Amgen Tour of California

[MaryH]

Officially kicks off this weekend. :D Really good field of racers (and I'm not even considering Lance as part of that assessment).

I signed up and get to work on Wednesday as a course marshall for the fourth leg (Merced to Clovis). We all had to attend an orientation last week and it looks to be pretty fun. What with the "Lance effect" and all. :D:)

They had a list of Top 10 questions you WILL get asked, which included things like:

"which one's Lance?" suggested answer: the one with the LiveStrong helmet

"where's the best place to get an autograph? suggested answer: Merced or Visalia (i.e. starting cities, not an end city like Clovis because the riders are all tired after they finish)

[Robyn1007]

That's pretty funny about the list of questions. :p I've volunteered at a local triathlon before but would love to volunteer at an IM or other big time race so hearing that they're putting an IM in Utah has me thinking of a road trip. Have fun watching, I'm sure there will be lots of incredible athletes (and fantastic bodies!) to watch...:D

[SusanMac]

I love watching this race on TV each year! Our neighbors are headed out to attend a few of the stages around Paso Robles. A few years ago, DH & I were passing through LAX the day after the race & got to meet Johann Brunyeel (sp?) and Christian Vandevelde (another sp?!)

I don't know why, but this race seems so much more fun & exciting than Tour of Georgia. Maybe b/c it seems to unofficially kick off the season for us.

I'm honestly not excited that Lance is back....but that's another thread altogether. The good news, tho, is that it probably means increased TV coverage for any races where he is competing.

How exciting that you are volunteering! Pls keep us posted on how it all goes!

Robyn - I hadn't heard about the IM Utah news! Must go check that out...

[Robyn1007]

Hear ya go Susan-

http://www.xtri.com/features_display.aspx?riIDReport=5350&CAT=24&xref=xx

[SusanMac]

Yes, I did go out & find that. Very strange article, the way it quotes Graham from 6 years ago??

OTOH...you could roadtrip to Madison, volunteer to work IM WI in Sept & have a free place to stay :-)

Mary -- sorry for the highjack! You know us VRB girls are chatty that way

[MaryH]

No worries. :D:) Hijack, what hijack?

[Robyn1007]

Speaking of, Mary where the heck have you been? Come back and join us on the VRB thread, please!

Susan, Madison might be a bit of a long drive. ;)

[TKay]

Thanks for the reminder about this race. Dh usually follows racing, but has been so busy with work, I don't know how up to speed he is this year. At least he hasn't mentioned it to me yet. I'll have to find the TV listings.


I'm honestly not excited that Lance is back....but that's another thread altogether. The good news, tho, is that it probably means increased TV coverage for any races where he is competing..

Susan, I agree with you completely about Lance.

How fun that you're volunteering, MaryH. I've never done that before but it sounds like a lot of fun. Plus, you get to be in on all the action. Please file a report here afterwards. :D

[Hammster]

Wow, my first post on this particular board. :D

I'm going to go up on Palomar mountain this next Sunday for the final stage. I'll be on the uphill switchback portion of the climb with my camera to, hopefully, get some great shots.

I thought today's stage went very well for Astana. Levi is close enough to the leader's jersey yet Astana won't have to defend it. He's in the perfect position to grab it during the Solvang time trial I think. I think Lance will be super-domestique for Levi. Very cool.

[SusanMac]

OK - this has been pretty frustrating to watch so far, from a technical perspective. One day they have absolutely no satellite feed so just kill time for about an hour (which boggles my mind....it's not that hard and they're in Silicon Valley). The next day, they somehow misjudge how much air time they need to finish the race, and cut things short for some hockey game. They tell you to go to Versus.com to watch the finish...but it's not online yet. Versus is bonking on this one.

But, technical issues aside....it's been a fun race so far! I can't imagine doing a week-long race in absolutely constant rain & winds. It's not just a sprinkle either, it's really dumping on those guys. I'm really surprised there haven't been more major crashes.

Some friends of mine went to Santa Cruz on Mon to have lunch w/friends....and stumbled across the finish line as everyone was coming through! How fun is that! They're not cyclists and were shocked that I had heard about the race.

[TKay]

As you all are aware, California doesn't typically get all that much rain. It's ironic that it happens the week of this race every year. If memory serves, it was last year that the tour finished at a rainy Rose Bowl. Am I remembering correctly? I have visions or dh standing under and umbrella at the finish line. Maybe it was the year before. We may try to see the finish this year. It's not that far from us and I'd like to go (just to say I had).

