An open letter to all Pro-ass bike racers not named Fabian Cancellara.
Dear Pro-ass bike racers not named Fabian Cancellara,
I know you're 100% aware of this but the Tour of Flanders is on Saturday which is awesome. It happens to be my favorite spring classic, not that this should matter that much to you.
I stumbled upon a little video on VeloNews.com where a few of your colleagues were making comments about how Fabian Cancellara is basically unbeatable and while nobody came right out and said it, everyone was pretty much insinuating that if he attacks it's a race for second. Look, I get it, he's really fast. And, I've read and heard the accounts that say even just staying on his wheel is tough. I get that too. But please, for the love of Eddie Merckx do not, and I repeat, DO NOT have another pitiful show of cowardliness that took place at Paris-Roubaix last year. When Cancellara attacked with 60k out every single one of you besides Tom Boonen all sat up and felt sorry for yourselves that you were now going to get 2nd. Don't do that again. Please chase. Make me and all my fellow cycling fans believe that you guys actually want to win races, even if that means you risk losing them.
If Fabian wins on Sunday fine. He's a super fast bike racer and I'm sure he'd like nothing more than to prove he's unbeatable. Shouldn't all of you take that as a challenge to prove he is? I don't even care who wins I just want to see a good race where all the "stars" of cycling actually look like they've earned that title because they're willing to bury themselves to win.
I know you all want to win to so I'm sure you'll all be trying very hard and that's all we ask.
Sincerely,
TeamLandall
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Finish Line Salutes
I really like it when riders have finish line salutes other than simply sticking both hands in the air touchdown style. Mostly I like them because they make absolutely no sense or actually need to be interpreted. Now, most of the time these types of celebrations take place on tops of mountains or after successful breakaways where the rider is coming to the line alone. It's hard to fault the bunch sprinter for not being overly creative at 70kph when he's just trying to see straight to avoid any arrant photographers. Although there was that time that Robbie McEwen did the weird running arms gesture after winning a stage of the Tour de France. He later said that was a dare from Levi Leiphemier.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Christian Vande Velde rocks the baby since he and his wife recently had a baby. Cut to about 1:30.
Carlos Sastre shows some real planning by having a pacifier available. Maybe VdV should have had some better planning. Possibly an entire bottle would have been cool.
Then there's the guys who like to incorporate weapons, real ones.
Ryan Trebon takes a sword from a fan on the finishing straight of a cross race. At least I'm pretty sure he didn't have it sheathed throughout.
Juan Antonio Flecha likes to shoot a pretend arrow.
And of course we're all familiar with Contador's fake pistol shot.
But this is something new. Today, Contador wins solo on top of a mountain and instead of pulling out his fake pistol he does what I can only assume is asking the world to have some heart when discussing his pending doping situation. It's all about the subtle suggestions.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Christian Vande Velde rocks the baby since he and his wife recently had a baby. Cut to about 1:30.
Carlos Sastre shows some real planning by having a pacifier available. Maybe VdV should have had some better planning. Possibly an entire bottle would have been cool.
Then there's the guys who like to incorporate weapons, real ones.
Ryan Trebon takes a sword from a fan on the finishing straight of a cross race. At least I'm pretty sure he didn't have it sheathed throughout.
Juan Antonio Flecha likes to shoot a pretend arrow.
And of course we're all familiar with Contador's fake pistol shot.
But this is something new. Today, Contador wins solo on top of a mountain and instead of pulling out his fake pistol he does what I can only assume is asking the world to have some heart when discussing his pending doping situation. It's all about the subtle suggestions.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Bikes are Great!
Like most people who love bikes I didn't grow up riding in lycra or even know what a derailleur was until about 8 years ago. My parents had bikes that changed gears but that didn't mean much to me. I was always more interested in finding some pile of dirt to transform into a jump. Or, if it was big enough, a table top. My first real bike, and I still consider it that today, was a Redline 220. It was a low end bmx bike that cost $200 and I remember I saved for what seemed like 1,000 years to buy it. The guy at the bike shop told me I could spend another $30 and get a Dyno something that was better. But I didn't care, I like the Redline and I had enough money for it on the spot. Didn't he realize how long it'd take me to save another $30?
I don't often speak very highly of where I grew up but one perk that even I can't bash is that we had plenty of access to trails, open fields and in some cases heavy machinery we had no business operating to build a new bmx track whenever we wanted. There were about 8 of us that would split up and make teams of 2 or 3. We were inspired by the movie Rad which we'd watch religiously and dirt bike racing, which we all wished we were doing but were too poor to afford motorcycles. Team Green (Kawasaki), Big Red (Honda)and Suzuki, if the other two got picked before you had a chance, would all work together to build a track and then race in 3-4 up matches. A lot of the cyclocross racing strategy that I employee today I learned on a bmx bike trying to pass my friend or get the whole shot. I'd do almost anything to get my Redline 220 back.
