Today's Tour stage was interesting. At times it felt like a headless snake not knowing what to do without a dominant rider to direct the course through the mountains. Other times it was a wild series of attacks, crashes, and cracks. Mayo cursing the cameras trying to catch the moment where he dismounted and gave up (which eventually he did) or riders screaming at the motor bikes to get out of the way because they were slowing down the mountain descents. George Hincapie took himself out of contention by finishing at least 16 minutes down for the day. Discovery Channel, in fact, pretty much crumbled today. Maybe it's a strategy. Riiiiight.
And, of course, another American wears the yellow jersey.
But today my heart belonged to Levi Leipheimer. He rode a terrible time trial, had a few bad days and started this morning in a dismal 58th place. He had a fantastic day, missing the stage win by inches (to a stronger rider) and rode like he had forgotten his troubles. I was nearly doing backflips for him as he rode up the final climb and raced to the finish. He now sits in 13th. He has no hope of a podium spot. Well, in a normal Tour he'd have no hope. But this is the Bizzaro Tour. Who knows what can happen? He could attack on Alpe d'Huez next week and destroy his competition, ride a brilliant final TT and suddenly find himself in the catbird seat. Stranger things have happened . . . It won't, but in race where the guy who comes in last can walk into a French bar and have his drinks paid for by the fans, you just never know.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Hot Cup of Hoffee?
Oh. My.
I have no idea how to react to this. If any of these women get into the car with the Hoff, they deserve whatever they catch. Honestly I don't know what's worse, the completely superfluous references to when Hasselhoff was barely relevant or the flying heads behind him or, gag, the "Hot Cup of Hoffee". Ugh.
This has been the Hoff's month, though. First he has emergency surgery after a bizarre "shaving accident". I don't know what he was shaving in order to hit his head on a chandelier. He had to be standing on the sink, which means he was shaving . . . I have to stop thinking about it. Then he was kicked out of Wimbledon. Wow. He managed to get so drunk that he upset the country that invented Football Hooligans. That's impressive.
The Hoff. I don't get it. In fact, I think I vomited in my mouth a little. Enjoy.
I have no idea how to react to this. If any of these women get into the car with the Hoff, they deserve whatever they catch. Honestly I don't know what's worse, the completely superfluous references to when Hasselhoff was barely relevant or the flying heads behind him or, gag, the "Hot Cup of Hoffee". Ugh.
This has been the Hoff's month, though. First he has emergency surgery after a bizarre "shaving accident". I don't know what he was shaving in order to hit his head on a chandelier. He had to be standing on the sink, which means he was shaving . . . I have to stop thinking about it. Then he was kicked out of Wimbledon. Wow. He managed to get so drunk that he upset the country that invented Football Hooligans. That's impressive.
The Hoff. I don't get it. In fact, I think I vomited in my mouth a little. Enjoy.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
We're Winners!
Every day since the start of the Tour de France, Gert and I diligently sit down at the computer and play Trek's Tour Mania Scratch and Win game. I log in and Gert picks her Bobke token to scratch off the three little squares.
We have our hopes and dreams for the prizes. Click on "Scratch & Win" and then "Prizes and Sponsors" to see what we are playing for. I'll be honest, I want the bikes. I don't need to ride with Lance, I have a laptop and I'm actually wearing the t-shirt right now.
Most mornings we are met with defeat. Others we have near successes. "It says Discovery computer! We have two Discovery computers!" The third, of course, always says Powerbar. Worse, some mornings we get two Powerbars and we scream with dread that we'll actually win a Powerbar.
But today was different. When we sat down, Mom said, "I think today is your day guys."
"Mom," Gert cried. "Please don't say that!" She's a superstitious soul.
Gert scratched the first box. It said, "Water Bottle". Gert scratched the second box. It said "Water Bottle". We were both twitchy with excitement over the prospect of winning a $5 water bottle. She scratched the third box . . .
"Water Bottle!"
She leapt into the air an shrieked with delight. Then she started to dance. For the rest of the morning she sang a song that went something like this:
We won a water bottle (shake hips)
Oh yeah a water bottle (shake hips)
We won a water bottle (shake hips)
We are the winners (shake hips twice)
I was the scratcher (shake hips, jazz hands)
We won a water bottle (shake hips)
Because it's all sponsored by Trek, we don't have to wait to receive our prize. We have a letter that states we won a water bottle and we merely have to take it to our local Trek Store to pick up our bottle. Tonight Mommy has knitting so Gert and I are going on an adventure.
