding off road is a more complete work out than road biking, IMO every 1 road miles is = to 2-3 mtb miles. Not to mention off road riding on singletrack is one of the best ways mentally to prepare for skiing.

Plus if want to train do not worry about distance, worry more about how long you can go in time. If that means riding slower to go longer so be it.

jim-ratliff · « **Reply #13 on:** July 13, 2011, 08:14:36 am »

Quote from: bushwacka on July 13, 2011, 06:27:40 am

riding off road is a more complete work out than road biking, IMO every 1 road miles is = to 2-3 mtb miles. Not to mention off road riding on singletrack is one of the best ways mentally to prepare for skiing.

Plus if want to train do not worry about distance, worry more about how long you can go in time. If that means riding slower to go longer so be it.

Bushwacka: You meant that the other way around, right? One mile on mtb is as much work as 2-3 road bike miles.

For my level and style of riding, I don't think the difference is that dramatic. Lynn and I did a couple of 15 mile rides this past weekend, I would say they were equivalent to 20 miles on the road bike. I find the road bike more aerobic, since the terrain never really limits speed I can work as hard as I want against wind resistance. For your faster, harder riding style I can believe your ratio.

jim-ratliff · « **Reply #14 on:** July 13, 2011, 08:32:18 am »

My hat is off to those guys. 33 stitches from getting thrown into a barbed wire fence, and he's back on his bike after the rest day.

Very gratifying to see his teammates working to keep the polka-dot jersey for him by not allowing competitors to get climbing points. And, seemingly, very respectful of the others not to try to take advantage of the situation. More admirable than Contador's behavior last year when Schleck had problems.

And another great sprint finish yesterday. I'm even beginning to understand that there actually strategy in getting the sprinter to the point where he has a chance to do what he excels at just as there is mountain stages and getting the GC guy to the point where he can do what he does best from the front of the pack -- but the culmination of the sprint is over with so quickly.

jim-ratliff · « **Reply #15 on:** July 21, 2011, 08:46:48 pm »

Quote from: bushwacka on July 02, 2011, 12:06:41 pm

Schleck is likable sure, but likable has never won a bike race. You have to be brutal, you have to attack at the right moment with out thinking of any negative consquences, you have to put a hurt on your opponent while not making yourself hurt so bad you have to quit. Shleck has the aggression of a bowl full of pudding, he will not win this tour.

Bushwacka: He may not win, and we don't know what he has left for tomorrow, but "Bowl of Pudding Andy" certainly acted like a winner today, attacking at the right moment without worrying about the negative consequences. No guts, no glory?

bushwacka · « **Reply #16 on:** July 22, 2011, 04:10:33 am »

Andy yesterday for sure proved me(and a bunch of other people) wrong.

LivingProof · « **Reply #17 on:** July 22, 2011, 02:18:08 pm »

Quote from: bushwacka on July 22, 2011, 04:10:33 am

Andy yesterday for sure proved me(and a bunch of other people) wrong.

Been said a million times, but, "that's why they play the game".....especially in a 21 day bike race.

I've really been impressed with Tom Voekler......the man just does not quit even in mountain terrain which is not his best area of performance. He yellow jersey with great distinction. While he will not win, he is a champion.

Prior to the Alps, I thought the TDF to be too predictable. Team leaders just covered each other, peloton wore down chase groups, sprint finish. More visually spectacular than great racing. But the last 2 days have been wonderful. Andy Schleck showed a lot of guts / brains yesterday with his breakaway.

Cadel Evans seems the intelligent rider who knows what is required to be in position to win on the last day of team racing in the time trial. He knew yesterday that he had to ride down Schleck, today, he knew not to work with Schleck so that he's ready for the showdown tomorrow.

A prediction is that Contador will not ride hard tomorrow as he does not to be on the stand in Paris to hear the nay-sayers. Not the same guy who destroyed the field in the Giro.

Andy or Cadel?

My guess is Cadel, but, if it's Andy then, all I can say is "very well done". Anybody else remember Greg Lemond riding down Fignot to win in a time trial that ended in Paris on the last day? He became a hero that day, lost a lot of the luster over the years.

