Okay, so yesterday's LIVE coverage of Stage 2 of Amgen's Tour of California was less than stellar - I've seen many negative remarks about Versus and AToC's organization called "amateurs" by the cycling community wanting to watch the race - United States and Internationally. Before I try to organize the jumble of random thoughts on this running around in my brain, let's state the absolute reason there was no coverage until the finish line.
I am also a pilot, so I can speak to what the problem was - motorcycles following the race need to send the signal from their camera to an aircraft of some kind - mostly helicopters overhead and they also usually then relay the signal to a fixed wing aircraft - higher - that relays the signal to be broadcast. Actually a complicated little procedure all to give us LIVE coverage.
Okay, so that said - the problem for Stage 2 coverage was the weather (and "NO" to the person who disparingly wrote, more or less ... you can't tell me that California weather is worse than Giro and we have coverage of the Giro ... no, not worse - different.) Giro's stage yesterday ran along the coast, with no mountains -- AToC's stage was up and over.
The Federal Aviation Administration has rules all pilots must follow and one of them is that you cannot fly into KNOWN icing conditions (without all sorts of ubber expensive deicing equipment on the aircraft) -- at 10,000 feet over Stage 2 ... there was KNOWN icing conditions -- THUS no TV coverage for we poor little cycling slugs on the ground.
So for AToC's Stage 3 (and I haven't checked weather for today's stage - yet!) running along the coast ... if it is rainy and cloudy -- we will more in likely have TV coverage because the same set of FAA rules apply, but the conditions for flying will be absolutely different - yet somewhat like yesterday's Giro stage.
So, no AToC and Versus are not to blame for no TV coverage for us yesterday -- blame the FAA! Even at blaming the FAA, they are not being mean to "us" but the rules are set in place to keep pilots from killing themselves -- and we all know that sometimes pilots "pull" "stupid pilots tricks" and kill themselves and their plane, anyway.
Okay (again) that being said - if you haven't ever been to a race LIVE, when you have the opportunity to go -- brace yourself. Unless you go park yourself at the finish line by the big screen TVs ... what you saw yesterday is about what you see (unless it is a time trial, criterium or the race ends in several circuits). You can see the riders "start" ... then they are gone; jump in the car and if you are lucky you can beat them up the road a bit ... see them wiz by; and if you are lucky again you can jump in your car (and pray not to get stopped in traffic) and maybe catch them at the finish line (or you can park in one place and see them wiz by once) -- following a live race live ... is tough - fun, yes BUT tough!!!
We cycling fans have really been spoiled rotten in the last several years with the coming of age of being able to watch races online and on TV --- remember before that all we had were race tickers (and I remember being so ubber excited when I found my first race ticker!) ... but before that, in the way back age :-) you got to read about the races in "next months" cycling magazines.
So "buck up" accept Versus did their best - know that AToC is a fabulous race with fabulous race organizers ... and did you hear that race officials from the Tour Down Under are actually visting AToC this year to learn from AToC ... things like rolling road closures ... sorry I drift --- anyway, it is human nature to complain ... but some complaining so went into blaming that my brain had to get "it" out!!!
Have a fabulous cycling day all my buddies -- I mean where else but online and on TV could we today "watch" the Giro from Italy and Amgen's Tour of California from the comfort of our office, home ... or wherever you choose to view them today!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
"Wait! Wasn't That Just Yesterday?"
What do you mean I've not blogged since May 9 - geesh, I mean that's four whole days .. how time passes, as they say! But ummm, that brings up a small item - I just saw an article on ... feature this headline: "Rebirth of Mount St. Helens - 30 Years Later" .... ummm "What?! That hasn't been that long ago has it?"!
So let's address this -- I'll give to those that are "ohhhhh" probably 36 or younger, that you won't remember - personally - Mount St. Helens letting loose her wrath .. but still, it was just yesterday ... wasn't it? *flips pages to find first page of article* 8:32 AM, Sunday, May 18, 1980 *grabs calculator* 2010 - 1980 ... excuse my language BUT HOLY CARP - how the hector did that happen?!
Because of the "dawn" of this historical marking of a 30th Anniversary let's give Mount St. Helens some thought. She came to life after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake started a chain reaction that ended in a violant eruption which blew off 1,300 feet of her perfected symmetrical 9,665-foot peak. She laid waste to 230 square acres of forest and choked 14 miles of river valley with mud. AND this was a mere 30 years ago -- incredible!
