Well, after being ensconced at a marvelous breakfast with marvelous people, I returned home to a non-working phone, edits from my editor (that's how it works people), a slew of other new projects and laundry.
The laundry still sits in a tub in the middle of the floor, but the rest of the stuff is moving along slowly. And that gives me a tiny bit of time to catch up. Not like the catching up BIG GEORGE HINCAPIE is going to have to do if he wants to even sniff the podium this year, but some catching up.
Here is how the top handful finished YESTERDAY'S Stage 16...
1. DESSEL Cyril 101 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 4h 31' 27"
2. CASAR Sandy 161 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 4h 31' 27" + 00' 00"
3. ARROYO David 32 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 31' 27" + 00' 00"
4. POPOVYCH Yaroslav 7 SILENCE - LOTTO 4h 31' 30" + 00' 03"
5. HINCAPIE George 47 TEAM COLUMBIA 4h 31' 51" + 00' 24"
6. PORTAL Nicolas 38 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 31' 51" + 00' 24"
7. VALJAVEC Tadej 109 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 4h 31' 51" + 00' 24"
8. SCHUMACHER Stefan 111 GEROLSTEINER 4h 32' 30" + 01' 03"
9. SCHLECK Andy 16 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 4h 32' 55" + 01' 28"
10. KOHL Bernhard 115 GEROLSTEINER 4h 32' 55" + 01' 28"
11. EVANS Cadel 1 SILENCE - LOTTO 4h 32' 55" + 01' 28"
12. SCHLECK Frank 17 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 4h 32' 55" + 01' 28"
13. VALVERDE Alejandro 31 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 32' 55" + 01' 28"
Showing posts with label redbones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label redbones. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Watching the Tour with Friends
This morning I spent about two hours with 50 of my closest friends. OK. These other 49 people and I had four things in common...
We like cycling.
We watch the Tour de France as much as we can.
We like breakfast.
We were willing to jet into Somerville, MA at 9AM on a Tuesday to eat breakfast with strangers while watching the Tour.
I’ve been blogging the race for the past 15 stages (today is stage 16) and I’ve been doing it practically solo.
This blog entry will run both at TDF08.com and here on Bowl of Cheese. But that’s because while I was watching the Tour I met some riders and took some photos.
In order for them to find the photos, they’re going to look at my Tour de France blog and not here.
The interesting thing was that so many people were up, coherent and willing to spend social time with other people while watching TV.
Social and community norms were followed. No serious topics, no seriously blatant cheering, and a generous respect for ‘morning’ moods.
As an article, the slant would be going after a bunch of cyclists and finding out how far they rode to be with other like-minded riders.
I’d find out what types of bikes were in the complimentary bike parking lot (bike valets took bikes at the door and stored them in the basement while people ate).
And I’d find out who had been to a stage of the Tour in person.
With this group, I found that many had ridden long distances and had nice bikes. They also harbor a healthy respect for the skills of the riders, are angered by the repeated doping, and hope that each stage is as exciting as this one.
From a rider almost flinging himself 2800 meters down a mountain, to a breakaway that lasted all the way to the finish, to the very real possibility that yellow would change hands again - this was a really great morning.
By next year I’ll have another road bike - or more likely a cross bike - and will make an effort to attend on the proper two wheels.
Today I scooted to the city to be with my brethren and I realized what I’ve been missing by being off the bike.
I guess I’ll have to find a way to fit the dirt, pavement and scooter into my recreational life.
As I type this I’m still grinning about the colorful kits (these are biking uniforms), the fun stories people shared (the worst muscle cramps anyone has had), and the tasty buffet-style breakfast provided by Redbones (eggs, sausage, home fries and pulled pork hash).
What a ride!
Updates and standings to come. Also, maybe a change in the format of how things are presented here at TDF08.com.
We like cycling.
We watch the Tour de France as much as we can.
We like breakfast.
We were willing to jet into Somerville, MA at 9AM on a Tuesday to eat breakfast with strangers while watching the Tour.
I’ve been blogging the race for the past 15 stages (today is stage 16) and I’ve been doing it practically solo.
This blog entry will run both at TDF08.com and here on Bowl of Cheese. But that’s because while I was watching the Tour I met some riders and took some photos.
In order for them to find the photos, they’re going to look at my Tour de France blog and not here.
The interesting thing was that so many people were up, coherent and willing to spend social time with other people while watching TV.
Social and community norms were followed. No serious topics, no seriously blatant cheering, and a generous respect for ‘morning’ moods.
As an article, the slant would be going after a bunch of cyclists and finding out how far they rode to be with other like-minded riders.
I’d find out what types of bikes were in the complimentary bike parking lot (bike valets took bikes at the door and stored them in the basement while people ate).
And I’d find out who had been to a stage of the Tour in person.
With this group, I found that many had ridden long distances and had nice bikes. They also harbor a healthy respect for the skills of the riders, are angered by the repeated doping, and hope that each stage is as exciting as this one.
From a rider almost flinging himself 2800 meters down a mountain, to a breakaway that lasted all the way to the finish, to the very real possibility that yellow would change hands again - this was a really great morning.
By next year I’ll have another road bike - or more likely a cross bike - and will make an effort to attend on the proper two wheels.
Today I scooted to the city to be with my brethren and I realized what I’ve been missing by being off the bike.
I guess I’ll have to find a way to fit the dirt, pavement and scooter into my recreational life.
As I type this I’m still grinning about the colorful kits (these are biking uniforms), the fun stories people shared (the worst muscle cramps anyone has had), and the tasty buffet-style breakfast provided by Redbones (eggs, sausage, home fries and pulled pork hash).
What a ride!
Updates and standings to come. Also, maybe a change in the format of how things are presented here at TDF08.com.
Stage 16 Overview, Picks and Comment
If I get up in time, I'm going to dash into SOmerville, MA to join the regional Mountain Biking group (NEMBA) to watch Stage 16 at a barbecue restaurant (Redbones) with other cycling fanatics.
The gathering begins at 9AM and you get a full breakfast while watching the first of a bunch of Alps' stages.
So, before I put out the trash and hop on the scooter, here is what I think will take place today in the Tour.
The riders leave Italy and tackle two Hors Category climbs. The mountain in France features the highest mountain pass in all of that country - a staggering 2802 meters!
The stage goes from Cuneo Italy to Jausiers France...a distance of 157KM.
There are no more rest days, and today WILL solidify either Cadel Evans' fall from grace or the dominance and eventual win of Christian Vandevelde.
Today's winner will be a climber, but it might also feature a jump by Kim Kirchen and you KNOW I'm always hoping that George Hincapie will slam the peloton with a massive effort and get himself close to the podium.
I'll do a post-race bunch of entries after lunch today.
The gathering begins at 9AM and you get a full breakfast while watching the first of a bunch of Alps' stages.
So, before I put out the trash and hop on the scooter, here is what I think will take place today in the Tour.
The riders leave Italy and tackle two Hors Category climbs. The mountain in France features the highest mountain pass in all of that country - a staggering 2802 meters!
The stage goes from Cuneo Italy to Jausiers France...a distance of 157KM.
There are no more rest days, and today WILL solidify either Cadel Evans' fall from grace or the dominance and eventual win of Christian Vandevelde.
Today's winner will be a climber, but it might also feature a jump by Kim Kirchen and you KNOW I'm always hoping that George Hincapie will slam the peloton with a massive effort and get himself close to the podium.
I'll do a post-race bunch of entries after lunch today.
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