Well I think this sucks - Lance related

[kelownagirl]

Eden, I would agree with you for his private life, but this is a fund raising event. What really bugs me is that they made a big deal about it when it was first announced and they had a website where you could, theoretically, sign up, but it was already full from the first day. It was actually by invitation only. I think you had to lay down something like $2000-5000 up front, and then commit to raising another $5000. OK maybe only rich guys can do that, but I think there could be some "real" people who actually ride bikes, who might be motivated enough to be able to fund raise so they could participate. And now, after all the hype, they aren't even letting anyone know about the route so they can at least stand on the sidelines and watch them go by. I have a feeling they'll end up with an awful lot of people up at the Kelowna Mountain resort at 10am tomorrow. I'll even hazard a guess that they'll leave early just to avoid it. I think if you're going to have a public announcement about a celebrity, then keep it public.

[teigyr]

Kelownagirl - I've seen a lot of celebrities through my job. It's funny because the ones that get so upset about their "privacy" are the ones that make SUCH a huge deal about their comings and goings. They are the ones with the entourage, the PR person who shows up first to say what the rules are, etc. The others? Low key. Normal people and very gracious when people say hello. I know that it can be stressful but being a celebrity does pay their bills.

[KnottedYet]

I was under the impression this was S.O.P. for Lance's rides: Huge bucks gets you a semi-private ride, not so huge bucks gets you close during a big group ride the next day. (for the not so $$ there is a crew that makes you drop back after your turn riding near Lance. My old boss didn't get to talk to him, but did get to ride near him before being told to drop back and let someone else up)

[kelownagirl]

So what do you think might happen if it turned out I just happened to be riding a similar route tomorrow? Would they make me ride somewhere else? I mean, if the Premier is riding the route, they couldn't be going all that fast. I'm pretty sure I could beat his (the premier's) a$$ up any of those South Kelowna hills....

[Zen]

Only one way to find out...

[Chile Pepper]

Is that $25k Canadian or US dollars? Either way, it's more than I make in a year. (Ah the joys of freelancing--lots of flex time, not so much money, no benefits. Thank goodness my husband has a real job.) I cannot imagine paying money to get "near" someone for a few minutes. Maybe when I was in junior high school (Shawn Cassidy, baby)--but aren't we all adults now?

[kelownagirl]

Is that $25k Canadian or US dollars? Either way, it's more than I make in a year. (Ah the joys of freelancing--lots of flex time, not so much money, no benefits. Thank goodness my husband has a real job.) I cannot imagine paying money to get "near" someone for a few minutes. Maybe when I was in junior high school (Shawn Cassidy, baby)--but aren't we all adults now?

$25000 either way these days.

Actually, I think that amount was an overstatement. When the online registration first came out, I read it and although I can't remember exactly how much it was, you had put down something $2500 or so right off the bat, and then commit to raising another $5000 or so. Again, I can't remember the exact amounts but it wouldn't have added up to $25000.

[kelownagirl]

Only one way to find out...

Hee hee, so true. I wish you were here Zen. Sad to say, I do not have the chutzpah (sp?) to follow through. That, and my hip is still killing me so I can't really ride anyway... Dh was up to go for a little ride today if I'd wanted to.

[kelownagirl]

Well I'm back and it actually turned out great. We arrived about a half hour early and just walked right into the organizational area - no problem - got to check out all the bikes too. We got to chat with Phil Liggett and get a photo of him, plus a great shot of his bike. Even got a picture of his wife warming up. We staked out a good spot by the fence where we thought Lance would be arriving and we were right on. All the media guys had to stand behind us to get their photos and we were about 3 feet away from Lance while he got his bike and gear organized. It was interesting listening to him chat with the guys helping him.

Once they left, we drove home and ended up having to follow them a bit because they were going right into our subdivision. We realized they were going to fly down Gordon hill (which is that climb at the end of every ride that I complain about all the time), so we cut through a different way and got a picture of them flying past. We knew they were going into South Kelowna and we wanted one shot of them climbing so we guessed which road they'd be coming up, found a good hill, and sat and waited for a couple minutes. Sure enough, they came climbing past us and we got another good shot of Lance leading and the rich guys who can't really ride, struggling at the back. Several people were being pushed on their backs up the hill (still riding). To give them credit, most of the riders looked fit and looked like they actually cycling. They certainly had the gear, and most had the legs.


I have lots of pictures and I'll put them up on webshots when I have a chance in case anyone wants to see them. It was an interesting morning.