Two Wheel Blogs

There probably won't be a shortage of chatter about Astana's announcement today of their selections so far for the big race next month. Today they announced 6 of the 9 who will go: Armstrong, Contador, Klöden, Leipheimer, Popovych, Zubeldia. (in alphabetic order)

Who's the leader? You decide. I really don't care.

I am not sure what to think regarding Lance and his return to bike racing. Most of me wants to see him and his publicity machine just go away, but last night I realized something.

I was at a scout meeting with my kids and I am talking to this guy who rides on occasion when he mentions AToC and did I watch much of it. I reply with a, "yeah, I saw some of that, blah blah". Then with a very excited voice he asks, "did you see Lance?...he looked GOOD". Moments later another guy who is not even an occasional cyclist enters the discussion of Lance...and I excused myself.

Could it be that Lance is good for cycling? Bringing the sport to the mainstream in a positive note? Yeah, well, duh. Why do I roll my eyes when they bring up Lance all the time then?

And to think, most lucky fans only get the occasional musette or water bottle.

If you happen to be around when David Millar has a mechanical you just might score a complete bike. You'll have to add a new chain, of course.

I took advantage of a rare day - sunny and warm - yesterday to catch up on yard work and to get in a quick ride. While I was out riding (You really don't want to hear about the yard work, do you?) I ran into a guy, Bert, from the ICCC team, whose conversation helped the time go by. Five tough climbs come and gone in a flash.

Looks like more rain today. Good thing I'm planning to take it easy, relatively speaking. 50 or 60 TSS is a walk in the park on the trainer.

Fast doesn't begin to describe how these guys ride.

The team had a Fan Zone on the corner of Delmar and Devaliviere. On the first lap I set up on the curb just past the corner and aimed my camera back to the corner where I could catch the riders going by.

The amazing thing, to me anyway, is they did this seven times and never once appeared to slow down or get tired. They didn't really even look like they were breathing hard.

As some of you know Switzerland (a.k.a. Cary) has returned from France after watching a bit of the professional action. He shared a few photos with me from his trip as well as a few stories.

I heard some earth shattering news about the Tour on the way in to work today.....a rider tested negative! Yeah, I did not think it was all that funny either.

So anyway, here is a photo of the descent of Col du Galibie that he sent me. I think it is an awesome photo. I am sure he had a lifetime experience while in France. Some day, I would like to travel to some distant bike friendly places....