As one who has consistently dismissed pro road cycling as boring ("ride 120 miles in a pack, followed by a mad dash in the final 200 meters"), I now formally withdraw all such complaints.

The drug issue is still a big problem, as it is with most sports, but this Tour has been phenomenal so far. Plenty of breakaways, lots of drama, almost nothing predictable or by-the-book. If you got me really drunk, I might admit that even the sprinting strategy/results has been mildly exciting. But overall, they could not have asked for a better start to the race. Is it enough to distract from all the drug issues? Possibly.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/ac/fullj.getty-tdf2007-cycling-feature_12_49_03_pm.jpg

^^^ stops shaving mid-thigh: poseur.

I am enjoying this one, however, my boy Vino isn't doing too hot. I can't wait after the recovery day ;)

^^^ stops shaving mid-thigh: poseur.

Now that is funny!!

It's exciting watching it here, much more prevalent on TV, in bars, etc. - sad I won't see any of it live, but I'll be riding on those freshly paved mountain passes on Wednesday!!

is there any way to watch it online live? i dont get the versus channel and watching 7 minute highlight reels on on demand arent cutting it anymore. i heard that someone is recording each stage and uploading them to demonoid.com, but you have to be a member to that site to download things. i need my fix.

haha, awesome pic! And I agree, so far I've been loving this tour.

I am enjoying this one, however, my boy Vino isn't doing too hot. I can't wait after the recovery day ;)

haha you have already given up in the first week..hahahah

haha you have already given up in the first week..hahahah

I want to see you ride with stitches in your legs and arms...competitively.

^^^ stops shaving mid-thigh: poseur.

Good grief, how could you stand to look long enough and closely enough to notice that?!

I've been watching the Tour for years, and I personally think bike racing is one of the most exciting sports on television. Granted, the TT's and most of the flat stages are boring, but you can't beat the crashes, breakaways, tactics, and the drama, the fact that hypothetically every single rider on the tour can win something always gives enough drama to keep things interesting.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/ac/fullj.getty-tdf2007-cycling-feature_12_49_03_pm.jpg
Is this why the tour has gotten your attention?

is there any way to watch it online live? i dont get the versus channel and watching 7 minute highlight reels on on demand arent cutting it anymore. i heard that someone is recording each stage and uploading them to demonoid.com, but you have to be a member to that site to download things. i need my fix.

keep an eye out sometimes demonoid opens up registration. you can also check out torrentreactor.net sometimes things get posted there.

BTW: those files are HUGE. 1.6gb per stage and they are the Eurosports feed not the Versus broadcast.

I did see Borat live and I was laughing my a** off!

This tour rocks! I haven't been this jacked for a sporting event in a long time.

This tour rocks! I haven't been this jacked for a sporting event in a long time.

+ 1. This year is much more intriguing because the first day in the mountains and/or TT did not dictate who was going to win. Captivating TV.

Too bad Rasmussen is a doper.

This tour rocks! I haven't been this jacked for a sporting event in a long time.

+2. Didn't go for a ride this morning because I was glued to the TV.

Too bad Rasmussen is a doper.

too bad no one will give him a Burger to eat.

I hope he doesnt win. I will take Contador over him any day and I really dislike Contador.

At least rasmussen attacks, LEVI IS A WUSS

I like Rasmussen -- he makes me feel like I have biceps, and I can say that about very few people.

Why do you dislike Contador? He's exciting to watch and looks like a tanner version of lance. Levi can't attack cause he'll blow up he just has to ride a steady pace.

Make sure to watch on Wednesday - I can't wait to see those hills on the screen as opposed to seeing them through a veil of sweat and fog.

Too bad Rasmussen is a doper.

Too bad [anyone in the peloton] is a doper.

Too bad [anyone in the peloton] is a doper.

I used to think that but not so much anymore.

Why do you dislike Contador? He's exciting to watch and looks like a tanner version of lance. Levi can't attack cause he'll blow up he just has to ride a steady pace.

I dont know I'm just not a fan of him. I also didn't like how he started arguing with Ras on the top of the Beille(sp). Dude this is a race, not a discussion, if you don't want to go...then don't.

I have been loving the tour also.

I have added 'cracked' to my bicycling vernacular. That is all I was thinking when going up Stunt, I am about to “crack”.