I could go on and on (and most of the time I do go on and on :-) !!) but let me just suggest some further excellent reading, if you're so inclined.
Revist MSH, or go study for the first time here at an excellent website:
http://mountsthelens.com/
Or "hey" go have a look at the "ole" girl:
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/
Sources:
"Rebirth of Mount St. Helens" by Margaret Haberman, published in The American Profile
http://www.americanprofile.com/article/39753.html
*roams off, mumbling to self ... 30 years .. sheesh, how is that possible!*
So let's address this -- I'll give to those that are "ohhhhh" probably 36 or younger, that you won't remember - personally - Mount St. Helens letting loose her wrath .. but still, it was just yesterday ... wasn't it? *flips pages to find first page of article* 8:32 AM, Sunday, May 18, 1980 *grabs calculator* 2010 - 1980 ... excuse my language BUT HOLY CARP - how the hector did that happen?!
Because of the "dawn" of this historical marking of a 30th Anniversary let's give Mount St. Helens some thought. She came to life after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake started a chain reaction that ended in a violant eruption which blew off 1,300 feet of her perfected symmetrical 9,665-foot peak. She laid waste to 230 square acres of forest and choked 14 miles of river valley with mud. AND this was a mere 30 years ago -- incredible!
I could go on and on (and most of the time I do go on and on :-) !!) but let me just suggest some further excellent reading, if you're so inclined.
Revist MSH, or go study for the first time here at an excellent website:
http://mountsthelens.com/
Or "hey" go have a look at the "ole" girl:
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/
Sources:
"Rebirth of Mount St. Helens" by Margaret Haberman, published in The American Profile
http://www.americanprofile.com/article/39753.html
*roams off, mumbling to self ... 30 years .. sheesh, how is that possible!*
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The "To Do" List
As I sat and stared at my "to do" list, I decided to take the day off! I'll regret it tomorrow, as I sit and work and think of what I didn't get done BUT sometimes it is just necessary. How's you're list coming along? I decided to share some random stuff my brain has come up with in dealing with "to do" list.
1. Utmost - ever so often - maybe once or twice a week, start at the bottom of the list. I know that's where my "well this can wait until later" stuff winds up and sometimes my list continues to get longer because these items tend to stay at the bottom. So if you take a couple of hours a week and eliminate even one item from the bottom of the list - the list will eventually get smaller, or at least not get any longer!
2. Now back to the top of the list - keep one of those larger sticky pads handy -- and make sure you put that as a permanent item on your list! :-) Pull off a page and stick it directly on your, already written, list - where you can't really see the entire list. On this sticky pad page, write one item from the top of the list - complete this task ... mark through it and replace it with one more item from the major list.
This may sound weird and probably is - but it is a trick your mind sort of thing (and you'll also see why in Nos. 3 and 4). By focusing on only one item before moving on to another, you trick your brain into thinking there is only one item thus slowing you down, more or less, and no fair thinking about the other items until the one is done, that is only counterproductive!
(The only time this rule's lines are fuzzy is if you are doing laundry (at home, of course) .. you are allowed to pick another item to work on during the time you're doing nothing for the laundry!)
3 and 4. I am combining two more "tricks" as they actually go hand in hand. Inform yourself that if you are a good little worker and finish the one item you chose to work on - that at that point you deserve a little break -- No. 3 (even if it is only 10 mns or so). No fair thinking about anything else during the little break except what you decide is going to be your little treat -- No. 4.
Your reward can be listening to music with your feet up for a few minutes OR if you're so inclined indulging in a beloved snack -- when you stop between tasks and take a few minutes it clears and refurbishes your mind and body, so you can move on to the next one task, which you decide at the end of your little breakie.
5. If you are working on the weekends - set a deadline to stop working and start enjoying. If you are picking items from the bottom of the list for an evening or two during the week -- say "I'm only going to work on this for 1 hour -- or 15 minutes -- WHAT 15 MINUTES -- yes, 15 minutes or even 5 ... think if you are truly doing mundane things on the list (let's face it, that's what always winds up at the bottom) ... say sorting drawers .. say: "I have 5 minutes extra every morning before I leave for work (or do whatever) each morning this week I'm using those 5 minutes to do ___________ -- that works out to be 25 minutes in one week -- actually alot of time.