I remember one summer I had a job cutting the grass at my dad's church. Man I hated that job. But one day I decided instead of getting driven out there I'd just ride my bike. It couldn't have been more than 10 miles thinking back on it now, but on a bmx bike with a single gear ratio of something like 33x15, it took a while. It seemed like it was so far, but I remember the sense of accomplishment when I got there. At the time, I never would have guessed that a bike would eventually lead me around the perimeter of the US in 2006.
To me, bikes are beautiful. From the incredibly simplistic and clean track bike to over engineered full suspension mountain bikes and time trial rigs, bikes are beautiful. Because of that, I will watch just about any video that has something to do with cycling. My wife makes fun of me constantly for it, but the bike geek in me just can't get enough.
The bike world is incredibly diverse and I should be the first to admit that sometimes that diversity drives me insane. At times I want there to be some sort of outlaw on guys on hybrids with day-glo jackets clogging up my commute to work by riding a top speed of 12mph and swerving all over the place just to try and remain upright. I realize that's incredibly selfish and I'm working on it. Those guys have just as much a right to enjoy the bicycle as I do.
Today I saw the video below. It is absolutely amazing to me what some people can do on a bike. The bike handling skills and control that this guy has is absolutely amazing. To me, it's equally as impressive and no less brave than sprinters rubbing elbows at 70kph (~42mph for those of us in America). It's seeing a video like this or reading an update about the work that Richmond Cycling Corp is doing as they work with under-privileged Richmond youth and use cycling as a vehicle to do so that simply reinforces just how great I think the bicycle is.
Watch this video and be amazed. Watch Milan-San Remo this weekend and be amazed. Go to the Richmond Cycling Corps website and be amazed. But, don't forget to get on your bike and remember what it was like to ride as a kid.
I don't often speak very highly of where I grew up but one perk that even I can't bash is that we had plenty of access to trails, open fields and in some cases heavy machinery we had no business operating to build a new bmx track whenever we wanted. There were about 8 of us that would split up and make teams of 2 or 3. We were inspired by the movie Rad which we'd watch religiously and dirt bike racing, which we all wished we were doing but were too poor to afford motorcycles. Team Green (Kawasaki), Big Red (Honda)and Suzuki, if the other two got picked before you had a chance, would all work together to build a track and then race in 3-4 up matches. A lot of the cyclocross racing strategy that I employee today I learned on a bmx bike trying to pass my friend or get the whole shot. I'd do almost anything to get my Redline 220 back.
I remember one summer I had a job cutting the grass at my dad's church. Man I hated that job. But one day I decided instead of getting driven out there I'd just ride my bike. It couldn't have been more than 10 miles thinking back on it now, but on a bmx bike with a single gear ratio of something like 33x15, it took a while. It seemed like it was so far, but I remember the sense of accomplishment when I got there. At the time, I never would have guessed that a bike would eventually lead me around the perimeter of the US in 2006.
To me, bikes are beautiful. From the incredibly simplistic and clean track bike to over engineered full suspension mountain bikes and time trial rigs, bikes are beautiful. Because of that, I will watch just about any video that has something to do with cycling. My wife makes fun of me constantly for it, but the bike geek in me just can't get enough.
The bike world is incredibly diverse and I should be the first to admit that sometimes that diversity drives me insane. At times I want there to be some sort of outlaw on guys on hybrids with day-glo jackets clogging up my commute to work by riding a top speed of 12mph and swerving all over the place just to try and remain upright. I realize that's incredibly selfish and I'm working on it. Those guys have just as much a right to enjoy the bicycle as I do.
Today I saw the video below. It is absolutely amazing to me what some people can do on a bike. The bike handling skills and control that this guy has is absolutely amazing. To me, it's equally as impressive and no less brave than sprinters rubbing elbows at 70kph (~42mph for those of us in America). It's seeing a video like this or reading an update about the work that Richmond Cycling Corp is doing as they work with under-privileged Richmond youth and use cycling as a vehicle to do so that simply reinforces just how great I think the bicycle is.
Watch this video and be amazed. Watch Milan-San Remo this weekend and be amazed. Go to the Richmond Cycling Corps website and be amazed. But, don't forget to get on your bike and remember what it was like to ride as a kid.
A Hill in Spain from chris akrigg on Vimeo.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Stay Classy Ohio State
Remember last bowl season when the news broke that Ohio State's star quarterback and wide receiver had violated NCAA sanctions by selling memorabilia? Then remember how Jim Tressel came out and said he wasn't going to suspend his players for the bowl game because it would hurt all of the seniors who had worked so hard for four years. Instead, he would suspend his players for the first five games of next season so they'd learn their lessons. Obviously the only people that bought this line of crap were Ohio State fans because everybody knows the first five games of the next seasons are cream puffs and scrimmages. Clearly Tressel saw a way to "punish" his star players but not have any the record of Ohio State be tarnished in the process. So, if you remember all of that then you remember Ohio State went on to beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. Good plan Jimmy!
Then there's this which hit the news today. Looks like Tressel's boys were slanging a little more than throw back jerseys. And, the best part, he knew about it and did nothing.
