By Charles Pekow — In most of the world, women don’t cycle as much as men; this appears to be true in most countries and in high- and low-cycling environments. To get more women on two-wheelers, policymakers are going to have to directly address the issue.
So says “Beyond the Bicycle: Seeing the Context of the Gender Gap in Cycling”, an essay in the September issue of the Journal of Transport and Health.
“Feminist critiques suggest this gender gap reflects societal roles and values, yet there has been little empirical research on the differences in men’s and women’s cycling in the context of total travel,” the authors say.
They took a look at a national survey in New Zealand of 49,965 people conducted between 2012 and 2014, the age of which may limit the accuracy of their conclusions. While five percent of men cycled regularly, only two percent of women did. Women’s trips also averaged 12 to 17 percent less distance, among those to biked regularly or occasionally
“Better consideration of the social processes shaping travel is needed to create policy, institutions, programs and infrastructure that achieve the long-term goals of the transport system, such as increasing cycling and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” the study concludes.
By Nancy Clark MS RD CSSD — As I write this column, the date is April 10th, 2020, three weeks into the coronavirus shut-down here in Boston. I continue to counsel clients from my virtual office. I am talking with gym rats and athletes alike who are stuck at home, hating what they see when staring at themselves during Zoom meet-ups, and are spending too much time fighting with food (Do I eat? Don’t I eat? Am I hungry—or just bored?). They are feeling anxious and self-critical.
When life feels out of control, athletes commonly end up trying to control other things, such as food, exercise, and weight. Some may be striving to chisel themselves into a perfect body (no excess body fat) and eat a perfect diet (no fun foods). Unfortunately, the same dedication and discipline that help them be top athletes are the same traits that foster eating disorders. For example, perfectionism is common to both athletes and people with anorexia. How else could figure skaters or gymnasts rise to the elite level without demanding perfection from themselves?
Yes, discipline, dedication, and perfectionism are driving forces that help good athletes become great. But genetics is fundamental, as is adequate—but not necessarily perfect‑-fueling. That is, eating a cookie will not contaminate an athlete’s health nor ruin one’s ability to perform well.
If you are relentlessly pushing yourself hard right now out of fear of getting fat and losing fitness, please consider being gentler on yourself. This is a difficult time for many folks. Little is wrong with a bit of comfort food in the midst of chaos and crisis. Perhaps you can allow yourself to be “bad” and do something out of character, like bake cookies and enjoy some for an afternoon snack. Giving yourself permission to enjoy some comfort food is normal, assuming you also have other coping skills such as writing in a journal and relaxing yourself with yoga.
When food has power over you
If you are spending too much time trying not to eat (Fill in the blank) ____ (cookies, cheese, ice cream, chips?) because you can’t eat just one serving, think again. Depriving yourself of your favorite foods makes them even more enticing. They can needlessly become too powerful. To take the power away from a “binge food,” you need to eat it more often. (Trust me!) Here’s the analogy:
Pretend you are caring for a four-year-old boy. You take him into a room filled with toys and tell him he can play with all of the toys except for the green truck. You leave the room and then look through the two-way mirror. What is he playing with? The green truck, of course! The same analogy holds true with food.
If you give yourself permission to eat, let’s say, some Oreos every day, after a few days, you’ll either have little interest in yet-another Oreo (because other foods actually make you feel better) or you will be able to eat just one Oreo; it will no longer have power over you. Yes, to gain control over foods that have power over you, you have to allow the food back into your life and eat it more often. Be curious; give it a try?
When the mirror makes you feel sad
Are you spending too much time these days critically evaluating your body in the mirror? Or hating what you see in the Zoom meet-up? Please, just, stop the body-hatred talk. Few humans have a perfect body. The imperfections you see are perfectly beautiful and acceptable.
Instead of being self-critical, be grateful that you are healthy. Grateful that you have two strong legs that help you be a good runner. Grateful that you have two hands that help you row crew. Grateful that you have a body that produced healthy babies that are now your beloved children. You could even apologize to your body for having tortured it with skimpy diets and excessive exercise in your efforts to control how it looks.
Rather than focus on how your body looks, turn your attention to how your body feels throughout the day, particularly before, during and after you exercise. Does your body feel hungry? tired? sore? Respond appropriately to that feeling by nourishing it with food, rest, a warm bath. Daily killer workouts that feel like punishment for having excess body fat inevitably end up with the athlete being injured and depressed.
Now is a good time to practice looking in the mirror (or the Zoom screen) and saying nice things about your body, such as, “I have pretty blue eyes.” “I like my silky hair.” “I have strong legs.” You can intentionally pay less attention to the crooked teeth, frizzy hair, and “too big” tummy. Do you really think others care about that stuff?
If you find yourself grazing on snacks incessantly throughout the day and have fears about getting fat, try scheduling regular meals and snacks. Also give yourself permission to eat enough breakfast and lunch, so that you are fully satiated. Don’t stop eating those meals just because you think you should but rather because you actually have had enough to eat. Athletes who graze all day rarely feel fully fed.
Hunger is a physiological request for fuel. Hunger does not mean “Oh no, I’m going to eat and get fat. Rather, hunger is your body’s way of saying it has burned off what you fed it and now needs more fuel. Yes, food is fuel, not the fattening enemy. Honor hunger.
Another way to bring control to your eating is to eat only when 1) you are sitting in a specific place (kitchen table?), 2) the food is on a plate, and 3) you are tasting it mindfully. (I.e. you are not standing in front of the open cupboard, wolfing down handfuls of chocolate chips.)
My hope is the above tips will help you find peace with food and your body. Enjoy food for nourishment and survive the coronavirus shut-down with sanity.
Boston-area sports nutritionist Nancy Clark, MS, RD CSSD counsels both casual and competitive athletes, helping them eat to win. The new 6th edition of her Sports Nutrition Guidebook is a best-selling resource. For more information, visit NancyClarkRD.com.
LIÈGE, Belgium (October 2, 2020) — On Sunday, October 4, Julian Alaphilippe will race with Deceuninck–Quick-Step for the first time since soloing to victory at the World Championships in Imola — a win that’s been years in the making and which filled front pages ever since — but before lining out for Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the Frenchman had a special surprise upon returning to the team: a brand new Specialized Tarmac SL7, which he will ride over the next 12 months.
Everyone loves New Bike Day, especially World Champion Julian Alaphilippe. Photo by Wout Beel/Deceuninck – Quick-Step
“I was already happy to be back again with my teammates and this great staff, but to have this bike waiting for me was a truly beautiful surprise. It’s a pleasure to receive this gem here at the hotel and know that it will be mine for a whole year, during which I intend to show it at the front of the races as much as possible. It’s really special, I love all those personal touches, and I want to thank Specialized for this, they did an amazing job”, an elated Julian said.
Julian Alaphilippe’s new Specialized Tarmac SL7. Photo by Wout Beel/Deceuninck – Quick-Step
“We’ve achieved so many great victories during our long partnership developing bikes and equipment with Deceuninck – Quick-Step and this one is very special. Seeing Julian dominate on such a varied course with climbs, solo efforts, and attacks truly proved the new Tarmac SL7 is one bike to rule them all. We are so proud of Julian and the entire team and excited to have him racing on this special edition Tarmac SL7 in his new jersey”, said Scott Jackson, Specialized’s Global Sports Marketing Manager.
Julian Alaphilippe’s new Specialized Tarmac SL7. Photo by Wout Beel/Deceuninck – Quick-StepJulian Alaphilippe’s new Specialized Tarmac SL7. Photo by Wout Beel/Deceuninck – Quick-StepJulian Alaphilippe’s new Specialized Tarmac SL7. Photo by Wout Beel/Deceuninck – Quick-StepJulian Alaphilippe’s new Specialized Tarmac SL7. Photo by Wout Beel/Deceuninck – Quick-StepJulian Alaphilippe’s new Specialized Tarmac SL7. Photo by Wout Beel/Deceuninck – Quick-StepJulian Alaphilippe’s new Specialized Tarmac SL7. Photo by Wout Beel/Deceuninck – Quick-Step
Over $16,000.00 donated to organizations in Utah by Crusher in the Tushar athletes.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, (September 30, 2020) — With endurance events across the world cancelled due to COVID-19, Life Time, which owns and produces more than thirty premier marathons, triathlons and cycling races, worked with athletes to create unique and impactful philanthropic opportunities to benefit children and their families in need. To date, these opportunities total more than $320,000, which will be provided to 7 school districts across the country through the Life Time Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit and charitable arm of Life Time that works with school districts across the country to inspire and impact the removal of “The Harmful 7.”
Burke Swindlehurst, event director of Life Time’s Crusher in the Tushar, presents the Beaver County School District with a check for $6581.00. Photo courtesy Life Time Events
Athletes from nine of Life Time’s signature events were given the option to donate their already-paid entry fees to the Life Time Foundation, to not only improve school menus by removing highly processed and artificial ingredients identified as negatively impacting student’s health but also to assist in the Foundation’s newest focus – to provide immediate assistance for school food programs’ growing needs for personal protective equipment and funding as they navigate entering a new school year amidst the pandemic.
“Our Life Time team recognized that our school partners were facing unprecedented and urgent challenges and needed our immediate support to safely continue serving kids and families, and it so happens that we have the most generous athletes,” said Kimo Seymour, President of Events and Media at Life Time and Executive Director of the Life Time Foundation.
“As we notified them of our race cancellations, we provided options for handling their race fees, which is something that many other races are unable to do. While we weren’t sure how many people would opt for donating their entry fees, we have been blown away by the overwhelming kindness of thousands.”
Burke Swindlehurst, event director of Life Time’s Crusher in the Tushar, presents the Piute County School District with a check for $6581.00. Photo courtesy Life Time Events
Participants from the Life Time-produced cancelled races include those originally registered for the 2020 Byline Bank Chicago Spring Half Marathon & 10K, HOKA ONE ONE Chicago Half Marathon & 5K, cbdMD Chicago Triathlon, Verizon New York City Triathlon, Minneapolis Triathlon, Crusher in the Tushar, Garmin DK, and Leadville Race Series, among others.
80 of Utah’s Crusher in the Tushar athletes donated a total of $13,162 to the Life Time Foundation – equaling $6,581 each to Beaver County Schools and Piute County Schools. Additionally, the Lone Goat Edition (a virtual event we held for Crusher athletes) brought in additional funds with which we were able to give $1,000 each to Beaver County Children’s Justice Center, Beaver County Search & Rescue and the Piute County Volunteer Emergency Medical Services (both Beaver County Search & Rescue and Piute County Volunteer EMS provide critical support for the race).
“Crusher riders have been making me proud for the last decade with their determination, dedication and grit – but their show of generosity in fundraising for our host communities, especially in this particularly challenging year, makes me the proudest I’ve been by far,” said Burke Swindlehurst, Events Manager at Life Time Events and Founder of the Crusher in the Tushar.
In addition to registration fee donations, Life Time also created the Leadville 100,000-Foot Challenge, a virtual event to take the place of the marquee Leadville Race Series’ 100-mile Run and Bike races originally scheduled in mid-August. More than 2,060 athletes participated in the challenge, and 100 percent of the proceeds were also donated to the Life Time Foundation.
Between both initiatives, a current total of $320,036 has been donated to the Life Time Foundation by more than 4,000 athletes as of September 1. With this money, the Life Time Foundation has provided immediate COVID-19 assistance grants to school districts in the markets that the races were to take place.
