World Update.

I have been sporadic at best with posting on this blog. For this I apologize. Here is a recap of the world events since my last post.



-Contador wins Giro, big surprise, up yours France! Rosa is the new Maillot.

-Levi wins prologue in the Dauphine Libre but can't secure the whole thing. Levi is still our hero. Good job on the win.

-Valverde wins the whole shebang Libre and Evans is looking on target with the form of a grand tour contender. Valverde and Evans....ought to be interesting come July.

-I did a mtn bike race and sucked....finished 13th and crashed a lot! It was wet as hell and red Georgia clay is not your friend when mixed with water. Had fun though.


-Got a new camera so future cycling pics may be beyond stellar.


-"Party like a rock star" aka Tom Boonen is busted in a drug test but not for performance enhancers. NO, Tommy was playing with the nose candy. Good job Tom! Just goes to show that there is a little bit of Jan Ulrich party time euro discotheque in everyone.


-The Schleck brothers are looking good at Tour De Swiss. Watch out for this tag team in July!


-Lance launches social networking site for active people. Livestrong.com


-Robbie McEwan wins two stages in Swiss land and proves his quality not quantity race selection is panning out.


-Phinney is on fire setting World Record in the 3000 Pursuit. I am going to be following this kid come August in Bejing.


-Christoph Sauser claims first world cup win of the season in Andorra.
- I have a couple new favorite sites.

http://www.conradstoltz.com/

http://www.dghugo.com/

http://www.benitadewitt.com/ <-----This lady is a revolutionary in physical therapy. Trying out the bunkies. More to come later.


-Italian podium girls are simply stunning. I am moving over there.


Chiao.

DZ-Nuts is Coming!

http://www.dz-nuts.com/
Check it!

May!

Italian Phrase of the day: "Buona festa Della mamma!"

Translation: Happy mother's day!

YES! May has finally graced us with her presence. I love this month for two reasons. One is because in Georgia the weather begins to stabilize and leans toward the warm end of the scale and the second reason is the Giro d'Italia (not to mention the podium girls from the giro).

To stray for a moment I must apologize for my sporadic posting, many ideas and so little time. Working to improve this dilemma. The past few weeks have been action packed and full of bikes and other fun stuff. I have been riding consistently 5 days a week and I am beginning to feel the benefits of that. The weight is coming off and the speed and power are up. In April I quite coke! Not one for the whole month, this was a smart and foolish move. I am addicted, its the first step to recovery, admitting my addiction that is.

Congrats are in order to Slipstream/Chipotle the winners of the opening team time trial. Bravissimo! Vande Velde has the pink jersey. 20yrs ago Andy Hampsten became the first and only other American to don the Maglia Rosa. The Giro was on this morning. I watched via a shady website that was broadcasting the RAI coverage. Awesome! Looking a the stage profile I was amazed to see that many hills on the second stage, no dice sprinters. In the final kilometers the field was decimated and it essentially split into a GC/climbing field and the rest. Joaquin Rodriguez tried to launch a flyer with 1k to go but overextended himself and was caught by a surging group led and won by fashion victim that is Riccardo Ricco. Question, how can you be an Italian and be a fashion victim at the same time? Moving forward, today's brutal finish saw pink stripped from Vande Velde by a scant one second by Franco Pellizotti. Other notes: tons of crashers - Soler, Contador, Pellizotti, Dean, Morabito ( had shoulder popped bakc into socket and finished stage), and unfortunately DZ. Zabriskie fractured a vertebrae and is out of the Giro.

Its sad that DZ is gone. He put in a stellar ride on yesterdays stage and his skills, speed, jokes, & moustache will be missed this month. Hope you get well Dave. See you at the Tour. In other DZ news he is launching a chamois cream line. You better believe I will be all over this when it comes out, or it will be all over me rather.

Good weekend full of riding, road and mountain. First official race for my mountain season set. May 25th I will ride in the Georgia State Championship Series race on my old turf in Athens, Georgia.

Savory Snack: Assos Chamois Creme

I have heard about this stuff for a while now and have been too cheap to give it a go. However, the purchase of the "dream creme", as I like to call it, is something one will never regret. The little white jar stares back at you with a logo that is synonymous with the best cycling has to offer. The little Swiss flag is reminiscent of a desert and my mind can't help but think chocolate is actually on the other side of those plastic walls. However, this is not the case, instead you will find a desert that should be applied to an area of you body that is often neglected, if not for two functions. Competitive Cyclist ,as usual, writes a pretty great description of the product. I will say I have used various other creams and lubricants and I thought they where all the same. Sadly mistaken, was I. Assos Chamois Creme is in a league of its own and well worth the $20. The intoxicating smell coupled with the sensational cooling effect have had a lasting impression on my hind parts. Pick up a jar and spoil yourself, or savor it.

