The first couple are looking down and up the hill from where we were waiting. It doesn't do the hill justice but gives a rough idea.
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Tuesday, June 26, 2007
NVGP pics
Here are a few of the pictures I took at the final stage of the NVGP. If you know the identity of any of the pictured riders please feel free to leave them in the comments (I'm better at naming the protour riders, but I promise to be better next year).
The first couple are looking down and up the hill from where we were waiting. It doesn't do the hill justice but gives a rough idea.
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The first couple are looking down and up the hill from where we were waiting. It doesn't do the hill justice but gives a rough idea.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Last week on the bike
Not as many miles as I would have liked but not a bad week this week. Of course when you aren't going on a 40 mile ride it kind of reduces your overall total for the week.
It definitely sucks that you can't enter the cedar lake trail from down by the new stadium site anymore because it means that I end up riding the river road all the time and it's hard to get motivated with the same scenery all the time. I will just need to come up with some new routes I guess.
With the expected inclement weather Tuesday it looks like I won't get out until at least Thursday this week but what do the weathermen know?
Weekly Total - 54
Season Total - 604
It definitely sucks that you can't enter the cedar lake trail from down by the new stadium site anymore because it means that I end up riding the river road all the time and it's hard to get motivated with the same scenery all the time. I will just need to come up with some new routes I guess.
With the expected inclement weather Tuesday it looks like I won't get out until at least Thursday this week but what do the weathermen know?
Weekly Total - 54
Season Total - 604
NVGP - Stage 6
What an awesome time!!!
The Stillwater Crit was a ton of fun to check out in person and I highly recommend it to everyone next year. We unfortunately missed the women's race as we arrived during the last 15 min but it took 20 min to find parking so that didn't work out so well, but the men's race more than made up for it.
L & I staked out a spot in the shade halfway up Chilkoot hill and waited for the fun to begin (Fun only because we were watching). Unfortunately Nathan O'Neill had to drop out due to illness, but even if he had been there I don't think anything outside of a crash was keeping Ivan Stevic from the yellow jersey at the end of the day.
I was impressed with the number of breaks that tried to get away given the insanity of the hill every lap, but they were all brought back until with just over 1 lap to go Frank Pipp, Darren Lill, and Rory Sutherland went off the front and were able to keep ahead of the peleton on the final sprint up the hill to the finish. It was crazy watching Stevic move up in the pack to ensure no one got enough gap to make a difference in the standings.
Heck just the power the riders had left at the end to "sprint" an 18% grade to the finish is insane. Given the lack of sidewalks, those of us on the hill could practically reach out and touch the riders. This wa a great vantage to watch the strategy even of the riders. You could see the peloton all strung out on the bottom of the hill, but every time they would reform and stretch out across the road and you could see people go from mid pack to the front by moving on the outside. Crazy.
The intensity of the hill had a couple of other affects as well. We saw quite a few chains dropped and luckily enough people knew what was up to give the riders a little send off to get started again and also the large number of riders dropping out after the halfway point.
I will hopefully post some of the pictures I took tomorrow but here is the stage info and final GC standings
Stage 6:
1 Frank Pipp (USA) Health Net p/b Maxxis 1.00.09
2 Darren Lill (RSA) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team
3 Rory Sutherland (Aus) Health Net p/b Maxxis
4 Phil Zajicek (USA) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team
5 Kirk O'Bee (USA) Health Net p/b Maxxis
6 Ivan Stevic (SCG) Toyota - United Pro Cycling Team
7 Cesar Augusto Grajales (Col) The Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team 0.07
8 Anthony Colby (USA) Colavita - Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light
9 Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) Priority Health Cycling Team p/b Bissell 0.10
10 Dan Bowman (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies - Medifast 0.16
GC results:
1 Ivan Stevic (SCG) Toyota - United Pro Cycling Team 8.35.48
2 Rory Sutherland (Aus) Health Net p/b Maxxis 0.27
3 Kirk O'Bee (USA) Health Net p/b Maxxis 0.39
4 Phil Zajicek (USA) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 0.40
5 Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) Priority Health Cycling Team p/b Bissell 0.41
6 Darren Lill (RSA) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 0.45
7 Anthony Colby (USA) Colavita - Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light 0.50
8 Frank Pipp (USA) Health Net p/b Maxxis 0.56
9 Cesar Augusto Grajales (Col) The Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team 1.02
10 Jeff Louder (USA) Health Net p/b Maxxis 1.25
The Stillwater Crit was a ton of fun to check out in person and I highly recommend it to everyone next year. We unfortunately missed the women's race as we arrived during the last 15 min but it took 20 min to find parking so that didn't work out so well, but the men's race more than made up for it.
