tour de france?

[Capt_Cully]

Who watches it? I haven't missed it in years. I've been an avid biker since 89 when I got my first mountain bike. I could care less if Lance is in it, though I routed for him for many years and enjoyed his victories. So, I don't mean to say I don't care that he's not doing well this, his last, year.

What I'm saying is its extremely exciting to watch. The scenery. The drama. Anyone who's ridden a bike uphill and knows the face of the pain the riders suffer, has got to enjoy watching the grand tour.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

It's been really good this year. I'm watching today's stage right now and it's amazing. Let's keep this thread clean of spoilers! I'm usually a day or two behind.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Today's is amazing. Let me know when you've watched it. I NEED to talk about it. My wife thinks I'm nuts. I reminded her I don't watch football, baseball, golf, world cup soccer etc. Hunting TV in the fall and the tour in July. The rest of the time its reefing and riding.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Ok it's over. No more worries about spoilers.

First let me set the stage for my own likes and dislikes. I'm always a fan of Lance but like you, I don't feel bad that he's not doing well this year. He's had his glory and he seems content despite his bad luck. CSC used to be my number one team, but since they dissolved I don't really have a favorite team - probably Saxo Bank or Garmin if I had to pick. I enjoy the personalities and attitudes of a lot of the big name riders, but other than Lance, most of my favorite riders have been the more laid back guys - guys like Dave Z and (drumroll please) the Schlecks.

So of course today ****ed me off. :lol: Granted, it's a race, and it's anyone's game, but when the yellow jersey has a mechanical, it strikes me as rude and disrespectful to take off like a gunshot and not even look back. Maybe you don't have to stop, but you'd at least keep the pace low until he caught back up.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

PS - I've never really done anything but road riding, but last month I built a mountain bike. It's sitting in my garage intimidating me every time I walk by. :lol: Need to find some easy trails to break it in.

 

[brians4671]

Im ready for some TT's!

But I wouldnt miss tomorrow for anything....

 

[Capt_Cully]

I've been giving Andy schleck mad props since 08 when he set the pace on the climbs and just shattered the peleton. He and Frank are a 2 headed monster. Today ****ed me off ROYALLY!!! I've seen both lance and Jan ulrich pull up and wait to one another in the heat of battle in the name of fair play. You could see in Contador's eyes when he accepted the Jersey that he just pulled a punk move. He's supposed to be the champ and he made himself look like a weasle IMO.

One thing is for sure. Andy and Saxo are gonna put it down tomorrow and Wed on the Tourmelet. It will truly be epic like his come back climb today.

 

[toddmh]

sorry but I've been haten lol..I usually tune in to versus to watch cage fighting,now every day it's all biking now lol

 

[Capt_Cully]

I'm a big MMA fan. Can't wait for the Jon Jones fight 8/1. But I don't think most people can relate to what amazing athletes these guys are. Climbing 8-10% grades for 10 miles is nothing short of superhuman. If no one believes me, get on a bike, find the steepest hill you can, ride up it as fast as you can. Imagine the burn you feel multiplied by an hour or two. That is if you don't puke!

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

If no one believes me, get on a bike, find the steepest hill you can, ride up it as fast as you can. Imagine the burn you feel multiplied by an hour or two.

Then do it every day for THREE WEEKS. :lol: These guys are truly some of the most superhuman athletes in the world.

Did you notice that when Versus interviewed Contador after the podium yesterday, he answered in Spanish? All his other interviews he's answered in English. Methinks he's a tad embarrassed and/or just a smug jerk at heart.

 

[toddmh]

I see what you mean Cully,till I was like 25 my bike was my way of travel lol..I don't care how much wind people think they have,peddle up hill for just a short term..you will separate the men from the boys real quick lol

 

[RyanEG]

I'm a fledgling cyclist but have typically paid some attention to the Tour. This year I haven't been able to much of it at all. Just trying to keep up with the blurbs on sportscenter.

 

[jacksonpt]

I've been an avid rider for a number of years now, and have watched the tour pretty closely for the last 6 years or so. In the past, I never really liked nor disliked Lance, but I liked his story, so I routed for him. I've been following him on Twitter this summer leading up to the tour, and have grown to like him. I wish he was having a better final tour. I wasn't routing for him to win, but I'd like to see him go out on a better note. He looks old now, and has had nothing but bad luck.

I've been watching Andy improve in recent years, and after this year's tour de suisse, I was really interested to see what he could do in the tour. He looked strong early, and I got pretty excited for the mountain stages. He controlled the alps, and looked like he was going to handle the pyrenees... then he dropped his chain yesterday and, well... the rest is history.

I was disappointed for Andy... probably the worst time for a mechanical, but felt even worse about what Contador did. And then the excuses he gave... he's pathetic and a coward.

 

[brians4671]

Well before writing Lance off he IS in the leading breakaway as we speak. After this stage then you can write him off haha.

 

[RyanEG]

He's only got a half hour or so to make up...lol

 

[oneradtek202]

been watching every stage. today was very exciting, although i took off on my 30 mile ride in the middle of it. armstrong did a great job today though, its good to see he can still keep up with the best of them.

been routing for andy schleck

 

[Capt_Cully]

Disappointed a bit today. Really wanted to see a Saxo Bank assault. But it was fun watching the old fart (being one myself) try to hang. Not too shabby.

As for Contadors interview yesterday, I was acutely aware of the change in his method of dealing with the media. I'd like to give him any benefit of the doubt but having witnessed others abide by unwritten gentleman's rules, I still think he's a worm.

Its all or nothing tomorrow IMO.

 

[brians4671]

I think tomorrow is a day off so it will be nothing.

But Andys' day is comming. It was wormy. Did you catch Lances interview. Quote "dont try yanking our chains by saying you didnt see it c'mon you were behind him".

I agree with your post he did fine. After his achievments it would have been nice to see him pull off the stage win. But honest I never saw him pulling it off agains the group he was in.

Sure did spice things up huh?

 

[Capt_Cully]

True, my bad. Rest day tomorrow.

 

[magdelan]

I'll take anyone on an incline for two hours. And my bike only has 6 gears!