Tour de France 2011 talk

[pll]

My husband has the Shut up Legs shirt and I have Girls Climb in the Big Ring. They're a cool company. Just be warned: their shirts bleed in the wash. Jens has dominated many of our dark loads!

Thanks bluebug32! Good information to have -- my Shut Up Legs t is new...

[buffybike]

I just love those crazies in speedos/costumes/dresses along the Tourmalet.

[blue_angel]

Voeckler rocks my world. That guy has an iron will.

[buffybike]

WOW....that Scott mountain bike commercial is hot! Makes me want to dust off my MB and find a big hill.

The Tour de France commercials (Most Epic Ride Ever) are still the best commercials of the tour, IMHO. Humbling.

[bluebug32]

Suitcase of courage, riding like a man possessed, the hurt locker....Epic day and Contador got dropped!!! This is a great fight so far!

[buffybike]

I was really pulling for Geraint Thomas to take the stage--at least he won Most Aggressive Rider. Voekler really hung in their like a champ, too. Good for him! What do you think they do right after the ride? Have a glass of champagne? Take a nap? Eat a sandwich? Cry?

[pll]

I was really pulling for Geraint Thomas to take the stage--at least he won Most Aggressive Rider. Voekler really hung in their like a champ, too. Good for him! What do you think they do right after the ride? Have a glass of champagne? Take a nap? Eat a sandwich? Cry?

I think they get in cars and buses, start eating and are driven sometimes 30km away to their hotel. Sometimes their commute takes several hours.

[Dogmama]

What do you think they do right after the ride? Have a glass of champagne? Take a nap? Eat a sandwich? Cry?

Shoot up? (OMG - was that out loud?) :p

[Bike Chick]

Remember the Saab "Born from Jets" commercial that they played incessantly during the Tour a few years ago? Whenever the Izod commercial comes on, I just remind myself that it could be worse. We can only hope that Izod will go the way of Saab...

God, yes! I wanted to scream everytime it came on!

[Bike Chick]

Anyone missing morning rides because you're watching the Tour? (raises hand)

I know, I know...I could go for a morning ride and watch the Primetime Show at 8pm, but I just can't wait to see what happens. Especially now that they're in the mountains.

No morning rides but I will admit that I am watching the live feed at work and don't get much of anything else done the first couple hours of the day. Especially with the mountain stages. No one else in my office even knows the TDF is even being raced so I'm safe for a while.

[jlnc]

This is the first time I've ever watched the Tour. It is the craziest sporting event I've ever seen! I can't get over how many cars and motorcycles there are, not to mention the fans who run along the riders, or the riders who take off their shoes while riding, the equipment changes etc. I'm hooked!
(And did I just hear Phil Liggett say that someone was stuck in a "Schleck Sandwich"?? :D)

[azfiddle]

GRRRRR- I'm so irritated at the NBC so called "All access" package. We have barely been able to get the highlights videos, much less the full stages the last 2 days.

[tulip]

I bought the online Versus package last year because I don't have a TV. It worked fine. All I've heard this year are problems, so I watch it on the computer using other sources. So far, so good. Only live coverage, though. It does eat into my day if I tune in early. I can't really get much done when it's on. There really seem to be fewer commercials and deeper coverage.

[SheFly]

Agreed, Tulip! The live coverage online is so much better! I watch during the day (as I can), and when I go home, try to fill in whatever I might have missed. I MUCH prefer the Eurosport coverage to Versus (not to mention that I really can't stand Larry, Mo and Curley...). And watching live, there are FAR fewer commercials. Last night, there were more commercials than actual coverage!

SheFly

[7rider]

God, yes! I wanted to scream everytime it came on!

Every year, there is one "special" commercial that is played to death.

Enzyte, anyone?
Or the Lincoln Navigator from a few years ago??

Maybe the Versus advertising team needs to shake the bushes for more diversity in their advertisers.

I don't watch during the day. I deal with Versus in the evening. DH and I are usually asleep on the couch anyway - and only if we're lucky (or if the cats are particularly frisky and jump on our heads) do we wake up for the final 5k. :rolleyes:

[Dogmama]

GRRRRR- I'm so irritated at the NBC so called "All access" package. We have barely been able to get the highlights videos, much less the full stages the last 2 days.