Additional school districts receiving money from the Foundation include:
Lake County School District – Leadville, Colo.
New York City Department of Education – New York, N.Y.
Minneapolis Public Schools – Minneapolis, Minn.
Chicago Public Schools – Chicago, Ill.
Emporia Public Schools – Emporia, Kan.
Seymour added, “These grants are the result of athletes across the country making individual decisions that collectively create a significant impact. It’s because of them that this is possible. We are also incredibly thankful to the school meal professionals, who are working tirelessly to safely deliver food to children during this crisis.”
As of August 2020, the Life Time Foundation partners with 25 school districts across the country, which represent 242 million meals served to 1.5 million students per year.
Life Time continues to monitor evolving COVID-19 happenings for potential impact on its 2021 race season. To learn more about Life Time Athletic Events, visit EventsByLifetime.com.
By Sarah Kaufmann — 2020 has been a strange year for many reasons. For bike racers, this summer has looked a little different with most events cancelled and those remaining subject to new regulations. Many events have gone to a time trial set-up to limit racer proximity or contact. While many athletes have elected to take the year off of racing, I got creative with some of the athletes I coach to come up with strategies to scratch the competitive itch in the absence of racing. STRAVA or other virtual challenges that play out like a time trial (i.e., you are by yourself so not a mass start) have been a useful tool in that regard. These solo or time trial efforts play out a little different than a mass start race. So, here are some tips to get the most out of yourself when racing the clock.
Sarah Kaufmann at Snowbird. Photo by Matt McKinney
Whether you ride with a power meter or not, you want to keep your power as steady as possible and avoid spikes and surges. The main difference between a TT and a mass start event is that the pacing is self-driven versus dictated by outside stimulus (other competitors). The result of that self-determined pacing is that you can dictate the pace. You are not subject to other racers’ attacks or surges so you can keep the effort as even as possible to get the most wattage out of yourself over the duration.
Follow Coach Sarah Kaufmann’s recomendations to reach your STRAVA goals.
Take the time to study the route for your particular challenge. Have an idea of how long it will take you to complete. Whether you have ridden the course previously or know someone with a similar pace who has, you will want to know about how long it will take so you can plan your fueling, hydration, and pacing strategy. How much food will you need to bring? How much water? If you cannot carry all the hydration you will need, can you stash hydration somewhere along the course for you to retrieve?
Depending on how long you expect the course to take, you will start the effort at a different intensity. For example, if your effort is five to ten minutes or less and you have pretty good fitness, you can go pretty hard from the start and empty the tank over the time. If you expect it to take an hour or more, you will need to start more conservatively and let the effort catch up. Going out too hard is a really common mistake in TT events — you want to hold the highest average power for the duration, and you can only do that if you don’t overpace the start.
For a longer effort (30-60 minutes or up to two hours), start the TT at about a six or seven out of ten for your rate of perceived exertion (RPE). If you have a power meter, this will be about 85-90% of your Functional Threshold Power (FTP). You could also review your recent peak power metrics for similar durations to your projected finish and base your goal power number on your previous bests. These intensities will (and should) feel too easy to start. Go with it, the effort will catch up.
As you prepare for your event, break the course into thirds based on your projected times to complete each third. As I said above, the first third should feel too easy. This first part is going to be about not overdoing it and settling into your challenge. In the middle third, the effort will have caught up and your goal is to hold steady, continue to avoid spikes and surges, and manage your energy. If you are riding by power, continue to focus on your predetermined power number. If you are going by RPE, the effort should now be up to an eight or so. Focus on your breathing, your body position — quiet upper body, flat back, open chest, eyes up. As you begin the final third, let your goal move to emptying the tank. It should be very difficult now. Embrace the challenge, assess where you are at mentally and physically, approximately how much time you have left to finish, and how much intensity you have left to give.
Racing looks different this summer but it’s a fun opportunity to try some new challenges and let racing look a little different. Learn to gauge your effort without the stimulus of other riders and hopefully we will be back to racing shoulder to shoulder with other racers soon!
Sarah Kaufmann is the owner of K Cycling Coaching. She is an elite level XC and CX racer for the DNA Pro Cycling Team. She is based in Salt Lake City, UT and can be reached at [email protected] or 413.522.3180.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (September 30, 2020) – This morning, the DNA Pro Cycling Team announced its roster for the 2021 season. As with many teams and race organizations, DNA Pro Cycling faced tough challenges due to the unprecedented cancellation of most events during 2020. As a result, the team chose to extend all rider contracts through 2021.
“Shortly following a productive team camp in the spring, we were en route to the first race of the 2020 season,” said Catherine Fegan-Kim, the team’s co-owner and director, “and learned of the first cancellation upon arriving in the race city. Eventually all road events on our calendar would be cancelled. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors who share our priority to protect the health and security of our riders, and have continued to support the team.”
Maggie Coles-Lyster and Katie Clouse lead the team on a training ride. Photo by Catherine Fegan-Kim
2021 will see the departure of Michaela Drummond, who raced with the team for the past 4 years. Drummond announced plans to move to Europe with a new focus for the upcoming season.
Taking her place will be Erica Clevenger. The Colorado rider previously raced with Visit Dallas | DNA Pro Cycling in 2017, and is the only new signing for the upcoming season. Clevenger is a past Collegiate National Road Race Champion and Best Young Rider recipient of the 2017 USA CRITS season. She is currently the elected collegiate representative on the USA Cycling Board of Directors.
All of the other riders on the team have elected to return for 2021.
This includes Katie Clouse, who will be racing her fifth year with the program and has continued to add to her national championship titles with wins at the 2019 collegiate national MTB and U23 cyclocross events.
Mia Kilburg (née Manganello) will continue her return to professional cycling after her medal-winning performance in long-track speed skating at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. She returns to a shortened speed skating season this fall, before prepping for the road season in the spring.
Based in British Columbia, Maggie Coles-Lyster is a tactical all-around rider who is a strong asset in the sprints for the team. After testing her legs across all disciplines of cycling, she found success on the track, becoming the 2017 Junior Track World Champion in the points race. In 2019, she finished second in a thrilling sprint finish in downtown Silver City, behind Chloé Dygert on Stage 4 at the Tour of the Gila.
Heather Fischer, also a past collegiate national road race champion, will return as road captain.
The 2021 DNA Pro Cycling Team (L-R): Kimberly Lucie, Liza Rachetto, Maggie Coles-Lyster, Heather Fischer, Brenna Wrye-Simpson, Margot Clyne, Hanna Muegge, Sarah Kaufmann, and Katie Clouse. Not pictured: Mia Kilburge, Erica Clevenger, Nicole Shields. Photo by Catherine Fegan-Kim
“As with the start of this year, we are very excited to bring this strong roster to UCI, PRT, and USA CRITS racing,” said co-owner Lee Whaley. “The unfortunate circumstances of the pandemic this year has only strengthened our drive to compete in the coming year.”
The 2021 DNA Pro Cycling Team Roster:
Katie Clouse (Park City, UT)
Margot Clyne (Boulder, CO)
Maggie Coles-Lyster (Vancouver, B.C., CANADA)
Erica Clevenger (Golden, CO)
Heather Fischer (Boulder, CO)
Sarah Kaufmann (Salt Lake City, UT)
Mia Kilburg (Salt Lake City, UT)
Kimberly Lucie (Tuscon, AZ)
Hanna Muegge (Belmont, CA)
Liza Rachetto (Los Altos, CA)
Nicole Shields (Cambridge, NEW ZEALAND)
Brenna Wrye-Simpson (Portland, OR)
The DNA Pro Cycling Team is a multidisciplinary US-based women’s program and registered as a UCI Women’s Continental Team as well as a USA CRITS D1 team.
By Joe Kurmaskie — It was the middle of the night by the time we pulled our bicycles out of the bushes. I guess some people locked up their rides in 1979, but not my crew. We tossed them under palmetto bushes and tied a bandana or jammed a beer can atop of the palm frond to mark the spot. This produced mixed results if there was partying involved.
Like everyone else, we’d waited too long after Bruce – sweating, spent, completely emptied of all his gargantuan gifts and rebel soul – called it quits. Like any religious experience, no one wanted it over. All of us standing there in the darkness with our rock-n-roll brothers and sisters, converts and apostles refusing to believe the service was done. We pounded the backs of the seats and stomped the cement floor, willing it to go on, and finally, just standing together in hallow silence, desperate, a little pathetic, not able to let go yet. We had to make sure that this four-hour musical baptism we’d come through together was truly in the books. We had to see the body one more time… and it wouldn’t had hurt if someone had stepped up to the mic and told us what all this stirred around shit inside our heads and guts meant, but as with most things in life, we were unceremoniously shown the door: a mass of humanity moving in unison out of the civic center, doing that subdued, post-concert, ear ringing, zombie shuffle down the breezeway.
And the whole time I kept thinking. “Four hours, for less than $10, plus those stoners in the El Camino gave us free beer. I may have just peaked.”
I had not, but at 15, if you are doing it right, you think you’ve peaked three or four times a week.
In the bigger scheme though, it was a significant highlight at any age. The Boss is the most luscious, bittersweet way to lose one’s live music virginity. It ruined me, really for live music at least through high school. Ironic that one of my favorite old man glory days memories will more than likely be about the guy who popularized Glory Days memories.
After checking under countless bushes, five of us pedaled out of the lot. As we went, mostly in silence, one would peel off, then another, until it was only me coasting the empty streets of my hometown.
Live oak trees, heavy with Spanish moss, formed something of a tunnel along both sides of the avenues. The streetlights gave the moss a luminous quality. I rode with no hands, no helmet and a new concert t-shirt. I’ve never felt as safe.
Circa 1980: Spring of 9th grade. Our Drama/English teacher, Mr. Wicker educating us about soliloquies. The assignment – memorize and recite a passage. The nice thing? It wasn’t dealer’s choice – we got to pick the material but had to clear it with Wicker. Lots of Shakespeare and Poe on the roster. When it came to me, I’d gotten something different cleared for take-off. Did I mention that Wicker had us perform these on the auditorium stage in front of both English classes… for a grade?
I could tell you I selected Springsteen’s Jungleland because I’d seen him perform it live the previous summer, and that it spoke to me, a privileged white kid in Florida as if I were a tough gangsta rat living on the hard streets of Jersey. Or that I found The Boss to be a poet superior to anyone I’d read in school. Or that I already had all the lyrics memorized from playing it so often while building puzzles and drinking grape Nehi soda in my bedroom. All of this would be true. But really, it was because for Christmas that year I had asked and received a switchblade comb. I loved flicking it open and closed and combing my platinum blond feathered hair until even my younger brother told me to knock that shit off.
My performance was technically accurate and chocked full of pretension if not passion. I enjoyed myself immensely. I tried for all the inflections and volume changes that Bruce did in concert. I flourished my switchblade comb from the back pocket of my jeans at the right moment in the soliloquy;
“Kids flash guitars just like switch-blades
Hustling for the record machine”
I even sat down at the edge of the stage for the lines,
“In the tunnels uptown the Rat’s own dream guns him down
As shots echo down them hallways in the night
No one watches when the ambulance pulls away
Or as the girl shuts out the bedroom light”
I got to my feet and closed that shit out proper.