L & I staked out a spot in the shade halfway up Chilkoot hill and waited for the fun to begin (Fun only because we were watching). Unfortunately Nathan O'Neill had to drop out due to illness, but even if he had been there I don't think anything outside of a crash was keeping Ivan Stevic from the yellow jersey at the end of the day.
I was impressed with the number of breaks that tried to get away given the insanity of the hill every lap, but they were all brought back until with just over 1 lap to go Frank Pipp, Darren Lill, and Rory Sutherland went off the front and were able to keep ahead of the peleton on the final sprint up the hill to the finish. It was crazy watching Stevic move up in the pack to ensure no one got enough gap to make a difference in the standings.
Heck just the power the riders had left at the end to "sprint" an 18% grade to the finish is insane. Given the lack of sidewalks, those of us on the hill could practically reach out and touch the riders. This wa a great vantage to watch the strategy even of the riders. You could see the peloton all strung out on the bottom of the hill, but every time they would reform and stretch out across the road and you could see people go from mid pack to the front by moving on the outside. Crazy.
The intensity of the hill had a couple of other affects as well. We saw quite a few chains dropped and luckily enough people knew what was up to give the riders a little send off to get started again and also the large number of riders dropping out after the halfway point.
I will hopefully post some of the pictures I took tomorrow but here is the stage info and final GC standings
Stage 6:
1 Frank Pipp (USA) Health Net p/b Maxxis 1.00.09
2 Darren Lill (RSA) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team
3 Rory Sutherland (Aus) Health Net p/b Maxxis
4 Phil Zajicek (USA) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team
5 Kirk O'Bee (USA) Health Net p/b Maxxis
6 Ivan Stevic (SCG) Toyota - United Pro Cycling Team
7 Cesar Augusto Grajales (Col) The Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team 0.07
8 Anthony Colby (USA) Colavita - Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light
9 Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) Priority Health Cycling Team p/b Bissell 0.10
10 Dan Bowman (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies - Medifast 0.16
GC results:
1 Ivan Stevic (SCG) Toyota - United Pro Cycling Team 8.35.48
2 Rory Sutherland (Aus) Health Net p/b Maxxis 0.27
3 Kirk O'Bee (USA) Health Net p/b Maxxis 0.39
4 Phil Zajicek (USA) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 0.40
5 Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) Priority Health Cycling Team p/b Bissell 0.41
6 Darren Lill (RSA) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 0.45
7 Anthony Colby (USA) Colavita - Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light 0.50
8 Frank Pipp (USA) Health Net p/b Maxxis 0.56
9 Cesar Augusto Grajales (Col) The Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team 1.02
10 Jeff Louder (USA) Health Net p/b Maxxis 1.25
NVGP - Stage 5
I'm a little late on this one so just a quick recap.
Health Net once again won the stage with Rory Sutherland taking the win out of a break that formed in the finishing circuits in Mankato. It was the only break that Toyota-United didn't reel in throughout the day, but in the end it had no effect on the yellow jersey with Ivan Stevic maintaining control ahead of Nathan O'Neil and Sutherland.
It has to be looking good for Stevic to take the overall since he won last year in Stillwater. I'm heading down there to check it out and it should be a great time. If I can get a good spot on the hill then I should have some good pics to post later on today.