I recently changed to Direct TV - no problem getting Versus. And cheaper than Comcast.

[Crankin]

Our local Comcast "banned" the Enzyte commercials in the past few years.
They would start to come on and boom, after 5 seconds, it would be gone, replaced by a local ad.
I like Phil, Paul, and Bob. It wouldn't be summer without them. I don't watch glued to the screen, though. It's on if I am home and I perk up if something exciting happens. This is the first year I've actually been watching the night time version, as I am not home all morning now.
No access at work, as the clinicians don't have their own computers. I can't even check my personal email on the public ones, which don't work so well anyway.
But, I am forcing myself to go out and ride now, despite the fact it's on.

[pll]

Won't spoil it, but, oh, what a stage!! Très :cool:!

[tulip]

Doh! With less than 20kms to go, I got a call--a work call--that I had to take. Argh! It went on and on and I missed the last of the race! I could not watch it and talk on the phone--even without the sound on that is just too much multitasking for my brain to process. So I had to leave the room and have my phone call. When I came back, it was all over--podiums, interviews, everything. Bum-mer. Looks like it was a great finish based on the still photos I saw.

[TrekTheKaty]

Spoiler alert--

Kloden abandoned. Poor Radio Shack. God bless him for making it that far with a back injury! I vow to use less excuses for skipping rides!

[blue_angel]

Thanks for not fully spoiling so far. I didn't watch this morning (going to watch prime time), so I guess I'll just have to avoid this thread for the rest of the day :)

[pll]

Just something nice to see -- big pictures by Alan Taylor from previous stages in The Atlantic @ In Focus:
http://m.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/07/tour-de-france-2011---part-1/100105/

Also nice to see: Steephill posts big pictures after every stage: http://www.steephill.tv/tour-de-france/

[channlluv]

DH got the full access package on his phone and woke me up to watch the last couple of miles live. Wow, oh wow, oh wow! How did he DO that!?

Roxy

[withm]

Oh sure. It works on his phone, but not on my computer? Sheesh! LOL!

[bluebug32]

Really looking forward to tomorrow's climbing stage!

[ny biker]

I stayed in a hotel last night in Cherry Hill, NJ after going to the U2 concert in Philadelphia. Happily, they had Versus on the TV. So I was able to watch the stage this morning while I was getting dressed. My sister was trying to rush me out the door, but I kept saying "I have to watch this!!! Thor is going to win in the mountains!!!!"

She did not understand. Also she said Phil and Paul sounded like Monty Python.

[blue_angel]

That was thrilling! Although Roy's gesture crossing the line really got me--if only two people could have won today.

[pll]

I was touched by Roy's gesture, too. But I loved how Thor rode, and his grin in the last 2km.

[ny biker]

First a sprinter wins in the mountains, then a Belgian. And Voeckler still has a 2 minute lead. Expect the unexpected.

Also, Phil's new favorite word appears to be "limpet." Every time he says it, I think of Don Knotts in "The Incredible Mr. Limpet."

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1987026688/tt0058230

[Crankin]

Ha, that was my DH's favorite movie as a kid.

[bluebug32]

O.U.C.H! I would be crying, not riding my bike.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=235772&stc=1&d=1310846468

[pll]

O.U.C.H! I would be crying, not riding my bike.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=235772&stc=1&d=1310846468

Is the ouch for Laurens Ten Dam yesterday?

[roadie gal]

Great sprint today!

Is it me, or are the sprint finishes more exciting than the mountain stages so far this year? Usually it's the other way around.

I'm rooting for Voekler to take it to Paris! The way Contador and the Schlecks were pussyfooting around on the last climb Saturday was very annoying. But Voekler just hung in there and kept climbing. He even went to the front a few times. Go Tommy!

[pll]

I'd agree with the excitement of this year's sprints. Yesterday's stage was frustrating.

[buffybike]

I just don't get too excited about the flat stages. Maybe once someone besides Cavendish starts winning the sprints, I'll get interested again. Poor Tyler Farrar looked like he was about to cry after the stage today--he just seemed so frustrated.

