Thursday, March 19, 2009
Via Roma...
To be honest, while I appreciate the history of this race, it’s never really sparked my passion. For me, it just seems a bit too predictable. Don’t get me wrong, Cancellara’s attack last year was terrific; I love to see the sprinters team’s foiled on the Via Roma. What about the distance? Yes, 294 km is a lot, but I was there in 2001 and I can honestly say that for most riders the first 200 km of the race is nothing more than a stiff-tempo’ed training ride. (Not you, Will Frischkorn!)
That said, my riders for Saturday are (in no particular order): Petacchi, Hushvod, Haussler, Hincapie, and Rebellin.
No disrespect to La Classicisma, that’s just my two cents. Please share your opinions with the rest of us!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Cajun Hell
Not sure how many of you follow the blog over at Competitive Cyclist; if you don't, you should start.
Today among the various bits of goodness there's a link to an article the New York Times did recently on the Rouge Roubaix, a 100-mile unpaved slog through some fine Louisiana back country. Note the people in the back of the photo walking their bikes.
It's a great article on an event that we all must try one day. Now I have yet another reason to get down to the Bayou.
Today among the various bits of goodness there's a link to an article the New York Times did recently on the Rouge Roubaix, a 100-mile unpaved slog through some fine Louisiana back country. Note the people in the back of the photo walking their bikes.
It's a great article on an event that we all must try one day. Now I have yet another reason to get down to the Bayou.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Hellingen van de Ronde
Only time for a short post today, but here’s something to keep you busy: the website for the Ronde Van Vlaanderen Sportif has links to the specifics of each col along the race route—paved and cobbled. There’s even a photo to accompany each berg.
Which is your favorite? Post a comment to let us all know.
The RVV Sportif is something to consider if you have the time and the means. Taking place the day before the race itself, the Ronde Sportif offers three routes each for road and mountain bikes. Choosing the 256km full course option gives you the perfect opportunity to test yourself against the same course as the pros. In some cases, riders have even been known to send people out to ride the course on Saturday with the intent of getting last-minute information about course and wind conditions for the day to follow. I forget the rider and the year (please remind me if you know), but I specifically recall one race winner saying he knew he'd have a tailwind after the Bosberg because of a tip he received from an amateur who rode the course the day preceding.
While I have not yet completed the Ronde Sportif (although it’s on my list), I have ridden several of the hills during my Belgian days. Last year, Fred Dreier from Velonews completed the full course. You can read about his experience here.
Which is your favorite? Post a comment to let us all know.
The RVV Sportif is something to consider if you have the time and the means. Taking place the day before the race itself, the Ronde Sportif offers three routes each for road and mountain bikes. Choosing the 256km full course option gives you the perfect opportunity to test yourself against the same course as the pros. In some cases, riders have even been known to send people out to ride the course on Saturday with the intent of getting last-minute information about course and wind conditions for the day to follow. I forget the rider and the year (please remind me if you know), but I specifically recall one race winner saying he knew he'd have a tailwind after the Bosberg because of a tip he received from an amateur who rode the course the day preceding.
While I have not yet completed the Ronde Sportif (although it’s on my list), I have ridden several of the hills during my Belgian days. Last year, Fred Dreier from Velonews completed the full course. You can read about his experience here.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Pave Project - #1
Some of you may recall a project I mentioned upon launching thus blog.
The goal is to catalog and record all cobbled roads in America. Ambitious? Maybe. Worth the effort? Definitely.
Here's the first entry:
Located a few blocks from my apartment, Church Alley is about 100 feet of classic, cobbled goodness. Note the bricked sidewalk. Even better, the alley is adjacent to the local Iron Hill Brewery; so after a few loops of stone intervals, you can stop-in for a Brewski burger and some Vienna Red Lager.
The goal is to catalog and record all cobbled roads in America. Ambitious? Maybe. Worth the effort? Definitely.
Here's the first entry:
Located a few blocks from my apartment, Church Alley is about 100 feet of classic, cobbled goodness. Note the bricked sidewalk. Even better, the alley is adjacent to the local Iron Hill Brewery; so after a few loops of stone intervals, you can stop-in for a Brewski burger and some Vienna Red Lager.
Monday, March 9, 2009
L'Eroica
Don’t get me wrong, I love Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. With Mercury in 2001, I drove the second car in the Race to the Sun when we won 3 stages with Koerts, Van Petegem, and Guidi. It’s a beautiful race covering some of France’s most beautiful roads and scenery.
However, it can’t be denied that there’s something a bit anti-climatic about the shift from the single day classics of Belgium’s opening weekend to the week-long stage races of France and Italy. Yes, they are the traditional warm-ups for Milan-San Remo. And yes, they usually contain all the protagonists for April’s northern classics. But there’s something of a palate cleansing effect to them—as if they’re simply setting the stage for bigger courses to come.
2007 marked the first change to the pattern with the inaugural Montepaschi Strade Bianche - Eroica Toscana, affectionately known as “L’Eroica”. To many, last year’s edition really put the race on the Spring map with a terrific dual between Cancellara and Ballan—two former winners of another spring race run on some rough roads. Maybe you’ve heard of it?