TdG: PICTURES and twilight video

I don't like the following phrase: "Image Dump"

So enjoy my photographs!

ATHENS

De Re-Cap De Ronde Van Vlaanderen

In a nutshell it was a typical racing. The weather was crap, hail, rain, a little snow(wtf? That's what Phil said on VS). The cobbles were slick and the racing was for the hard men. An early breakaway went away shortly after 100k and was kept within spitting distance for a while. The remaining escapees were caught before the Oude Kwaremont . Then came the attacks. Young Rabobank sensation Langeveld, Hushovd, Hincapie, and Friere where among the repeated attackers. Then a group of five( Ballan, Devolder, Langeveld, Hincapie and Kroon) made a good move with 30k to go. They were putting in a good pace but it wouldn't prove enough against the force of team Liquigas and Cofidis. When they were caught Stijn DeVolder launched a brilliant attack that was timed to utter perfection. Prior to being caught he rested in the break, being his team leader Boonen was behind, his legs were fresh and he was able to hold a nail biting gap all the way to the finish. The Belgians got a hometown win from their national champion. Well done Stijn. You deserved that one!

Notable Rides from Riders*:

Boonen - His form has been in question lately, but I think the older he gets the more maturity he displays and he is able to pick his time to come to form. Gone are the days of gunning for every finish line in sight. His ride this weekend was a display of pure power he was able to maintain the pace of the leaders without a hint of strain on his face. He played with them and it tactically worked to his teammates benefit. He looked as though he could have won the whole thing if he really wanted. I expect him as the #1 favorite in two weeks for P-R.

Flecha - Bravo! First Spaniard to break the top ten at the Belgian classic. You gotta love a Spaniard who loves the cobbles over the high mountains. It's odd and he stands out, but that makes him everyone's favorite dumbo of De Ronde.

Langeveld - Wow this kid is in the front group and he is 22 yrs old. That is amazing. This is the year of the Rabobank Young Guns....proving sans Rasmussen they have plenty of firepower.

Hincapie- The majority of Americans wake up dreaming of the day Big Georgie will bring one of these trophies back stateside. He looked to be in good form this weekend and after the race he said his legs weren't that great. I think 5th and your legs "didn't feel great" is not a bad place to be. I can't wait to see him in P-R in two weeks. I will be pulling for you Georgie!!!

Ballan - No two-peat, but 4th ain't bad. Definitely a threat.

Cancellara - He was up front!?! He didn't seem to have the legs though. Was it a bad day? Did he peak two soon? We will find out in two weeks?

Pozzatto - With the lead group. Looking good, feeling good. Please for once Pozzatto just pull off a win and a big one. You are way to stylish, (exception the bad corn row of a hair day a San Remo this year) to go without a victory!!! After a while that style just fades into euro-trash......so man up and win a fucking race!!!!

Angel Gomez - Head down and didn't see it coming. I can't get this clip anymore but it is spectacular. He left the race with a broken arm and he is lucky that's all. He was doing what I can assume was over 40kph when he hit a protruding curb. Ouch! I have never seen a bike fly through the air like that. If you can find this clip it's worth a watch. You will cringe!

* - Devolder is omitted b/c his legs did enough talking. No need to discuss it.

Cylingnews.com Pics

April Fools!

Previous post was April Fools, it was easy to spot. I am not quiting cycling. I love this sport. It is beautiful even if a select few decide to tamper with their bodies. We must remember they are only the smallest of fractions when it comes to the cycling population. Thus I will not let their lack their bad decisions influence me. Keep the rubber side down.

Change of Plans

I am formally announcing my retirement from cycling. I am selling a crap load of equipment if you are interested hit me up. I got a 2004 Cervelo Soloist for sale $2,000...full dura-ace. Also a 2007 Giant Anthem 2 with deore and Crank Brothers Pedals...otherwise stock $1,500. Also specialized road and Mtb shoes .....road I will let go for $40 b/c they are used. The mtb shoes I gotta ask $200 for b/c they only have one ride on them. Anyway I have some other stuff as well. If I am motivated I will put up some pics of everything for sale. I am going to be pursuing running full time. If lance can do it, then so can I.