[pll]

David Millar (@millarmind) tweeted the following [asterisks added], which cracked me up:


50k to go THOR: How you feel? ME: F****d. You? THOR: My eyes hurt from trying to keep them open. Maybe we'll feel ok when we see 25k to go?

[ny biker]

David Millar (@millarmind) tweeted the following [asterisks added], which cracked me up:


50k to go THOR: How you feel? ME: F****d. You? THOR: My eyes hurt from trying to keep them open. Maybe we'll feel ok when we see 25k to go?

I laughed at that too.

[margo49]

Woke up this morning and the tv had died during the night!
The technician is coming tomorrow morning.
What synchronicity this happened on the Rest Day!

[Rebekah H]

Say what, Buckwheat? You changed your shoes while riding? I'm proud that I can drink a couple of sips and return my bottle to its cage. You's a beast, Belgian dude. You's a beast.

[pll]

Say what, Buckwheat? You changed your shoes while riding? I'm proud that I can drink a couple of sips and return my bottle to its cage. You's a beast, Belgian dude. You's a beast.

Thor Hushovd did this, too. He then carried water for his team:

http://joetoprocycling.com/thor-hushovd-how-would-you-wear-being-the-world-champion-cc-thorhushovd-gerardvroomen-ride_argyle/

[bmccasland]

Thor Hushovd did this, too. He then carried water for his team:

http://joetoprocycling.com/thor-hushovd-how-would-you-wear-being-the-world-champion-cc-thorhushovd-gerardvroomen-ride_argyle/

That's right up there with Mark Cavendish thanking his team for getting to the point he can blast out for the sprint win - without his team pulling for him, he'd be lost in the pack somewhere.

Let's hear it for good sportsmanship! :D

[pll]

An "ah" moment -- I was watching the Farrar interview in VeloNews (http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/07/news/video-tyler-farrar-i-dont-know-if-cavendish-took-pulls_184793) and caught the attached image in the video: Thor and his daughter. Someone on the left is taking a picture. :D

[tulip]

Oh wow! What a great stage! Hats off to the attacker (and followers) for making something happen.

[pll]

Oh wow! What a great stage! Hats off to the attacker (and followers) for making something happen.

+1. *Very* exciting. Finally, some fireworks!

[margo49]

Ozzy-yozzi-oz!

[out_spokin']

Total edge of my seat today!!! What great great fun....even better since I stopped by a little espresso & biscuit shop where I knew they'd be watching live, so a group of 6 of us watched and bonded over the excitement!

[ny biker]

Major Schleck-choke.

I was rooting for Chris Horner going into the race, but since he's out, I'm hoping Cadel takes the whole shebang.

And I love it when Thor beats his chest as he crosses the line.

[pll]

Just a couple of comments and a couple of unrelated links:

Having Andy S whine after the stage today, not cool. He deserved this picture from L'Equipe (tweeted by @inrng):
http://www.lequipe.fr/Medias/Cyclisme/201107/350x255/a-schleck-pas-le-punch.jpg
It has been nice to see Rigoberto Urán from Sky get the white jersey. He is a Colombian, from very humble origins who went pro at 17 to support his family (father was killed and RU sold lottery tickets for a while).
A couple of fun videos from Norwegian TV -- how Thor Hushovd's win in stage 13 was narrated in his home country: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yD8uhX8Y_Q and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRuntkgfMyc


I'd like to see Evans and Sanchez in the final podium.

[tulip]

Contador made a great move, and then did it again, and again. He deserves much credit for upping the competition today. Evans was fantastic in responding, and Sanchez--go Sammy go!

[pll]

Contador made a great move, and then did it again, and again. He deserves much credit for upping the competition today. Evans was fantastic in responding, and Sanchez--go Sammy go!

Very true! I like how Contador rides and today's repeated attacks were great to see, but I'm still wondering about the clenbuterol thing. I guess one could argue it is not any worse the Frank Schleck being involved with Eufemiano Fuentes...

JJ Rojas was also great, trying to get into a break to score points in the sprint competition. That forced the pace in the first part of the race.

[bluebug32]

Why does Contador always do so damn well after the second rest day!? Did he enjoy another steak yesterday?