6. AND one more - in my personal opinion - lately ALOT when I ask people "How are you doing?" "How have you been?" ... the answer is "Busy" ... well, okay - so one more thing, in my humble opinion -- say Great or Fine or Happy or anything else! Use a few seconds to focus on the person you are talking to and forget about the "list" and being "busy."
Okay, so go forth and conquer that "to do" list -- one bit at a time!
PS .. do you have any wonderful thoughts (or tricks) for "to do" lists? Please feel free to share them via comment!
1. Utmost - ever so often - maybe once or twice a week, start at the bottom of the list. I know that's where my "well this can wait until later" stuff winds up and sometimes my list continues to get longer because these items tend to stay at the bottom. So if you take a couple of hours a week and eliminate even one item from the bottom of the list - the list will eventually get smaller, or at least not get any longer!
2. Now back to the top of the list - keep one of those larger sticky pads handy -- and make sure you put that as a permanent item on your list! :-) Pull off a page and stick it directly on your, already written, list - where you can't really see the entire list. On this sticky pad page, write one item from the top of the list - complete this task ... mark through it and replace it with one more item from the major list.
This may sound weird and probably is - but it is a trick your mind sort of thing (and you'll also see why in Nos. 3 and 4). By focusing on only one item before moving on to another, you trick your brain into thinking there is only one item thus slowing you down, more or less, and no fair thinking about the other items until the one is done, that is only counterproductive!
(The only time this rule's lines are fuzzy is if you are doing laundry (at home, of course) .. you are allowed to pick another item to work on during the time you're doing nothing for the laundry!)
3 and 4. I am combining two more "tricks" as they actually go hand in hand. Inform yourself that if you are a good little worker and finish the one item you chose to work on - that at that point you deserve a little break -- No. 3 (even if it is only 10 mns or so). No fair thinking about anything else during the little break except what you decide is going to be your little treat -- No. 4.
Your reward can be listening to music with your feet up for a few minutes OR if you're so inclined indulging in a beloved snack -- when you stop between tasks and take a few minutes it clears and refurbishes your mind and body, so you can move on to the next one task, which you decide at the end of your little breakie.
5. If you are working on the weekends - set a deadline to stop working and start enjoying. If you are picking items from the bottom of the list for an evening or two during the week -- say "I'm only going to work on this for 1 hour -- or 15 minutes -- WHAT 15 MINUTES -- yes, 15 minutes or even 5 ... think if you are truly doing mundane things on the list (let's face it, that's what always winds up at the bottom) ... say sorting drawers .. say: "I have 5 minutes extra every morning before I leave for work (or do whatever) each morning this week I'm using those 5 minutes to do ___________ -- that works out to be 25 minutes in one week -- actually alot of time.
6. AND one more - in my personal opinion - lately ALOT when I ask people "How are you doing?" "How have you been?" ... the answer is "Busy" ... well, okay - so one more thing, in my humble opinion -- say Great or Fine or Happy or anything else! Use a few seconds to focus on the person you are talking to and forget about the "list" and being "busy."
Okay, so go forth and conquer that "to do" list -- one bit at a time!
PS .. do you have any wonderful thoughts (or tricks) for "to do" lists? Please feel free to share them via comment!