When it was done, Mr. Wicker, in what could have been a scene out of the film, Waiting For Guffman, put his pen to his mouth and asked me why I chose that song to deliver over say Poe or Shakespeare? Of course, I got all defensive and aggressively pseudo-intellectual, like some pint-sized Joe Rogan… when all he was doing was trying to get me to think deeper or express my angst. I realized years later that Mr. Wicker was all of 27 at the time. But on stage, without the lyrics to hide behind, I ended my turn by saying, “Cause it’s the Boss, Man. Also, fuck the raven.”
Flashforward. I’m the student director/stage manager for the school production of The Wizard of Oz, directed by Mr. Wicker. We are driving around in his girlfriend’s VW Bug; she was also the counselor at our school, and I did not until that day realize they had more than a professional relationship going. I saw Wicker in a different light all of a sudden, So we are driving to pick up costumes in the middle of a school day which is disconcerting right there. Driving with a teacher during the school day.
Mr. Wicker tells me to stop messing with the radio. He has a tape he wants to listen to. Ah, now it’s gonna be his bullshit tunes.
Springsteen’s Jungleland fills the little car. I sit in silence for a few minutes and when it’s done all I can think to say is, “You Son of a Bitch.”
He smiles and offers me a can of Mello Yellow. I turn it down so I can comb my hair in the passenger seat with my switchblade and contemplate the ever-changing nature of things.
Joe Kurmaskie is a journalist, syndicated columnist, and contributor to numerous magazines including Outside, Bicycling Magazine, Men’s Journal and Parenting. He’s a bike advocate, activist, found of Cadence Press, and a Random House author of seven books including Metal Cowboy, Mud, Sweat and Gears and A Guide To Falling Down In Public.
By Charles Pekow — Federal transportation policy could take a giant leap toward helping bicycling – as soon as next year.
Congress has to pass a surface transportation bill this year, as the current one is expiring. It’s possible that it could pass a short-term extension of the existing law, but the House already passed the mammoth Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act (H.R. 2), also known as the Moving Forward Act for the People. It would extend federal aid through FY 25.
The INVEST bill and the House report on it mention bicycling 100 times and call for new and expanded safety programs. H.R. 2 would reauthorize the Transportation Alternatives Program and Recreational Trails, the two biggest sources of federal funding to states for bicycling. The bill passed the House of Representatives on July 20, 2020. The Senate has yet to act, however.
The bill would add planning for “vulnerable road user safety” as an eligible purpose for Alternatives funding. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) serving fewer than 200,000 people would become eligible grantees.
Bikeshare and scooter sharing programs would be listed as an eligible activity for Congestion Mitigation And Air Quality grants, and high schools would become eligible for Safe Routes to School grants.
Among other new provisions:
A new Automated Vehicles and Road User Interactions Study Working Group, which would include representatives of bicycle safety programs, would get two years to file a report on safety issues with driverless autos.
Roadway design standards would get rewritten to require consideration of all users, including bicyclists, when appropriate.
States would be required under the Highway Safety Improvement Program to identify places of special danger to cyclists and pedestrians. States with high rates of cycling casualties would have to develop strategies, such as Vision Zero planning, to address the problem. MPOs with high rates and populations above 200,000 would have to do the same.
States would have to employ a fulltime bike/ped coordinator.
The U.S. Dept. of Transportation would have to produce a biennial state-by-state bike/ped safety assessment.
Amtrak would have “to report to Congress before implementing a new policy or operation that may impede recreational trail access.”
The University Transportation Centers Program would be expanded to include a focus on bike/ped safety.
Description: This recall involves six models of Pedego electric bikes. Models include the Interceptor (Including Platinum Edition), City Commuter (Including Mid Drive Edition and Black Edition), Boomerang Plus, Ridge Rider, Trail Tracker (Including Gorilla Edition) and Stretch (Including Dual Drive Edition). The model name is printed on the chain guard or chain stay of the bike. The bikes were sold in various colors. Pedego is printed on the bike frame.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bicycles and contact a local Pedego dealer to arrange for a free repair.
Incidents/Injuries: Pedego has received five reports of the bike’s electrical cable malfunctioning, causing the bike to unexpectedly accelerate. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Bicycle stores nationwide and online at www.pedego.com from January 2018 through August 2020 for between $3,000 and $4,700.
Importer(s): Pedego Inc., of Fountain Valley, Calif.
Name of product: Sirrus, Sirrus X and Sirrus Sport Bicycles with alloy cranks
Hazard: The crank arm can disengage and cause the bicycle’s rider to lose control, posing fall and injury hazards.
Remedy: Repair
Recall date: September 23, 2020
Units: About 36,000 in the United States and 3,200 in Canada
Consumer Contact: Specialized Bicycle Components at 800-722-4423 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email [email protected] or online at www.specialized.com and click on ‘Safety Notices’ for more information.
Recall Details
In Conjunction With: Canada
Recalled 2019 SIRRUS SPORT Bicycle. Photo courtesy CPSC
Description: This recall involves the 2019-2020 model year Sirrus, Sirrus X and Sirrus Sport bicycles. The bicycles were sold in 27 different colors. Consumers can determine if their bicycle is part of the recall if “Sirrus” or “Sirrus X” is written on the top tube of the bicycle and the model name (e.g. “3.0”) is written on the seatstay of the bicycle. The recalled models are as follows:
2019
2020
Sirrus Sport (incl. EQ and Step-Through versions)
Sirrus X Comp Carbon
Sirrus 3.0
Sirrus 4.0
Sirrus X 3.0
Sirrus X 4.0
Sirrus X 5.0
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled bicycles immediately and contact their nearest authorized Specialized retailer for a free repair.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 56 reports of crank arm disengaging, including seven reports of injuries. One injury involved a torn bicep tendon and the other six were minor injuries, such as road rash.
Sold At: Authorized Specialized retailers nationwide and online from September 2018 through June 2020 for between $850 and $1,700.
Importer(s): Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., of Morgan Hill, Calif.
By Dave Richards — For the first time in nearly 30 years, the annual World Road Cycling Championships were held in the United States. For ten days last September (2015), cyclists representing over 75 countries converged on Richmond, Virginia. The last time the Worlds were held here was in 1986 at Colorado Springs. Foolishly, I passed on that one, so there was no way I was going to make that mistake again.
[Editor’s note: With the 2020 World Championships coming up this weekend (September 24-27) in Imola, Italy, we thought you might enjoy this look back at the 2015 World Championships in Richmond, Virginia.]
As I checked in at the press room in downtown Richmond, I knew I was in for something special. When I cover other UCI events such as the Tour of Utah or Amgen Tour of California, thirty or so media folks meet in a relatively small room. Contrast that with the Worlds where there were hundreds of accredited press in a large convention hall. The usual suspects I work with were there; ace photographers Casey Gibson, Brian Hodes, and Darrell Parks. Adding to our ranks were the icons of Euro cycling photography – Watson, Sirotti, Bettini, deWaele – even Sunada from Japan. Talk about serious photo coverage!
USA fans greet Evelyn Stevens (USA) on the cobbled climb up Libby Hill, Elite Women’s Road Race, 2015 UCI World Road Championships. Photo by Dave Richards
A group of us went out in the media van to preview the road course. It consisted of a 16-kilometer loop through the streets of Richmond. The racers would ride anywhere from 4 laps (64 km) for the junior women up to 16 laps by the elite men for a total of 261 km (162 miles). The course was deceptively hard, though mostly flat. Each lap featured two very steep cobbled climbs – Libby Hill and 23rd Street. The Libby Hill climb zigzagged through a small park filled with screaming fans reminiscent of the famous Belgian classics such as the Tour of Flanders. The 23rd street climb featured leg-shattering grades of 20%. All of this over rough, jagged cobblestones.
the large field of the U23 Men’s Road Race negotiates the narrow, but steep cobbled climb up Libby Hill, 2015 UCI World Championships. Photo by Dave Richards
As I watched the riders out practicing on the course, I noticed the next big contrast – no pro team jerseys. The opening event, a team time trial, featured the pro teams we’re used to seeing, but the following individual time trials and road races were contested by the riders representing their home countries. As the teams rode by, I had a hard time identifying individual riders because they were wearing jerseys I’d never seen before.
Team Italia at the sign-in for the Elite Men’s Road Race, 2015 UCI World Cycling Championships. Photo by Dave Richards
For example, the Italian team had riders that spend the entire season competing against each other for teams such as Cannondale, Astana or BMC. For the Worlds, these riders are thrown together for a couple of weeks which makes for some interesting tactical strategies. I guess a good comparison would be the Olympics. In fact, the awards at the Worlds consist of gold, silver and bronze medals.
Each morning before heading out on the course to shoot photos of the race, I would wander around the start area visiting with the riders. That’s where I noticed the biggest contrast of all. The Worlds consists a number of categories of riders. There are the Junior Women, Elite Women (top pros), Junior Men, Under-23 Men and the Elite Men (top pros). That represents a huge range of skills and racing experience.
My new friends from the El Salvador men’s road team taking a team selfie, UCI 2015 Road Worlds. Photo by Dave Richards
I met the El Salvador men’s team on my flight in to Richmond which consisted of Bryan Mendoza, a junior and Salvador Martinez, an U23 rider. I don’t think these guys had ever competed outside of Central America. Yet a few meters away stood Tom Boonen, Phillipe Gilbert and the rest of the dominant Belgium squad. Even though they were competing in different races of varying distances, they all were racing on the same course with those brutal cobbled climbs. The strain of that was clearly evident about the time the juniors and U23s rounded lap 6 of 8.
Tom Boonen and his Belgium teammate feel at home on the steep cobbles of 23rd Street, Elite Men’s Road Race, 2015 UCI World Cycling Championships. Photo by Dave Richards
Lastly, I think the courageous effort of Peter Sagan to win the elite men’s road race was the ultimate finale to the Championships. The elite men’s team sizes are based upon the ranking and results of that country’s riders. The dominant Belgians and Italians were allowed to enter the maximum of nine riders each. The USA was allotted six. Slovakia had Peter Sagan, his brother Juraj and Michal Kolar. Sagan knew he didn’t have the team firepower to go head to head against the big teams so he stayed hidden in the peloton for most of the race.
Feeling the need for some “luck of the Irish” on the steep climbs during the Junior Women’s Road Race at the 2015 UCI World Road Championships. Photo by Dave Richards
Finally on the last circuit up the fearsome 23rd Street climb, he surged away from the Belgians who were led by Greg Avermaet. At the top of the climb, Sagan had a few bike lengths lead. What lay ahead was a twisty, fast descent followed by a long gradual uphill drag to the finish line. Sagan attacked that descent with vengeance, ripping through the turns and increasing his lead substantially. I’ve never seen a rider build up such a big lead on a short descent like that. Next, Sagan powered up the long drag to the finish while the pack closed in.
Peter “the Hulk” Sagan (Slovakia) gold medal winner on the podium with silver medal winner Matthews (Australia) & bronze medal winner Navardauskas (Lithuania), Elite Men’s Road Race, 2015 UCI World Cycling Championships.
Amazingly, he held them off through sheer grit and won the gold medal. What was even more astounding was how the rest of the riders congratulated Sagan on his win. Almost to a man, the other riders lined up to high five Peter and shake his hand. It was an inspiring display of sportsmanship and a fitting closure to the prestigious World Championships.
Dave Richards is a Utah-based photographer. You can find his work at daverphoto.com and in the pages of Cycling Utah.
In what will be the first major gravel event since March, the Belgian Waffle Ride Cedar City is set to roll out on October 17th. With this being the inaugural event, what lurks in the Southern Utah desert is somewhat unknown. What size tires do I need, how hard are the climbs, and should I go for aerodynamics or compliance in my wheels? These are all questions we were asking ourselves. Winner of the BWR San Diego event in 2018, Brian McCulloch previewed the new course and has answers to all of our questions.