Monday without the TDF will be a little boring. Here's too all that rode the TDF, better men than I ever was!

jim-ratliff · « **Reply #18 on:** July 22, 2011, 03:18:17 pm »

I agree. I was beginning to understand and appreciate some of the sprinter's team logic, but other than that it was very boring and wasn't holding my interest.

And I too thought the Schleck strategy yesterday was awesome. Send two guys out in the break-away so that IF Andy is able to get away he has pre-positioned support. Keep Frank on Contador's wheel, and if Andy fails then it's on Frank's shoulders. Team strategy -- and amazing how seldom there was much team around Contador!!

Absolutely agree with your assessment of Tom Voeckler -- his "all-in" efforts at honoring the yellow jersey have been suspense all by itself.

Winner tomorrow? I think Andy holds on, only because there is enough mountain in the time trial to mitigate his individual weakness (plus, the Yellow Jersey gives you wings)?
Most admired? Frank Shleck right behind Voeckler. Playing the same role for Andy that George Hincapie did for Lance Armstrong. I don't know whether Hincapie could have won on his own, and I don't know if Frank could, but I admire people who sacrifice themselves for the support of another. I think there are 4 people that might have a real shot at the yellow tomorrow. (Can Voeckler come back from 2 minutes down in a time trial?)

But I now just read that Andy Schleck says that he hasn't even previewed the time trial course??? I will guarantee that Lance Armstrong would not have been that casual about what stands between him and the sealing the deal after the Alps. I now believe that Andy won't win. Too cavalier, will choke under the pressure and burn himself up somewhere along the way.

Compare his casual attitude with today's stage winner, who's ridden the Alpe d'Huez a dozen times in practice AND watched the cadence and pace of past winners. Video in bike racing, now THAT's preparation.

midwif · « **Reply #19 on:** July 22, 2011, 04:28:37 pm »

Quote from: jim-ratliff on July 22, 2011, 03:18:17 pm

But I now just read that Andy Schleck says that he hasn't even previewed the time trial course??? I will guarantee that Lance Armstrong would not have been that casual about what stands between him and the sealing the deal after the Alps. I now believe that Andy won't win. Too cavalier, will choke under the pressure and burn himself up somewhere along the way.

Compare his casual attitude with today's stage winner, who's ridden the Alpe d'Huez a dozen times in practice AND watched the cadence and pace of past winners. Video in bike racing, now THAT's preparation.

Unless he's said that to put off the competition. They may have the same reaction you did. And underestimate him.

Agreement on LA being the master of preparation for the TDF.
And all the noses in the air thru the years at his focus on just the TDF.
Did Contador lose the TDF in italy?
Or is the lack of "additives" in his diet, given the on-going allegations, that have lessened his riding style this race?

AAHH, conjecture. Fun.

meput · « **Reply #20 on:** July 23, 2011, 09:00:39 pm »

Ah sweetness. The Tour is wonderful. Cadel rode a wonderful Tour. His time trial today was superb. To go from 57 seconds down to a 1 minute, 34 sec up is amazing. Voeckler once again has won the hearts of all cyclists by defending the the yellow jersey many more days than anybody thought he could. He did the yellow jersey proud in '04 and again this year. Contador rode well the last couple of days but rode dumb early in the Tour. Bottom line, he got stomped

.

I love the Tour!

jim-ratliff · « **Reply #21 on:** July 25, 2011, 10:48:49 am »

Cadel and Voeckler are clearly the heroes of the Tour this year (along with Mark Cavendish's whole team).

Every time they needed to dig deeper to stay in contention or to defend the yellow jersey, they were able to do it. And without much of the media fanfare surrounding the Schlecks and Contador.

It took a while this year for it to catch my interest, and now I'm sorry it's so soon over. Needs more GC competition earlier in the Tour rather than merely three days at the end.

LivingProof · « **Reply #22 on:** July 26, 2011, 07:42:47 am »

Jim,
Agreed that if there is a down side to the TDF, it's modern team based cycling makes it impossible for an all-around rider to win the tour, unless, that person happens to be an excellent climber and therefore very light in weight. I believe Evans weights 150 pounds, but looking at him, he appears muscular. The Alps stages rule and it takes 17 days just to get there. Are there any other sports where it takes a team to win, but, one person is crowned the champion

As I said above, I'm in awe of the physical ability of TDF riders just to get to Paris.

