Thursday, July 24, 2008
This you gotta see!
Just discovered a GREAT advert for Kryptonite from the UK....check out "Kryptonite Clown" on YouTube...its a a hoot. Thanks, Tom Sillars!
Bobke on the Tour Day France
by Bob Roll, Team Kryptonite
The 2008 Tour has been an absolutely fantastic race so far. There were a few speed bumps initially. The first was Manuel Beltran being positive for EPO from Stage 1. The second was Moises Duenas, also positive for EPO and in possession of doping products. But the big speed bump so far was the expulsion of Riccardo Ricco, whose two stage wins have been taken away, and his team mate Leonardo Piepoli and the withdrawal of the whole Saunier Duval team. Ricco looked fantastic in the Pyrenees, but now we know that looks can be deceiving.
Ricco was arrested and thrown in jail as part of the French authorities zero tolerance policy in the ongoing fight against doping in cycling.
Cycling, more than any other sport, has to present a clean and real and authentic spectacle for the fans. It’s not a sport that is fought in a stadium where the fans are far from the action. It’s a sport that courses its way through the neighborhoods and towns where people live. Because of that slight distinction cycling must be clean or it will die. It’s important for us to be critical but not allow our criticisms to disintegrate into cynicism.
Conversely, once the dopers were kicked out of the race, the actual competitive component came to life. Cadel Evans showed himself to be a very gifted cyclist but perhaps possessing a very fragile psyche. The pressure of the yellow jersey weighed heavy on Evans and he lashed out when it was completely unnecessary.
The Tour is mostly about the prudent expenditure and management of energy whether it is physical or emotional. And Evans proved to be vulnerable in managing his emotional energies. Schleck proved to be a bit more calm and a bit more steady and took the yellow jersey. But only to give it up to his own team mate Carlos Sastre on the stage to Alpe d’Huez.
Sastre’s main rival now is probably Cadel Evans. Even though he has a significant advantage of 1:34 he’s not the world’s greatest time trialist. All of which gives us a race which one of five men can still win this late in the Tour. Everyone still believes Evans to be the hot favorite but every pedal stroke that Sastre stays in yellow he gets a little bit stronger.
Stay tuned to Saturday’s stage! Never has so much been on the line for so many cyclists this late in the Tour.
The 2008 Tour has been an absolutely fantastic race so far. There were a few speed bumps initially. The first was Manuel Beltran being positive for EPO from Stage 1. The second was Moises Duenas, also positive for EPO and in possession of doping products. But the big speed bump so far was the expulsion of Riccardo Ricco, whose two stage wins have been taken away, and his team mate Leonardo Piepoli and the withdrawal of the whole Saunier Duval team. Ricco looked fantastic in the Pyrenees, but now we know that looks can be deceiving.
Ricco was arrested and thrown in jail as part of the French authorities zero tolerance policy in the ongoing fight against doping in cycling.
Cycling, more than any other sport, has to present a clean and real and authentic spectacle for the fans. It’s not a sport that is fought in a stadium where the fans are far from the action. It’s a sport that courses its way through the neighborhoods and towns where people live. Because of that slight distinction cycling must be clean or it will die. It’s important for us to be critical but not allow our criticisms to disintegrate into cynicism.
Conversely, once the dopers were kicked out of the race, the actual competitive component came to life. Cadel Evans showed himself to be a very gifted cyclist but perhaps possessing a very fragile psyche. The pressure of the yellow jersey weighed heavy on Evans and he lashed out when it was completely unnecessary.
The Tour is mostly about the prudent expenditure and management of energy whether it is physical or emotional. And Evans proved to be vulnerable in managing his emotional energies. Schleck proved to be a bit more calm and a bit more steady and took the yellow jersey. But only to give it up to his own team mate Carlos Sastre on the stage to Alpe d’Huez.
Sastre’s main rival now is probably Cadel Evans. Even though he has a significant advantage of 1:34 he’s not the world’s greatest time trialist. All of which gives us a race which one of five men can still win this late in the Tour. Everyone still believes Evans to be the hot favorite but every pedal stroke that Sastre stays in yellow he gets a little bit stronger.
Stay tuned to Saturday’s stage! Never has so much been on the line for so many cyclists this late in the Tour.
Monday, July 21, 2008
A Word From The Ladies
OK, so you already heard from Jody Perewitz about the great time had at Scuderia in San Francisco recently. Well, Nicole Roesch also had a few things to say about the event, most specifically that she was really impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge that the women who joined them for the evening already had about motorcycles - not the least of which was the fact that the fashion trends really do start on the West Coast ladies....there was no question about the strength of the bonds these women shared with their bikes! The ladies gave her some great websites that Nicole has already bookmarked for her own reading pleasure and thought you may want to know about them too...so here they are, enjoy!
www.carlaking.com -- a book of Carla's riding adventures on a Russian sidecar across the US. Thanks, Carla for donating the book for the raffle!
http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.sbl.html -- a list of motorcycles that accommodate the 'vertically challenged' rider!
http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/ -- Web site resource for finding a perfect 1st motorcycle
http://www.dangerouscurvesm-c.com/ -- organization of family-oriented, female motorcycle riders
www.carlaking.com -- a book of Carla's riding adventures on a Russian sidecar across the US. Thanks, Carla for donating the book for the raffle!
http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.sbl.html -- a list of motorcycles that accommodate the 'vertically challenged' rider!
http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/ -- Web site resource for finding a perfect 1st motorcycle
http://www.dangerouscurvesm-c.com/ -- organization of family-oriented, female motorcycle riders
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Tyler Hamilton & Rock Racing Win!