Stage 5 results:
1. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis 3.05'01"
2. Anthony Colby Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light
3. Cesar Grajales Jittery Joe's
4. Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team
5. Phil Zajicek Navigators Insurance Cycling Team
7. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 8"
and the GC with one stage to go:
1. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 7.35'39"
2. Nathan O'Neill Health Net presented by Maxxis 23"
3. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis 27"
4. Ben Jacques-Maynes Priority Health 31"
5. Kirk O'Bee Health Net presented by Maxxis 39"
6. Phil Zajicek Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 40"
7. Anthony Colby Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light 43"
8. Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 45"
9. Cesar Grajales Jittery Joe's 55"
10. Frank Pipp Health Net presented by Maxxis 56"
Health Net once again won the stage with Rory Sutherland taking the win out of a break that formed in the finishing circuits in Mankato. It was the only break that Toyota-United didn't reel in throughout the day, but in the end it had no effect on the yellow jersey with Ivan Stevic maintaining control ahead of Nathan O'Neil and Sutherland.
It has to be looking good for Stevic to take the overall since he won last year in Stillwater. I'm heading down there to check it out and it should be a great time. If I can get a good spot on the hill then I should have some good pics to post later on today.
Stage 5 results:
1. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis 3.05'01"
2. Anthony Colby Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light
3. Cesar Grajales Jittery Joe's
4. Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team
5. Phil Zajicek Navigators Insurance Cycling Team
7. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 8"
and the GC with one stage to go:
1. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 7.35'39"
2. Nathan O'Neill Health Net presented by Maxxis 23"
3. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis 27"
4. Ben Jacques-Maynes Priority Health 31"
5. Kirk O'Bee Health Net presented by Maxxis 39"
6. Phil Zajicek Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 40"
7. Anthony Colby Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light 43"
8. Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 45"
9. Cesar Grajales Jittery Joe's 55"
10. Frank Pipp Health Net presented by Maxxis 56"
Saturday, June 23, 2007
NVGP - Stage 4 pt. 2
OK so here is my wrap up of the stage with all the times and such. IT remains to be seen if O'Bee's strategy of just going for the win in the stage can help him. He did get the big time bonus for that, but thanks to the intermediate sprint bonuses, Ivan Stevic gained an additional 10" on him.
The top five in the stage were:
1. Kirk O'Bee Health Net presented by Maxxis 1.00'37"
2. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling
3. Henk Vogels Toyota-United Pro Cycling
4. David McCook Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast
5. Juan Pablo Forero Colombian National Team
and the latest GC rankings are:
1. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 4.30'30"
2. Kirk O'Bee Health Net presented by Maxxis 19"
3. Nathan O'Neill Health Net presented by Maxxis 31"
4. Ben Jacques-Maynes Priority Health 31"
5. Chris Baldwin Toyota-United Pro Cycling 40"
6. John Murphy Health Net presented by Maxxis 45"
7. Phil Zajicek Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 48"
8. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis 50"
9. Edward King Priority Health 50"
10. Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 53"
The top five in the stage were:
1. Kirk O'Bee Health Net presented by Maxxis 1.00'37"
2. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling
3. Henk Vogels Toyota-United Pro Cycling
4. David McCook Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast
5. Juan Pablo Forero Colombian National Team
and the latest GC rankings are:
1. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 4.30'30"
2. Kirk O'Bee Health Net presented by Maxxis 19"
3. Nathan O'Neill Health Net presented by Maxxis 31"
4. Ben Jacques-Maynes Priority Health 31"
5. Chris Baldwin Toyota-United Pro Cycling 40"
6. John Murphy Health Net presented by Maxxis 45"
7. Phil Zajicek Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 48"
8. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis 50"
9. Edward King Priority Health 50"
10. Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 53"
Friday, June 22, 2007
NVGP - Stage 4 pt. 1
I don't have times or official GC updates yet, but I can at least give a quick rundown of tonight's stage because I was there and it was a blast.