This year’s winner, Thomas Lövkvist, triumphed over a field sans an injured Cancellara and an ill Ballan, but he was anything but unworthy. Special props to Ryder Hesjedal for another top-10 ride. Here’s hoping he won’t become the “Hincapie” of the Tuscan Spring. (Don’t worry, George. We still believe in you!). Are there any doubts that riders are starting to take this race very seriously?
However, it can’t be denied that there’s something a bit anti-climatic about the shift from the single day classics of Belgium’s opening weekend to the week-long stage races of France and Italy. Yes, they are the traditional warm-ups for Milan-San Remo. And yes, they usually contain all the protagonists for April’s northern classics. But there’s something of a palate cleansing effect to them—as if they’re simply setting the stage for bigger courses to come.
2007 marked the first change to the pattern with the inaugural Montepaschi Strade Bianche - Eroica Toscana, affectionately known as “L’Eroica”. To many, last year’s edition really put the race on the Spring map with a terrific dual between Cancellara and Ballan—two former winners of another spring race run on some rough roads. Maybe you’ve heard of it?
This year’s winner, Thomas Lövkvist, triumphed over a field sans an injured Cancellara and an ill Ballan, but he was anything but unworthy. Special props to Ryder Hesjedal for another top-10 ride. Here’s hoping he won’t become the “Hincapie” of the Tuscan Spring. (Don’t worry, George. We still believe in you!). Are there any doubts that riders are starting to take this race very seriously?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
All Signals Point to the NAHBS
No, I did not go the NAHBS in Indianapolis. Next year, hopefully, I’ll be able to make the trip (please bring it East!). But I have enjoyed the extensive coverage the event has received on various websites (Cyclingnews has an extensive piece) and blogs (Embro and BKW have some great words and photos). You can also see photos of all the award winners at Cyclelicious.
Some things that stood out to me:
Chris King is reviving his bike brand, Cielo. Taking a page from some of the mass-producers, Cielo is offering modules in which you can buy frames with pre-installed Chris King headsets and bottom brackets and wheels built using King hubs.
IF is taking the full-carbon plunge. Much to the plesure of some “carbon is the only material worth using” friends of mine, I’m happy to see smaller builders continuing to make frames that will compete with their larger counterparts. Can you imagine a frameset with a stiffness-to-weight ratio rivaling Trek and Specialized with the love and care that go into the building of an IF? Wow.
Jeremy Dunn’s moving to Portland? He says so in this post. The East Coast scene won’t be the same.
Then again, after seeing what Signal Cycles has to offer (see below), I’d move too.
Check-out their blog for great photos of bikes from last year’s show as well. I love this paint job:
(Photos from James Huang/Cyclingnews, Embrocation, and Signal Cycles. Please give these sites the courtesy of your visit.)
Some things that stood out to me:
Chris King is reviving his bike brand, Cielo. Taking a page from some of the mass-producers, Cielo is offering modules in which you can buy frames with pre-installed Chris King headsets and bottom brackets and wheels built using King hubs.
IF is taking the full-carbon plunge. Much to the plesure of some “carbon is the only material worth using” friends of mine, I’m happy to see smaller builders continuing to make frames that will compete with their larger counterparts. Can you imagine a frameset with a stiffness-to-weight ratio rivaling Trek and Specialized with the love and care that go into the building of an IF? Wow.Jeremy Dunn’s moving to Portland? He says so in this post. The East Coast scene won’t be the same.
Then again, after seeing what Signal Cycles has to offer (see below), I’d move too.
Check-out their blog for great photos of bikes from last year’s show as well. I love this paint job:
(Photos from James Huang/Cyclingnews, Embrocation, and Signal Cycles. Please give these sites the courtesy of your visit.)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Grin
We’ve seen it before. The smile of pain; the grin of exertion. It’s owner is usually off the front, fighting for the win; or about to be off the back, fighting for mere survival.
Philip Gilbert is one who comes to mind. Known for suicide breaks such as last year’s Het Volk, Gilbert often throws caution to the wind in an all-or-nothing effort. Regardless of the result, his countenance does nothing to belie the pain and concentration behind each pedal stroke.
I hope you enjoyed the weekend. I completely missed the boat with Thor; how could I have left him out? And Tommeke? None of us were surprised to see him win in Kuurne after his performance Saturday. If only we all the luxury to be disappointed with “just 10th” in the season’s first classic.
Philip Gilbert is one who comes to mind. Known for suicide breaks such as last year’s Het Volk, Gilbert often throws caution to the wind in an all-or-nothing effort. Regardless of the result, his countenance does nothing to belie the pain and concentration behind each pedal stroke.
I hope you enjoyed the weekend. I completely missed the boat with Thor; how could I have left him out? And Tommeke? None of us were surprised to see him win in Kuurne after his performance Saturday. If only we all the luxury to be disappointed with “just 10th” in the season’s first classic.
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