Hincapie is just HOT!

[runnergirl]

OMG, you went to interbike!!! I'm soooo jelous! Do you work in a shop?

Hincapie is good looking, but give me Ivan Basso-his eyes are so big and pretty.

[jeannierides]

Huge Hincapie fan! He lives in my hometown & I'm hoping to get to his family's store when I go down around Thanksgiving...would be really cool if George was there & he could autograph my Hincapie jersey! As for his being *standoffish* I think that he's simply very humble and shy.

[Bustertb]

Never met George in person but from what I've seen in his interviews he just seems really shy. Bob is amazing. What personality. As far as Merckx goes, remember he's european. And unlike Ivan who is Italian, Eddy is Belgium. I'm not downing any nationality, I'm just saying they tend to be different. I think that is somewhat of what is missing in George. I think he has the physical ability to win,but the killer instinct isn't there. Especially like Lance and Eddy had. I really wonder sometimes why some people have that 'killer instinct' and some don't. Even in the business world you see it. And when you see it it makes you think to yourself, I'd better'd get out of their way or they're gonna run over me! Don't you think part of it is some kind of anger mixed with determination and drive and a bunch of other emotions?

[bikerchick68]

I know it's been talked about that Lance utilizes his anger to power forward... it was pretty evident in the crash of 03 when he hit the musette... that amount of adrenaline just gives you an extra surge...

I think (and this is just my opinion from what I've seen) that some people are very emotional and deal with them by letting them drive their responses to things... others tend to take those emotions more in stride... the driven people I see as very intense personalities and the "in stride" people I see as more laid back... of course this is just my psychobabble... my ex was one of the intense types... and is still learning how to use his emotions to drive forward in a positive way. I think both Eddy and Lance have focused that energy to be positive...

good gawd... hope that makes sense to someone besides me! LOL

[Bustertb]

No, I understand what you are saying. Some people just 'fling' emotions around all over the place, where Lance and Eddy 'focus' that emotional energy into their bike riding.

[bcipam]

Just to clarify: didn't say George was standoffish - just very quiet and shy - no personality. I tried to engage him in conversation and he just sat there. A friend commented after "that's why he is only number 2..." behind Lance's 1.

Bob Roll is as you can imagine and after meeting him, I have an even bigger crush. My type of guy... funny, engaging, friendly, full of personality. Be still my heart!

Mr. Merckx was fine... I was with a friend who spoke French and was able to engage him in conversation.
* * *

Re Interbike: It is definitely an industry trade show but I found it surprisenly easy to get in. I had a friend get my badge. The friend builds bikes, but uncertain what credentials he has. If you truly want to go, ask your LBS to get you a badge. It's amazing how large the show is and all the giveaways - lots of booty!

Not certain if I will go again next year. I hear in 2007 its coming back to Anaheim, CA so might try again then.

[Bustertb]

Did you say Giveaways?!

[Raindrop]

So cool! My bike tech. that works on our indoor bikes went with his wife and since I have to live vicariously through my friends I asked her all about it. She was totally amazed at how small George Hincapie was and I had to remind her that a lot of the riders around here aren't racers and so...tend to think keeping their bikes really, really light will compensate for the actual poundage they're trying to haul up every hill.

After hearing how easy it is to get a badge, I might ask my tech. if he can get me one for the next Interbike. That would be a very, very special vacation!