Olympic TTs

[Aggie_Ama]

Did anyone actually get to see the Men's Race? We have a DVR and it was on for a couple hours on Universal HD channel. The USA jerseys had something on the back that made them look like it was a large back tattoo showing through their jerseys. My husband and I were staring at Leipheimer wondering if he had a full back piece.

[Trek420]

Was anybody else kinda creeped out about the lack of fans and the accompanying noise?

I understand the importance of Olympic security, but it was still weird.

My non riding, not bike race fan, not even aware that the Tour de CA happens right here coworkers watched the road races. They were amazed at the distance and got it that this is flat out racing at speeds and distances they find hard to imagine even riding.

They asked why do riders go off the front and I explained a little about strategy, teams and why one would do that even though those riders rarely win.

They were amazed that they race on the open road. Where do you think we'd do 100+ miles? Track? But kept commenting "they are right on the freeway .... did you see? They ...."

I explained my, and really the cycling worlds shock that there are no spectators they commented "yes, we saw some along the road". I explained that traditionally for rides of this caliper there is a solid screaming wall of fans within a hands reach of the riders. Imagine the Super Bowl with the stadium allowed to get right down and mingle on the field, that's world class cycling. Then showed them footage online of fans of TdF in the mountain stages and explained that people go up there, camp out for weeks to be right there.

Well, 2012 is in London? That'll be right.

[RoadRaven]

Well done you.
Glad you could show them some TdF footage to give an idea of the following, the passion... and as I write this, I realise that its passion that is missing from these Olympics...

Fantastic organisation... but too crisp and not enough messiness - like bystanders yelling and shouting and crying and cheering...

Lifesgreat... good observation... I hadn't registered that missing element...

[Trekhawk]

Stuart O'Grady has described the race as "silent murder".
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/olympics/...aspx?id=611959

[Grog]

Stuart O'Grady has described the race as "silent murder".
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/olympics/...aspx?id=611959

Wow.

I found that article strangely moving... and really saddening.

[RoadRaven]

Ah... he makes such a good point. I feel so sad that no one was there to cheer them on.

When I do a time trial, and someone calls out my name (usually a marshall or someone of a lower grade as I pass them, occasionally someone of a higher grade as they pass me)... when someone calls my name it makes me dig a bit deeper.

I understand his point... at that level, and with the precedent of having come from le Tour, it must have been really tough.

[alpinerabbit]

Watch this space.