Tour de France 07

Who is going to win this years Tour de France?!

2007-07-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

This years Tour has been chaotic and everyday seems like something new is bound to happen, Vinokourov fell, now he is back on, Robbie McEwen (last years Green Jersey) is out of the race, Rasmussen has the yellow jersey but wont be allowed to race World's because he didnt call home?? What is going on out there? I have a good feeling that Discovery wont pull it off and maybe, just maybe Lotto/Predictor will take home the yellow jersey on Cadel Evans back. Its gonna be a slug fest in the mountains. Specialized rider Tom Boonen is dominating the sprints with the most focused team in the Tour, what's your thoughts??

Watch for Alberto Contador Velasco, whose on the Discovery Team w/ Levi Leipheimer, they are both battling it out for the top spot, it will be interesting to watch and see which guy Hincapie will be pulling for? Its reminescent of previous Tour's where Greg Lemond could have stole the race from his teammate Bernard Hinault (He now works for the Tour De France, He is the guy who zips up the yellow jersey on the podium!) but he made a deal w/ Hinault to win the following season, in which Lemond actually just won without much assistance from his rival.

This is one of the best events I have seen in the past few years and its all up in the air. We are in the home stretch, just over a week left.

Who is going to win and what are your thoughts?

One's take on Cycling, the Ride, and Losing Several Hundred Pounds

2007-07-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

The following recap was forwarded anonymously. Enjoy the read!

Road cycling seems to have undergone a resurgence lately (is it sexy again? was it ever? or is that asking too much?) and when coupled with the influx of newcomers and those discovering or re-discovering our area's cycling wonders, plus a chance to help cancer victims, quite a few roadies not only enjoyed the fantastic weather, scenery, and challenges of riding the lake loop, but they also succeeded in making the charity ride fun and interesting for each other. The post-ride gathering made this year's Tour kickoff put the fun in fundraising-- the essence of LAF. Hey-- fun fundraising for LAFs.

I was very impressed with the fitness levels of the riders that made the lake loop. The Bicycle Emporium folks chose a classic, scenic route that part-time roadies in moderate shape could finish with a smile, while providing enough challenge for those who wanted to push themselves on the front. You didn't need a resting heart rate below 50 and a max of 195 to enjoy the ride, but those who have taken time to get themselves into great condition didn't find themselves wanting for more challenges either.

I was also impressed with the skills proficiency of the riders that went out on the lake loop-- most paid attention to basic cycling safety and etiquette and behaved like accomplished, courteous riders; except for one otherwise big-hearted guy named Bill something-or-other and his buddy Don McWhatever rhymes with "El Fridge"-- both of them with ultra-hairy legs (ugh, yech)--that latched onto my jersey pockets and made me tow, not pull, tow, both of them on their sleek Eye-talian racing bikes partway through El Dorado Hills. Jeez what a couple of yahoos. But I got revenge because after they let go I felt several hundred pounds lighter, sprinted up the road, and from 45 seconds back, chased, caught, and passed everybody on the climb up Salmon Falls! Thanks for making my day you two weenies!

People of all ability levels from intermediate to expert made the ride enjoyable by taking the ride on their own terms, going up the climbs at even paces and joining groups to take advantage of the slipstreams from the riders ahead then grouping back together at several points along the way. The pace left room for everyone to join in on the companionship of riding with others and sharing stories and jokes, or just looking around at the beautiful Mediterranean-type setting we've come to love in our treasured corner of California.

Would a quick calculation determine that we produced 600 gallons of sweat in the name of promoting cancer awareness and research? Did we earn enough carbon credits to offset Arnold's Hummer for a week? Most importantly, was someone, maybe a child, helped by the money donated to a worthy cause? I'll bet some kid really will be helped, so congratulations and grazie mille to everyone, but especially to Bill and Michelle, for having fun cycling California's "Regione Toscana" while making things better for some kid someplace. (s) Il Moffetta

Huge Road Riding Lesson Learned

2007-07-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

I am predominately a mountain biker and am not very savy to road riding, especially in large groups. This was my second ride with CBE, the first being the 1st Annual Tour de France Kick-off Ride two years ago and that consisted of riding to a winery to do a bit of wine tasting, then on to Clos du Lac for more wine. My kind of ride. Now, that I am an owner of a Bella Fiore jersey, I thought I would try riding with the group again.

The biggest lesson I learned on this ride: When approaching a stoplight that is green with the group, ride with ALL YOU'VE GOT so as not to miss the light because if you do, well, the group is gone, forever, until the end of the ride. Although, on one occasion, my group of five got separated from the first group by a stoplight. My husband calls me, "I'm waiting for you. Where are you?" I tell him where I am. "What, you are in front of me?" Just then I look back and the group is riding up behind us while we are at a stoplight. Cool, I think, not sure how that happened, but also feeling a bit guilty about my husband being back there waiting for me, now being challenged to catch up with the group. Oh well, he's strong. He'll catch up.

Well, that lead was very shortlived. The stoplight turns green and riders start passing me riding at a pace that I cannot keep up with and then, darn, another missed stoplight right before the hill climb. As if I wouldn't have lost them on the climb anyway, I think to myself. Now, it is just me and one other woman. Oh well, my husband is behind me at least.
As I am plugging along up the hill, sure enough, my trusty mate comes up and tries to hang with me for a bit, but just can't seem to stay with my pace or I guess it is visa versa and I eventually lose sight of him. I start to wonder why these muscles of mine don't seem to produce very much power. Are they just for looks?

Once I make it up the hill to Cool, I finally see the group at a gas station just beginning to leave, but there's Keith, waiting for me. Yes, this is why I married this man. Thank goodness he came along. I give him my water bottles and tell him to fill them up, quickly!
I eventually made it back to Clos du Lac, after Keith broke away heading straight for home, and was very happy to arrive at the end of the ride and to be accommodated with tasty food and cold drinks. I was famished.

It was fun to meet some Bella Fiore ladies and we made some future plans to ride together. Hopefully I will be able to find one woman that I can keep up with at least!!!!!!!!

Thank you Michelle and Bill for the good time and, yes, I will try it again sometime after this thing called the "Death Ride" is over with. I really did enjoy myself, stoplights to contend with and all and I am beginning to really enjoy riding my road bike after all.

It’s not about the bike – it’s about the (Pink) jersey…

2007-07-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

And I left mine at home by mistake Saturday morning…I felt so left out! ;) It was amazing to see all you Bella Fiore ladies “petaling” like girls Saturday!!!! (Nice job on the design KELLY!)…

When I first started riding it was a rare thing to see women on their bikes wearing cute jerseys!! That’s how I met Jen Carville. She was on a bike. Though, it is not likely she wearing a cute jersey. I wasn’t either though since they didn’t exist.

Now, look at all of you!! This is great. True athletes, lady cyclists are not limited to keeping up a high rpm and covering diverse terrain. We also lead the pack in high wpm (words per minute) on a diversity of terrain not limited to the latest in cycling components. Not that I don’t appreciate and love my nice campy groupo on my “pink” bike.

So, NICE job to MICHELLE & BUBBA for all your work in pulling the ride together this Saturday – but also for being the energy behind getting the ladies club kicked off!! It has been the inspiration to get me BACK on the bike….

Special thanks to BUBBA and MARK for helping me out with four flats this last week! Chivalry does exist! And, I’m going to get a new tire.

I look forward to riding with all of you again soon!!

Ride on…
Jean

Thank you!

2007-07-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to all of you who joined us for our 3rd Annual Tour de France Kick off Ride. We were able to raise over $800 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation plus we had a great ride. Thanks again and be sure to mark your calendars for next year's event! Bubba