Le Pro Cycling Thread

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sat Jul 02, 2022 7:06 pm

I still can’t get over the ridicularity of that bridge. The Great Belt Bridge is 18km long, with a guard rail that is chest high. Apparently nobody in Denmark is suicidal because I didn’t see any of the safeguards you would normally expect to see in the US. Even Bob commented on it: “It would certainly be a tragedy if someone fell off into the ocean….”

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Belt_Fixed_Link

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Aug 01, 2022 6:55 am

This was from the Commonwealth games yesterday.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Tue Sep 27, 2022 7:00 am

Tough night before world championship
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... mpionships

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Sep 28, 2022 3:37 pm

Vatican had a cyclist in the world championship
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... ng-mission

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Jun 09, 2023 6:20 am

Started the Netflix show on Le' Tour last night. Not as good as the golf one but enjoyable. Need more time with the riders. However you won't get that because they are locked away to rest on pedal the whole tour.

Some really cool camera shots.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Fri Jun 09, 2023 7:36 am

wlu_lax6 wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 6:20 am Started the Netflix show on Le' Tour last night. Not as good as the golf one but enjoyable. Need more time with the riders. However you won't get that because they are locked away to rest on pedal the whole tour.

Some really cool camera shots.

Really interested in this. The TdF coverage is amazing every year. I don't need another distraction, but I would love to see the same production quality for the Vuelta and Giro, (and all of the one day Monuments races).

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Jun 09, 2023 8:01 am

govmentchedda wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 7:36 am
wlu_lax6 wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 6:20 am Started the Netflix show on Le' Tour last night. Not as good as the golf one but enjoyable. Need more time with the riders. However you won't get that because they are locked away to rest on pedal the whole tour.

Some really cool camera shots.
Really interested in this. The TdF coverage is amazing every year. I don't need another distraction, but I would love to see the same production quality for the Vuelta and Giro, (and all of the one day Monuments races).

There are a ton of cycling team documentaries. Most follow a team for a tour or full season. I think that model works a bit better. My favorite is 24 Solo (that follows my high school friend who was a Trek pro mechanic and steals the movie).

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Fri Jun 09, 2023 8:33 am

Pro cyclists are famously antisocial, right? I remember Landis talking about that in the Lance doc.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Jun 09, 2023 9:42 am

Rex wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 8:33 am Pro cyclists are famously antisocial, right? I remember Landis talking about that in the Lance doc.

You would be anti social too if you spent all waking hours either training, recovering, eating, and resting (or being drug tested) based on a spreadsheet model. Just no time to actually live. The amount of data the teams track on these folks is crazy. That is part of the reason the racing has become so predictable. Radios and computers. The teams know exactly how hard a rider can go (how many matches they can burn before they bonk).

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Fri Jun 09, 2023 11:02 am

wlu_lax6 wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 6:20 am Started the Netflix show on Le' Tour last night. Not as good as the golf one but enjoyable. Need more time with the riders. However you won't get that because they are locked away to rest on pedal the whole tour.

Some really cool camera shots.

Excited to watch this.

If folks haven't seen it, the "Slaying The Badger" 30 for 30 (about Greg Lemond) is fantastic.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Fri Jun 09, 2023 11:03 am

wlu_lax6 wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 8:01 am
govmentchedda wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 7:36 am
wlu_lax6 wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 6:20 am Started the Netflix show on Le' Tour last night. Not as good as the golf one but enjoyable. Need more time with the riders. However you won't get that because they are locked away to rest on pedal the whole tour.

Some really cool camera shots.
Really interested in this. The TdF coverage is amazing every year. I don't need another distraction, but I would love to see the same production quality for the Vuelta and Giro, (and all of the one day Monuments races).
There are a ton of cycling team documentaries. Most follow a team for a tour or full season. I think that model works a bit better. My favorite is 24 Solo (that follows my high school friend who was a Trek pro mechanic and steals the movie).

The one on Netflix about Team Movistar "The Least Expected Day" is really good.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 7:54 am

Finished the netflix Tour thing. Got better as the series went on.

Also on cycling movies, this is consider the best

Big news in the sport was death of Gino Mäder during the Swill Tour. They cancelled the next day of the race and 3 teams dropped from the event. Surprised we don't see that more frequently. Some big crashes but few deaths. The last one I recall is Lance Armstrong's teammate in 95 (Fabio Casartelli).
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/17/spor ... uisse.html

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 12:17 pm

Guess the sticky bottle was a bit too sticky....and not a bottle
https://www.espn.com/olympics/cycling/s ... cles-climb

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 12:23 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 12:17 pm Guess the sticky bottle was a bit too sticky....and not a bottle
https://www.espn.com/olympics/cycling/s ... cles-climb

JFC. They didn't know people were watching?