LMBO - Live and Let Live - Part Deux - Cycling
Okay, not exactly a blog ... just a repost that really made me laugh myself right out of my chair ... thought I'd share! This is taken directly from VeloNews Ticker for Giro's Stage 1 - always different levels of knowledge ... Pelkey does a good job of responding to someone absolutely clueless and adopts a great attitude in the "meanwhile":
4:42 [Comment From Charles in Charge Charles in Charge : ]
Was Lance in any of the crashes? Sunday May 9, 2010 4:42 Charles in Charge
4:42 C.F.Pelkey: Only if he happened to be a spectator and got hit by a bike. Armstrong and RadioShack are not here. Sunday May 9, 2010 4:42 C.F.Pelkey
4:44 C.F.Pelkey: Voss is taking a charge out of the break. Given the level of cooperation, he's just as well on his own. He'll certainly be doing more work now, since he's spent the last 20k sucking wheels. Sunday May 9, 2010 4:44 C.F.Pelkey
4:46 C.F.Pelkey: Rick Flens (Rabobank) looks like he's on his own. He looks pissed. He did a lot of the work in the break these past 20/25k and had little help from the other two. Sunday May 9, 2010 4:46 C.F.Pelkey
4:46 [Comment From Guest Guest : ]
Must you post comments from people who have not a clue? Sunday May 9, 2010 4:46 Guest
4:48 C.F.Pelkey: I try to post questions that are representative of those I am getting. My hope is that after a day or two, all readers here will have achieved the same level of knowledge that you have and we can all be dismissive of others who write in as being clueless. Sunday May 9, 2010 4:48 C.F.Pelkey
4:42 [Comment From Charles in Charge Charles in Charge : ]
Was Lance in any of the crashes? Sunday May 9, 2010 4:42 Charles in Charge
4:42 C.F.Pelkey: Only if he happened to be a spectator and got hit by a bike. Armstrong and RadioShack are not here. Sunday May 9, 2010 4:42 C.F.Pelkey
4:44 C.F.Pelkey: Voss is taking a charge out of the break. Given the level of cooperation, he's just as well on his own. He'll certainly be doing more work now, since he's spent the last 20k sucking wheels. Sunday May 9, 2010 4:44 C.F.Pelkey
4:46 C.F.Pelkey: Rick Flens (Rabobank) looks like he's on his own. He looks pissed. He did a lot of the work in the break these past 20/25k and had little help from the other two. Sunday May 9, 2010 4:46 C.F.Pelkey
4:46 [Comment From Guest Guest : ]
Must you post comments from people who have not a clue? Sunday May 9, 2010 4:46 Guest
4:48 C.F.Pelkey: I try to post questions that are representative of those I am getting. My hope is that after a day or two, all readers here will have achieved the same level of knowledge that you have and we can all be dismissive of others who write in as being clueless. Sunday May 9, 2010 4:48 C.F.Pelkey
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Live and Let Live - Cycling
It was a dark and stormy night (Thanks Kent, great opening line!) when I arrived in Silver City, New Mexico for the Tour of Gila - but if you read the last blog, you know that! :-)
A simple observation, at a bike race - of any kind - there will always be different levels of knowledge by people attending and hand-in-hand with that statement, I will add, there are just as many different “reasons” for attending that same bike race. So, if you have the opportunity to attend a race, examine your reason in advance and live up to it without fear of retribution from anyone -- because, after all, it is your very own reason and level of knowledge -- own them! (I suppose this probably applies to any chosen activity, not just cycling!)
My moment of clarity at Tour of Gila was before the start of the Pro Men’s criterium. As the riders assembled in the “holding pen” before they being allowed out for warm up on the course - I gathered a couple of autographs that I had wanted for a while and took some photos, whilst roaming in and out of the riders. Then I went to stand on the sidewalk were I put up the photos and the pen and checked the camera - etc. At that point a young gentlemen, probably in his 20s, was standing behind me with, what I determined was probably his father and grandfather/uncle. Very politely the young man asked: “Excuse me, can you help us.” (I, of course, said yes.) “We are here to see Lance....” (Then rather apologetically added) “....but we don’t know what he looks like.” (Moment of Clarity: These folks wanted to see an iconic figure they’d never seen ... had they ever attended a bike race - probably not - had they heard of Lance, definitely yes ... did this make them unworthy of my assistance - definitely not, different levels - different reasons!)
I, of course - being “Mommy” to the world, when asked :-) told them that he, and the boys, would be the very last to show up at the holding pen. I then found the photos I’d taken and showed them to them and explained what “the boy” would be wearing and which direction he’d be coming from (because I’d noticed where he went, of course) ... I would have stayed longer, but it was time to reposition myself, after all :-) I truly hope they got to see Lance.
I almost told them that Dave Z., Tommy D., Taylor Phinney AND a whole “slew” of other riders were standing right in front of them, but that would have made no difference to them - they knew one person they wanted to try to see. Should I fault them for that, no - I’m sure if we’d visited longer, there was something that they knew about or knew how to do - that I myself, would have been astonished with.
Others: the professional photographer, who obviously knew what she was doing and who everyone was ... however, at the Time Trial -- was overheard yelling (as she snapped photos) “Go _____________” :-) and then she said to us “Oh, I guess I shouldn’t show favorites.” Well, I question why the hector not?! Sure, she may have been there for her job, but everyone has their favorites ... so live and let live! (I found it cute and endearing, myself.)
