Lance’s Biggest Critic!

Greg LeMond is a big baby. Why does he always show up at the press conferences for Lance and try to stir up trouble? I’ve got my own opinions about it from seeing him do this time and again over the years. Personally, when I heard about Lance Armstrong’s return to professional cycling I wasn’t excited about it at all. I mean, what does he have left to prove? I like Lance and think he’s one of the best endurance athletes ever but hey, you’ve done it all. Lance started as a triathlete in his teens and was world class, he moved to professional cycling and was immediately recognized as a great rider, he was one of the youngest cyclist ever to win the world championships, he’s been in the Olympics what, two or three times?, he has either 3 or 4 ESPY awards for best male athlete, and of course he won the Tour De France 7 consecutive times which is unmatched!! He had a great career and it was a lot of fun to follow, so what’s the point?! There are a lot of great pro cyclists out there that I like to read about and follow. I think its time for him to “let it go” and ride off into the sunset on top of his game. All that aside, here’s a funny article from one of Lance’s press conferences in Las Vegas. Greg the big baby LeMond was front and center and of course started quizzing him about blood doping, testing, blah, blah, blah, just like he’s done in the past. Greg is obviously jealous of Lance and his success. I’ve seen him do this sort of thing to Lance several times over the past 6 to 7 years and its just gets funnier every time. Check out the article here from Bikeradar.com

Rails To Trails

Here's an article about the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trails that are now connected. I don't know why they are just now celebrating it because I've read that the trial connection was completed months ago. Well, at least it gets a celebration. This is somewhat of a green way (around 100 miles one way) that is paved and closed to motorized vehicles. If you get the opportunity I'd highly suggest riding, walking, jogging, skating, or whatever on this trail system. I got a chance to ride part of it in 2007 and thought it was great. I'm planning on taking a weekend to ride it again this fall. Check out this short article.

Here's a link for the Silver Comet trail if interested.

Lance still racing off road.

Lance Armstrong, Len Zanni and Max Taam rode to victory in the team division of the 12 Hours of Snowmass in Colorado. Check out the story and pictures here at VeloNews. This is really exciting (I guess the word to use is) to me because the 12 hour off road endurance races are the races I ride/race in over the spring, summer, and fall. I ride between 2 to 4 of these each season but I race in the male, 12 hour solo category. Ha, I ride the whole 12 hours solo and they changed riders every lap! That really doesn't mean anything. If any of them raced the solo division I'm sure they'd put me to shame. I just think it's cool that Lance is racing the same type of events I participate in. Here are some good pictures. You can see them changes riders at the start/finish in one of them. Check out the rest by following the link to the VeloNews article.

Alberto Contador takes the lead!

This says it all. Check out the Vuelta report from VeloNews! Here's another great picture from Graham Watson.

It's looming in the distance!

The Alto de L´Angliru will be the final climb in Saturday's summit finish of the Vuelta a España. The over all winner may be decided in this stage. Check out the profile of this climb. It's so tough that some of the riders don't want to discuss it when questioned by the media. Check out some of these Graham Watson photos from previous years and you can see how hard it is for even pro riders like Beloki and Heras. Here's the article from VeloNews.

A Michael Chirrick juggling routine. It's great.

This is an ancient clip of Michael Chirrick. He’s a fantastic old school style juggler. I’ve read about him, seen pictures and clips but I’ve never seen him perform in person. I wouldn’t be surprised if my dad has seen him perform live since he seems to have seen more of the great juggling performers over the years than about anyone I’ve known. I have however seen Peter Panic from upstate New York perform his soccer ball (large balls) routine on more than one occasion at juggling conventions and must say he’s got it down about as solid. In the clip you can see Chirrick run the gambit from some amazing single ball manipulation all the way up to a 5 ball cascade with the large balls. He’s so smooth, fast, and makes it look so easy that it will go unappreciated by most. Watch for some incredible combination tricks with the balls from spinning, head bounce, neck catch, and more. He throws in a short 3 torch routine which is pretty much a layman trick. Fire seems to amaze a lot of people.

Sébastien Hinault wins stage 10 of the Vuelta a España

Today's stage was 151.3km from Sabiñánigo to Zaragoza, Spain. Check out the aritcle at VeloNews. Here's a Graham Watson picture of the riders in echelons working through the wind.

Lance Armstrong is coming out of retirement.

I don't think this is a good idea since he proved everything he needed to and went out on top. Here's the story from VeloNews. Lance Armstrong coming back!

France's Col du Mont-Ventoux

I've been wanting to travel to France with my bike and try to ride the three different climbs to the summit in one day in order to become a member of The Club des Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux. Its for riders that make the three climbs in one day. You get your name posted on a roster at the summit along with a certificate. I once heard Lance in a press conference call Ventoux the toughest climb in all of France.

Here's the article from Pez.

Check out my balls!

Juggling balls. The big one is for single ball manipulation.

My Cannondale Capo single speed

Here it is with a nice Italian saddle, new old stock Shimano brake levers, a 120mm ITM stem, and new handlebar tape. Its so lovely I had to name it after a woman.

Vuelta update

Daniele Bennati wins stage 4. I wouldn't have thought he could have out sprinted Tom Boonen. http://velonews.com/article/82714/bennati-wins-stage-4-of-the-vuelta-a-espana

Boonen wins the 3rd stage.

Not too much to say about the Vuelta. Tom Boonen won the third stage in a sprint, Alejandro Valverde lost the leaders jersey, and Daniele Bennati is now the race leader. http://velonews.com/article/82666/boonen-scores-vuelta-stage-win-bennati-moves-into-lead

Check out the article and this Graham Watson picture.