By Brian McCulloch — The BWR has a reputation for being savagely challenging. Just look up any of their full-length recap videos on the web and you will see numerous first-hand accounts of these brutal events. From the first rider across the line to the “lanterne rouge”, these events demand all you have, and you should expect the Cedar City edition to do the same.
Photo by LiFTcs
When looking at the stats of the event, the casual observer might think that BWR Cedar City is tame, and that aero equipment could be advantageous to getting through a long day on the bike. But as a pro cyclist and coach, not to mention someone who has ridden the course, I implore you to take a deeper dive.
Wafer By The Numbers:
80-ish miles/3,500’ of elevation gain (Note: The routes are not 100% finalized)
Waffle By The Numbers:
125-ish miles/6,000’ of elevation gain (Note: The routes are not 100% finalized)
What’s Not In The Numbers?
The most prominent pieces of information missing from what’s above are the starting altitude and the amount of dirt included in each route. With a starting altitude of 6,000’, anyone who does not already live at altitude is going to need to account for the thin air in their pacing strategy, as well as their hydration and fueling plan. The reduced oxygen availability at altitude essentially feels like a fitness loss on the bike. What’s more, you will not have access to as many ‘matches’ or hard efforts above threshold. Altitude will, without a doubt, make an already challenging day on the bike even more demanding.
But What About The Dirt?
To me, this is even more critical than dealing with the lack of oxygen. One can overcome the altitude with a disciplined pacing strategy, a focus on proper hydration, and a commitment to fueling, (note: as long as you are fit!), but what you can’t account for is unknown dirt conditions.
Photo by LiFTcs
The expansive valleys of Southern Utah are beautiful, simply amazing, and the gravel that BWR traverses is fast-rolling, but also has some hidden treachery. Although on first look the route does not seem to have the hallmark tire-slashing rock of the San Diego masochism, it most definitely has buried hazards of the tire-destroying kind.
The fast speeds and rolling terrain mean that potentially hazardous rocks come up much quicker. Riders are going to have balance looking ahead to pick a smooth line while simultaneously keeping a close eye on what’s immediately in front of them. Focus is key, and losing concentration even for a moment could spell disaster.
A Few Sectors That Require Special Attention
These are not all the dirt sectors, just the most prominent ones that are worth noting.
Photo by LiFTcs
Little Salt Lake/Red Hills/The Parowan Gap: The Opening Salvos Beginning near mile-20, this series of sectors is far more than an appetizer. Punctuated by rolling roads, rapid momentum changes, loose corners, and a few sizable rocks, it will be easy to miss the beautiful landscapes of the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs and Little Salt Lake. This is no place for white-knuckles, you will want to have a front tire that provides plenty of confidence.
Three Peaks/Granite Mountain/Eightmile Hills: Sand & Likely A Headwind Spanning three foothill sectors of the Southern Utah Desert, this section of road includes a few hidden surprises, namely tire-swallowing sand. The best way through sand is to start with momentum, lean back, keep pedaling, and carry your speed as best as possible. Much of this sand comes on the outside of double-track corners, which adds a whole new level of challenge. Tire pressure, tread pattern, and wheel selection are going to be key here.
Red Butte Canyon: Hardpack & High Speed The southern part of the course is almost the polar opposite of the north end. Instead of soft corners and hidden rocks, this section is rolling, high-speed hardpack. Dodging potholes or switching sides of the double track to carry momentum is again going to highlight the balance between tire pressure, wheel selection, and tread pattern. This time the emphasis will be on compliance, a set-up that is nimble and quick. And because this sector begins nearly 90 miles into the Waffle route, this will be no time to suffer a mechanical issue.
The Turnpike: Two To Tango? What will most likely go down as the most tortuous finish to a gravel event yet, “The Turnpike” trail is built for full-suspension mountain bikes. This four-mile torture test of a single track will serve as the final obstacle of the crucible known as BWR Cedar City.Man and machine will need to dance an elegant tango to get through this sector of jagged rocks and g-outs that is covered by the low-hanging desert canopy. Expect your fitness, wits, and equipment will be tested to the limit.
You Didn’t Say Anything About Climbing?
The Wafer riders will savor their route choice to avoid the most brutal climb on the course; what is Cedar City’s homage to the famed Double-Peak climb in BWR San Diego.
Positioned between the Red Butte Canyon Hardpack and “The Turnpike Trail” is the ruthless Kanarra Mountain Road climb, AKA the Col du Kanipple. It’s a dirt road climb of 2.6 miles that averages 8% with ramps as steep as 25% and way too many pitches above 15%.
This climb was incredibly difficult to summit with 1:1 gearing on a training ride, which is why I highly recommend having at least that gearing, preferably one cog lighter than that on race day.
Otherwise, you might have a “hike a bike” story to share at the finish of the race.
Equipment Recommendations:
Having grown up racing dirt bikes, I love technical offroad trails, but as a longtime roadie I understand the need to seek an aerodynamic advantage on long-distance events. So what set-up is best for BWR Cedar City?
Photo by LiFTcs
The real question is, how aggressive will you be riding in the dirt? If you like the feeling of drifting tires and have been known to shriek “yee-ha” when confronted by singletrack on a drop-bar bike, then you’re going to need equipment to match your riding style. During my course preview, I ran my ENVE G23 wheels mounted to iRC Boken 40c tires at 30psi and had zero mechanical issues, something more than a few in our recon group can’t say.
There’s also a very good case to be made for a deeper profile rim like the SES 3.4 AR as energy conservation of even a few watts will be critical to maintaining a race pace with the front group on a course where the fastest riders will average 20mph. Want more info and a comprehensive explanation of the differences between the SES 3.4 AR and the G23 to help you make your choice? Check out this helpful article: https://www.enve.com/en/journal/g23-vs-ses-3-4-ar/
See you in Cedar City and be sure to come say hello! Let’s toast a job well done when you cross the finish line!
Frame: BMC UnRestricted “URS”
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX Di2 1x front 42t, 11-42 cassette
By Lukas Brinkerhoff — I roll up, swinging my leg over the top tube and coasting to a stop next to the bike rack. A small smile begins to crack the hardened texture of this curmudgeon’s face. I pull my lock out and secure my bicycle to the rack and then step back. I’ve been forced to lock my steed at the far edge of the rack as it is bulging full. My smile broadens. I pull out my phone and capture a photo (you gotta get that gram!).
#onelesscar. Photo by Lukas Brinkerhoff
There are a lot of things happening in our world, and closer to home, country and state that truly just bum me out. There is no bright side to them, as hard as I try to understand the other side’s point of view, I can’t quite seem to fathom why destruction is a preference. However, seeing a bunch of adults choosing the bicycle as a form of transportation makes me hope that there might be a future left for humanity. As H.G. Wells stated, “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.”
It may not cause me to dispel all despair, but it does put a smile on my face.
Getting there by bike. Photo by Lukas Brinkerhoff
Seeing that this is a cycling rag, it’s quite probable that you ride bicycles. I’m sure you’ve seen the title’s hashtag floating around the interconnected webs. #onelesscar.
If you’ve ever chosen to ditch your four-wheeled coffin and just pedal to the trailhead, or to work or the grocery store, you probably found how easy it is to feel extremely small. Sharing public routes with machines that weigh 1000s of pounds, can make one feel insignificant. Add to the shear sizing inequality the almost complete lack of cycling infrastructure and riding your bike for transportation can easily feel both terrifying and pointless.
You see, the crazy thing about the automobile is how we have allowed it to rule. When someone says the machines are going to take over, I scratch my head. A quick look at any modern city and it is easy to find countless examples of cars over human planning. The only conclusion I can arrive at is that they already did.
Riding your bike for transportation can be akin to leaving a cult in some dystopian thriller and then trying to convince your loved ones who are still in the cult, that they are the ones that are crazy. Not only does everyone around you give you blank stares, but they will try to kill you at some point.
“I’ve been forced to lock my steed at the far edge of the rack as it is bulging full. My smile broadens.” Photo by Lukas Brinkerhoff
One less car embraces that fact. Cars are so ubiquitous today that removing just one from the system by using an “alternative” form of transportation is a big deal (how moving yourself without the aid of a machine is the alternative is beyond me). It is not pointless, in fact, it’s one of the biggest political statements that one can make in our current society. Not only are you giving the middle finger to oil companies, giant car manufacturers and city planners, you are also stepping outside of the cult of the automobile. You are, as the kids say today, woke.
Riding up on a bike rack and finding that it is full, bursting at the seems with bicycles that were used to turn bananas and apples into forward motion, is like running around trying to avoid zombies only to happen upon a group that has somehow come together and proven that they aren’t trying to eat each other and are on the same team. Even if you don’t see everything on the same level, it is understood that you have left the cult.
#onelesscar. It’s a simple concept. Perfectly simple as to be effective in its call to action. Eliminating just one car is worth the effort even if that car is only eliminated for the one trip. In the universal scheme of things, you might feel small and that one trip might seem insignificant, but your one less car is always added to the next one less car and to my less one car and to their one less car. The more of us who choose to wake up and take our streets back from the machines, the more others will be willing to brave the war zone of public streets and subtract their one car from the millions trying to keep us down.
Clearly, I love this concept and I love even more when I can see the cars being eliminated. When my bike is suddenly accompanied by another 5, 10 or 15 in a bike rack that sat empty all winter. When I can watch the teenage kids at the shop suddenly open their eyes to not spending all their paycheck on their vehicles and instead, doing what they love anyway, riding their bike.
No, it doesn’t dispel all my despair, but it does give me a hope for what the future might hold. There are a lot of things we as individuals can do to improve the existence of our species, but the one that holds the most power for us, I believe is riding your bicycle. We all know the changes it makes to us physiologically, but it also transforms how we interact with our surroundings and our fellow human beings. To change the world, all we have to do is start pedaling.
I have not seen the results as of yet ,…….. but I know that I was 27 seconds off Chris Boardman’s time in 5.6 kms!!! ..Chris clocked 6:12 and I was 6:39 ish .. I have not had a chance to see the official results.
(87th) My average was over 50kph and Chris 54kph!!….. For years while
climbing the cycling ladder even 50kph was a lofty goal, now , well now
,,…… there is still room to grow???? Whew!! If you are at all
curious…… go out and try to get your bike going 54kph…. then think
about 5.6k and even longer time trials which will have impressive times
etc….
Marty Jemison. Photo by Beth Schneider/courtesy Marty Jemison
Pondering this , “reality”……… was felt a different way for myself during the prologue…. after 1-2kms a wondering thought came to me …. a message really…. ” you are in the TDF prologue……..( shock), you need to push harder” , I was having a hard time getting the body up to speed…. many signals were telling me I was not going very fast …… my result is my result, and prologues are not really my thing. I have over 3-weeks and 2,400 kms to find my legs… If I lost 27 seconds , I could gain or loose 27 minutes in any given stage…… the prologue is only the start of a very long race…
Ireland… Dublin, a busy city, lots of traffic which we have been
training through. I have seen many interesting buildings/ architecture…..
and great facades to pubs and cafes…. made of hardwoods or painted in
rich colors. Guiness must be a drink of choice………….. my college
year -senses twinged..