The row of young men sitting on the rooftops of houses, no camera in hand - just enjoying the hector out of the criterium. Did they know the riders, that I don’t know - they definitely had no plans to snap photos :-) but they were enjoying the race in the way they chose.
The rather loud and pushy woman at the RadioShack bus (umm, no not me!) who waited the entire 2-1/2 hours, with me, before they showed up. Yes, I passed judgment on your character, and for that I apologize, because in retrospect (and after eavesdropping on her conversations with her friend) it was the first time she would be seeing Lance and trying to get an autograph and she was extremely nervous. Her friend kept telling her “It’ll be alright, just calm down.”
Also in retrospect of my last blog - was I “hard” on Henk and Floyd, well maybe so. Why? At the criterium, there eventually wound up being at least 15 policemen at the RadioShack RV, were there some anywhere else - no, there were volunteers elsewhere, but no “protection” for the rest of the riders ... Lance effect. So, I suppose it could get irritating to the other riders and DS, but let’s face it people - the man draws a crowd and Silver City has been most appreciative for that!
As to Floyd, Live and Let Live -- I mean there are days that I hate to go to my job too and don’t perform my best. So, ya know - if you want to diss me and ride at the back of the peloton, I’m sorry for thinking the things I’ve thought about you. (But he still has to do something spectacular to make up for his grumpy attitude!)
So, in closing kudos to the people of Silver City, who love their race - and year after year treat their “tourists” and riders with equal respect and kindness! AND go to races for your reason and your reason only ... LIVE AND LET LIVE!
A simple observation, at a bike race - of any kind - there will always be different levels of knowledge by people attending and hand-in-hand with that statement, I will add, there are just as many different “reasons” for attending that same bike race. So, if you have the opportunity to attend a race, examine your reason in advance and live up to it without fear of retribution from anyone -- because, after all, it is your very own reason and level of knowledge -- own them! (I suppose this probably applies to any chosen activity, not just cycling!)
My moment of clarity at Tour of Gila was before the start of the Pro Men’s criterium. As the riders assembled in the “holding pen” before they being allowed out for warm up on the course - I gathered a couple of autographs that I had wanted for a while and took some photos, whilst roaming in and out of the riders. Then I went to stand on the sidewalk were I put up the photos and the pen and checked the camera - etc. At that point a young gentlemen, probably in his 20s, was standing behind me with, what I determined was probably his father and grandfather/uncle. Very politely the young man asked: “Excuse me, can you help us.” (I, of course, said yes.) “We are here to see Lance....” (Then rather apologetically added) “....but we don’t know what he looks like.” (Moment of Clarity: These folks wanted to see an iconic figure they’d never seen ... had they ever attended a bike race - probably not - had they heard of Lance, definitely yes ... did this make them unworthy of my assistance - definitely not, different levels - different reasons!)
I, of course - being “Mommy” to the world, when asked :-) told them that he, and the boys, would be the very last to show up at the holding pen. I then found the photos I’d taken and showed them to them and explained what “the boy” would be wearing and which direction he’d be coming from (because I’d noticed where he went, of course) ... I would have stayed longer, but it was time to reposition myself, after all :-) I truly hope they got to see Lance.
I almost told them that Dave Z., Tommy D., Taylor Phinney AND a whole “slew” of other riders were standing right in front of them, but that would have made no difference to them - they knew one person they wanted to try to see. Should I fault them for that, no - I’m sure if we’d visited longer, there was something that they knew about or knew how to do - that I myself, would have been astonished with.
Others: the professional photographer, who obviously knew what she was doing and who everyone was ... however, at the Time Trial -- was overheard yelling (as she snapped photos) “Go _____________” :-) and then she said to us “Oh, I guess I shouldn’t show favorites.” Well, I question why the hector not?! Sure, she may have been there for her job, but everyone has their favorites ... so live and let live! (I found it cute and endearing, myself.)
The row of young men sitting on the rooftops of houses, no camera in hand - just enjoying the hector out of the criterium. Did they know the riders, that I don’t know - they definitely had no plans to snap photos :-) but they were enjoying the race in the way they chose.