[tulip]

Uh, maybe he's rested. Just a thought. It's not like he blew everyone away. Like Thor. Again. Hmmmmm....

[pll]

Does anyone else find this year's Versus transmission of the Tour deeply annoying? They keep yapping and they do not show the race! Could they talk while we get to see race? :mad:

[pll]

Why does Contador always do so damn well after the second rest day!? Did he enjoy another steak yesterday?

Just like Lance?

[tulip]

Does anyone else find this year's Versus transmission of the Tour deeply annoying? They keep yapping and they do not show the race! Could they talk while we get to see race? :mad:

E u r o s p o r t has great coverage, fewer and shorter commercials, in-depth commentary. It's great to not have a TV!

[Becky]

Does anyone else find this year's Versus transmission of the Tour deeply annoying? They keep yapping and they do not show the race! Could they talk while we get to see race? :mad:

Are you watching the live coverage or the primetime show? IMO, the live show during the day is much better.

[pll]

Are you watching the live coverage or the primetime show? IMO, the live show during the day is much better.

Watching right now. It took until 7:24AM to see the first image of the race... I can see in online sites the race images always start earlier than Versus.


E u r o s p o r t has great coverage, fewer and shorter commercials, in-depth commentary. It's great to not have a TV!

Yeah. I should just ignore the TV. But it is so much nice to see the sights and the guys in a bigger screen.

[ny biker]

Well they always start with a pre-game show. It used to be a solid half-hour, and they would run a big show opening sequence when the race coverage began like they were two separate programs. Now they go to the live feed earlier and treat it like it's all one show.

[Duck on Wheels]

Tour de Norvège! Whoo hoo! :D

[margo49]

Yeah, I have Eurosport In Real Time...it's like a family...
There is an "Inside the Team Bus" section pre-race and tons of interviews at The Depart...as well as re-cap of the previous Stage.

Brilliant descending, great television and well done EBH.
Nice to see the little countries getting a look in.

[blue_angel]

Once again, Voeckler is my hero! Although I'm very happy for EBH's win, especially after yesterday's frustration.

A couple of non-cycling friends have asked me recently why there are no women in the TdF, or why there is no women's equivalent. Does anybody know the answer?

[redrhodie]

Voeckler for me, too. Anyone else will be disappointing at this point. He's put up quite a fight. It's hugely unlikely, but that's my dream.

Jelle Vanendert needs to put some sunscreen on his head. Those tan lines are bizarre.

[pll]

Once again, Voeckler is my hero! Although I'm very happy for EBH's win, especially after yesterday's frustration.

A couple of non-cycling friends have asked me recently why there are no women in the TdF, or why there is no women's equivalent. Does anybody know the answer?

No women's stage race in France this year. There used be a race, but it funding problems. There are several stage races for women (you'll spot some listed in Cycling News (http://www.cyclingnews.com/races)), but about the only one for which I have coverage each year is the Giro Donne (http://www.girodonne.it/portale/).

PS: You can find some coverage for the Giro Donne in YouTube. For example, here's this year's stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jw1i3KHNVk&feature=related).

[ny biker]

For peeps watching on Versus, did you see the bit they showed today where the Radio Shack car pulled up next to the Garmin Cervelo car? Johan Bruyneel congratulated Jonathan Vaughters on yesterday's win and then said he was getting tired of saying that to him. Pretty funny.

But what was really interesting was that Vaughters told Johan to tell the TRS rider in the break that Garmin would chase them if Nicholas Roche got away from them, but would not chase otherwise. I knew that riders on different teams will sometimes strike up alliances on the road, and of course team directors communicate strategy to their own riders, but I didn't realize that the directors will share strategies with each other like that. I imagine JV thought it was better for his team to not have to chase, so he wanted someone in the break to get his message. Still, I found it unexpected. And I wonder if Vaughters remembered that he was on TV at the time.


Also, this is not actually TdF news, but it is great news nonetheless about Juan Mauricio Soler:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/soler-leaves-intensive-care-unit

[margo49]

Wow!
What a day!
What heroism!
WOWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

And tomorrow the Alpe D'Huez!!!!