Well done Cadel both in the physical and the tactical sides. In the final time trial, the difference in the body type and power of Evans vs Andy was stunning. Man vs boy.

Just a final comment on Lynn's thoughts about Contador's performance. It's been said many times that to win, things have to go perfectly in the Tour. Loosing time early due to a road crash, then falling himself several times, possibly having minor injuries all combine to a sum total larger than any one factor. It never seemed his team really worked or supported him, heck, his biggest ally was another Spanish rider on a different team. Armstong always stated that Contador does not develop team support and provide the recognition. Evans was mobbed by a very happy team at the end of the last ride, and, it seemed they were all ecstatic to see him win. Did Saxo Bank know Alberto just did not have it in him, or, perhaps his team was making a statement?

There's always next July (and next ski season which will come in several months

)

midwif · « **Reply #23 on:** July 26, 2011, 07:29:05 pm »

LP
Jim and I noted the same lack of "team support" you did.
For Contador to not have the support of a team built for him,
he really has to have done things to foment that kind of or lack of ) sentiment.

Hats off to Evans, Cavendish and " The Schlecks". These guys all work hard
and seem to endear the kind of sentiment that leads to the best support of those around them

Makes one appreciate the team that Lance built around him even more.
I remember my spanish brother in law saying that Roberto Herreras was obviously as good as LA. ( This was when RH was a domestique on LA's team, I can't remember if USPS or Radio Shack)
Herreras had helped Lance make it up thru the Alps and position himself for the climbing wins.

Tthe following year, when RH DID HAVE a team built around him, he..... broke his leg. Badly. Never really made it back.
I seem to remember him then being implicated in the drug scandals in spain.

I spent the past 2 wks of the TDF working almost non-stop. My thanks to Jim for the daily updates via text.

Vive la Text!

Sweltering in NYC.

Lynn (TDF fan and winter ski enthusiast)

ToddW · « **Reply #24 on:** July 26, 2011, 08:48:53 pm »

Quote from: midwif on July 26, 2011, 07:29:05 pm

Lynn (TDF fan and winter ski enthusiast)

Lynn,

Since you won't be using it, may I lay claim to your share of Fall and Spring snow? I'll trade you some of my hot air to inflate your bicycle tires with in exchange for your share of spring snow. Hot air makes for lighter-than-air tires -- hills have never seemed so easy as they will when I get your spring snow.

jim-ratliff · « **Reply #25 on:** July 26, 2011, 09:00:28 pm »

Todd:
I hate to disappoint you, but Lynn has no shortage of hot air and therefore doesn't have any reason to make the trade that you suggest, unless of course you are offering to deliver said warm air to the Seagull Classic in October (just in case we have an early fall)?

Lynn:
And I'm sure Roberto was completely objective in saying that Herreras was as good as Lance. By the way, what's his opinion of Contador and of Sammy Sanchez??

midwif · « **Reply #26 on:** July 27, 2011, 09:18:09 am »

I think I've been insulted. In fact, I'm sure of it!

I'll have to ask my Br-in-lw about the spanish take on Contador and Sanchez. I
don't think he really follows the TDF closely, but anytime a spaniard is doing well internationally,
the whole country takes notice and national pride/opinions swell.

L.

Full of hot air indeed...Hummpphhh

jim-ratliff · « **Reply #27 on:** July 27, 2011, 11:38:24 am »

Quote from: midwif on July 27, 2011, 09:18:09 am

I think I've been insulted. In fact, I'm sure of it!

Full of hot air indeed...Hummpphhh

Nay, Nay, my Bronx Belle of puckish wit and charm. (and whose birthday is tomorrow).
I DID NOT say that YOU were full of hot air, only that you had no current shortage of Hot Air and that, therefore, Todd's offer was probably of little interest. Me thinks you jumped to a wrong conclusion -- being a bit over sensitive perhaps?

Perhaps the fall over the handlebars and onto your noggin' has affected your normally clear headed reasoning pow'rs?

===> There is hot air a'plenty across the eastern two thirds of these United States these days (and only in Washington is most of it not due to the weather).

News:

Author Topic: Tour de France (Read 779 times)