Tour de France 2011 talk

[azfiddle]

I have also found the online subscription "sub-optimal". I got a few minutes and then it disappeared.

I'm not happy about it!

My DH and I went back to Carmichael Training Systems office again tonight and got the narration of highlights from Gord Fraser again. So cool - he was able to show us exactly when people made moves that worked or didn't work. His "man" Tyler Farrar was just a bit too late. They showed us statistics from Andre Greipel, including his power meter output for the last 3 km from Stage 7, when he placed 3rd. He had repeated spikes of 1000 watts and then went up to 1600 watts on his final sprint!!! For comparison, a normal rider (like one being trained through Carmichael Training Systems) would be at about 250 watts riding in El Tour de Tucson, at a point where they had rhythmic breathing and found it hard to talk.

There are a lot of freebies, too- dinner (last week pizza, this week some nice sandwiches and a pasta salad) and promo packets of GU, Probars and fruitition bars. They've gotten a few people to sign up for their spin classes though (including my DH).

[buffybike]

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.

[pll]

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.

+1. And then there is the Vuelta, at least for me.

[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"?? )

[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

[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.