We did a 3-hour training ride on Friday (the day we arrived) In pursuit
of Wicklow gap , we opted for a loop which took us up to wide open
grasslands , in what seemed to be nowhere…… scattered mountain
sheep-goats were everywhere, nothing else. We did not see Wicklow gap, but
is it is anything like what we saw, Wicklow could be dangerous…
———
Stage One…… we started out very civil… cruising really,,,, for the
first bonus sprint though we made it up to speed…… very very fast! I
was hanging on to the wheel in front of me, kinda of in a blurry dusty
void……….. then that was it , back down to a normal pace ….. the
day was quite routine, a break got away, initiated by Jacky Durand.. so
going over Wicklow Gap ( in a headwind) was not too difficult…… with
30k,ms to go we were back up to 60 plus kmh….8kms from the finish there
was a crash….. I rode by Chippo on the ground with his Saeco teammates..
He would loose over 3-minutes…. Tom Steels won the sprint….. slightly
uphill and into a head wind…… sounds like Zabel went a bit early….
Eric Zabel is in Yellow and Chris Boardman has abandoned..!
The race is a bit nervous but I believe that the last few crashes have been
due to the strong winds. Today in the Second road stage there were a few
crashes…… a rider hitting a spectator who wanted a closer view!! Then
the crash with Chris Boardman, I rode by almost letting the race go up the
road without me, Chris was motionless with his head and shoulders wedged up
to a wall …… I was saying to myself ” move Chris ! move Chris” and at
the last moment as I passed I saw or believed I saw his arm move. I raced
to catch the speeding peloton, knowing that Chris was knocked unconscious,
but believing that I did see him move. .. a good sign…… Later there was
confirmation that he was conscious but being taken to the hospital….
along with other riders??? Many close calls, and then again in the final
15kms….. Frankie Andreau, my teammate was on the plane asking Jan Svorda
who was also next to us ” was that not you under me in the crash 15 kms
from the finish” Jan replied ” Yes” …Jan won the stage….. Two for
Mapei..
Transfer…. can you believe……
showers 1k from the finish ……. on a bus within 45 min… police escort
to the planes on the runway, … bypass any check-in or passport control….
the Tour de France is coming through. Flight of 1+ hrs.. land in Breast
(from Cork Ireland) then back onto a bus and drive 45min more to our hotel
arriving at 9:00 ,,,, all this after a 205km stage…. I am only writing
this now because I have some nervous energy left,,,,, but I am fading…
Chow..
Marty
Stage 3:
Yesterday while taking JC Robin to the front of the peloton, he in my
slipstream, Alonso from Banesto barked and had some apparent words for me
in Spanish, which I could not understand. I had pushed my in the wind
around the nose of the peloton…. Alonso was there keeping one of his
teammates in the front. My actions would force him behind myself and JC.
Alonso barked, and I barked back and challenged him to a duel so to
speak… all this at race speed and with dangerous crosswinds, we have
already had many crashes….. That was it, but I would keep my eye out for
Alonso….
Well , today Alonso found me in the peloton and offered his
hand..(handshake)…. a show of friendship I guess….. Point is though,
the tension is very high…… Yesterday we witnessed Chris Boardman
abandoning due to a broken wrist,,, stitches in head all after being
knocked unconscious from a crash that started— going what ? 50-60kph!
All day long there are close calls….. Zabel hit something in the road and
was on his way down just in front of me, but he pulled it off…. the
repercussions were that I had guys to my right and left touching bars…..
Do not have a moment of shock , that would mean your pulse would go up
along with breathing……. a waste of energy…… So the reaction is more
like aaahh look at Zabel hum … we might crash here….. No,,, OK ….
lets keep going…… Later I saw Tour favorite Jan Ulrich in a similar
situation…. full weight leaning over on to another rider…… time,
time, time, time…. and they are up…… cool . Later again,,,,, BOOM
dominos… Full slide , look for the gap…. and I am through!!!
Bastillion Day…… I think that is how they spell the French National
holiday…… and also the first stage back in France.. Today that is….
Fireworks in the race……. nearly 50kph ave!! in hilly rolling , never
flat Brittany France. Attack, Attack , Attack ,( I was in a short lived
break! after all I did spend 2-years racing in this area… motivation to
show myself….. caught that bug from the French….. it did though act as
a pick for George…) and then 9 riders are away……. from there it was
a drag race….. UNREAL FAST 169KMS IN 3:35 . We had George in the
Break! they finished 1:20 ahead of the peloton…….. Bo Hamburger takes
yellow and George Hincapie, my teammate is in second, 2 seconds down ,,,,,,
we will do everything possible to get him up in the front for the bonus
sprints….. sprints for seconds…… George , could be in Yellow!!!!????
that would be when I go to work at 100% efforts at the front , to defend…
burning matches etc.
Tired—–its Late,
Chow,
Marty
Stage 4:
Today was the longest day in the tour….252kms!!! The course itself was
not that difficult, but the distance and speed makes it another “day” in
the Tour de France..”hard always”
Marty Jemison and Viatcheslav Ekimov. Photo coutesy Marty Jemison
Going into the stage George was 2 seconds away from getting the yellow
jersey…. there were 3 sprints along the course where bonus seconds are
given…. Our tactic was to lead out George for the first bonus…. to go
100% We had to be the first team to start the sprint to show that we meant
business. We started form approx 4kms away,…. a single file line, we
would go as fast as could. I was on Eki’s wheel and he took over with less
than 1k to go. Over my right shoulder I could see the Gan train
approaching…… I yelled to Eki….. to GO!!!!!!! he picked it up and I
came around him for the final pull….. Gan was passing on the right ,,,,
just when I was expended George called out to me,…. he needed to get by
me on the right. George was on Stuart O’Grady’s wheel when they went by I
thought it was a perfect position but Stuart powered to line….
becoming the leader on the road. Stuart would add seconds to his margin
in the next sprint as well… At the end of the day he was awarded the
Yellow jersey!
What else….. it was just crazy fast in the last 30kms , cross winds and
a crash in the final.
Fifth Stage……228kms..
Today started with light rains; at first I thought the wind would be
dangerous, but it was not too bad.
I was in short lived break, with A. Tafi , P. Gammont and some other
rider…… we were in pursuit of a Rabobank rider who was solo up the
road…… Equipe Gan did not like this and had to have put in a hellish
pace to catch us , because the 4 of us were going very strong… Shortly
thereafter, 2-riders slipped away to join the one…… they would together
amass 3-4minutes….. Gan drove the train all day….. for the next 100k
(approx) . An uncomfortable pace in the rear…… fighting in the wind etc
etc. In the final 20-30kms Saeco picked up the pace to set up “Mario-y-O”
… it paid off , he won his first stage… (not particularly my favorite
rider in the bunch )……
Other tidbits…. when the gap was over 2+ min and we were getting close
30k or so to go , US Postal was ready to give a hand to Gan…. to protect
George’s’ 2nd place….. With 15k to go Bobby Julich let me know that JC
Robin had flatted……. so I dropped to the back behind the peloton to aid
Pascal and Tyler who were bringing him back…… from there the three of
us worked up the side of the peloton guarding JC from the strong
cross-wind…
Stage Six…..204kms………..
Rolling and hilly all day……. I like courses like this….. they
motivate me…… the flatlanders are at a disadvantage and the hills are
too short for the climbers……. when the attacks started , I made it into
2-3 very short breaks…. the peloton was quick to react…. for each
counter attack I would see either George, Frankie or Eki…… each of were
looking for the right combination. Eventually 3-riders would get away……
while the peloton, rested, or rather (the teams were nervously waiting for
the directors command as to who was to work… ) the break would reach a 4+
minute gap…. Eventually Saeco and TVM worked together. Gan was
exhausted, Stuart’s team had worked very hard yesterday…. today rather
than killing the team they would pass responsibility to someone else. Other
teams will work, because they may be interested in a stage win, hence Saeco
and TVM at the front today…. in their wake , ready to work if the gap did
not come down in time was are team US Postal and Mapei… as well as
Casino…. This we found out because 20k from the finish 4-Postal riders
went to the front to help….. Pascal , Eki, Darius and Marty (me) . along
with us were leftover Saeco and 2-3 Mapei riders. We had picked up the pace
now, then all of a sudden near the crest of a big rolling hill 5-Casino
riders attacked!!!!!! BIG DANGER,……. EKI went in pursuit, he dangled
for the longest time, almost not making it…. Of course US postal quit
riding,,,, Eki would have a good chance of winning the stage if the
peloton could not recapture this surprise attack.. Can you imagine the
motivation in Casino , I was watching it…. I was thinking this could be
by-by….. What a story it would make. Anyway Mapei was quick to react, as
well as some other riders. There are too many riders who do not want to
loose time this early in the race.. The day would end again in a field
sprint…
What I did not mention was that earlier in the day prior to the counter
attacks, a large group escaped, there we saw 2-Spanish teams working
together in the front to bring them back.., when they were caught the
counter attacks started…
After Saeco and TVM had been at the front …… pushing two hours now. A
couple of their riders were getting dropped to the hills. I love this sport
at times and I like working hard.. On the decent these dropped riders would
move up the sides of the peloton,, calling out “Service” ( the respected
call), these men were on a mission. When I was blocking their path I
quickly opened the door and let them by….. back to the front they would
go…. ON A MISSION, working until ( as I know) their leg were absolutely
spent. Each team in this moment bonding in a way and not willing to show
any sign of weakness. Put 8-10 of these men in the front for nearly
2-hours, and that will be the locomotive of the day…. STAY OUT OF THEIR
WAY they have a JOB to do…
As for myself ….. I feel stronger this year….. I am looking for the
right break,,,, etc . etc.
Stage 8
58kms TT today!!
Very hilly , up, down lots of turns and on rough pavement. In the first
kilometer my aero handlebars came loose…….. (one of the risks when
receiving a new bike before the tour). In a way it may of helped…. to
make up for it I knew I would have to ride harder, and I would, because I
did not want to loose much time.. Being as technical as the course was my
extra effort may have made up for the aero benefit.
In the end my time was 1:20:20 which put me 48th in the time trial. But the
day goes to my friend and teammate Tyler Hamilton….. the revelation of the
tour. Tyler placed second to Jan Ulrich!!! 1:10 behind…. a fantastic
ride… I am very happy for him.
Stage 9
Yesterday was extremely HOT !!! 190kms…….. rolling….. hilly, I think
we did 4-catagorie 4 climbs. The rhythm , well there was none, it was very
uncomfortable, riders were suffering. I dropped back to the cars 6-times to
get water bottles. Each time I carry 6-7 bottles to my teammates. I
consumed
16 bottles of water… I just could not get enough. 40 degrees Celsius!
humid, two ,three days before we had light rains and it was chilly. What a
change!
Today was even hotter 42 degrees Celsius. An absolute heat wave… many
riders are suffering. On one of my trips to the car for water, I found
Tyler, I asked how he was and he gave my a sign ( finger into the throat)
meaning that he had gone too deep , he was really suffering. I asked if he
needed food or water. he said no, “I need a push” ( with 45kms to go!) So I
pushed, and a few of us pushed him. On the downhills I took him to the
front of the peloton, he would drift back on the hill, we did this more
than once. Tyler was experiencing a severe heat stroke.. It was impossible
to keep with the pace. I wanted to stay with him, I was waiting for our
director to make the call….. somehow the decision was made itself. Tyler
would have to make it on his own…. Ty would loose 18 minutes in the next
30-35 kms.
I do not really like to describe someone else’s struggles…. we all
experience similar problems, Tyler is as strong as anyone I know, This is a
clear result of the extreme heat that we have had to ride in.