The rather loud and pushy woman at the RadioShack bus (umm, no not me!) who waited the entire 2-1/2 hours, with me, before they showed up. Yes, I passed judgment on your character, and for that I apologize, because in retrospect (and after eavesdropping on her conversations with her friend) it was the first time she would be seeing Lance and trying to get an autograph and she was extremely nervous. Her friend kept telling her “It’ll be alright, just calm down.”
Also in retrospect of my last blog - was I “hard” on Henk and Floyd, well maybe so. Why? At the criterium, there eventually wound up being at least 15 policemen at the RadioShack RV, were there some anywhere else - no, there were volunteers elsewhere, but no “protection” for the rest of the riders ... Lance effect. So, I suppose it could get irritating to the other riders and DS, but let’s face it people - the man draws a crowd and Silver City has been most appreciative for that!
As to Floyd, Live and Let Live -- I mean there are days that I hate to go to my job too and don’t perform my best. So, ya know - if you want to diss me and ride at the back of the peloton, I’m sorry for thinking the things I’ve thought about you. (But he still has to do something spectacular to make up for his grumpy attitude!)
So, in closing kudos to the people of Silver City, who love their race - and year after year treat their “tourists” and riders with equal respect and kindness! AND go to races for your reason and your reason only ... LIVE AND LET LIVE!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Riding In the Car to See Boys - Cycling
Once again I decided, at almost the last minute, to attend a "little" cycling event called the Tour of Gila in Silver City, New Mexico. The 550 mile/seven hour drive over (well 7, when one's foot is ... umm ... heavy) was most interesting. Shall I say the wind was blowing? No, I mean really, really blowing 60 mph gusting type of blowing and I knew I was "toast" when the signs were out that read: "I-10 closed between Las Cruces, NM and Deming, NM" ... and why wasn't that good? That was my route into Silver City, NM -- BUT, I knew a back way in ... but I digress, this is "fodder" for another blog.
Silver City was very cool, as in very, very cool ... well okay cold -- especially with the really, really blowing wind :-) AND I haven't mentioned yet that I was camping at the KOA ... now putting the tent up in the wind and with night falling was an interesting thing ... but my buddy called as to where she was and I discovered she was sleeping in her car ... so I let go of the tent - I estimate that by now, it is probably over Brazil :-) ... and I slept in the back seat of a Cobalt - I now confess, I should have continued to put up the tent, because after the first night in the Cobalt, I remembered why I wanted out of the womb!
So disregarding the negative weather effects, we arrived at Stage 3, the Individual Time Trial, bright and early on Friday and here are a few highlights of the day:
(1) This was the first time trial I'd ever been able to make it to, trust me - they're fun.
(2) The snake that was happily (and simply) trying to get warm on the side of the road - but he accomplished terrorizing everyone, with not an ounce of effort on his behalf (I think he used Lance's "look" on people as they walked by).
(3) The Mom that brought her three very small boys decked out in Discovery kits and those kids sat patiently there yelling "Go Lance" at every single rider ... then her "motive" was obvious when Lance did come by, she had them posed on the side of the road so she could take their photo with him and the RadioShack car in the background -- I'd like to see those "kids" in 20 years!
(4) AND THE BEST having my photo made with Johan in his "Ride" jacket -- then being able to get a print that evening (thank you Walgreens) and getting him to autograph it the next day!
Moving on to crit day for some random thoughts:
(1) Helping the young girl that came up to stand by me at the fencing by the RadioShack (Mellow Johnny's) RV, she had a really cool print of a bike race and wanted Lance to sign it, her Dad left her at the fencing and backed out of the crowd (he was a very tall man) so I took her under my wing :-) However, Levi was the first to come autograph and he headed right to her and stopped I told her to give him her pen and she said, in a small voice "No I only want Lance." ... I had to reply to Levi "Sorry Levi, she says she only wants Lance." AAAARRRRGGGGGGG, I hated that! Then he looked at me and I said, of course I have one from yesterday for you to sign and handed him my pen and photo! (Then when Lance did come out of the RV, I went into my loudest voice of Lance please, please for this little one - and he did come over and signed her print .. then she was happy and left - I, of course, stayed!)
(2) I did also get Lance and JMac to autograph their photos from the day before, so that made me happy.