L & I wandered around the expo prior to the women's race watching some of the teams warm up on rollers and checking out the swag on offer (Toyota-United has the marketing thing down-lots of gear to buy and a free cowbell if they get your email address), but unfortunately hunger got the best of us so we only caught the last 10 minutes or so. IT seemed like a pretty close race as the peloton wasn't too strung out and the win went to a cheerwine rider but I wasn't able to get her name.
A little more wandering and drooling over the BMC and Scott bikes on display and I settled on a new Twin Six jersey. Ran into Heidi and Barb as well as Brian and Sara(h) which was fun and then it was time for the men's race to start.
We tucked into turn 4 (the inside of the "L") and it was awesome to see the intensity of the peloton as it came into the corner and then exploded out of it in a fury of shifting. The pace was very high for the almost all the race (34 mph at around 10 minutes in) and consequently the peloton was strung out pretty quick. Except for one breakaway that got some time later in the stage, Toyota-United kept a short leash on the pack giving Ivan the chance to grab the first 3 sprints that were on offer.
It ultimately came down to a group sprint at over 40 mph and Kirk O'Bee just pipped Stevic for the stage win. I am guessing this should put him into second but the intermediate sprints should keep IVan in yellow for another night.
Unfortunately I had to catch a bus and couldn't stay for the jersey ceremony. I will add a second post when I get the official times and maybe some pics if they tirned out ok.
one last thing though. so the race goes right by WCCO and all we got was a 10 second "oh yeah a bike race happened" and now on to some other lame story. Man the local news sucks.
L & I wandered around the expo prior to the women's race watching some of the teams warm up on rollers and checking out the swag on offer (Toyota-United has the marketing thing down-lots of gear to buy and a free cowbell if they get your email address), but unfortunately hunger got the best of us so we only caught the last 10 minutes or so. IT seemed like a pretty close race as the peloton wasn't too strung out and the win went to a cheerwine rider but I wasn't able to get her name.
A little more wandering and drooling over the BMC and Scott bikes on display and I settled on a new Twin Six jersey. Ran into Heidi and Barb as well as Brian and Sara(h) which was fun and then it was time for the men's race to start.
We tucked into turn 4 (the inside of the "L") and it was awesome to see the intensity of the peloton as it came into the corner and then exploded out of it in a fury of shifting. The pace was very high for the almost all the race (34 mph at around 10 minutes in) and consequently the peloton was strung out pretty quick. Except for one breakaway that got some time later in the stage, Toyota-United kept a short leash on the pack giving Ivan the chance to grab the first 3 sprints that were on offer.
It ultimately came down to a group sprint at over 40 mph and Kirk O'Bee just pipped Stevic for the stage win. I am guessing this should put him into second but the intermediate sprints should keep IVan in yellow for another night.
Unfortunately I had to catch a bus and couldn't stay for the jersey ceremony. I will add a second post when I get the official times and maybe some pics if they tirned out ok.
one last thing though. so the race goes right by WCCO and all we got was a 10 second "oh yeah a bike race happened" and now on to some other lame story. Man the local news sucks.
NVGP - Stage 3
They were a little slow getting the info up (I am back form watching stage 4 before I had anything to tell about stage 3), but here is the skinny on the St. Paul TT.
Health Net is proving they are the team to beat with 7 riders in the top 15 including Nathan O'Neill coming out on top and moving into second overall ahead of teammate Kirk O'Bee who came in almost 30" down on the winning pace, but more importantly 20" down from Ivan Stevic. Speaking of Ivan Stevic, he is proving to be a powerhouse in this year's race coming in third in the TT and retaking the lead ahead of the Health Net men.
