Pictures From the Side of a Mountain, Part One

Skratch Labs setting up shop a little less than 1 km from the finish.

The Amgen Tour of California made it's way to within a half hour of my home, so of course I had to go spectate, and take in the sights and sounds that are professional bike racing.
This is part one of my pictorial journey up and down the final 2 km climb of Stage 6

Stage six started in Santa Clarita, home of Magic Mountain (were LA gangsters go to ride roller coasters), and ends up at Table Mountain, sitting a bit above Mountain High ski resort at around 7,000 ft elevation, give or take a 1,000 feet. To get to this elevation, you apparently need to pass through some of the most ugly parts of Southern California. I do believe the first 3/4's of the race was used in the movie, The Hills Have Eyes. All I'm saying is, if the ATOC is trying to promote California tourism, stay away from the desert regions, no one wants to see ghetto desert. I can say this because I'm a California native.

One reason I made my way up the mountain, to the horror of my sinuses, 

was to see Sir Bradley Wiggins. 

I like Wiggo, he's moody, but not moody in a Cadel Evans sort of way.

True story, I saw John Prolly at Ten Speed Coffee and didn't tell him how much I enjoy and appreciate his website, The Radavist. I believe it was The Smith's who said: 

"Shyness is nice, and shyness can stop you, from doing all the things in life you'd like to." 

On a side note, Ten Speed Coffee whips up an amazing iced Coffee. 

Kept me zipping about the hill all afternoon.

Go home clowns, you're drunk.

It wouldn't be a Tour of California for me without a picture of Thor Hushvod.

To Be Continued...

Until Next July

Cuddles Really Loves His Lion

The Tour is over and my life is slowly returning to normal. Tomorrow I'm going for a ride, and I'm a bit excited because I do believe I finally found a magic helmet to fit my teeny tiny head. I got a Lazer Genesis off Ebay from nonstopciclismo.com . Thumbs up for those guys, in stock, got it in 2 days, and they had a ton of decent gear. Check 'em out, this was not a paid advertisement, I just enjoy good service. Back to business. In this post I am just going to tell you what I thought made for good tour watchin.

Tommy's tongue, pre-yellow jersey, was quite the sight. I stick my tongue out when I'm concentrating on tasks at hand, I get it from my Mom. But never while riding, so I tried it this weekend. I was sprinting uphill toward the house with my hubby and decided to stick my tongue out. You know what, I won the sprint, only because hubby was laughing too hard. Said I looked like a fish out of water. Despite that I believe it brings in more oxygen, so I'm going to keep it in my arsenal.

Good job Cav, although I am a bit bummed he didn't cross the line with sparklers on his shoes and pulling a Superman across the finish line. He is definitely the best sprinter (with team assist) on the Tour and he deserves the green jersey. His interviews were more mature than in the past, I kind of miss those days.

Poor Schlecks, what happened? I knew when Cadel was staying along with them on the climbs that they had no chance. They need to gain a bit of weight and work on time trialling, go to the gym this winter, get some sort of leg muscles. That's my opinion, but you just wait until this winter, the media will show them working out in the gym and discussing TT tactics with Fabian while they all do thrust squats. Then you'll think back to this summer and say " hey, that Freebird Velo chick was right, holy shit!"

Jeremy Roy, what can you say about this guy. Announcers were throwing around the word 'PANACHE' a lot this tour, but he needs his picture in the dictionary next to the definition. It seemed like he was in every breakaway. He had no chance on the stage against Thor, believe me I tried to send him a mojo power boost using my mind powers it didn't work. The kid rode his heart out and it showed when he crossed the finish line, he looked like he was apologizing to the entire country of France.

We now come down to my team, Garmin-Cervelo. I made the call, they won TTT, Tyler finally won in France, Thor brought them yellow, and they won Team. Quite a tour indeed. But as you can tell from this rest day photo there might of been some separation between old Garmin riders and Thor. He was off at another table with non-riders. Apparently Jonathon Vaughters couldn't quite pay Thor all the money he promised him, especially after he won the World championship, prices go up with those stripes. I liked this team from the their conception, they were like the Bad News Bears of the cycling world. Just a bunch of quirky guys riding their bikes trying to win a stage. Thor never really fit in with them, he's too European, and they're too goofy. So we'll see what next year will bring them without Thor. By the way, they are not eating regulation size Chipoltle burritos in the photo, those are smaller than stateside burritos. I wish they were that size.

How to Use Your Hands Crossing the Finish Line

For all of you getting ready for race season, here are some examples about what to do, and not to do with your hands when you find yourself victorious. Here is an example of what not to do:

On Velonews.com there is video of Mark Cavendish talking about how much he loves his new Di12 electronic shifters. Nothing exciting there. The classic part is when he says how tiny his hands are. I'm not a guy, but I do know that you never want to comment on how small your hands or feet are. I guess if you've got enough confidence to talk about how little your carnie hands are then you probably got the cajones to back 'em up. As seen in above picture. Either way I still think he's a pompous puff tart.

Mark uses his tiny man hands to show that it doesn't matter how small they are it's how you use them. I thought Brits were polite and well behaved, this salute was quite naughty. I wouldn't suggest it.

And then there's good 'ol Tom. Oh dear… Tom, stop it you silly boy, jazz hands are for private time. That's a no for the celebratory spirit fingers and the manel-toe.

Now, here is little Heinrich. Raining, no gloves, in a break-away coming across the line. I cried when I watched him win that stage, and yes I endured teasing from my Mom and husband for it, but at the time it was pure, beautiful sport. The way it should be.

Last years Tour was pretty exciting I'll give you that, pissed me off, but still exciting. My favorite sound bite was Andy saying he had a fire in his belly and was going to seek revenge. Pretty good, but I would of chucked my pump in Al's spokes the next day and then raise my arms victoriously.

This is how a real man crosses the finish line. With a name like Thor how else would you cross the line. Well, maybe he could cross it on the back of a winged giant mongoose, wielding a golden, ruby encrusted sword, and wearing wolf skins but this is pretty good I reckon.