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Sat Jul 01, 2023 10:17 am

Simon and Adam Yates (twins) breakaway and finish 1-2 for today's stage. They race for different teams. Adam in the yellow. Powless (US of A) will be in the Polka Dots for stage 2.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 9:07 am

I like watching this for the landscape shots. So cool. And the strategy that goes into these races is fascinating to me.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 1:20 pm

A_B wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2023 9:07 am I like watching this for the landscape shots. So cool. And the strategy that goes into these races is fascinating to me.

It’s mesmerizing.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 4:40 pm

I love it

rass · Post by **rass** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 4:56 pm

Only swamper* who hates it is Bob since all those bikes ruin the view out his back window while he’s doing dishes.

*where did TFG live?

Square Rob · Post by **Square Rob** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 10:42 pm

I think he was somewhere in Lorraine because he was a fan of AS Nancy.

The race actually doesn’t come too close to us this year. It does pass through some places a spend a fair bit of time for work though. When they climb the puy du dome in 9 and then 10 they will be near Issoire where I work quite a bit.

The stage I’ll go to watch is the one on Bastille day when they climb the Columbier. That’s the closest to me, and will be good viewing to boot. Some avid cyclist coworkers will likely do the climb in the morning to find a place to watch. Not sure yet if I will join for that part or drive and hike. Frankly I need good advice from a local on the best way.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 7:48 am

Square Rob wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2023 10:42 pm I think he was somewhere in Lorraine because he was a fan of AS Nancy.

The race actually doesn’t come too close to us this year. It does pass through some places a spend a fair bit of time for work though. When they climb the puy du dome in 9 and then 10 they will be near Issoire where I work quite a bit.

The stage I’ll go to watch is the one on Bastille day when they climb the Columbier. That’s the closest to me, and will be good viewing to boot. Some avid cyclist coworkers will likely do the climb in the morning to find a place to watch. Not sure yet if I will join for that part or drive and hike. Frankly I need good advice from a local on the best way.

I want a report on the "if this is worth it". The idea of seeing the tour is on my bucket list, but the logistics to see them zip by seems a bit crazy for an investment.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:38 am

Do the fellas need to stop at customs today?

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:05 am

Damn, Powless has no chill. If he really wants to win KOM, I wish he'd save energy for the actual mountain stages.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:32 am

Rex wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:05 am Damn, Powless has no chill. If he really wants to win KOM, I wish he'd save energy for the actual mountain stages.

He needs to keep the polka dot jersey today. Holding it today means he will have it for a few more days. EF is a team that almost lost their world tour spot last year. They are in a rough sponsorship place and not as well funded. Their GC leader went out on the first stage crash, so Powless is the man now...and could podium...but even if he does not....have the polka dot jersey for multiple days is good for the business side of the team.

With two categorised climbs left today and just one on tomorrow’s route, Neilson Powless is seven points clear in the KOTM category and has at the very least guaranteed himself the polka-dot jersey until the end of stage five in the Pyrenees.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:16 am

Shoot. They’re heading to Bayonne. I don’t think you can get there from there.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:31 am

I've been there, I know the way.

(I've never been there)

Square Rob · Post by **Square Rob** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 1:11 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2023 7:48 am
Square Rob wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2023 10:42 pm I think he was somewhere in Lorraine because he was a fan of AS Nancy.

The race actually doesn’t come too close to us this year. It does pass through some places a spend a fair bit of time for work though. When they climb the puy du dome in 9 and then 10 they will be near Issoire where I work quite a bit.

The stage I’ll go to watch is the one on Bastille day when they climb the Columbier. That’s the closest to me, and will be good viewing to boot. Some avid cyclist coworkers will likely do the climb in the morning to find a place to watch. Not sure yet if I will join for that part or drive and hike. Frankly I need good advice from a local on the best way.
I want a report on the "if this is worth it". The idea of seeing the tour is on my bucket list, but the logistics to see them zip by seems a bit crazy for an investment.

Well, fuck. My quick there and back to the US trip has now turned into 2.5wks. Boss has decided since I’m there I need to visit both US sites and now he’s coming along too for the back half. Joy. I pointed out to him that I’m an avid cyclist and will now be in the US for basically the whole tour. He pointed out I’m here for at least three years and maybe more.