Here's how they finished:
1. Nathan O'Neill Health Net presented by Maxxis .09'29"
2. Ben Jacques-Maynes Priority Health 3"
3. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 9"
4. Chris Baldwin Toyota-United Pro Cycling 9"
5. John Murphy Health Net presented by Maxxis 14"
6. Phil Zajicek Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 18"
7. Edward King Priority Health 19"
8. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis 20"
9. Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 22"
10.Garett Peltonen Priority Health 24"
15.Kirk O'Bee Health Net presented by Maxxis 28"
and the GC looked like this:
1. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 3.30'18"
2. Nathan O'Neill Health Net presented by Maxxis 6"
3. Kirk O'Bee Health Net presented by Maxxis 9"
4. Ben Jacques-Maynes Priority Health 9"
5. Chris Baldwin Toyota-United Pro Cycling 15"
6. John Murphy Health Net presented by Maxxis 20"
7. Phil Zajicek Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 24"
8. Edward King Priority Health 25"
9. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis 26"
10.Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 28"
Health Net is proving they are the team to beat with 7 riders in the top 15 including Nathan O'Neill coming out on top and moving into second overall ahead of teammate Kirk O'Bee who came in almost 30" down on the winning pace, but more importantly 20" down from Ivan Stevic. Speaking of Ivan Stevic, he is proving to be a powerhouse in this year's race coming in third in the TT and retaking the lead ahead of the Health Net men.
Here's how they finished:
1. Nathan O'Neill Health Net presented by Maxxis .09'29"
2. Ben Jacques-Maynes Priority Health 3"
3. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 9"
4. Chris Baldwin Toyota-United Pro Cycling 9"
5. John Murphy Health Net presented by Maxxis 14"
6. Phil Zajicek Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 18"
7. Edward King Priority Health 19"
8. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis 20"
9. Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 22"
10.Garett Peltonen Priority Health 24"
15.Kirk O'Bee Health Net presented by Maxxis 28"
and the GC looked like this:
1. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 3.30'18"
2. Nathan O'Neill Health Net presented by Maxxis 6"
3. Kirk O'Bee Health Net presented by Maxxis 9"
4. Ben Jacques-Maynes Priority Health 9"
5. Chris Baldwin Toyota-United Pro Cycling 15"
6. John Murphy Health Net presented by Maxxis 20"
7. Phil Zajicek Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 24"
8. Edward King Priority Health 25"
9. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis 26"
10.Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 28"
NVGP - Stage 2
Once again it took me until this morning to find the results of the second stage of the NVGP. IT looks like my prediction of an easy time for Toyota-United to hold onto the yellow jersey were a little premature.
The second stage in the cannon falls area is usually a windy affair but even with potentially severe weather simply passing overhead there wasn't much wind to speak of so it was a little different affair. It looks like Toyota-United spent too much energy trying to reel in a break and that Health Net, Navigators, and BMC were only too happy to take advantage with Kirk O'Bee taking the yellow.
It would seem that he would have to be the favorite at this point with 2 solid stages under his belt, but with the time trial this morning-that I don't have results for yet-and the looming Stillwater Crit it remains to be seen if he can hold on.
Stage 2 results:
1. Kirk O'Bee - Health Net prsented by Maxxis 2.21'31"
2. Martin Gilbert - Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast ST
3. Daniel Schmatz - BMC Pro Cycling Team ST
4. Ivan Stevic - Toyota-United Pro Cycling ST
5. Evan Elken - Jittery Joe's ST
General Classification:
1. Kirk O'Bee Health Net prsented by Maxxis 3.20'30"
2. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 10"
3. Martin Gilbert Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast 15"
4. Daniel Schmatz BMC Pro Cycling Team 19"
5. Evan Elken Jittery Joe's 25"
6. Cesar Grajales Jittery Joe's 25"
7. Frank Pipp Health Net prsented by Maxxis 25"
8. Rory Sutherland Health Net prsented by Maxxis 25"
9. Carlos Alzate Colombian National Team 25"
10.Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 25"
The second stage in the cannon falls area is usually a windy affair but even with potentially severe weather simply passing overhead there wasn't much wind to speak of so it was a little different affair. It looks like Toyota-United spent too much energy trying to reel in a break and that Health Net, Navigators, and BMC were only too happy to take advantage with Kirk O'Bee taking the yellow.