"You know," I said, "you get to keep the water bottle for your bike."
"Cool."
"It's just like the ones the racers on Discovery Channel use. George Hincapie even uses them."
"Hincapie! I will use it on my bike rides!" (She and Matilda selected George as their personal Tour favorites during the prologue. Each time I root for Floyd Landis, I get dirty looks.)
And so, she started her day as a winner. To share in her joy she brought blankets and granola bars for all the other kids at Diana's today so they could all enjoy a "rainy day snack".
Me? I'll be at Kinko's feeding the copier full of my good luck.
We have our hopes and dreams for the prizes. Click on "Scratch & Win" and then "Prizes and Sponsors" to see what we are playing for. I'll be honest, I want the bikes. I don't need to ride with Lance, I have a laptop and I'm actually wearing the t-shirt right now.
Most mornings we are met with defeat. Others we have near successes. "It says Discovery computer! We have two Discovery computers!" The third, of course, always says Powerbar. Worse, some mornings we get two Powerbars and we scream with dread that we'll actually win a Powerbar.
But today was different. When we sat down, Mom said, "I think today is your day guys."
"Mom," Gert cried. "Please don't say that!" She's a superstitious soul.
Gert scratched the first box. It said, "Water Bottle". Gert scratched the second box. It said "Water Bottle". We were both twitchy with excitement over the prospect of winning a $5 water bottle. She scratched the third box . . .
"Water Bottle!"
She leapt into the air an shrieked with delight. Then she started to dance. For the rest of the morning she sang a song that went something like this:
We won a water bottle (shake hips)
Oh yeah a water bottle (shake hips)
We won a water bottle (shake hips)
We are the winners (shake hips twice)
I was the scratcher (shake hips, jazz hands)
We won a water bottle (shake hips)
Because it's all sponsored by Trek, we don't have to wait to receive our prize. We have a letter that states we won a water bottle and we merely have to take it to our local Trek Store to pick up our bottle. Tonight Mommy has knitting so Gert and I are going on an adventure.
"You know," I said, "you get to keep the water bottle for your bike."
"Cool."
"It's just like the ones the racers on Discovery Channel use. George Hincapie even uses them."
"Hincapie! I will use it on my bike rides!" (She and Matilda selected George as their personal Tour favorites during the prologue. Each time I root for Floyd Landis, I get dirty looks.)
And so, she started her day as a winner. To share in her joy she brought blankets and granola bars for all the other kids at Diana's today so they could all enjoy a "rainy day snack".
Me? I'll be at Kinko's feeding the copier full of my good luck.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Tour Humor
Heh. Specialized's tour-themed webpage is funny. Make sure to mouse over her when she's loaded.
(Unless you're talking about doing something inappropriate to a drunk woman, then I think you shouldn't mouse over anyone because that's just wrong.)
The wheelset upgrade on the bike has led to upgrade fever. Why not upgrade the whole drivetrain? Seriously. I've put 2000 miles or so on this one and by the time I have banked up enough money to do it, it'll have 5 or 6,000 on it. Or more.
Actually, the upgrades I'm thinking of aren't just silly. They are needed. The riding I was doing before I bought the bike matched the components supplied. However, I've quickly moved in a new direction and I'm just beating the hell out of this bike and the upgrade will provide with a happier, healthier bike. And we're talking buying each component as it goes on sale and installing when I get what I want.
What is the problem? It's the front derailleur and the shifters, for the most part. Hate the derailleur, not fond of the shifters. Both are Sora. Why do I hate the derailleur? It's . . . chunky and imprecise. It has two settings, really (and my LBS and I have tried to find any other way possible). Either I can get chain-cross down to a minimum but have issues shifting back up to my large chain ring or I can have smooth shifting and as I shift closer to the wheel my chain drags across the derailleur so much that it sounds like I've put baseball cards in my spokes. No amount of adjustment helps. It's always one or the other. I know I'm going to have some chain cross, but jeez. That much metal on metal grinding is never good for anyone. As for the shifters, the mechanism will probably break before I plan to upgrade anyway. Good idea in theory, but in practice not so much. The other pieces will just make the two I've already mentioned work all the better.
Should have gotten the upgrades when I bought the bike and saved money in the long run, but I didn't know then. Did I?
(Unless you're talking about doing something inappropriate to a drunk woman, then I think you shouldn't mouse over anyone because that's just wrong.)