I haven't watched much coverage (and so missed the tech glitches and cut away at the end of the race, Susan), but I did see the Levi and Lance cross wheels last night. Oopsie! Strange to see Lance out there again.

[SusanMac]

Actually, in the Bay Area, we typically got about 2 months on nonstop rain. It was typically annoying....but always meant great skiing up in Tahoe! Ah, I remember it well. Sounds like SoCal doesn't have the rain-season thing so much.

Yeah, the Lance/Levi wheel touch was actually kind of funny (just b/c it's such a rookie mistake). Luckily it was minor & didn't take anyone out.

[TKay]

You're right, Susan. I misspoke. Southern California doesn't get much rain. Well, unless we've had a big burn season. Then it pours for a few weeks so everyone can enjoy the mudslides. Oh, beautiful, sunny California. ;)

[SusanMac]

Yesterday was clear riding through the foothills, so we finally caught some stunning views!

I also have to say that I really like Craig Hummer. He does a great job reporting. He was on staff for TdF last year, too. Hope he sticks around.

what's up with the new girl, though? The one who's a comedian and Indian. They have equipment segments where she asks "why are the brakes so far away?" I really don't get who they're trying to reach/educate with this series. Hopefully my boyfriend Frankie will return for TdF :-)

Really looking forward to the TT tomorrow!

[janyoung101]

so exciting!

[Hammster]

I also have to say that I really like Craig Hummer. He does a great job reporting. He was on staff for TdF last year, too. Hope he sticks around.


Really looking forward to the TT tomorrow!

Ugh, Hummer is the worst as a commentator. Put him back out with the riders and bring back Bobke to the booth.

Also looking forward to the TT. :D

[SusanMac]

Maybe I'm just comparing Hummer to Al Troutwig (sp?). He was horrific at the cycling coverage. For TdF, they typically have Bobke join Paul & Phil. Don't worry....they're clearly not getting rid of Bobke! I'm enjoying all of his interviews w/the cyclists....and his crazy shaved head!!

Has anyone else noticed that not a single reporter has asked Lance about his preggo girlfriend?? I highly suspect that Lance told them to back off of that subject.

Time trial today -- this one is always fun!

[TKay]

How funny, Susan, that Frankie is your boyfriend and my boyfriend at the same time. Bobke. I don't know why he isn't one of the primary commentators on all cycling coverage all the time. Love him.

I've not seen the girl yet. My viewing has been spotty at best. Maybe I'm lucky I haven't seen her yet?

[SusanMac]

TKay - did you go to watch the finish?? I really like Shleck, I'm glad he won the stage. And I'm also glad Levi won overall, since he's kinda scre$ed now if his newest teammate rides in TdF

Mary - Any fun volunteer stories? Hope you had a dry stage!

Hammster - would love to see any photos you captured

[Robyn1007]

Okay, I have a random question. I caught some of the Tour yesterday after my dad told me about www.cycling.tv which had it on for free (I don't get Versus). In the wrap up they said something about how Lance's rustiness and not looking back before getting out of the saddle is what caused Levi to go down. How can it be the rider in front's fault (so long has he doesn't randomly take a huge turn or something)? Since my major background is skiing where the uphill (person behind) always has the responsibility to avoid the person in front that may be where I have it wrong but how is Lance supposed to know that Levi is so close to his rear wheel that getting out of the saddle will cause Levi to go down? :confused: (And yes, I'd feel the same if it were reversed, I'm not pro nor against Lance.)

[Hammster]

I did some searching on "Peloton Etiquette" and there is some pretty good info regarding your question, Robyn.
It seems there is fault with Levi and Lance in this instance.
It is both rider's responibility to be aware of who is around them as riding in a peloton is extremely close quarters with wheels just inches apart. Levi did a major no-no by having his front wheel slightly overlapping Lance's rear wheel. Lance did a fairly hefty swerve when he stood up off the saddle, which is also a no-no (the swerve, not the standing up part). I think attributing it to Lance's rustiness was a way to let them both off the hook, although both were culpable in this case. And, just before the start of the final stage, Bobke commented to Levi what a flawless tour he (Levi) was having and Levi said that he remembered a certain crash at one point but that the team was having a great tour for sure. I think Levi was putting the blame on himself for the crash and it was probably the correct thing to do since Lance wasn't used to riding in the peloton too much after so much time off.
It really wasn't mentioned a whole lot during the tour. Just as a talking point as to how well Levi really did despite that crash and the weather early on, etc.


