We rode up in the mtns yesterday and despite feeling like straight ass, it was still good to get a ride in with lots of singletrack beneath the wheels. I caught a nice stick to the leg on a downhill and was rewarded with a zipper like slice on the lower shin. It woke me up for sure.
Indian Peaks basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun
Heading back down to cross over to the next trail
Chris likes his GF Rig and I like the geometry of this frame. Tim has the same frame and although I didn't take it down anything tech when I took it for a spin, it did feel nimble. An incredible deal for a 29er SS at $1200-$1300 for everything.
Bob K. and I were able to defy the odds and sneak in a nice road ride this afternoon. We headed up to Ward and turned around right before the last turn to make it back to town in time to drop his bike off for a new BB. His nice easton wheels had us descending fast and it was fun to actually ride down lefthand canyon for a change. I had Beloki type images as I was on his wheel but all went well and we made it down in one piece.
I won't talk about the crumbling economy or belly-up banks but I will talk about the tour as there has been some fine riding in the last two stages and nothing says summer like the watching the tour. Valverde took yet another shot on the chin in stage 10 and things are looking dark for the spaniard. Miracles can happen but I think he may as well head to the tapas bar and start drinking.
The "Cobra" Riccardo Ricco is one of the most dynamic guys to watch right now on a mtn stage. Hopefully he is clean...He may be a bit cocky but he is a straight street fighter when he stands on the pedals. He actually pulled a Babe Ruth calling one of his wins before the stage and with more power than Contador, he will surely be a threat in the future.
Evans actually had to set some pace today which was something new for the shadowstepper. He is the most consistent overall and even though I don't care for him much, he is hanging tough and riding strong so far. Whimpering into his lion when he took the podium like he won the whole tour was a bit premature I thought. It's a long way to Paris monsieur and some of the guys will be smelling blood. He better win it this year because next year will be another story. I believe Chris Horner was the one who said, no matter who wins in 08, in the back of their mind will forever live the fact that the strongest pro team and challengers were not present. I thought that was a bit cold but true none the less. Eat some freedom fries and get ready for next year because they can't keep the top players out forever.
I thought Frank Schleck put in a bangin ride on stage 10 as well and how about Vandevelde? He is having a great tour so far and hopefully he can hold on to a strong overall to rep a little something for the good old U.S of A. Menchov has been strong too, we will see what he can do in the alps.
Favorite quote from the day came from Bob Roll when talking about Vandevelde," riding cooler than the other side of the pillow." Most diehard fan(s) award goes to the hundreds of spanish cycling fans wearing orange. The orange tide as they are known, are for real and obviously rep orange in support of team Euskaltel even though they never win shit. Can you tell I'm not working right now?
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