Square Rob · Post by **Square Rob** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 1:14 pm

FWIW, coworkers did one of the big climbs on the criterium du dauphine then watched the race come by. They do every year and say it’s a blast. But I think doing the climb in the morning then seeing them do the same much faster is part of the thrill.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 1:16 pm

Square Rob wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2023 1:14 pmBut I think doing the climb in the morning then seeing them do the same much faster is part of the thrill.

This sounds like the way to do it. Even watching the Tour of Utah riders go by was pretty exciting. Actual top-level racing on a French mountainside would be ten times that.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 8:51 am

This stage seems like it's been nuts. Huge gaps from the front to the back. HC climb in the middle with a category 1 coming before the finish. Cannot imagine trying to climb those mountains on a bike.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 10:03 am

Of course I tune in just in time for Pogacar to get dropped.

Post by **Sabo** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 10:28 am

A_B wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 8:51 am This stage seems like it's been nuts. Huge gaps from the front to the back. HC climb in the middle with a category 1 coming before the finish. Cannot imagine trying to climb those mountains on a bike.

Apparently horse steroids helps with riding a bike up a mountain. You might find some of those lying around on your street since you live in Kentucky. Who knows, they might even be the Bob Baffert brand of horse roids.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:00 am

Sabo wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 10:28 am
A_B wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 8:51 am This stage seems like it's been nuts. Huge gaps from the front to the back. HC climb in the middle with a category 1 coming before the finish. Cannot imagine trying to climb those mountains on a bike.
Apparently horse steroids helps with riding a bike up a mountain. You might find some of those lying around on your street since you live in Kentucky. Who knows, they might even be the Bob Baffert brand of horse roids.

While I have not gone up some these climbs, I have done so virtually. It can be done, just not very fast...and doing multiple of them in the same day at that speed is insane. Also going up is hard..going down some is flat out scary.

I did Cote De Pike the same day the Tour went up it...the 2.2km took me about 15 minutes and that was pretty early in my ride. I have not looked but you can go look at lots of tour riders' Strava accounts and compare what they did...just silly

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 12:31 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:00 am
Sabo wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 10:28 am
A_B wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 8:51 am This stage seems like it's been nuts. Huge gaps from the front to the back. HC climb in the middle with a category 1 coming before the finish. Cannot imagine trying to climb those mountains on a bike.
Apparently horse steroids helps with riding a bike up a mountain. You might find some of those lying around on your street since you live in Kentucky. Who knows, they might even be the Bob Baffert brand of horse roids.
While I have not gone up some these climbs, I have done so virtually. It can be done, just not very fast...and doing multiple of them in the same day at that speed is insane. Also going up is hard..going down some is flat out scary.

I did Cote De Pike the same day the Tour went up it...the 2.2km took me about 15 minutes and that was pretty early in my ride. I have not looked but you can go look at lots of tour riders' Strava accounts and compare what they did...just silly

There were a few seasons where I got strong enough to probably do most of those climbs. But only one climb, and very very very slowly. And it'd take a week to recover. And relative to actual bike racers, I'd've been even slower on the way down.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 7:20 am

The other thing about those climbs in the number of people and idiots crowding you. Hammering up the hill at the ridiculous effort, my mind would be on just getting up the mountain. They have to be aware of the huge crowds in there way, getting out of the way at the last minute, maybe bumping into them and ruining their rhythm if not knocking them off. The camera shot from behind (looking up the road) Jai Hindley yesterday were insane looking. And that was probably a smaller crowd than others.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 9:41 am

it's gonna be Vingegaard and Pogacar dueling at the end of this stage isn't it?

eta: Didn't realize Van Aert was in that group for some reason.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 11:56 am

wlu_lax6 wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:00 am I have not looked but you can go look at lots of tour riders' Strava accounts and compare what they did...just silly

On the international feed (on Peacock), they'll show the amateur KOM from strava on a climb, and then the best time from the peloton for the day. Usually its about 10-15 minutes faster.

Today's stage was nuts as well. Having all these mountains early in the Tour is really blowing things up.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 12:36 pm

This week has been completely epic. I'm not sure how they can sustain it for 2 more weeks.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 1:14 pm

Rex wrote: Thu Jul 06, 2023 12:36 pm This week has been completely epic. I'm not sure how they can sustain it for 2 more weeks.

Well, we know how they sustain it. We just really don't want to see any of ours get caught.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 6:08 pm

I’ll deliver the blood bags myself if we can get more racing like this.