Saturday, March 15, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Stage 1 - USA Pro-Cycling Challenge (Aspen/Snowmass)
I was a bit shocked to find out that from my hotel to the start/finish line was going to be over 2 hours. Enjoyed a beautiful drive as directed by the GPS until I got to what I believe is "Independence Pass" (which the riders would do on Stage 2). I was having crazy vertigo and trying to not have a panic attack. No wonder it was going to take so long going that route. Anyhoo, as I got into Aspen, the GPS was continuing with commands, but I could see the roadblocks ahead so (on the good side) I knew I was in the right place (on the not-so-good side) but how to park etc. Just like that, I see a parking garage and Tour signs indicating media etc to park there. Perfect! (I'd gone early so there was still room).
I then walked around and took in the first experience of the atmosphere around a pro-Tour. Things were still being set up and I couldn't believe that I could go anywhere and had my pick of places to set up. I went and got some food/drinks to prepare (in case I didn't get to move around later) and went back to the car to get a collapsible chair. I set up and things got more exciting as the start got closer. Oh, and a very nice younger woman (older girl? youth?) gave me a cowbell (Strava sponsor) out of the blue, which was very nice. Next thing I know, I'm looking at a Cannondale rider literally like, a foot, from me (over the barricade) thinking 'that looks like Peter Sagan' and then realizing, holy crap, it is! Me - me - *I'm* standing beside Peter freakin' Sagan! Then I see, Chris Froome is close too. THE WINNER OF THIS YEARS TOUR DE FRANCE IS THAT CLOSE, WTF?!!!!! So I end up standing pretty much at the start line and the peloton does 2 (or was it 3?) neutral laps so I get to see them not at full speed.
Then the "real" laps start, I go down to about 300m to go (near a corner cause, you know, could be action) and watch 2 laps there. The "free swag people" (yes, that's an official term, ha) gave me some bam-bams and a sheet with all the racers and their numbers and such. I then moved to about 50m to go and set up for the third and final lap. Wow, how cool.
AND THEN... some of the riders looped back after the finish - and could it be, yes, it was, Jens Voigt (beloved by all, myself included) and he was giving side high fives to a section along the barriers - just as he got to me one of the hydration people got in the way a bit, so I got a partial - but my fingers touched Jens Voigt's fingers. I couldn't believe it. I mean honestly, if I went to a Bronco's game, would I ever get close to Peyton Manning?? Touch his hand?? I don't think so. What other sporting event could the average fan be THAT CLOSE to the action and FOR FREE. Pro-cycling is AWESOME.
Anyway, I recognized a couple of other riders and just gawked, basically. I mean what am I going to do, yell, Andy, Andy Schleck!? Or "oh my goodness, Richie Porte!" (They know who they are, they don't need me to tell them). I went over to the stage after for the presentations but I decided to leave - I was so excited I wondered if someone in my state should be driving ;) I decided there was no way I was doing Independence Pass again so I took a longer route which also meant getting stuck in traffic because a lot of roads were still closed. I got ridiculously stoked at one point though, as I was in between the Jamis-Hagens Berman team car and the Novo Nordisk team car so I felt like I was part of the race convoy :)
I may have forgotten some parts, everything's blurring together. Which stage? What day was that? But WOW, what an intro to being LIVE at a pro-cycling event. And how cool that it was a circuit. O-V-E-R-T-H-E-M-O-O-N
I then walked around and took in the first experience of the atmosphere around a pro-Tour. Things were still being set up and I couldn't believe that I could go anywhere and had my pick of places to set up. I went and got some food/drinks to prepare (in case I didn't get to move around later) and went back to the car to get a collapsible chair. I set up and things got more exciting as the start got closer. Oh, and a very nice younger woman (older girl? youth?) gave me a cowbell (Strava sponsor) out of the blue, which was very nice. Next thing I know, I'm looking at a Cannondale rider literally like, a foot, from me (over the barricade) thinking 'that looks like Peter Sagan' and then realizing, holy crap, it is! Me - me - *I'm* standing beside Peter freakin' Sagan! Then I see, Chris Froome is close too. THE WINNER OF THIS YEARS TOUR DE FRANCE IS THAT CLOSE, WTF?!!!!! So I end up standing pretty much at the start line and the peloton does 2 (or was it 3?) neutral laps so I get to see them not at full speed.
Then the "real" laps start, I go down to about 300m to go (near a corner cause, you know, could be action) and watch 2 laps there. The "free swag people" (yes, that's an official term, ha) gave me some bam-bams and a sheet with all the racers and their numbers and such. I then moved to about 50m to go and set up for the third and final lap. Wow, how cool.
AND THEN... some of the riders looped back after the finish - and could it be, yes, it was, Jens Voigt (beloved by all, myself included) and he was giving side high fives to a section along the barriers - just as he got to me one of the hydration people got in the way a bit, so I got a partial - but my fingers touched Jens Voigt's fingers. I couldn't believe it. I mean honestly, if I went to a Bronco's game, would I ever get close to Peyton Manning?? Touch his hand?? I don't think so. What other sporting event could the average fan be THAT CLOSE to the action and FOR FREE. Pro-cycling is AWESOME.