It would seem that he would have to be the favorite at this point with 2 solid stages under his belt, but with the time trial this morning-that I don't have results for yet-and the looming Stillwater Crit it remains to be seen if he can hold on.
Stage 2 results:
1. Kirk O'Bee - Health Net prsented by Maxxis 2.21'31"
2. Martin Gilbert - Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast ST
3. Daniel Schmatz - BMC Pro Cycling Team ST
4. Ivan Stevic - Toyota-United Pro Cycling ST
5. Evan Elken - Jittery Joe's ST
General Classification:
1. Kirk O'Bee Health Net prsented by Maxxis 3.20'30"
2. Ivan Stevic Toyota-United Pro Cycling 10"
3. Martin Gilbert Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast 15"
4. Daniel Schmatz BMC Pro Cycling Team 19"
5. Evan Elken Jittery Joe's 25"
6. Cesar Grajales Jittery Joe's 25"
7. Frank Pipp Health Net prsented by Maxxis 25"
8. Rory Sutherland Health Net prsented by Maxxis 25"
9. Carlos Alzate Colombian National Team 25"
10.Darren Lill Navigators Insurance Cycling Team 25"
Thursday, June 21, 2007
NVGP - Stage 1
I was finally able to get results from the first stage of the NVGP and it sounds like it was a good one with Ivan Stevic coming out on top over Kirk O'Bee and Jonathan Page. Ivan had some interesting comments about the field - "The course was not that bad, it was a big field and a lot of guys with some who didn't seem to know what they were doing."
Results
1. Ivan Stevic TUT
2. Kirk O'Bee HNM
3. Jonathan Page NVR
4. Henk Vogels TUT
5. Rory Sutherland HNM
Today is the Cannon Falls Road Race and hopefully the severe weather that looks to be rolling in will be finished by the 5pm start time. Interestingly today's stage seems kind of short at only 60 miles (96 km). Not to be full of myself since 40 miles in 90 degree weather wiped me out but I'm not a pro either so.......
I should expect that Toyota-United should be able to keep Ivan in the yellow jersey today and it should probably be the time trial tomorrow that could shake things up a little.
Results
1. Ivan Stevic TUT
2. Kirk O'Bee HNM
3. Jonathan Page NVR
4. Henk Vogels TUT
5. Rory Sutherland HNM
Today is the Cannon Falls Road Race and hopefully the severe weather that looks to be rolling in will be finished by the 5pm start time. Interestingly today's stage seems kind of short at only 60 miles (96 km). Not to be full of myself since 40 miles in 90 degree weather wiped me out but I'm not a pro either so.......
I should expect that Toyota-United should be able to keep Ivan in the yellow jersey today and it should probably be the time trial tomorrow that could shake things up a little.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Nature Valley Grand Prix
Today was the opening stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix although you wouldn't know it from watching our local news.
Unless I somehow missed it earlier in the broadcast none of our local affiliates had any mention of todays opening Criterium in Lowertown St. Paul.
As ususal Cycling News will have coverage and they have all the info you'll need on their homepage.
Supposedly Fox 9 is a partner so we may even get a little TV coverage but I went to their sight and nothing came up so don't hold your breath. Also check out WCSN.com for video coverage as well
Personally I am goign to be in dwtn MPLS for the Fri Eve Crit as well as the insane crit in Stillwater on Sunday. Hopefully with a spot on Chilkoot Hill
Unless I somehow missed it earlier in the broadcast none of our local affiliates had any mention of todays opening Criterium in Lowertown St. Paul.
As ususal Cycling News will have coverage and they have all the info you'll need on their homepage.