Mr. Tressel your sweater vest, parted hair and principle glasses are obviously just a costume. If you want people to believe you when you say you're trying to mold young men then the prudent thing is to actually act on those beliefs. Sometimes this may mean that your seniors are affected by the actions of your star players. But those are the players you recruited. You become responsible for them when they show up for the first day of practice and throughout their tenure at your institution. If you don't want to have to make tough decisions then recruit players that won't put you in a position to do so. But, how would you continue to win BCS bowl games without them? Take a look around. Some of your colleagues seem to be figuring it out.
Since we're talking about BCS bowl game wins here's a fun fact about old sweater vest. Ohio State has not won a BCS bowl game under Tressel that did not include a player(s) who were later sanctioned by the NCAA compliance violations.
2003 - Ohio State beats Miami for national title - Maurice Clarrett - improper gifts
2004 - OSU beats Kansas State - Troy Smith sanctioned
2005 - No BCS
2006 - OSU beats Notre Dame - Troy Smith again
2007 - Lose to Florida
2008 - Lose to LSU
2009 - Lose to Texas
2010 - Beat Oregon - Terrell Pryor & Company
2011 - Beat Arkansas - Terrell Pryor & Company (with known NCAA sanctions)
Overall BCS Record without an NCAA sanctioned star player on the field: 0-8.
Stay classy Ohio State, stay classy!
Then there's this which hit the news today. Looks like Tressel's boys were slanging a little more than throw back jerseys. And, the best part, he knew about it and did nothing.
Mr. Tressel your sweater vest, parted hair and principle glasses are obviously just a costume. If you want people to believe you when you say you're trying to mold young men then the prudent thing is to actually act on those beliefs. Sometimes this may mean that your seniors are affected by the actions of your star players. But those are the players you recruited. You become responsible for them when they show up for the first day of practice and throughout their tenure at your institution. If you don't want to have to make tough decisions then recruit players that won't put you in a position to do so. But, how would you continue to win BCS bowl games without them? Take a look around. Some of your colleagues seem to be figuring it out.
Since we're talking about BCS bowl game wins here's a fun fact about old sweater vest. Ohio State has not won a BCS bowl game under Tressel that did not include a player(s) who were later sanctioned by the NCAA compliance violations.
2003 - Ohio State beats Miami for national title - Maurice Clarrett - improper gifts
2004 - OSU beats Kansas State - Troy Smith sanctioned
2005 - No BCS
2006 - OSU beats Notre Dame - Troy Smith again
2007 - Lose to Florida
2008 - Lose to LSU
2009 - Lose to Texas
2010 - Beat Oregon - Terrell Pryor & Company
2011 - Beat Arkansas - Terrell Pryor & Company (with known NCAA sanctions)
Overall BCS Record without an NCAA sanctioned star player on the field: 0-8.
Stay classy Ohio State, stay classy!
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Burglars, Dopers and Thieves
I'll be the first to admit I waffle on this whole doping issue quite a bit. Sometimes I want to figure out a way to be a champion for a cleaner sport. Other times I figure it's a losing battle and it would make more sense to have a buffet of drugs available to every rider before every race so that the playing field is leveled. But this argument assumes it's an accessibility issue, which, it hardly is.
I read Steve Tilford's blog on basically a daily basis. I'm not really sure why because to be honest, overall, it's not that interesting. He mostly writes about himself and changing the brake lines on his really old van. He also writes in a very "good old days" fashion, which at times can get old. But, like most blogs, there is occasionally something that is really great. A perspective on a subject that I couldn't get without the insight of an old pro. Today was one of those days and if you have a minute, read this.
At the end, Steve refers to the dopers as common criminals, robbers, thieves, burglars, etc. In a sense I've never thought of them quite like that. I've heard the argument repeated by the cycling world that you should own your victory and that dopers can not. But this is much more powerful. It takes away any onus for the dopers to have a moral dilemma by the decisions they are making. Anybody can justify their criminal behavior to themselves, that happens all the time. I think the more powerful stance is to start referring to the dopers as thieves, because there's no way of getting around it, they are absolutely stealing victories.
I read Steve Tilford's blog on basically a daily basis. I'm not really sure why because to be honest, overall, it's not that interesting. He mostly writes about himself and changing the brake lines on his really old van. He also writes in a very "good old days" fashion, which at times can get old. But, like most blogs, there is occasionally something that is really great. A perspective on a subject that I couldn't get without the insight of an old pro. Today was one of those days and if you have a minute, read this.
At the end, Steve refers to the dopers as common criminals, robbers, thieves, burglars, etc. In a sense I've never thought of them quite like that. I've heard the argument repeated by the cycling world that you should own your victory and that dopers can not. But this is much more powerful. It takes away any onus for the dopers to have a moral dilemma by the decisions they are making. Anybody can justify their criminal behavior to themselves, that happens all the time. I think the more powerful stance is to start referring to the dopers as thieves, because there's no way of getting around it, they are absolutely stealing victories.
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