The wheelset upgrade on the bike has led to upgrade fever. Why not upgrade the whole drivetrain? Seriously. I've put 2000 miles or so on this one and by the time I have banked up enough money to do it, it'll have 5 or 6,000 on it. Or more.
Actually, the upgrades I'm thinking of aren't just silly. They are needed. The riding I was doing before I bought the bike matched the components supplied. However, I've quickly moved in a new direction and I'm just beating the hell out of this bike and the upgrade will provide with a happier, healthier bike. And we're talking buying each component as it goes on sale and installing when I get what I want.
What is the problem? It's the front derailleur and the shifters, for the most part. Hate the derailleur, not fond of the shifters. Both are Sora. Why do I hate the derailleur? It's . . . chunky and imprecise. It has two settings, really (and my LBS and I have tried to find any other way possible). Either I can get chain-cross down to a minimum but have issues shifting back up to my large chain ring or I can have smooth shifting and as I shift closer to the wheel my chain drags across the derailleur so much that it sounds like I've put baseball cards in my spokes. No amount of adjustment helps. It's always one or the other. I know I'm going to have some chain cross, but jeez. That much metal on metal grinding is never good for anyone. As for the shifters, the mechanism will probably break before I plan to upgrade anyway. Good idea in theory, but in practice not so much. The other pieces will just make the two I've already mentioned work all the better.
Should have gotten the upgrades when I bought the bike and saved money in the long run, but I didn't know then. Did I?
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Spoke of the Wheel Whirled
So, yeah. Broke another spoke. I think there's something wrong with the wheel itself. After breaking that many I've decided it's time to just ditch the wheels that came with the bike and choose new ones.
Great idea, right?
Well, not exactly. Do you have any idea how many wheel options there are?
See, I can pick up a set of wheels that were pre-built. They're cheaper, but they may not be stronger or better. So you look at buying rims, a hub and more spoke options than I thought possible. Even if I choose the rim, I have to then choose the hub. I have three hub options with one company alone, and if I investigate the Campy options, well . . . that's a whole new can o' worms.
I think my wife may be getting irritated with me though. I keep showing her pictures, asking her if I think the spoke count is good.
But, here's what I've learned. No matter what you are talking about, no matter how good your intentions, never, ever ask your wife her opinion on brass nipples.
Great idea, right?
Well, not exactly. Do you have any idea how many wheel options there are?
See, I can pick up a set of wheels that were pre-built. They're cheaper, but they may not be stronger or better. So you look at buying rims, a hub and more spoke options than I thought possible. Even if I choose the rim, I have to then choose the hub. I have three hub options with one company alone, and if I investigate the Campy options, well . . . that's a whole new can o' worms.
I think my wife may be getting irritated with me though. I keep showing her pictures, asking her if I think the spoke count is good.
But, here's what I've learned. No matter what you are talking about, no matter how good your intentions, never, ever ask your wife her opinion on brass nipples.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Hot Blooded
Little Gert always asks the difficult questions. Last night she was watching the Tour de France preview on OLN with me and, as always, asked all sorts of questions. Who will win? Who's that guy? Which one is Liquigas (she loves the name)? Can I ride that fast?
How about:
Daddy, the riders who aren't allowed to race how did they cheat?
That one stopped me dead in my tracks. Point shaving I could explain to a kid. Throwing a race, I could explain. Sticking a lead pipe in someone's spokes or pushing them off a mountain, I could explain. The confrontation between O'Grady and McEwan last year, the head push, I could explain. Steroids I could explain.
But how do you explain blood doping to a four-year-old? Luckily, I work for college textbook publishers and she's currently reading Vander's Human Physiology, which was sitting on my shelf. Once she has a base understanding of how the human body works, then I'll explain what those guys were accused of. Until then, I have no freaking idea how to describe it that wouldn't either sound boring and scientific, or like a horror/sci fi movie.
How about:
Daddy, the riders who aren't allowed to race how did they cheat?
That one stopped me dead in my tracks. Point shaving I could explain to a kid. Throwing a race, I could explain. Sticking a lead pipe in someone's spokes or pushing them off a mountain, I could explain. The confrontation between O'Grady and McEwan last year, the head push, I could explain. Steroids I could explain.
But how do you explain blood doping to a four-year-old? Luckily, I work for college textbook publishers and she's currently reading Vander's Human Physiology, which was sitting on my shelf. Once she has a base understanding of how the human body works, then I'll explain what those guys were accused of. Until then, I have no freaking idea how to describe it that wouldn't either sound boring and scientific, or like a horror/sci fi movie.
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