(3) My "little walk" with Johan :-) ... and that's the way I choose to remember it! I had the photo from the day before and was waiting, but when Johan came out - the crit was going to start in about 20 mins, so he really didn't have that much time ... he signed a few autographs but had gone the other way from me. So when he walked out of the enclosure and around the back of the RV, I left the other direction to go find my buddy (who is not a huge RadioShack fan) as I walked down the sidewalk and was starting to put up the photo - out of the corner of my eye, coming up from behind I saw Johan, so I kept walking and put the photo and pen out in front of him and said "Please" ... not real subtle, I admit ... but the man is so nice he stopped long enough to autograph and we continued to walk down the sidewalk (obviously we were going to about the same place) and another fan then stopped him and I continued to walk around the corner when I saw Ro ... and she had a look on her face that won't soon be forgotten by me! I turned around when she said "Johan is stalking you now?" (or something to that effect) ... sure 'nuf he was there ... so, I count that as my little walk with Johan! He, of course, continued to his destination :-)
There are other great stories, but this is getting longer than any blog should be - so I will save them for another time ... but I got great laughs with Dave Z, at the expense of Tommy D :-) Jonathan Vaughters was very nice when I asked for a photo with him and I could go on and on ... Ivan Dominguez is ever so much as nice and funny as I thought he would be ... Rory Sutherland, Axel Merckx and on and on! :-) I can certainly attest to the fact that 99.9% of "the boys" in the peloton are very, very nice men, who simply ride bikes for a living and they are accommodating (as they can be) to their fans and seem appreciative of them.
I will now delve into the negative, because I realize there are just negative and grumpy people in the world -- but why would any cyclist (or ex-cyclist) want to diss a fan? There are a few, two of which I will name - that I won't bother to bother ever again (because I'm sure that we will be in the same place again, one day), I mean why would you be grumpy to the few remaining fans you might have?!
The first is Henk Vogels, who when I was taking his photo in the car before the start of Stage 5 told me "You don't want my picture *pointing* Lance, Levi and Johan are over there, go take their pictures instead." It was not like I was even asking him to get out of the car, or include me in the photo - I simply wanted a photo of a rider I watched when I was younger ... so don't worry Henk, I'll never snap your photo or pay any attention to you again. On the other hand, Frankie Andreu was out of the car, speaking to Henk and when I snapped a few pictures of him, he was most cordial.
The other is Floyd Landis - who totally dissed me at last year's Tour of Gila by totally ignoring me as he rode away from sign-in and I asked for a simple photo ... so, I made a point to find him to try to get an autograph from him (had an "ok" photo from the TT) because I had respected him as a rider ... when I saw him sitting with his team (Dave Z was also there and was standing - who I saw first) and I turned and went "Floyd! I have a photo for you to autograph too please." ... his immediate response was "You're wrong, I'm not Floyd." (I may have thought this was an attempt at "humor" but for the fact that he dissed me the year before!) I got the autograph anyway (now to be used on my dartboard) because I put it in front of him -- but don't worry buddy, never again!
So not to end in a negative tone ... I will simply at the drop of a hat Ride in the Car to See Boys ... clad in lycra, that shave their legs and go really, really, really fast -- thank you Silver City for a Great Tour of Gila!
Silver City was very cool, as in very, very cool ... well okay cold -- especially with the really, really blowing wind :-) AND I haven't mentioned yet that I was camping at the KOA ... now putting the tent up in the wind and with night falling was an interesting thing ... but my buddy called as to where she was and I discovered she was sleeping in her car ... so I let go of the tent - I estimate that by now, it is probably over Brazil :-) ... and I slept in the back seat of a Cobalt - I now confess, I should have continued to put up the tent, because after the first night in the Cobalt, I remembered why I wanted out of the womb!
So disregarding the negative weather effects, we arrived at Stage 3, the Individual Time Trial, bright and early on Friday and here are a few highlights of the day:
(1) This was the first time trial I'd ever been able to make it to, trust me - they're fun.
(2) The snake that was happily (and simply) trying to get warm on the side of the road - but he accomplished terrorizing everyone, with not an ounce of effort on his behalf (I think he used Lance's "look" on people as they walked by).
(3) The Mom that brought her three very small boys decked out in Discovery kits and those kids sat patiently there yelling "Go Lance" at every single rider ... then her "motive" was obvious when Lance did come by, she had them posed on the side of the road so she could take their photo with him and the RadioShack car in the background -- I'd like to see those "kids" in 20 years!
