ATOC Stage 6 Pics Part Deux

Well, here's the rest of the pictures from Stage 6, 

Amgen Tour of California.

Enjoy!

King and Queen of the Mountain.

Taylor P.

So Pro Tan Lines.

Petey Sagan and Mr. I Am Ted King leading the grupetto up the final climb. 2 more kms boys.

Leftovers. I just liked the fact that the Giant rider is smiling for the camera.

Day is done for some.

Souvenir from...I believe Christian Knees? I could be wrong, just saw the German arm bands.

Danke!

Teams coming back down the climb, packing up and getting ready for trip back to
lovely downtown Santa Clarita.

Too many things make me angry when looking at these, but I still love em;

1. the Belkin/Bianchi color scheme is a NO! Should be matte black with the Bianchi logos,

 and tiny hints of Belkin green.

2. ShimaNO on a Bianchi!? Mamma mia, it make'a me so sad. 

Au Revoir ATOC, until next year!

I Want a Dog Named Fausto

I'm an American. Am I happy about it? Yes. Do I sometimes daydream about being born into a Tuscan family, raising olives and taking my truffle sniffing dog named Fausto out into the woods, hunting tasty fungus? Yes I do. I have an unhealthy at times, passion for all things Italian. Whether it be cycling related, food, travel(at some point), and their wonderful use of the coffee bean. I hope by some karmic coincidence, if I submerse myself in all things Italian I will come back as an Italian, hopefully still female with a bigger rack, and thick, shiny, lustrous hair, oh, and still have my passion for cycling. I understand the rack might interfere with my aerodynamics but I'm willing to take a chance.

Before I turned into an Italo-phile (is that right?) and I started looking for my first road bike, I checked out our LBS, Cyclery USA. I've been going there since my first bike. For my first road bike I test rode a Trek 1.5, I think, it was white with neon green. I never put a leg over a road bike in my life until that day. It was like that bike was made for me. It felt surprisingly good, even after being on cushy mountain bikes. I have to owe it to Trek or my body geometry, I don't know which, but they do make a well made, handsome bike. You see, Treks are handsome. Bianchi's on the other hand are georgeous. After watching this video it reminded me of the first time I test rode that atomic pea green Trek. I also like hearing Fabian talk about his first time on the cobbles, makes me appreciate him even more.

I will say Trek-Leopard is taking a lot of crap for their kits but I like 'em. The blue/green band kind of looks like celeste.

Which Would You Rather?

Which would you rather put a leg over?

Little Black Beauty Here, or......

Ronald McDonald's Race Machine

Where is Bianchi in the pro peloton? I know Androni Giocattoli is riding them this year but what about the big guys? Just putting that out there.

Weekend Whatnots

Busy weekend. Unfortunately no riding, my bike was under the weather and I had no desire to ride in 40 degree drizzle or ride the stationary at the gym. I need to invest in a trainer. But alas, look at the 7-day forecast. If you live back east or further on beyond the pond look away. Lets just say I am very thankful for something above 60 degrees. I'm gettin too old for 30 degree rides on wet asphalt giving me what looks like poo-poo shorts.

BELLISSIMA

My bike also became more beautiful and svelte this weekend. Sophia got new shoes (wheels/tires) and a new cassette. I can't even hear her because the freewheel is so quiet. We did have some questions because neither my husband or myself have put on a cassette so we took her down to our LBS to double check I wasn't going to have some sort of catastrophic failure while riding. Walking in I was so proud of her, I expected everyone to fawn over her and tell me how beautiful she was. Nothing, I felt dejected. I still love her.

And finally, I am officially the last cyclist on the planet to own a Moka pot. It was 8:30 Saturday night when my hubby started to play with it so I didn't drink a whole cup. But what I tasted was nummy. We'll see if I can replicate his technique when I make mine in the morning, probably gonna taste like cat piss.

Little Bit of Something

This one's a shorty but a goody. Maybe not a goody but as I always say, "it's not just good, it's good enough." Sorry that doesn't really help build up my readership. I ran down to Panera this morning hipster style on my Bianchi. I won't take her again, she's a bit squirrley. Try riding her up a 5% grade one-handed and the other hand holding hot coffee. Next time it's a shot of esspresso at the shop and both hands on the bars of my Pipi Ole on the way back.

In restoration news this morning, I was able to get all the old 90's Kona purple paint off it's little cro-moly body. She is going to have an appointment with the powder coater soon. I have yet to come up with a name, so if someone besides my darling hubby reads this and comes up with a name for her send me a line. I was thinking Nubian Queen cause she is going to be shiny and strong and black. That's not racist it's admiration.

Is it me or is Meg Witman and Penelope from Little Darlings the same person?

Sophia

I am back to riding again, thank God. Unfortunately I feel super lazy and my glutes are killing me from Saturday. 10 days without riding and you fall apart. Tomorrow back in the saddle, and gym, and also starting a sugar fast. Today I am going to explain the meaning behind my baby's name. I chose Sophia because she is almost completely Italian, except for the FSA crankset (it's designed in WA state). Otherwise she is Campy, Fizik, Selle Italia, and an Italian made Bianchi frame (not Taiwan) thank you.My bambina, she is a spunky like Sophia Petrillo on the Golden Girls. Sohpia was also naughty and spoke her mind. Now, my bike can't express herself like that, but I can, since my bike is basically an extension of my inner self (alter ego?). I can't believe I would watch that show with my Grandma on Friday nights. Hey, I was a little girl, I wasn't old enough to have a social life yet. Best sitcom ever, how can you watch a show over and over and not tire of it? Don't answer that.And most importantly she is sexy like Sophia Loren. I wish I had just a 1/4 of her sexiness. Even when she's older like in Grumpier Old Men. I don't know what she saw in Walter Matthau though, I wouldn't go for someone who kept callin me nag. Best part of that movie was Burgess Merideth. Just the credits are worth a watch. I love dirty old people.