Supposedly Fox 9 is a partner so we may even get a little TV coverage but I went to their sight and nothing came up so don't hold your breath. Also check out WCSN.com for video coverage as well
Personally I am goign to be in dwtn MPLS for the Fri Eve Crit as well as the insane crit in Stillwater on Sunday. Hopefully with a spot on Chilkoot Hill
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Last week on the bike
There's only one word to describe this past week - HOT
despite the heat however I did manage to get out and log quite a few miles. Thursday I rode the FSH route in 85+ temps and still rode my fastest time yet - 38 min. Not bad considering that my previous best was 40:15 and the heat. Saturday was the Cemetary HIll Route in 25" which was also my fastest yet.
Sunday L & I rode the cannon valley trail which is a great trail but 40 miles in 90 degree heat was probably not the best idea. I bonked on the return ride but luckily had an extra power bar which helped.
I also started tracking my heart rate on pseudo-TT routes. Thu was 160 over 11.25 miles and Sat was 153 over 8 miles.
Weekly Total - 64
Season Total - 551
P.S. I received the velonews Tour De France guide last week. They seem to think Levi is the top contender, but I am leaning towards Vino, though I am less sure after his recent performance. If I had to pick a dark horse I think I would go with Frank Schleck but it doesn't sound like CSC is committed to a GC contender over stage wins, so who knows.
despite the heat however I did manage to get out and log quite a few miles. Thursday I rode the FSH route in 85+ temps and still rode my fastest time yet - 38 min. Not bad considering that my previous best was 40:15 and the heat. Saturday was the Cemetary HIll Route in 25" which was also my fastest yet.
Sunday L & I rode the cannon valley trail which is a great trail but 40 miles in 90 degree heat was probably not the best idea. I bonked on the return ride but luckily had an extra power bar which helped.
I also started tracking my heart rate on pseudo-TT routes. Thu was 160 over 11.25 miles and Sat was 153 over 8 miles.
Weekly Total - 64
Season Total - 551
P.S. I received the velonews Tour De France guide last week. They seem to think Levi is the top contender, but I am leaning towards Vino, though I am less sure after his recent performance. If I had to pick a dark horse I think I would go with Frank Schleck but it doesn't sound like CSC is committed to a GC contender over stage wins, so who knows.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Last week on the bike
Surprisingly even with the start of summer session, I was able to really get out and rid a bunch this week.
I rode my new pseudo-TT route Tuesday and This morning. I say pseudo because I have to deal with stoplights and several points but it is a nice 8 mile loop with a good climb between 1/2 to 2/3 of the way through. My goal is to do it sub 25" and I think I am well on my way. The Tues ride was just under 28" and today was just over 26".
Thursday I foolishly rode the river road to Franklin and back. I say foolishly because the wind must have been gusting 30+. At one point, I was pushed literally halfway across a lane when I was caught by a crosswind.
Saturday L & I rode the river road down to minnehaha falls and back. A great ride I love in the summer though due to the late afternoon ride time, there were tons of cars on the MPLS side which sucked.
Lots of rain in the forecast this week, so we will see how it turns out.
Weekly Total - 50 Road/19 Commuter
Season Total - 487
I rode my new pseudo-TT route Tuesday and This morning. I say pseudo because I have to deal with stoplights and several points but it is a nice 8 mile loop with a good climb between 1/2 to 2/3 of the way through. My goal is to do it sub 25" and I think I am well on my way. The Tues ride was just under 28" and today was just over 26".
Thursday I foolishly rode the river road to Franklin and back. I say foolishly because the wind must have been gusting 30+. At one point, I was pushed literally halfway across a lane when I was caught by a crosswind.
Saturday L & I rode the river road down to minnehaha falls and back. A great ride I love in the summer though due to the late afternoon ride time, there were tons of cars on the MPLS side which sucked.
Lots of rain in the forecast this week, so we will see how it turns out.
Weekly Total - 50 Road/19 Commuter
Season Total - 487
Thursday, June 07, 2007
I want my MTV
So this is probably a stupid question in a country where more households have TVs than indoor bathrooms, but is TV really that important?