(4) AND THE BEST having my photo made with Johan in his "Ride" jacket -- then being able to get a print that evening (thank you Walgreens) and getting him to autograph it the next day!
Moving on to crit day for some random thoughts:
(1) Helping the young girl that came up to stand by me at the fencing by the RadioShack (Mellow Johnny's) RV, she had a really cool print of a bike race and wanted Lance to sign it, her Dad left her at the fencing and backed out of the crowd (he was a very tall man) so I took her under my wing :-) However, Levi was the first to come autograph and he headed right to her and stopped I told her to give him her pen and she said, in a small voice "No I only want Lance." ... I had to reply to Levi "Sorry Levi, she says she only wants Lance." AAAARRRRGGGGGGG, I hated that! Then he looked at me and I said, of course I have one from yesterday for you to sign and handed him my pen and photo! (Then when Lance did come out of the RV, I went into my loudest voice of Lance please, please for this little one - and he did come over and signed her print .. then she was happy and left - I, of course, stayed!)
(2) I did also get Lance and JMac to autograph their photos from the day before, so that made me happy.
(3) My "little walk" with Johan :-) ... and that's the way I choose to remember it! I had the photo from the day before and was waiting, but when Johan came out - the crit was going to start in about 20 mins, so he really didn't have that much time ... he signed a few autographs but had gone the other way from me. So when he walked out of the enclosure and around the back of the RV, I left the other direction to go find my buddy (who is not a huge RadioShack fan) as I walked down the sidewalk and was starting to put up the photo - out of the corner of my eye, coming up from behind I saw Johan, so I kept walking and put the photo and pen out in front of him and said "Please" ... not real subtle, I admit ... but the man is so nice he stopped long enough to autograph and we continued to walk down the sidewalk (obviously we were going to about the same place) and another fan then stopped him and I continued to walk around the corner when I saw Ro ... and she had a look on her face that won't soon be forgotten by me! I turned around when she said "Johan is stalking you now?" (or something to that effect) ... sure 'nuf he was there ... so, I count that as my little walk with Johan! He, of course, continued to his destination :-)
There are other great stories, but this is getting longer than any blog should be - so I will save them for another time ... but I got great laughs with Dave Z, at the expense of Tommy D :-) Jonathan Vaughters was very nice when I asked for a photo with him and I could go on and on ... Ivan Dominguez is ever so much as nice and funny as I thought he would be ... Rory Sutherland, Axel Merckx and on and on! :-) I can certainly attest to the fact that 99.9% of "the boys" in the peloton are very, very nice men, who simply ride bikes for a living and they are accommodating (as they can be) to their fans and seem appreciative of them.
I will now delve into the negative, because I realize there are just negative and grumpy people in the world -- but why would any cyclist (or ex-cyclist) want to diss a fan? There are a few, two of which I will name - that I won't bother to bother ever again (because I'm sure that we will be in the same place again, one day), I mean why would you be grumpy to the few remaining fans you might have?!
The first is Henk Vogels, who when I was taking his photo in the car before the start of Stage 5 told me "You don't want my picture *pointing* Lance, Levi and Johan are over there, go take their pictures instead." It was not like I was even asking him to get out of the car, or include me in the photo - I simply wanted a photo of a rider I watched when I was younger ... so don't worry Henk, I'll never snap your photo or pay any attention to you again. On the other hand, Frankie Andreu was out of the car, speaking to Henk and when I snapped a few pictures of him, he was most cordial.
The other is Floyd Landis - who totally dissed me at last year's Tour of Gila by totally ignoring me as he rode away from sign-in and I asked for a simple photo ... so, I made a point to find him to try to get an autograph from him (had an "ok" photo from the TT) because I had respected him as a rider ... when I saw him sitting with his team (Dave Z was also there and was standing - who I saw first) and I turned and went "Floyd! I have a photo for you to autograph too please." ... his immediate response was "You're wrong, I'm not Floyd." (I may have thought this was an attempt at "humor" but for the fact that he dissed me the year before!) I got the autograph anyway (now to be used on my dartboard) because I put it in front of him -- but don't worry buddy, never again!
So not to end in a negative tone ... I will simply at the drop of a hat Ride in the Car to See Boys ... clad in lycra, that shave their legs and go really, really, really fast -- thank you Silver City for a Great Tour of Gila!
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