Tomorrow… the mountains , two Category 1 climbs and two more difficult ”
out of category climbs.
Stage 10…
I was better today than yesterday….. that is a good sign.
Where do I start…… Yesterday it was 42 degrees Celsius and today we
awoke to chilly weather and light rains. In the mountains we found it even
colder. Descending the col d’Aubisque and especially the Tourmalet I had
the chills and shivers. I crashed hard after our first climb (c d’A), and
had difficulty making it to the bottom , because of fear, pain from my
pelvis bone and cramping muscles. Through the valley I hooked up with M.
Lelli and Bart Leysen, it took us approx. 20k to make it back to the
peloton…… just before the feed. By this time the muscles in my hip had
loosened and the pain subsided. I pulled the plug about 6-7k up the
Tourmalet, to stay with the 60+ riders in front of me I would have to go
too deep. I do want to test myself further but after the crash ; today was
not the day. The Tour is too long, and I knew that many veterans had pulled
the plug even earlier. Knowing when and when not to go too deep is
important to finishing. My body was in a kind of shock today with the cold
weather and the crash. My 19-rider group rode at a very rhythmic pace… I
was able to eat and keep hydrated. I consumed “extra” and yet on the last
climb I felt the knock, bonk, hunger flats coming on. I fished everything
I had and luckily got a coke from a spectator.
Maybe tomorrow I will try to climb with the groups that will be ahead.
M.
! 17 riders abandoned!!!! I’m telling you it was harsh…. many crashes.
42-degree heat to freezing cold rain in the mountains. THE MOUNTAINS!!! all
day , nearly 6-hours. 123MILES! 4-major mountain climbs, each up to 18kms
long and very steep at times. C’est Le Tour !!!
11th stage….
Riders do talk with each other and today one of the lieutenants of the
Telekom team asked what I thought about stopping at Fabio Casartelli
Memorial (Fabio died in the tour two years ago). I told him that I was in
favor…… this would mean that we would all stay together over the
difficult Col de Ment’e. The Memorial was at around the 38km point, part
way up the Portet-d’Aspet. By stopping , it would make for a less difficult
day. I was in favor because my wounds from the day before were on my mind.
If there was an attack on the first climb my hip muscles might have been
too tight and sore to respond.
We stopped for only 2-3 minutes and then resumed. Before finding our
climbing rhythm a motorcycle with a photographer was trying to pass. By
not being “patient” he crashed and brought down several riders… I stayed
up but my rear wheel was knocked out of true. I replaced it near the top of
the climb being the last rider over the top…. it was single file, someone
had attacked…. I was the tail end of a whip that was being cracked…
around every turn I was sprinting for the wheel in front of me… not a
comfortable place to be.
Up the Col de la Core….. starting at 65km and ending at 79km, I had my
rhythm now but my replacement wheel was skipping gears. After several
attempts I finally had it adjusted to where I could ride again….. Telekom
was setting a stiff tempo; at least I knew there would not be a sudden
acceleration while I adjusted my derailleur.
On the col de Port the Peloton was already down to around 120 riders, after
the Col (126k) we were down to something like 80 riders….. Both Tyler and
I dropped back to the cars to get water through the valley. There must have
been some threatening attacks up front because we almost did not make it
back.———-
I offered Darius and JC water, then helped Darius hold position in the
front going into the first km of the Plateau de Beille….. Jan Ulrich had
a flat but regained very quickly…… the group was down to about 60 when
I went into the red zone.
Day Off——-yea …. 2hrs light training…..
Stage 12…
Today started with a protest by the riders ,lasting almost 2 hours…. we
sat , had debates etc.
We started to ride,… very easy, not knowing what to make of the day and
then BAM …. the attacks came…. it was started by Once’ Soon it was a
break with both Jalaberts and Bart Voskamp, the trio would amass over
5-minutes with Telekom riding “all out in the front” It became the fastest
stage I think I have ever ridden…. the last 125 Miles were covered in
4-hours…. at the finished we learned that the pace was 48.5kms/hr….
there is speculation that from the attacks on the average would have been
50kph…. ” A day in the 11 boys”
.. I think a lot of emotions and energy were released………… to say
the least.
Stage 13
YEA!!!
I have meet one of my objectives in this years TDF! I wanted to be in a
predominant break , to really show and see my strength. Today was the day.
After 80kms or so I jumped on the wheels of 6-7 riders …. we then bridged
to another group of 5. Our break would have 12 riders with just over 100kms
to the finish. The group worked well together. Eating and Drinking was very
important, it was very hot. Before the finish there were two climbs , one a
small bump of 2-3kms, a decent and 5kms or so before a long Catagorie 2
climb……
Near the top of the “bump” there was a couple of attacks, not too serious I
thought…… then going over the top Tafi attacked…..4 of us followed,
the decent was dangerous, I felt I was taking risks in the turns to stay ,
but needed a good gap for us to stay away. Nardello would bridge by the
bottom of the climb. Now we were 6 -riders….. on the flats now the pace
was sooo fast , Tafi , Heulot, Garcia, Nardello , Koos H. I have a harder
time on the flats…. Next was the long Cat 2 climb, I was expecting fierce
attacks, but felt more confident, believing that I could stay in there .
There were attacks but short lived and covered easily. Near the top Garcia
and Tafi Lit it up again, this time, it was serious…. Heulot was in
pursuit and I was glued to his wheel . In a right hand turn my wheels
chattered, I was sprinting uphill holding on to Heulot’s wheel. We all
regrouped going over the top.
We were together on the decent….. At one point though S. Heulot
accelerated and went through the corners a bit too fast for me… he had a
gap. I chased through the next few turns , actually putting a gap on the
riders behind me…. together we would bring Heulot back. It was a flat
15kish ? to the finish with a bit of headwind…. Our once 5-minute gap was
down to 3:20
Would Tafi attack for a solo??? I was ready for him , Nardello etc…. I
felt good now,,,,, as the kms went by I felt even stronger. Watching the
time gap come down, I did not think there would be an attack until the last
2-3 kms….. We would come down to a sprint…. 6-700meters from the
finish we were lined up single file on the right side of the fence….. I
was in the rear, my legs felt strong and snappy. I believe it was Heulot
who started the sprint, from about 550meters out…. I moved past riders on
the left with 400m or so to go …. I was quacked twice once someone bumped
my bars another time my shoulder. I sprinted on the far left, Garcia who
took 2nd was pushing me further to the left as I tried to move up on
him…. In the end I was 5th…… but I know that I had the legs and
without the bumps and quack my placing would have been even better…..I am
happy though, I have reached one of my goals in the TDF….. Next is to
make it to Paris higher in GC than last year 96th …. currently 57th…
Also I will help Darius and JC into the top 10…. etc… Others too with
stage wins…. I too will look for other break possibilities….
———-
Stage 15
I’m really not into writing tonight, the tour is in its third week and I am
getting tired. Everybody is getting tired. As much as I suffered today , I
do think I will have a better day tomorrow.. Maybe it is a good sign that I
am attempting an E-mail .
There was a war going on in my head all day….. the first 20-30k went
quite smooth , then on the Col de la Croix de Fer, the shit hit the fan!
This is too early in the race for me , as I am always blocked in the first
climbs… ( I think that’s why I make a better Professional than
Amateur….. I open up later in long races…) Anyway I was deep in the red
on this climb.. 24.5kms at 5.1% ave. The peloton was being stretched
sooooooo…. it was breaking into pieces and I was further back , behind my
comfort range…. I fought hard to stay with a group ahead of me…. behind
the Eros Poli bus was forming.. too early for me…. I fought for the group
ahead….. I was dropped and yo-yoed several times…. I was dropped 2kms
to the top and blew a gasket to bridge to the three cars that had fallen in
behind the group…. Peter M in my wheel….. It was going to be an icy
cold decent , because riders had to put on jackets…. gave me time to make
connection. I managed to put my jacket on the decent…… taking risks
to do so
A fast and dangerous decent….. Ice cold rain…. we passed riders that
had crashed… the going slowed due to poor visibility… I could not see
more than 6-8 riders ahead, the fog was sooo thick. I was off the pace a
bit, when I tried to bridge I found myself nearly out of control going into
blind corners… you simply could not see far enough… Cars and
motorcycles were pulled over everywhere with their lights on and
honking…. trying to warn riders of the dangers… On the flats with.
those around me ….we regained the first group…. Here at the feed
zone….10kms to the next climb… 11.7kms 6.8%… another groupetto
forms…. I’m feeling a bit better so continue with the first group ,,,, for
3-4kms only , then I find myself riding with 6-8riders… after a short
decent we start the col du Galibier. 18.3kms at 6.8% Our group is now
15ish riders….ahead 1-2minutes we cold see the next group of 12ish
riders…. at the top of the Galibier it was 4 degrees Celsius…..
yesterday it was 40….. that’s something like 100degrees one day and 40 the
next …. icy cold rain.. The decent of the Galibier was on of my most
miserable experiences…. I was completely numb… my hands were stumps.. my
knees were aching, swollen, frozen…. it was a very long decent. It was soo
miserable! I had difficulty shifting… by the next climb Peter M. and were
laughing at each other, we could not shift into the small chainring… I
had to use my right thumb as a hook.. Peter, Frankie and myself rode the
last climb together.. defrosting on the way up…
George H… thinks that with today’s conditions…. we probably had similar
experiences as those on Everest….. I think we could definitely share
feelings with them…… It was extreme.
STAGE 16
20kms before the first climb of the day Col de Porte…… After yesterday,
you might think that we might make it to the climb sans attack…But NO!
Immediately there was an attack….. single file 60+kph!!!! Mercatoni Uno at
the front.. Luckily I was near the front. I had this idea that I wanted to
see Pantani in Yellow before he took to the mountains, hence out of my
view. We hit the base of col de Port A’block,( on the rivat) . I was
chewing on lactate acid…. and spitting it out… It was too early to get
shelled. Riders all around yo-yoed back and forth digging for power,
trying to keep the chain in tact. An ugly site!. Somewhat under control
M-Uno held a stiff pace….. The peloton was in more than one group…. I
knew George was in the group behind, but within site,,,(more on that) . I
dug hard to stay with the approx 60-80 riders…. like those around me.
Life will be easier later if you can stay with the first group as long as
possible.
On the decent George passed me! that means his group bridged a 1-min
deficit. Sick.. I am happy for George but to think of the extra matches I
burnt to stay with the first group…. It could have been better to save
them and ride aggressively on the decent..(risky sometimes) On the next
three climbs I was in nearly the same position…. clearing the Col with
the top 60-80 riders and each time in the valleys the group would swell to
over 100…
This is bad for moral… and each time you would have to fight in the group
for position, as the weaker riders would get dropped. At the base of the
col de la Madeleine I think there were at least 120 riders…. It exploded
within 5kms….. Find your group…..
I would ride up with Eki and 4-others until 5kms to go…. (had knee
pain….. leg power loss etc) . I took it a bit easier , riding with Pascal
Chaunter…. then we picked up Luc Leblanc….. who had blown a serious
gasket…. Pascal offered food and drink…. with 2kms to the top we went a
bit easier….. to keep Luc with us…. Honestly it was more of the right
pace for us…. as you tend to push too hard, tapping into the red zone on
and off.
I finished around 60th today……..