Although I haven't been here writing much about cyling lately, I have been following what's been going on. Again, after all the shenanigans of the Tour Day France riders, I've decided I'm not going to follow it any more. I stopped when Ricco was taken out of th the Tour.
I thought I was just done with pro cycling. Done. And I was for a couple of days...until I saw a bright spot. As I mentioned the other day, the Rock Stars (Rock Racing) have been kicking butt at Tour of Qinghai Lake. And I'm so happy for them.
Well, today, my friend Tyler Hamilton took the overall win!!!! I'm beyond psyched for him. This is his first win since 2004. It's been a long, awful haul for him, but he's back where he belongs.
Seeing this is priceless.
"It is a special win," admitted Hamilton. "It has been a long time. I think that there are a lot of people that didn’t think that I could reach a level like this. The goal coming in was to win the race, whether it was myself, Oscar Sevilla or Michael Creed," Hamilton explained. "A victory for a team-mate is a victory for me and I am pretty sure it goes the other way too. It is nice to repay my team-mates, the staff and especially Michael Ball."
Rock on Tyler!
I thought I was just done with pro cycling. Done. And I was for a couple of days...until I saw a bright spot. As I mentioned the other day, the Rock Stars (Rock Racing) have been kicking butt at Tour of Qinghai Lake. And I'm so happy for them.
Well, today, my friend Tyler Hamilton took the overall win!!!! I'm beyond psyched for him. This is his first win since 2004. It's been a long, awful haul for him, but he's back where he belongs.
Seeing this is priceless.
"It is a special win," admitted Hamilton. "It has been a long time. I think that there are a lot of people that didn’t think that I could reach a level like this. The goal coming in was to win the race, whether it was myself, Oscar Sevilla or Michael Creed," Hamilton explained. "A victory for a team-mate is a victory for me and I am pretty sure it goes the other way too. It is nice to repay my team-mates, the staff and especially Michael Ball."
Rock on Tyler!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Locking in San Francisco
by Jody Perewitz
Nicole Roesch and I were in San Francisco last week for an event at a Kryptonite Dealer. Before
we went to the dealership Nicole and I decided to take a walk around Union Square. Immediately I noticed a bike cabled and locked to a pole with a Kryptonite lock!
Within the next few blocks we saw many more bikes and almost all of them had Kryptonite locks! Wahoooo!
There was some old ratty bikes locked that looked like the lock cost more than the bike but hey in an economy where gas is $5 a gallon 2-wheels, no matter how they look will have to do.
I did find it funny to see so many bikes in San Fran. The hills in the city are hard to walk up
never mind bike up! I give those people a lot of credit; they must have some strong calves!
Later in the day we found out that things seem to disappear in San Fran if it isn't locked
properly. Well as we know if you want something to still be there when you return, use a
Kryptonite!
Nicole Roesch and I were in San Francisco last week for an event at a Kryptonite Dealer. Before
we went to the dealership Nicole and I decided to take a walk around Union Square. Immediately I noticed a bike cabled and locked to a pole with a Kryptonite lock!
Within the next few blocks we saw many more bikes and almost all of them had Kryptonite locks! Wahoooo!
There was some old ratty bikes locked that looked like the lock cost more than the bike but hey in an economy where gas is $5 a gallon 2-wheels, no matter how they look will have to do.
I did find it funny to see so many bikes in San Fran. The hills in the city are hard to walk up
never mind bike up! I give those people a lot of credit; they must have some strong calves!
Later in the day we found out that things seem to disappear in San Fran if it isn't locked
properly. Well as we know if you want something to still be there when you return, use a
Kryptonite!
A Win for Tyler and Rock Racing!!!
It's been no secret to anyone who knows me or reads this blog that I'm a fan of Tyler Hamilton. Now I know a lot of you have other opinions of Tyler, but as his friend seeing him win again brings a big ole smile to my face!
Yes, Tyler won the stage of the Tour of Qinghai Lake today! Tour de France it's not, but with the way the Tour is going, I'm glad he's where he is.
And any of you who are going to poo-poo this win because of him "being a doper", look at it this way...he did his time out of racing (just like Mr. Loud, David Millar), he has a license to race and he's being tested. He won this race fair and square and I'm THRILLED!
And now he's in the Yellow Jersey!
Congratulations, Tyler!!!!!!!
You are a ROCK STAR!
7/19 - Update: According to Rock Racing's Twitter feed today, Tyler finished in the main field today. He retains the yellow jersey. More from Rock Racing's Twitter feed:
"Only Sunday's circuit race stands between Hamilton scoring his first overall victory in a stage race since the Tour de Romandie in 2004"
OH YEA.....