Is TV a "right"? It seems that our government thinks so and there's even a government agency, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, that is going to make sure that nothing interupts out zombie nation.
In an article that ran in the NY Times today about the end of analog TV signals and the digital converters that will be needed for those of us that don't have either cable or satellite TV and instead use that wonderfully archaic technology known as bunny ears there were a couple of just fabulous nuggets of wisdom:
Is TV a "right"? It seems that our government thinks so and there's even a government agency, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, that is going to make sure that nothing interupts out zombie nation.
In an article that ran in the NY Times today about the end of analog TV signals and the digital converters that will be needed for those of us that don't have either cable or satellite TV and instead use that wonderfully archaic technology known as bunny ears there were a couple of just fabulous nuggets of wisdom:
"Consumer groups, however, have expressed concern that some families will have neither the means to buy the converters nor the awareness to successfully obtain the vouchers".
“Our No. 1 goal,” said Shermaze Ingram, a spokeswoman for the broadcasters’ association, “is that no one loses TV reception because of a lack of information.”
Yes this is the most pressing issue facing families in the US today. If America can't watch Survivor or Age of Love life might come to a standstill.
I'm not trying to be all high and mighty because I admittedly watch TV, but I would rather not have the means to watch it and have the government actually putting resources towards something a little more meaningful.
This type of stuff is why they hate us.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
devil inside
There's a great editorial by Greg Moody on velonews today about that little demon that tells you to quit; that you aren't good enough.
Now my level of riding is nowhere near what he is describing but it was so perfect.
Whether you are in competitive sports or just recreational, play music, create art of some kind, it doesn't matter we all Everyone experience this demon. First he might tell you that "giving up isn't all that big a deal. People do it all the time and the world continues to roll on its merry way through the universe".
Nothing matters except that at some point you give in.
If there is something that I am going to keep in mind though it is this:
"Somewhere in there, you've got to say no, talk back, drive the demon back outside your head"
This is how you succeed in whatever it is you want to do.
Now my level of riding is nowhere near what he is describing but it was so perfect.
Whether you are in competitive sports or just recreational, play music, create art of some kind, it doesn't matter we all Everyone experience this demon. First he might tell you that "giving up isn't all that big a deal. People do it all the time and the world continues to roll on its merry way through the universe".
Nothing matters except that at some point you give in.
If there is something that I am going to keep in mind though it is this:
"Somewhere in there, you've got to say no, talk back, drive the demon back outside your head"
This is how you succeed in whatever it is you want to do.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Last week on the bike
I'm a little late with this but I guess better late than never.
Last week was an ok week if you could avoid the rain and actually get out on the road. I did get out on the road Monday after riding the gateway on Sunday. The first few miles were hell but then I got warmed up and it felt great. Definitely getting me along the way to be able to do a multi-day ride of some sort (MS150, WOW, etc).
I took Friday off for my birthday and got out but traffic on the roads was obnoxious. I thought it might be better than my usual after-work rides but it just as bad.
Otherwise nothing exciting to report. With summer session starting up, I think my miles are going to be seriously impaired. Will need to figure out how to get more on the weekday rides than I am currently getting plus add on to the weekend as well.
Until next week.
Week Total - 49
Season Total - 418
Last week was an ok week if you could avoid the rain and actually get out on the road. I did get out on the road Monday after riding the gateway on Sunday. The first few miles were hell but then I got warmed up and it felt great. Definitely getting me along the way to be able to do a multi-day ride of some sort (MS150, WOW, etc).
I took Friday off for my birthday and got out but traffic on the roads was obnoxious. I thought it might be better than my usual after-work rides but it just as bad.
Otherwise nothing exciting to report. With summer session starting up, I think my miles are going to be seriously impaired. Will need to figure out how to get more on the weekday rides than I am currently getting plus add on to the weekend as well.
Until next week.
Week Total - 49
Season Total - 418
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