[tulip]

Oh wow, just oh freakin' wow! That is the longest 1km I've ever seen. Oh, and I have to miss tomorrow because of travel! Hopefully the hotel will have coverage.

[Eden]

Holy cow!!

That's all I can say for now..........but woweeeeee how exciting

[Jo-n-NY]

Reading the live feed here at work and was sitting at the edge of my seat. I cannot wait to watch it when I get home.

[limewave]

Okay, you've all got me curious and I'm desperately trying to find updates from today's stage!!! I miss having versus :(

[out_spokin']

OK, now I've GOT to figure out how to watch today's stage. Missed the live feed on Eurovision...no TV...but such excitement!

Get to watch it live tomorrow w/ Ron Keifel and a big bike shop full of fans though! :cool:

[TrekTheKaty]

For peeps watching on Versus, did you see the bit they showed today where the Radio Shack car pulled up next to the Garmin Cervelo car? Johan Bruyneel congratulated Jonathan Vaughters on yesterday's win and then said he was getting tired of saying that to him. Pretty funny


That was my favorite part too! Ok, that and the two cyclists ending up in the car park.

[pll]

The very end was also exciting... seeing the tweets about the grupetto, were Cavendish was. Here's a sample of the longest 20 seconds, from @inrng:


Tick tock. Riders coming to the finish line know are hors délais. The gruppetto is two hairpin bends from the finish.
59 minutes ago


But the autobus is following a strict timetable, they're close as cloud starts to cover the finish line. 20 seconds to the cut off!
1 hour ago

[ny biker]

According to Robbie McEwen's tweets, the whole grupetto missed the cutoff but were not dropped from the race. However they were penalized with the loss of 20 green jersey points. Cavendish was in that group, but Rojas finished before the cutoff.

[blue_angel]

I never thought I could love a Frenchman as much as I love Voeckler. I loved that he yanked his earpiece out and decided to ride his own stage.

[pll]

According to Robbie McEwen's tweets, the whole grupetto missed the cutoff but were not dropped from the race. However they were penalized with the loss of 20 green jersey points. Cavendish was in that group, but Rojas finished before the cutoff.

Indeed. Only 79 riders finished before the cutoff, so it would have been mass disqualification. The race for the green jersey gets interesting -- Rojas is within 15 points.

[ny biker]

McEwen's tweets were fun to follow this morning:

On rollers now, How much can Andy defend of the ~4min? GC guys won't work together. Could be a tdf winning move. #gutsyride

You do it. No, you do it. Are u going to ride? No, not up to me?

All those blokes but only a couple of sets of balls as far as i can tell

Forgot hashtag #eunuchsOnTour

Using helpers to chase a tdf favourite on final climb when has 4 mins #pissingagainstthewind

They have figured it out but will it be too little too late?

Btw, Cadel is one of the blokes with a set

watch Cadels rivals hit him as he tires

Blokes will start having trouble with the altitude from here on as well. Tough ride by cadel but needs a response when they attack him

Well well well. AC gone

Voeckler stays in yellow, who woulda thunk it?

What a stage, Alpe d'huez will decide it. If cadel can follow A&F tmoro he'll win the tour. Awesome ride by Andy, heriocs from Cadel. #puff

podium prediction. Evans Andy Voeckler #justMyOpinionMan

Frank attacks on AdH, Cadel must counter, Andy counters Cadel needing bigger buffer. Ready for tmoro as a bike fan. #CadelinaFrandySandwich

Still on the rollers in solidarity with the grupetto #NotForgotten

Grupetto with Cav out of time limit, been kept in race but 20pts penalty in green comp. Rojas in time & @ 15pts. Cav has Paris stg in hand

Grupetto outside time limit @ ONLY 35 mins! Ridiculously short limit in a stage over 200km w/ 3 HC mtns after 3 wks racing. #sprinterRacism

[nscrbug]

Loved seeing Andy pull off the stage win. Pretty funny that the announcers had Andy a bit "prematurely" in the yellow jersey...right before Evans kicked into high gear and keeping Voeckler in yellow for another day.

[ny biker]

Alert!!!

RT @GeraintThomas86 Attention Norwegian ladies! We're doing Eddie a favour, He needs date for our Team dinner in Paris. Interested?? Applicants send a twit pic!