Anyway, I recognized a couple of other riders and just gawked, basically. I mean what am I going to do, yell, Andy, Andy Schleck!? Or "oh my goodness, Richie Porte!" (They know who they are, they don't need me to tell them). I went over to the stage after for the presentations but I decided to leave - I was so excited I wondered if someone in my state should be driving ;) I decided there was no way I was doing Independence Pass again so I took a longer route which also meant getting stuck in traffic because a lot of roads were still closed. I got ridiculously stoked at one point though, as I was in between the Jamis-Hagens Berman team car and the Novo Nordisk team car so I felt like I was part of the race convoy :)
I may have forgotten some parts, everything's blurring together. Which stage? What day was that? But WOW, what an intro to being LIVE at a pro-cycling event. And how cool that it was a circuit. O-V-E-R-T-H-E-M-O-O-N
Long Time T.V. Viewer, First Time Live Viewer
So after a few times of planning to go in person to watch a procycling stage race and cancelling or not going, I finally did it. I went to Colorado to attend the 2013 USA Pro-Cycling Challenge. I was a bit uneasy, having only watched on t.v. and not knowing Colorado and having to deal with road closures and parking yada yada yada. But after my first taste I was more than sold, so glad I did it. It's been a few days now and I figured maybe I should blog about it so I have a record somewhere.
Monday, November 26, 2012
What's The Technical Term For This Part Deux
So I happened to notice that one year ago today I posted about "bucket kickers" (see original post and comments). Thought, hey, why not, see if I can add anything...
5) Been to NHL games in more than one arena.
6) Have a relative with their name on the Cup. (Note this is different from having a relative who has their name on their cup).
7) Ridden a camel.
8) Have only ever owned one cell phone. (That's gotta be worth something in this day and age - only those who've never owned one can beat that).
I feel like I must have done more interesting things than this list so far.
5) Been to NHL games in more than one arena.
6) Have a relative with their name on the Cup. (Note this is different from having a relative who has their name on their cup).
7) Ridden a camel.
8) Have only ever owned one cell phone. (That's gotta be worth something in this day and age - only those who've never owned one can beat that).
I feel like I must have done more interesting things than this list so far.
The Blonde and The Air Freshener...
Starts off like a typical joke doesn't it... Reminds me of something said at an interfaith wedding in response to someone saying, "oh look, a priest and a rabbi..." ("sounds like the start of a joke...a priest and a rabbi go to a wedding...")
So one very early morning, heading off for some travel to a conference, I'm in the passenger seat of an automobile and the driver is, fortunately, in the driver's seat. We hit a light on the highway (yeah, roads in some parts of Canada, I tell you, lights on a highway...) and so I notice a car in the next lane and they have the same (different colour) [yeah, we have "u" in words too] air freshener hanging off the rear view mirror as I do. So, I comment excitedly and then look at the rear view mirror in the automobile I'm in and see no air freshener. I "freaked out" (nothing too much, just very surprised) and the driver was just sort of looking at me but not in any particular way. It was then that I realized - we'd taken the driver's car, not mine and so of course there was no air freshener. We had a good laugh over my mistake, me especially. In my defense, it's more usual that my car is the one used (and it was early!) (and I had my hair dyed blonde a few months ago - just kidding - well, I did but kidding about blonde jokes).
So one very early morning, heading off for some travel to a conference, I'm in the passenger seat of an automobile and the driver is, fortunately, in the driver's seat. We hit a light on the highway (yeah, roads in some parts of Canada, I tell you, lights on a highway...) and so I notice a car in the next lane and they have the same (different colour) [yeah, we have "u" in words too] air freshener hanging off the rear view mirror as I do. So, I comment excitedly and then look at the rear view mirror in the automobile I'm in and see no air freshener. I "freaked out" (nothing too much, just very surprised) and the driver was just sort of looking at me but not in any particular way. It was then that I realized - we'd taken the driver's car, not mine and so of course there was no air freshener. We had a good laugh over my mistake, me especially. In my defense, it's more usual that my car is the one used (and it was early!) (and I had my hair dyed blonde a few months ago - just kidding - well, I did but kidding about blonde jokes).
Sunday, July 8, 2012
TdF - Stage 7
Started with learning Garmin-Sharp ended up losing 3 including Ryder. Argh.
Ahhh, first mountain stage...
Gutsy effort by Cancellara if you ask me. Felt a bit emotional watching him cross the finish line.
I remember Chris Froome from some previous racing - that was something! And I didn't realize until he was on the podium that he'd also get the Polka Dot Jersey.
Cadel/Wiggins, nicely matched. I have to say that in my Prologue post, I didn't give Wiggins a vote for GC winner, but I hadn't seen him race this year - he is looking impressive - and sounds like he's having quite the year.
Ahhh, first mountain stage...
Gutsy effort by Cancellara if you ask me. Felt a bit emotional watching him cross the finish line.
I remember Chris Froome from some previous racing - that was something! And I didn't realize until he was on the podium that he'd also get the Polka Dot Jersey.
Cadel/Wiggins, nicely matched. I have to say that in my Prologue post, I didn't give Wiggins a vote for GC winner, but I hadn't seen him race this year - he is looking impressive - and sounds like he's having quite the year.
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