I used to think that but not so much anymore.

Yea I agree I don't think its so much the case in this years tour

I dont know I'm just not a fan of him. I also didn't like how he started arguing with Ras on the top of the Beille(sp). Dude this is a race, not a discussion, if you don't want to go...then don't.

That's part of cycling though. You give some and you take some.

This tour rocks! I haven't been this jacked for a sporting event in a long time.


I can't wait for Wedenesday. Contador & Rassmussen for the yellow jersey I think. Too bad there's a rest day, I think Contador would toast him if that b*tch of a stage was tomorrow instead of Wednesday after a rest day.

The next stage will be the most amazing on the tour, for sure. Last day of the mountains. Will Rasmussen crack? I'm guessing that due to the rest day, he'll be able to hold on. But the stage is brutal.

Based on the route profile, I'm thinking it's a total elevation gain of more than 16,000 feet over 130 miles with several spots that are more than 15% grade.

Just removed some spoilers to help keep this thread friendly to the TiVo crowd. There's an entire subforum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=217) for detailed discussions. I'm not removing all spoiler type info, though. You can't expect to enter a thread like this and not expect to get some sense how things are going. Yes, the above post lets someone know that Rasmussen didn't crack today. It's not the intention, but you have to expect to get some incidental knowledge about the results if you read a thread such as this one.

Anyway, I'm having a great time watching this year's race. Hope it continues to be as exciting.

Good point, Jason. Can't lose sight of Vance's claim in the subject header! I'll be more cautious since I'm up at 5am to watch...

Bottom line is that it's a great tour!

Why do you dislike Contador? He's exciting to watch and looks like a tanner version of lance. Levi can't attack cause he'll blow up he just has to ride a steady pace.

+1, get used to it. I think you'll be seeing Contador at the front for years to come. He is awesome, exciting, strong, and fearless. Hopefully wed he goes for another stage win and attacks earlier. I think he needs a minute and he will win the tour.

I can't wait for Wedenesday. Contador & Rassmussen for the yellow jersey I think. Too bad there's a rest day, I think Contador would toast him if that b*tch of a stage was tomorrow instead of Wednesday after a rest day.

The rest day wont save anybody. Wed is gonna be full of attacks. Its a last chance day for alot of the contenders. Look for Popo to go early.;)

I'll be more cautious since I'm up at 5am to watch...
You're not the only one up at that hour. I'm so sleep deprived nowadays.

The last two stages have really emphasized the importance of teamwork and gives me even greater respect for top domestiques like Boogerd and Popo.

Sorry to intrude......Just wondering why this is in the Socal Regional forum and not in TDF where everyone will see it and partake in the discussion.

Sometimes ya just like to BS with people ya know...

Are you BSing me, Joel? No more donuts for you!

Donuts? :D

Sorry to intrude......Just wondering why this is in the Socal Regional forum and not in TDF where everyone will see it and partake in the discussion.

All our threads quickly fall disintegrate and quickly stray from the original topic. We figure we'd keep the thread derailment off the main forum so as not to annoy folks. This thread has about 4 more posts before we'll talking about the relative merits of Bisquick vs homemade buscuits.

Donuts? :D


Krispy Kreme.


Mmmm.

Well put Ron

All our threads quickly fall disintegrate and quickly stray from the original topic. We figure we'd keep the thread derailment off the main forum so as not to annoy folks. This thread has about 4 more posts before we'll talking about the relative merits of Bisquick vs homemade buscuits.

I vote Homemade!

Oh, wait. That was only three posts.
Try again:

I vote homemade!

Although I like those little Pillsbury crescent rolls, too.

Joy, does that mean you are bringing homemade biscuits to the next ride?

Are you BSing me, Joel? No more donuts for you!
I've sworn off donuts. I need to get better at hill climbing.

Krispy Kreme.


Mmmm.

That brings back memories. :love:

Wed is going to be nuts. Look for Kloden to do something crazy before blowing up spectacularly. Especially with Vino supporting him, if he has anything left that is. All the contenders need to take a little time out of Ras before the TT on Saturday. Hopefully we'll finally get to see Evans and Levi do something other than keep pace.

Joy, does that mean you are bringing homemade biscuits to the next ride?

Biscuits are best when they're steamy fresh out of the oven.
How about banana bread or carrot cupcakes?