Tour de France 2011 talk

[pll]

Why don't they use more helmet cams?

I have no idea. I was thinking of that, too. The cameras they use are sending signals to a satellite, so I assume there is some equipment constraint. However, I'm sure they could rig a camera on a motorcycle that could be controlled remotely, from a truck or office, so they can pan around, and zoom. I suspect that would cause some delays (signals traveling back and forth) relative to someone manually panning or zooming. I can bet, though, that the camera folks would be opposed to a remote solution -- I'm sure it can be fun to spend your working day in the middle of the tour, as opposed to a desk.

[TrekTheKaty]

I am just really pissed. If you can't ride the biggest bike race in the world without getting hit by a car, what hope do the rest of us have.

Amen!

My fantasy team was a combo of Radio Shack and Team Leopard with a couple others thrown in. I can't look.

[channlluv]

As a photographer, I'd like to defend the human artistic element in photographing and videotaping the Tour as it happens. You can't point and shoot elegant images from some remote location. The immediacy and drama of the story in the picture would be gone.

I do agree, however, that there needs to be a restriction on cars and motorcycles driven by people who are not specifically trained in how to drive in close proximity to cyclists. When that Getty Images motorcycle took out the rider a few days ago and dragged his bike 200 yards, I was horrified, but when that car hit Flecha and Hoogerland yesterday, what the hell was that driver thinking? You can see in the video that he was actually speeding up! I think the driver was trying to impress the VIPs in the car by getting them up at the front of the leaders, probably looking at them closely himself, then glanced back at the road, boom there's a tree, and he swerved out of instinct.

I could only read a few words of the French transcript about the car. Could someone translate that, please?

I'm amazed at Hoogerland back up and riding this morning. What a hero indeed.

And what someone else said about rodeo riders having nothing on cyclists. Amen! 8 seconds. Feh.

Roxy

[blue_angel]

I'm amazed at Hoogerland back up and riding this morning. What a hero indeed.

Why is he back up and riding today? It's a rest day...

[Dogmama]

I also wonder about the pollution coming from vehicles & the riders sucking it up. It must be really annoying to the riders - to put it mildly. Gilbert had to ride around a bunch of cars trying to get back to the peleton, thus slowing him down. Doesn't seem right. A few journalists and the team cars (1 car per team) should be the limit.

[blue_angel]

I wonder if one car per team would be enough to carry enough replacement frames and wheels for all of the riders. Especially if there is a breakaway or other fracture on the peloton. Groups of riders are often separated by 5 minutes or more--a rider in the breakaway can't/shouldn't have to wait 4 minutes for his team car to show up with a new back wheel.

[ny biker]

Why is he back up and riding today? It's a rest day...

They all ride during the rest days. Otherwise their bodies would think the insane effort was over and their legs would completely shut down. They struggle to ride the day after the rest day as it is.


Meanwhile, we have BSNYC's take:

http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-fra...nitive-damages

Also the big news from Stuey and Fabian is that they have finally convinced Jens to get a twitter account.

[katluvr]

[QUOTE=ny biker;587355]

Meanwhile, we have BSNYC's take:

http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-fra...nitive-damages

QUOTE]

OMG! This was the funniest thing I have read! Still laughing, wiping tears from my eyes. Thanks for sharing!

[Aggie_Ama]

Also the big news from Stuey and Fabian is that they have finally convinced Jens to get a twitter account.

Great, I will have to get on twitter. I have avoided it but if Big Jens is tweeting I may cave.

[pll]

The Wall Street Journal has a nicely written account from yesterday: "Surviving a Tour de France Horror Show," by Jason Gay.

The last four paragraphs are particularly poignant.

[ny biker]

[QUOTE=channlluv;587335And what someone else said about rodeo riders having nothing on cyclists. Amen! 8 seconds. Feh.[/QUOTE]

A few weeks ago I saw something on the news about some major league baseball player having a sprained ankle, or maybe wrist, I don't know. But it was definitely a sprain. And it was huge news to the sports guy on the tv news: Big Important Baseball Dude Leaves Game Due to Sprained Ankle/Wrist.

And all I could think was, what a pu$$y. He wouldn't last 5 minutes in a bike race.

[ny biker]

RT andy_schleck Here we go jens voigt on twitter @thejensie

He already has > 2000 followers in less than 20 minutes.

[pll]

Drum roll, please... Jensie is now on Twitter: @thejensie

[channlluv]

... Big Important Baseball Dude Leaves Game Due to Sprained Ankle/Wrist.

And all I could think was, what a pu$$y. He wouldn't last 5 minutes in a bike race.

That's the best laugh I've had all day. Thanks!

[channlluv]

And the biggest sigh of the day...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=1&theater

Fabian cooks lunch for the team to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation.

Roxy