[blue_angel]

Alert!!!

RT @GeraintThomas86 Attention Norwegian ladies! We're doing Eddie a favour, He needs date for our Team dinner in Paris. Interested?? Applicants send a twit pic!

What, he'll only date Norwegian women?!

[redrhodie]

Now I won't be disappointed if Andy wins, but I almost cried when Voeckler crossed the line. That was special.

[buffybike]

Voeckler isnt my fave to win, but dang....he sure does deserve to wear that jersey for another day. What a champ.

Spoiler alert....Contador ate his Wheaties this morning. Go Andeeeeeeee!

[Red Rock]

Hold on to your seat belts and hang on for the ride........

[TrekTheKaty]

I hope ya'll called in sick today. It's getting exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Eden]

My oh my!!

This will be a battle to the bitter end....

The tour hasn't been this exciting for years.

[margo49]

What a brilliant and surprising (sort of) finish!
So happy for the lad!
And the French!
And "CHAPEAU" to Voekler as well!

[denda]

Wow! I can't wait for tomorrow! Great Tour

[Jo-n-NY]

agreed!!! I don't remember watching where at this point we are still not sure who will win the whole tour. Very Exciting!!

[bmccasland]

I have the day off and the TV is on. Granted I'm not watching the live feed - so when I turned the TV on for the 1st replay I saw the end of Stage 19, then about 15 min later the delay feed actually started with the warm-up ride at the start. :confused:

So now I get to see what actually happened!

[ny biker]

My goodness.

[pll]

Wow, wow! I'm sad that Contador did not take the stage today, but, as Phil Ligget might say, he really dug deep into his 'suitcase of courage'. Helmet off to him! I am guessing he will be the most combative rider of today. And he probably will still be among the top 5. Can't wait to see the replay this evening.

[ny biker]

Tweets from David Millar (@millarmind) re: today's stage.

Bernie Eisel & I formed an eternal bond today. We were off the back on our own within the first few km's of Telegraph. Seemed Game Over.

We'd each have good & bad patches. During one of my bad patches I told Bernie just to go, 'Davie, we go home together, or Paris together.'

Camaraderie transcends teams on occasions, that was one of them.

Mind you, he scared the bajesus out of me on the descent of the Galibier.

[TrekTheKaty]

It's Contador. Now Andy. Wait, it's Cadel. Now Contador. Sanchez, no Frank. I'm exhausted from watching :eek: I was cheering against my own rider at one point. Sorry Andy. Love ya ;)

[redrhodie]

That TT is going to kill me. It's going down to the last rider. How am I gonna make it?!

[ny biker]

This sums today up nicely:

http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-france/expert-analysis/bikesnobnycs-tour-de-france-stage-19-report-another-day-another-mount

[katluvr]

Ok, so I have been dying all day to read the posts. I am at work and will go home and watch the tour on the DVR. But it is killing me. Especially after yesterday and I must admit I am one of those "ABC" fans (Anyone but Contador--sorry!). So since I cannot read the posts for fear of spoilers I quickly scrolled to the bottom so I could post...since I was dying to come to this thread.
Can't wait to get home and start the DVR, then I can check out everyone's postings. I can't believe it is almost over. I will go thru serious withdrawal... I mean SERIOUS!
K

[azfiddle]

The last two days have been just riveting.

I am rooting for Andy, but you just gotta be impressed at how Voeckler has hung in there for so long- especially after seeing him at the finish yesterday.

Agree the TT will be a nail biter, and of course Evans and the Schlecks will be last.

[pll]

I'm rooting for the Norwegians to win today (Boassen Hagen) and tomorrow (Hushovd)... Cadel for overall winner in the GC.

[denda]

Way to go Cadel Evans!!! Finally! He won the Tour

[margo49]

A great victory for him and for The Southern Hemisphere.
They were talking of declaring a Public Holiday in Oz if he won.
Oh...he is in tears on the podium in Yellow ...me too (even as a New Zealander)

[MuddyTrails]

Waltzing Mathilda, waltzing Mathildaaa!!!!! Evans finally takes Paris in yellow!
If it couldn't be Alberto, Cadel is the next best thing. He won but a single stage, yet he was consistent and insistent and dogged. That's why I love biking, perseverance is its own reward. Tomorrow, this one will be in the books. It was fun sharing the Tour with y'all.

