Rogerinchrist

I've been searching the forums for this and haven't found it anywhere yet.
NBC is to air the 2004 RAAM this Saturday January 22 at 2:30 eastern. It'll be a two hour program. Here's a link to the RAAM site for more info.
Roger

Guest

Thanks for the heads up!

Koffee

Devil

Wow, awesome news.

pinky

Don't take this the wrong way, but of all the races to be showing....

gcasillo

Good catch. Got my MythTV set to record. The category in this software for the RAAM says, "Sports non-event." Uh...right.

ReedZ

Thanks. My TIVO was going to miss this because bicycle or cycling is not listed anywhere in the description from NBC.

FXjohn

Thanks, I'm going to try to get that taped.

Benman

awesome news! thanks for the heads up, I would have missed it without ya

jfmckenna

I have a lot of respect for these guys but yea it aint my cup of tea either. It kind of fits the X-treme bill though for such sports shows I would guess.

MacMan

I agree. On the one hand it's great to get something ... anything. But outside of the local Philly network stations where can you get to see US PRO on TV? It's the national championship road race fer gawd's sake ...

EventServices

OK, let's try to anticipate what we'll see in this coverage so that we don't let our expectations get too high.

1. A shot of the start.
2. A shot of various riders going across the hot Arizona sands.
3. A couple shots of people struggling.
4. A couple shots of people dropping out due to mechanical trouble.
5. A shot of the leader.
6. A shot of the chasers.
7. Another shot of the leader.
8 thru 24. repeat #6 and 7.
25. the triumphant finish.

Interspersed among these shots will be several lengthy personal profiles guaranteed to tug at the heart strings of anyone watching.

I'm sorry to be so jaded, but we've been here before. And we're seldom happy with how non-cyclist TV producers present our sport.

I'll watch with an open mind, but the history is very long, and this event doesn't really lend itself to TV.

Roll tape!

Knowing this going in, it will be alot easier to watch.

jedi_rider

We'll get to see a lesson riding on sleep deprivation!

oldspark

Very little coverage of bike races on TV but when there is some people want to complain and pick it apart, go rain on some one elses parade please. I for one am thrilled to be able to watch this while waiting for spring.

EventServices

I'll continue to be skeptical about American TV coverage of cycling until I see something good.
I'll watch this one with an open mind. And if it paints an accurate picture of cycling, I'll be complimentary.

But I will say that inadequate coverage of cycling is a step backward.

This particular event is a beast to cover, so I'm actually amazed that they're even making an attempt.

oldspark

This is not the first time this has been broadcast is was done for a couple of years back in the eightys I believe and for me was quite fascinating.

EventServices

OK, it's been on for 20 minutes, and I'm impressed by the coverage, and thankful that it's not the typical network coverage.
What I want to know:
How many cameras did they have on the road? And what format were they? Beta? DV? mini-DV?

Guest

I don't know, but I'm impressed so far (I've got Tivo). What I'm wondering is, where are the women? I was sure women raced this ride, right?

Koffee

timmhaan

yeah, it's not bad coverage. didn't see any women either. i kinda like the team coverage, and the camera work and on-bike interviews are good.

gcasillo

No more than an inch of snow here, and my local NBC station is rolling school and church closings on 1/5 of the screen. But so far, the show is quite good.

SerialLadyKillr

pretty cool, and plus they are using a great singer/songwriter's, Bob Schneider, music for the soundtrack.

jazzy_cyclist

It wasn't the TDF, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I am in awe of those riders stupidity or heart, I'm not quite sure which...

Guest

I think it's a little of both.

Koffee

gcasillo

Best moment: Hassy saying to his support crew, "Hey, fellas, keep up if you can."

I'm surprised I didn't see more solo riders with aero wheels. Is there a rule forbidding them? I saw several teams with them though.

norton

Sort of a road version of the old 6-day velodrome races...

JoeOxfordCT

I agree.....however I myself am not quite ready to tie a bungee cord to the back of my helmet to keep my head upright while I ride, sleep deprived, into the night....