Stage 17
History in the making… Change…. Negotiations.. Communication. Law and
Order. Emotions.. It is all taking place in the Tour de France!!! Peoples
from many countries are very emotional and have strong opinions on many
different issues. Part of the beauty of this sport is that we must all
learn to (work-live?) together.
One thing is for sure, I am happy to be a part of it! I remember my first
stage races when I first came to Europe. Under different circumstances I
remember having the same feelings…. I had left the happy USA and was now
battling it out with Russian teams Spanish Teams , South Americans, all of
Northern Europe etc etc….
I’m not really in the mood to make sense….I do feel that we need laws in
our society and that there should be no interference with justice.. But at
the same time Society “The People” have a right to be heard. People have
rights.
Whatever is the outcome of today’s protest and the incidents plaguing the
Tour, there will definitely be powerful results.. People are acting out and
speaking their minds….. Change is on the Horizon.
I will think more about what is happening, maybe then I will make more
sense. For tomorrow , I am ready to race and it is my goal to make it to
the Champs…
Stage 19
242kms today… plus a 5km neutral. Long-long-long…46.8kph ave!
the last climb of the tour was at km 218…. ouch! Yea!
I felt good all day, right up until about 15kms to go , then I started to
become very tired….. the legs were ok….. but the fatigue was setting
into my head. After the stage we had to go to “Velo-Club”
i.e. live French TV . I thought I was going to fall asleep with the cameras
on me… Luckily the Hotel was only 1 km from the finish…
Tomorrow is the Time-Trial… 50+kms….. to loose or gain 2-minutes would
do nothing for my GC. Tomorrow I will start with no stress and just push my
body up to threshold over time….. Riding without pressure often has
better results….. If the engine is good I will put in a good time.
Sunday—– Ride to Paris…… after a TGV train ride in the morning.
Today is the first day that I can hardly hold my eyes open ( after stage )
My body will be tired after this race, I thank it though for being sooo
strong throughout the TDF.
Stage 20
52kms TT.
Marty Jemison 34th, 6:45 (1:10:37) behind Jan Ullrich… at 1h03’52” (his
ave 48.851)
[Editor’s Note: Diary entries made during the Tour de France, especially in the days when Internet service and access to email were spotty, can sometimes be rather thin; but can still give an insight into what life is like during the biggest race of the year.]
July 7, 1997
Today we finished the longest stage in the 1997 TDF. The day went well for us (US Postal), and I think for the peloton. I mean after yesterday, a day without such pile-ups, is construed as a good day by all.
Marty Jemison relaxing before a stage. Photo courtesy Marty Jemison.
Yesterday, from US Postal, only Darius went down, he was not hurt. I had the wheels locked up on three separate occasions, with numerous other hard breaking situations. The peloton was so nervous. Nobody was content with where they were, there was no fluid movement, which we are all used to.
It was a very nervous stage to say the least. I did get caught behind the historical pile-up 12 K from the finish. Of note, Riis was also there and put in a hard effort to reclose the gap. The problem as other riders pointed out was that he pulled toooo hard, thus discouraging others from helping. Hey, I saw Tyler put in some hard pulls, so I too made it to the front and donated an interval.
Today again I had the guns at the end. MG was organized from 2-1 K to go. At this point I took A. Baffi, our sprinter, all the way to the front. MG was in a single file line, I took Baffi up to the first guy and I held for 100 meters or so then jumped on the train. With 400 to go I wanted to give him a lead out but I was pinched on the left and he was going past me on the right. He took 6th, he thanked me afterwards.
I had done my job. It did also feel good to add to what was played out in the sprint rather than just sitting on the wheels. I guess my efforts were seen on TV. Wow, I must be famous in over 90 countries (the Tour is being broadcast in 90 countries) . Just kidding with the famous comment, these are usually thankless efforts which go unnoticed. Today I was thanked soo . . .
Just got back from dinner. Topic for thoughts: Do we see two clans in the Telekom team? Yesterday Riis gets caught in the crash. He has two teammates, they did not put in toooo much of an effort. Today Zabel flats when we are going easy and all but Riis and Ullrich stop!!! It’s just a feeling or something which we are seeing. Only the Tour will tell.
Tomorrow we expect some bing bang boom. The finish is 2 K uphill 6 percent. The hills are short and steep all day long. Today we had some such hills but just the nature of such a long day discourages the bing bang boom. Riders are alert to all attacks, everyone puts in hard efforts to keep going smoothly. Well so far anyway.
I feel good, better than expected. Today at times we would be riding in single file. It is probably 1 K long with the 198 starters, anyway going, going all out at 50+ kph. I remember when I first turned pro. 50 kph was the speed of a sprint lead out from maybe 3 K-1 K to go. Then it would go up to 60 kph. Now we ride along for several K at 50 kph. Times have changed. In the sprint finishes, some sprinters are using 54×11. Chipo (Cippolini) said on TV today that finishes are from 65-70 kph. That in one sprint in Paris-Nice it was down hill and he used a 55×11. Food for thought.
July 8
To all: Today was not as friendly as yesterday. During the stage the fuses were a bit shorter. This continued even afterwards. The screws were tightened a bit today. The peloton was not quite in the comfort zone.
Yesterday was fast with friendly conversation. Today was a bit of a war.
A lesson I have learned all to well this year concerning the Italians: When they yell at you, it is usually for something very minor. But they treat it as though you ran them off the road.
Well to earn respect, or to just shut them up, you need to yell back equally forceful. This will usually end things and a few Ks down the road you may even make some kind of “kind” gesture. Let him in and out of the wind etc. It is all body positioning, everyone needs to work together, often its better to “work together.”
Yesterday I was passive when an Italian had some “words.” Today another Italian with a short fuse. Equally forceful response. End of story.
With the former, I am sure we will have another conflict. He now sees me in a weak position. He will probably want some wheel that I am on. In his mind it will be his wheel somehow. I backed down on him once. But I’ll be ready to give him a good response.
You must know that to give up a wheel, obviously when we’re in need, i.e.. we’re on the edge. Well, to give up a wheel, others will see this as a weakness and you will be back 10 riders wondering just what happened.
With the contrary action, you will have the wheel and you’ll save energy the next time. Next time he won’t even bother.
When the pace drops, we can all be chummy, laugh and joke. Yea, yea.
From 20-120 K the pace was sooooo fast, seven riders were away, we had George Hincapie. The road was up and down all day, approx 1 K up/down etc. At the top of each climb, I was just hitting the danger zone, still strong enough to manage this OK, but, well I just hope it takes its toll on others more than myself.
After the feedzone George came back but four of the seven counter attacked, staying away most of the day, . I believe these guys will be a bit tired tomorrow. They were flying, yes several in the peloton made comments. We were going always above 50 kph. The four held a 3 1/2 min. gap most of the day. Saeco was at the front during all this, from the feed zone on, others closer to the end. Roslotto and ??? Sometimes it is hard to know what is going on. To get from the back to the front at these speeds can take awhile, unless you push some serious wind. Not so smart in a three-week race.
The crash. Again, with about 7 K to go. I climbed over a mess, I saw blood but concentrated on where to step. Jumped on the Zulle/Pantani train. They were caught as well. In the end I had the guns to retrieve Pantani who jumped on the hill finish and led my teammate Peter Meinart-Neilson to the line.
Just what I need, no phone jack in the room. I just might cut the wires. Maybe.
July 9
Five hundred meters before the feed zone I saw Zabel shake the hand of Vandenbrouck, a nice gesture that is not all too uncommon. Professionals can be professional, some of course are not so.
Today a cold feeling went through me and through the entire peloton. I had to ride around the body of a spectator lying motionless, face down on the pavement. There was blood coming from her head. Less worse were two riders who eventually abandoned, one with a broken collar bone. The woman had stepped into the path of the peloton, or seemingly so. The news around here is that the woman has no family that could be found, no friends were with her. She came out of a coma at 5:30.
After this incident the peloton had a natural way of mourning, the wind went from the sails. The pace fell. Few words were exchanged, but mostly there was silence. Phillippe Gammont broke away solo, I believe unknowingly of the accident. He amassed 11 minutes before the peloton reacted, racing resumed. Again I was caught behind another crash, losing 29 seconds. Once again Zulle was the motor in our chase. That’s three for three.
So you know, it was Telekom who organized in the final 15 K-ish, approximately 1-2 K rollers 6 percent-ish and it was single file. Difference today was that some riders were popping. I, of course, like to see this. Do not be fooled though. These are the same riders that could go off on a flyer tomorrow.
July 10
Next Day I’m starting while ABC is filming me. They want to know what we do in our free time after dinner. I tried to send my e-mail yesterday but I couldn’t get a good connection. Even tried a different phone number. No luck and tonight the line goes straight into the wall. If you all get this it will be because of a Swiss Army knife.
A bit of bluffing going on in today’s stage or power struggles. Something anyway. Things started off very fast. From the first K, seven riders finally broke free (seven ??? I think) that was brought back soon. Then I made it into a group of about 18 , this one looked very good. Most of the riders were pulling through well. About 10 K later it was Batik and GB at the front. I think they put in a hard effort there. Things cooled for awhile.
Vasseur attacked and amassed 25 min. or thereabouts. The front of the peloton was strange, no organization. Saeco seemed to have the day off. It was two Cofidis who attacked together that heated things up. Some riders got away, going hard. Moncassin was there. Telekom showed some real power and brought it back quickly. Quickly, for we in the peloton were groveling for a good wheel, or trying to move up. You do not want it to split now.
So this ends, and things cool slightly. Who is going to bring back Vasseur? I think both Saeco and Telekom held with poker faces. Vasseur was going. Then amongst the confusion, a Casino rider attacked, Gan covered, Peter M. followed and a few others. They got a gap and Telekom and Saeco were looking around, I even saw some heads shaking as if to say no “we are not going to chase.” So nobody did, we really never chased all out. That’s it.
July 11
Today I grovelled and it was an easy day so to speak, the peloton was nearly one hour late. Maybe it is because we did not go fast enough that I could think about my predicament. Mentally and physically I was just flat. Maybe if it was a mountain stage I would have had problems. But it was nearly flat to rollers so I knew I would just have to ride through it and rest up for tomorrow. It’s an easy 194 K, only 5 hrs, and we stay in a Holiday Inn. That will be good for moral. Its Campanile tonight (stands for close to camping, I think).
Two high-speed crashes today. This is a full-contact sport!!
The first , both wheels locked up, I had a bit of delay in hitting the brakes, flat like I said. But this may have worked to my advantage. I clipped one foot out and was in a full slide. I rode over two bike wheels, one was Chippos. He was going off in Italian. I imagined that he was saying “Oh my hair . . . my hair . . . MY HAIR!!” A sprint later and I was back on a wheel making it back to the front.
The second happened 25 K-ish to the finish, a BIG pileup, FULL SKID. Both wheels locked up. I bumped guys on both sided. Rode through several bodies, some 3-deep, and made it through. Sprint. This time WE RODE, EVERYONE AT THE FRONT . . . riders cracked . . . but several made it back. Guess Zabel was DQed, something at 350 K to go.
Feeling better already.
July 13
Hello everyone, I am in Pau right now. We have finished 8 stages of the TDF, all relatively flat, but never really flat. The climbs thus far have been rated Cat. 4, usually 2 K averaging 5-6 percent. It’s enough to make you suffer a bit but everyone has passed. Tomorrow starts a new race as we move into the mountains, but first I’ll tell you a bit about today.