Yes, Tyler won the stage of the Tour of Qinghai Lake today! Tour de France it's not, but with the way the Tour is going, I'm glad he's where he is.
And any of you who are going to poo-poo this win because of him "being a doper", look at it this way...he did his time out of racing (just like Mr. Loud, David Millar), he has a license to race and he's being tested. He won this race fair and square and I'm THRILLED!
And now he's in the Yellow Jersey!
Congratulations, Tyler!!!!!!!
You are a ROCK STAR!
7/19 - Update: According to Rock Racing's Twitter feed today, Tyler finished in the main field today. He retains the yellow jersey. More from Rock Racing's Twitter feed:
"Only Sunday's circuit race stands between Hamilton scoring his first overall victory in a stage race since the Tour de Romandie in 2004"
OH YEA.....
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Perewitz Bike Night Tonight
So, this is an email I got from Jody...
Just a reminder tonight is Perewitz Bike Night from 6-9pm. We will be having Steve Leahy doing airbrush tattoos, Dante on the grill with burgers, dogs, and stuffed quahogs, DJ Lou playing some tunes, the Kris Holmes Ride will be selling tickets to their event, the Debut of the Perewitz "Ghetto Taxi", Roof Raffles, cool bikes, burnouts and much more.
I wish I wasn't in New Jersey, because I so want to know what the Ghetto Taxi is!
This is the first Perewitz Bike Night I've missed in 3 years :( BUT, Tim will be there with Jody, Dave, Susan, Kory and the gang. It's a GREAT night for a ride. Go on and see them all.
Just a reminder tonight is Perewitz Bike Night from 6-9pm. We will be having Steve Leahy doing airbrush tattoos, Dante on the grill with burgers, dogs, and stuffed quahogs, DJ Lou playing some tunes, the Kris Holmes Ride will be selling tickets to their event, the Debut of the Perewitz "Ghetto Taxi", Roof Raffles, cool bikes, burnouts and much more.
I wish I wasn't in New Jersey, because I so want to know what the Ghetto Taxi is!
This is the first Perewitz Bike Night I've missed in 3 years :( BUT, Tim will be there with Jody, Dave, Susan, Kory and the gang. It's a GREAT night for a ride. Go on and see them all.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Your Favorite Bobke-isms?
Ok, it's a rest day at Le Tour....all of you cycling fans are wondering what to do with your mornings and/or evenings or both! Right?
Well, I know you are catching up on some sleep and that's ok. You want to be ready for the next stage tomorrow. Seriously, how great was Hautacam yesterday?
Since I'm at work when the Tour Day France is going on during the day, I try to stay away from results and friend's emails and Facebook messages until I can watch the coverage at night. With that coverage comes our friend Bob Roll's commentary.
Bob's great and he comes out with some funny/interesting sayings. My favorite so far? Last night while describing a rider heading up the Col du Tourmalet..."He's as cool as the other side of the pillow." Classic!
What's your favorite Bobke-ism from this Tour Day France so far??
Well, I know you are catching up on some sleep and that's ok. You want to be ready for the next stage tomorrow. Seriously, how great was Hautacam yesterday?
Since I'm at work when the Tour Day France is going on during the day, I try to stay away from results and friend's emails and Facebook messages until I can watch the coverage at night. With that coverage comes our friend Bob Roll's commentary.
Bob's great and he comes out with some funny/interesting sayings. My favorite so far? Last night while describing a rider heading up the Col du Tourmalet..."He's as cool as the other side of the pillow." Classic!
What's your favorite Bobke-ism from this Tour Day France so far??
Monday, July 14, 2008
Announcing THE Bike to Work Book
I've been keeping this a secret for a couple of weeks now, but the official announcement has been made....my fellow Spokesmen and general cycling gurus, Carlton Reid and Tim Grahl are collaborating on a book that most people should get as soon as it is available - The Bike to Work Book.
The print version of the book will be out in November and will be American in spelling and such. However, there will be a downloadable version, too. And...get this, you will have the ability to have it localized with specifics to your region. How cool is that? I wouldn't expect anything less from Carlton and Tim, though.
You can check out podcasts from the guys as the book is being written, too. They are going to be busy, busy guys for the next couple of months. But, this will be an amazing reference book to have if you are going to bike to work or even are thinking of biking to work. There will be something in there for everyone - beginner to those who already ride to work. There's always more you can learn, extra tips that make the ride better. All of that will be included.
Congrats to Carlton and Tim! This is a great, great project!
The print version of the book will be out in November and will be American in spelling and such. However, there will be a downloadable version, too. And...get this, you will have the ability to have it localized with specifics to your region. How cool is that? I wouldn't expect anything less from Carlton and Tim, though.
You can check out podcasts from the guys as the book is being written, too. They are going to be busy, busy guys for the next couple of months. But, this will be an amazing reference book to have if you are going to bike to work or even are thinking of biking to work. There will be something in there for everyone - beginner to those who already ride to work. There's always more you can learn, extra tips that make the ride better. All of that will be included.
Congrats to Carlton and Tim! This is a great, great project!
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