Respectfully Yours,
Moi

Wheels of Luck Go Round & Round

I am starting to wonder about my luck with all things wheels. Why was I given this cruel and unusual obsession with Bikes and Cars? Ok so I lust over cars and happen to own a pick-up. A trivial piece of information. I do lust over sports cars though, specifically Corvettes. Bikes, well they give me that special feeling as well and I happen to own several.

I was on my way out the door on Tuesday morning and I was leaving my driveway, which is goes on the side of the house to the back garage, when Bam!!! I thought I had just trashed the right front quarter panel on the side steps to my house. I was in disbelief. I got out of the car and walked around and was utterly amazed to see no body damage. What I had effectively done was blow out the right front tire by making solid contact with the steps and ripping a huge gash in the sidewall. I had to laugh! My luck with wheels has been unbelievable lately.

An hour later I emerged after a nice breakfast and coffee. The worthless front tire was removed and replaced with a muddy looking old one that has been hanging via some weird suspension beneath my truck bed for god knows how long. Lets just say this tire is so old, it makes a hideous screeching sound anytime I attempt to turn the truck, even if I am only doing 15mph. Its the kinda screech that makes people stare and give you dirty looks. I can't help and think of my favorite youtube video about cars whenever I I get those dirty looks it makes me laugh. I am so amused I seem to not be in a rush to get a new tire put on and the front end aligned, but that might also be a pocket-book thing.



On a lighter note I got the Specialized Quiver the other day. Yes I am converting to Tubeless on the mountain bike via Stan's NoTubes. The quiver is 3 complete sets of tires and is selling at a 33% discount to its previous price and come s with a fancy case. Anyway pumped about running tubeless thus ensuring I never have to go to performance bike again only to get harassed about becoming a member just to buy those cheap a$$ Chinese rubber tubes. Amen!

Can't wait to ride some more this weekend. The marathon is this Sunday. Am I sad I am not doing it? Yes! Will I be sad the day after when I am able to walk and go for a bike ride? Hell no!
This is what I am going to try and avoid doing on the mountain bike this weekend.



Italian Phrase of the Day: "Potrei avere la carne cotta non troppo al sangue?"

Translation: May I have my steak cooked medium rare?

Weekend Re-cap

This past weekend was great. I made the voyage home and got to spend three solid days in the sun and warm weather riding my bike. I managed to do about 6 hours in 3 days. My knee is feeling better as I discovered some new stretches for the IT band on Running Times website and they have made all the difference. I am out of shape on the bike. I am out of breath just thinking about it. Friday I got chain suck so bad I had broke my chain and had to quit mtb-ing about 15 min into a ride. So I drove home and went out on the road bike for 2hours, good thing I lugged them both home. Friday after my ride I went with my dad to a local (i.e. 45min away) drag strip. I spent a wonderful Friday evening with the finest rednecks the south has to offer. I must admit I had a lot of fun. I got to see my dad race his corvette against some people and lose. It was his first time to be fair and I learned a lot. Turning a reputable quarter mile time for a streetcar without drag slicks is a very hard thing to accomplish. It was all in good fun, maybe next time we will beat those damn supercharged dodge neons. I managed to do an MTB ride with dad on sat and it was fun. I think I wore him out. I admire my dad. Not many of my friends father's could ride a mountain bike let alone be as fast. He is constantly beating some of the older riders in our town. Its gives me a kick to walk into the local bike shop and have everyone tell me how well my dad is riding. Anyway the weekend was long....thank you Good Friday! I got some miles under my belt and I am super excited about racing mountain bikes this summer. I need to sit down and plan out my race schedule and maybe even go as far as to plan some training. We will see how that goes.

Milan San Remo:

Fabian Cancellara Does it again. The rider from the swiss alps isn't as cool as his home country......He's on FIRE!!! He has won Eroica, Tirreno, and now San Remo. Fabian and the boot are a perfect fit. If I was a betting man I would say he is the one to watch for Flanders and Roubaix.

Another note is that the ever hyped and always stylish Filippo Pozzato came in second. Not a bad ride, however he has let me down on the style front, big time. He managed to secure a Pink accented pair of Sidis for La Primavera......So PRO!!!! Yet he had to show his lack of judgement by sporting corn-rows. I am deeply saddened by this decision.

Italian Phrase of the Day: "Ho appena iniziato a correre."

Translation: I've just started running.