[pll]

Waltzing Mathilda, waltzing Mathildaaa!!!!! Evans finally takes Paris in yellow!
If it couldn't be Alberto, Cadel is the next best thing. He won but a single stage, yet he was consistent and insistent and dogged. That's why I love biking, perseverance is its own reward. Tomorrow, this one will be in the books. It was fun sharing the Tour with y'all.

+1. Ozzie, ozzie, ozzie!! oi, oi, oi!!

And it is truly fun to discuss the TdF right here. Tomorrow afternoon, I will have tour withdrawal symptoms... The Vuelta starts soon, luckily! Will it be Nibali again?

[margo49]

The Vuelta starts soon, luckily!

When my children were small they use to go nuts at the Tours - especially when they knew that they were annual events. They didn't realise they were *each one of the three* annual events so they would say "What?! The Tour de France again?"
We are a family with one tv and we don't watch much so it was a shock to see Mum glued to it for hours on end.

[ny biker]

Wow, what a great race. That is a huge winning margin. Cadel really earned it.

[blue_angel]

I was out on my own ride so I haven't seen it yet. I checked my phone when I hit the turn-around point and was like "damn, spoilers!" But I'm super happy that it was Cadel and not one of the Schleck brothers or Contador. If anybody but Voeckler was going to win, I'm glad it was him! Looking forward to the rebroadcrast to catch the dramz for myself.

(also, PR on my 1 hour pace today: 18.25 mph!!!)

[TrekTheKaty]

Well, I was rooting for Andy. Poor guy. But Cadel was impressive and beat him hands down. Congrats Cadel :D

Withdrawal already :confused:

[Deborajen]

I was rooting for Andy, and Voeckler was a close second. But Cadel was awesome today, and he's ridden a solid tour. He deserves the win.

Does anyone else think Cadel looks like Luke Skywalker's brother? :p :D

[roadie gal]

I'm glad Cadel won, but my heart was with Voekler.

I'm glad Contador isn't even on the podium.

[jusdooit]

Andy & Frank will never win the tour if they can't improvwe on their TT skills. I thought Cadel & BMC rode an excellent tour. Cadel was always well positioned & never put himself in trouble. He was in perfect condition & when the team had to drop off he was able to do the work for himself. Very impressive!

[Dogmama]

Altho I was pulling for Andy, I, too, am glad Contador isn't on the podium.

Cadel isn't my favorite, but I'm celebrating because Gorgeous George is on BMC, thus had a hand in the win. Sixteen tours - what a man!

[denda]

I just love Cadel! So glad he won. Also glad Mark C. won the green jersey.:)

[ny biker]

Andy & Frank will never win the tour if they can't improvwe on their TT skills. I thought Cadel & BMC rode an excellent tour. Cadel was always well positioned & never put himself in trouble. He was in perfect condition & when the team had to drop off he was able to do the work for himself. Very impressive!

I think Andy should spend some time mountain biking. It sure worked for Cadel's bike handling skills.

BTW, George Hincapie has a great future as a team director, if he wants it. So much experience winning grand tours.

[pll]

The podium ceremonies were fun to watch. Garmin Cervelo hauled a full size cut out of David Zabriskie. And for Cadel, it must have been really touching to have an Australian performing the national anthem live for him (how cool is that? She posted the clip in her site (http://www.tinaarena.com/), if you did not see it).

Ah, almost a month of withdrawal until the Vuelta....

[ny biker]

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado will be on Versus beginning August 22. According to the commercials, the final stage(s) will be on NBC.

[pll]

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado will be on Versus beginning August 22. According to the commercials, the final stage(s) will be on NBC.

Cool! Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully they will repeats off working hours.

Addition: The Vuelta starts on August 20, 21 stages ending on September 11.

[azfiddle]

During June we were in Colorado and drove over some sections of the race route. Independence Pass is narrow and has no barriers... scary! It should be very exciting though.