Well, I didn't go see the final stage. I had a very hard week, physically, last week and a hectic Saturday. I needed one day of my weekend to rest and Sunday was it. I hope they come back to San Diego as I'd love to go see it.

[SusanMac]

Robyn - for me & you on the roads, it's always good/nice to glance around & see who is behind you b4 standing up in the saddle. This is b/c standing will always slow you down for a second. It's still the responsibility of the person riding behind to not be too close or overlap. But, it's just an etiquette thing for the person in front. That also means that if you're riding in a paceline & the person in front of you glances back, that's a signal that somethings about to happen so be alert. The person in front doesn't have to say anything (since it would be tough to be heard anyway)

With all that said, not overlapping wheels is cycling 101, and Levi knows that. That's what some of the chuckling has been about.

Very cool tip about the website, btw. We will check that out!

[TKay]

Susan - No, neither dh nor I went to watch the finish. Dh's riding buddies went (haven't heard back with a report), but dh, being the good daddy that he is, stayed home to help the boys with a project they're working on.

Hammster - interesting about the etiquette. My impression of the crash was that it was a silly mistake on both of their parts, which, I guess, is what you're saying too. Sorry you missed the stage.

Robyn - I'm not a cyclist myself, although I do enjoy spinning on the trainer. The primary reason I don't ride on the road is the bike handling. I simply don't have that no-fear attitude and I'm scared to death I'll just pull a lame move and crash somebody. I ride on the back of the tandem with dh and he cheerfully maneuvers us through situations I'd just crash in. I trust his knowledge and his skill, but not my own. I'm impressed by you guys who have the guts to get out there.

[SusanMac]

TKay - I'm 100% confident you could do it and get the hang of it. But, you've got your hands full right now. Maybe when the kids are older and more independent?

[Hammster]

Hammster - interesting about the etiquette. My impression of the crash was that it was a silly mistake on both of their parts, which, I guess, is what you're saying too. Sorry you missed the stage.

Yeah, that's exactly what I was saying too.

I was so bummed about missing the stage. I got up yesterday morning and was just beat, so I knew I didn't want to be on the mountain for many hours yesterday. I gotta say though, it sure was nice seeing most of the stage on TV. Very exciting stage, especially when Levi was on his own up Palomar. I was worried that his team was done, but they regrouped and escorted him to his third TdC win. Very cool!

[Robyn1007]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. It basically is the same as skiing. We are forever telling people not to be erratic in their turns etc and to check uphill before starting after stopping etc but in the end the person uphill/behind has the last opportunity and therefor the responsibility to avoid a crash.

Had a stupid snowboarder take out one of my kids this weekend. The only reason I didn't call patrol to pull the guy's ticket (he was competing there and would have missed his competition) was because my kid was being erratic. Yeah, I'm a bit of a mama bear when it comes to messing with the kids I coach. :o

[MaryH]

Volunteer report (a little late but hey I was in Vegas over the weekend. :D )

I volunteered on the 4th stage which was from Merced to Clovis. Weather wise it was absolutely gorgeous - no rain, no snow. I did see later that when they went through Oakhurst and such, you could see the snow on the side of the roads. My assignment was as a course marshall which meant I was tasked with making sure that the people in my area did not do anything stupid like running into the road after the first couple of cyclists flew by. I was positioned a couple of miles before the finish line. The people who were there to watch all seemed to be enjoying themselves but I did get asked repeatedly "what time are they coming through?"

Did I see Lance? What I saw was three riders in arrow formation followed 15-20 second later by the peloton. Now I'm told Lance was part of that, but there was no way of picking out any particular person in that large of a group. ;):D

I also saw later that it was a photo finish and that the peloton had caught the three front riders by the time they got to the finish.

All in all, a couple hours of waiting for a fifteen second "whoosh" but what better way to take a day off of work.

[SusanMac]

Thx for the report, Mary! That does sound like fun (for someone who likes to volunteer at these kinds of gigs, like I do)

DH & I would ultimately like to attend one of the road races in Europe, but often have that same thought. Wait all day. Have no TV/radio event coverage (in English anyway). Then have the quick 'swoosh' go by! We figure it would really be more about the whole experience & the people you meet along the way than the race itself.

[TKay]

Mary, that does sound worth it to me. :D

Susan, dh has a friend who goes over to the TdF every year. He does some sort of riding guide thing where he actually rides portions of the course in a volunteer capacity. He's invited dh to join him many times and someday (I hope) he will. Thanks for the vote of confidence when it comes to the bike, btw.