In many of our minds, this was going to be a shorter stage 161 K and a time to ride smart and recover a bit. Wrong. MG had the plan to attack at the start. In the first hour the average was 50 kph!!! This continued, and by the finish of the day, the average was nearly 48 kph!!!!!! Our arrival was before any estimated times. There was not much to do but to hold on to the wheels all day. This is the last revenge the flatlanders have, tomorrow all the mountain goats will change the race drastically.
I think I am getting a bit tired because my motivation to write is slowly fading, maybe when there are more horror stories I’ll tell you about them. I can say that things have been going well, about what I expected. In the mountains, I will do my best, where I feel I will not go too deep. My objective is still to finish the TDF.
PS: Tom (Bonacci), you are right about the Italians (passionate). I think I am making friends with many of them. I’ll tell you more later.
July 17
Yesterday, the stage from Andorra-Perpignan was not all down hill!! The stage was 196 K. Of that there was maybe 50 K of descending but that still leaves a lot of difficult riding, and there was. I saw a report that said that the day was uneventful. Well the journalists must have been tired and recovering from the mountain stages. Personally I saw and felt some dearly critical situations.
For one: Before the feed zone there were crosswinds, at one point the bunch was in 3-4 groups. Riders were tired, the speeds very high. In the end there was a group that never made it back, finishing 17 minutes down.
Intermittently the peloton had broke into pieces and then came back again. Twice in the day it was single file and the rider in front of me was cracking. I gave these two different riders a push to stay on the wheel. I would not have had the legs to go around, not at 60-70 kph.
I went to the front to bring JC Robin, our team leader, some water and food. Then after a roundabout and in the gutter, the peloton split again. TVM was at the front. We were in the last 50 K. They were protecting their sprinter, setting him up.
Anyway: First I looked back and saw Eric Zabel and JC Robin on his wheel, 200 meters off the back of this front group, and close to 1 minute ahead of the next.
What I did next is my job. I dropped back, Eric now on my wheel and I kill myself. Eric takes a small pull, I recover a bit and again, drive. Remember the TVM team is organized at the front.
It takes maybe 1-2 K to close the gap. JC made the last surge to the back of the group. Now, breathe, give JC his water and food. I see Festina going to the front now. Virenque is ordering his team, Riis is not in the bunch. He was caught behind, with many other favorites.
After 10 K or so it comes back. At the time the front group of 50 or so felt like it was critical. It was a drag race. But those in the rear have too much to lose. It kinda outweighs what can be gained. Human will is funny this way. With balanced powers in men, I would gamble on the chasers. They will dig deeper into their reserves.
And that they did. Only when someone really feels a personal victory will you see more strength in a rider.
My adrenalin was flowing. I kept JC at the front, my job (we have and know our team roles, even though they continually change from day to day). How do I keep JC in the front? I continually ride in the wind and up the sides. Right up next to the tail to the TVM leadout. I sit there in a partial draft and hold for several K. Riders will fill in and around, with JC on
my wheel we fight back out into the wind and back to the front. I keep him protected, burning my matches so he can save his. In the professional peloton this is well respected and other riders will not hassle him as much. Letting us do our job. In the end I stay on the wheels of the sprinters. I take 18th actually but in the results they get me mixed up with Eki (Ekimov). My numbers had fallen off, one was squashed. How they made this mistake I do not understand. If you have the sprint on tape, I am on the left side of the screen with a helmet on, Baffi in the center ahead, Eki back a bit on the right. He is wearing a soft shell helmet. But in the books the results will stand where I get 22nd. I really want a top 10 finish.
Tomorrow is the TT. Six of us will ride with no pressure as to save energy for the Alps. Tactically some will fall prematurely into the groupetto. Also while in the Alps, loosing time on purpose. Tactically this will put someone in a position that is not dangerous (for GC riders). Breaks in the final days are sure to occur and it is there where you will have chances at great stage placings. But if you have the possibility to move up in the classification too much the riders are sure not to let you escape. Riders will go, it just depends of the right group. Study the tactics and try to follow what the teams and riders are up to. THIS IS THE MOST COMPLICATED CHESS GAME EVER, with team objectives, personal objectives, sponsors, TV, etc. Bluffing, attacking, controlling, cracking, crashes.
Today on rest day we rode 2++ hours easy, although Eki, JC and Peter Meinert went to ride the course, 50 K away.
Marty Jemison during one of the time trials. Photo courtesy Marty Jemison
July 18
I’m still alive and well. Have I mentioned the time trial? Well this is how it works.
JC Robin, Eki and Peter all went to see the course on the rest day. They have the pressure to perform there in the TT. For the rest of us we rode the course blindly. In this case it was quite detrimental. It was soooo difficult. We really had no Idea. But for the six of us, we rode as we pleased. Just ride to stay within the time limit. So the results show the net result. Tyler (Hamilton) said he felt really good, thus went for it.
July 19
THE STAGE TO ALPE d’HUEZ
This is the cream for all professional cyclists, even amateurs. It was estimated that some 10,000 riders rode up the climb before us. On the radio it was stated that there were 65-mile road blocks to get to the base of the climb. And estimates of 200-300,000 people on the 13 K ascent!!! Absolutely incredible!!!
I felt great all day. In the last 15 K before the climb I kept taking JC to the front. It was like a 15 K sprint leadout at the time. Still feeling good I hit the base in the top 20 riders and started up.
After 300 meters I heard a tire explode. I looked and met eyes with teammate Peter. SHIT. I was obliged to give up my wheel. To wait for another rider lower in GC could waste valuable time. Off he went with a push from me. After my wheel change from the team car, I was solo way off the back. Still with good legs, I rode through 75 riders that were in pieces all over the climb. I reached a group with Eki and George and sat comfortably on the group.
In retrospect and even at the time, it was a good thing for moral. For now when I heard cheers for Postal or USA. I looked at the spectator on several occasions. I was able to take it all in and fully enjoy it. And to be cheered on by 200-300,000 people is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. The climb is so spectacular, really special, like nothing I could explain. Tom could probably give the statistics: altitude gain, etc.
July 20
Today we raced to the sister city of Park City, Corcheval, one of the most feared stages in the tour by most of the riders in the peloton. Why, you ask? Because it is short.
Starts with a Cat 1 climb, ascend up an out of category climb, down and up another Cat.1 climb!!!
After 12 K the attacks started and the peloton was in pieces. Living in the red zone!!! By the Madeline, several groups had come back together. Rather the last 80 or so riders. (My race) up the road, well I’m watching it on TV as I write this. So we rode just under my red zone for 13 miles. After the 80 man group rode even easier on the last climb to Corcheval. But even at this speed I have never seen so many riders truly suffering. One of the hardest days in the Tour!!! Carnage. Carnage. Carnage!!
Of note: Tyler was just ahead, since the Madeline, without support. Bonked heavily. Just now feeling human again. Hopes to be back together by tomorrow. He wonders why no team car was around to hand him food or water. Not too happy.
Tomorrow is another very difficult stage in the Alps. I will survive and I will attack in the last week when I am confident I can make it to Paris.
So many good riders cracked today….
Ride within your limits and outside your limits at select times.
July 23
Just when you think the Alps are over, and that there may be a break (recovery time), someone attacks, like this morning. And we’re on the rivit. Nearly everyone around you is “in a bad way.” The peloton is single file.
The road is going up a canyon and the chain is being ever stretched again. The chain breaks. Good riders will let the rider behind know when this is going to happen. That may be enough warning for the chain to re-connect. An arm sling will keep the rider out of the dog house.
Today’s stage to Colmar was relentless for 2+ hours, until a break that all teams were happy with had escaped. Up till then it was fireworks. Going into the Pyrenees I had no fear of the mountains. Now after the Alps and after losing, what 55+ riders, I am fearful of Cat. 3 and 4 climbs. (I’ve done well and am still fearful). Never before have I had a fear of hills. I hope to feel better tomorrow, to search and find some power somewhere. Tomorrow is the last of the mountains. Cat 2 climbs are “mountains!”
I should tell you about an instance yesterday. This is how it is. It started out much like today racing up a canyon, a big-ring, open canyon. The attacks started and it was all I could do to keep from exploding. I concentrated and moved up the chain every opportunity I had. Everyone is doing the same. So it is a real battle. Because if you explode, a few extra meters may keep you in the race. Riders are dropping like flies it seems.
Anyway, I work my way up, much to my surprise considering my predicament ( how I really feel).
OK now the group splits, 25 or so riders in the front, going out of sight. Not that we have even eased up. I’m still buried in the red. So JC Robin is next to me! He immediately tells me that we need to ride. Now this is the amazing part. Maybe you need to be there. I’ll try to explain.
I take charge. I see Eki “Eki. We need to ride, NOW.” So it’s Eki and I at the front and GOING GOING!!!!! It’s like now I Have Sooooo much power!!! Going up this canyon in the biggest gears, like it is a sprint lead out.
After a couple of pulls each I look back. I see a Postal rider (JC???) and only eight riders. We had broke free, we made the bridge. But it was Peter and not JC. SHIT!!! How did this happen? Peter assures me that it is OK. Riis is in the back. Here in the front group it is like GOING!!! Fireworks.
Eki tells me to cover the breaks. Do not let anything go. Sure. I feel great, lots of power (up the canyon at 50+ kph) I’m in a few moves that come back. Soon the peloton regroups. We are leading up to the day’s first climb, a Cat. 3. I’m
well positioned at the front. I have the power. Right. NO. IT IS GONE. I drift back on the climb and am the last rider groveling over the top. The red Fiat with the race director just breathing down my neck.
(Did you know tt last year in Poland the race director ran my hand over after hitting me? I had got dropped in the climb, coming back in a relief spot. I was in the process of passing the car and was a meter off of the last rider. Well he hit me. I fell and my hand went under the rear wheel. Still have scars. He apologized after the race. Directors do not stop!!)
So back to today. Yea, I made it over the climb, last. Except a few riders who were dropped into the caravan. I had burnt my matches earlier. That was it.
For the next Cat. 1, I quickly found the groupetto. But you must know that in the TDF the groupetto climbs faster than most other races. On the flats it rolls at 50+ kph. 40 guys pulling through. IT IS STILL GO TIME.
Yesterday we made it back to the next group of 40-ish. A Roslotto rider flatted from our group. He never made it back. Nobody could make it back alone. Race over, go home. This is the Tour.
So these are some of my stories.
Today on the second Cat 3 I saw Riis being pushed by 2-riders, Skibby (he was fined) and another rider. “HEY I NEED SOME HELP HERE, NOT RIIS.” But he is in a bad way!!! “The man is human and was having a bad day today.”
We arrived in the feed zone 5 minutes faster that on the fastest schedule, and they estimate these from all the tours. Can you say fast? By the finish something like 25 min. early!!!
The people go nuts. Something else I realized today. I ride on the hoods comfortably at 50 kph (on the flats). I’m like recovering. How do you explain that?
They say the Tour will change you forever!!! It looks like I will make it to Paris!!!, barring four climbs tomorrow (July 24) I should pass those.
So if I am the only source that tells of the suffering and speeds. Know that it is the chuckle in the peloton, we say funny ha ha afterwards. Of course, we are still in the race and have survived this silly Tour.
At dinner tonight we were talking about how most of the peloton is empty/dead. And how can we still go? “HABITUDE.” It is habit, even though the body is dying. It is all that it knows.
I better send this . . .
[Editor’s Note: Marty Jemison did go on to finish the 1997 Tour de France in 96th place, 3 hours and 25 minutes behind Jan Ullrich.]