[ny biker]

Frandy will be there. They're trying to get Cadel to commit, too.

DZ and Chris Horner will be there.

[MuddyTrails]

@pll. The Vuelta will be in my backyard on Aug 23rd, going over Blancares Pass, where I often train, on the way to a finish in Sierra Nevada. If you start the Vuelta thread, I promise pix of that day!!

MuddyTrails

[pll]

@pll. The Vuelta will be in my backyard on Aug 23rd, going over Blancares Pass, where I often train, on the way to a finish in Sierra Nevada. If you start the Vuelta thread, I promise pix of that day!!

MuddyTrails

You have a deal!! How exciting... you should chronicle the preparations, the day of and what happens afterwards.

[TrekTheKaty]

Frandy will be there. .

I like "Frandy."

[lawnchick22]

AC showed incredible heart and soul trying to come back from all the time deficit he faced, crashes, etc.
I would have loved if it were Cadel, TV and AC on the podium...Shlecks show little class and humility...not to mention horrible descending and TT skills.

Cadel was the best, hands down, what a great champion!

PS -- I hope George breaks the record next year!

[TrekTheKaty]

What, no Tour this morning?

Holy cr@p! Just turned on the news for the first time in 3 weeks. What the heck?

[pll]

Marianne Vos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marianne_Vos) (@marianne_vos) tweeted a nice quote today:


Thinking back on #TdF this quote of Churchill comes up: 'Success is not final, failure not fatal; it's the courage to continue that counts'.

[redrhodie]

The day after it's over is the saddest day of the year.

[emily_in_nc]

the day after it's over is the saddest day of the year.

+1 :(

[ivorygorgon]

I literally laughed out loud at the cut-out of Zabriske. For some reason I thought that was really funny - and sweet.

I am having Tour withdrawals. I don't know what I am going to do with myself.

[SheFly]

I actually had to work at work today ... :D

SheFly

[out_spokin']

I know! I couldn't believe work actually started so early. :rolleyes:

I get to see at least 2 stages of the USPRO in person. That's really a long time from now though. :confused:

[pll]

Here's another picture of the DZ cutout... getting a ride in Paris (it's funny they put a jersey on the cutout):

http://velonews.competitor.com/files/2011/07/VaughtersZabriskieTDF21_711-069-439x660.jpg

The picture is from Casey Gibson @ VeloNews (http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/07/road/2011-tour-de-france-stage-21-a-casey-b-gibson-gallery_186192/attachment/2011-tour-de-france-402)

[bmccasland]

I literally laughed out loud at the cut-out of Zabriske. For some reason I thought that was really funny - and sweet.

I am having Tour withdrawals. I don't know what I am going to do with myself.

There's NOTHING on... Waaah. :(

[Possegal]

Relive it through photos...

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/07/2011_tour_de_france_part_1.html
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/07/2011_tour_de_france_part_2.html

[margo49]

The day after it's over is the saddest day of the year.

yeah...ended up watching the swimming myself!

[pll]

One more post TdF indulgence link: pictures from The Atlantic In Focus feature. Some unusual shots, like Sammy Sanchez shoe next to an award presenter's one.

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/07/tour-de-france-2011---part-2/100114/

[jlnc]

Amazing photos pll, thx for sharing!

[ny biker]

Wow. Add to the list of Chris Horner's injuries...a blood clot in his lung. His season is probably over.

http://www.cascadegranfondo.com/blog/what-i-did-my-summer-vacation%E2%80%A6

But on the plus side...a wedding!!

[Deborajen]

You sure have to read carefully to catch the part about the wedding. You think he's really excited? Boys! :p

I was wondering how he was doing though. Thanks for sharing. Hope he heals up from all of that.

[pll]

Whoa! Poor guy; I hope he heals fast, but blood thinners are no fun. I had to re-read to find the part about the wedding. :rolleyes:

[TrekTheKaty]

Wow. I had read that earlier today and missed the wedding! Boys.

[Trek420]

Bonjour! le petite bump!

Is anyone watching?

[Irulan]

We will be. We DVR the first showing and watch it in the evening.

[pll]

Mais oui! Thanks to Malkin for inaugurating a 2012 thread de France (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=48028). :D