Fifty Plus (50+) - Brasstown Bald! (TdG stage 6)

What a great day! the forecasted rain and thunderstorms never materialized. It was a beautiful day and an exciting finish. The fans were crazy as always and the riders suffered greatly to provide a world class show.

Be sure to see all the pictures in full size here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/sets/72157604726774755/

Here are some samples at lower resolution:

Top of the world, Ma!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2160/2445629005_eb0e6c3e24.jpg

The boy makes a friend ;)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2445629553_7128fbded1.jpg

Talking race tactics with Frankie Andreau
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2445630709_0225c89476.jpg

The view behind our spot 150m from the finish
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2373/2446458116_571a7ba78a.jpg

Switchback 500m from the top. Where the winning move happens.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2446463014_f6b5529317.jpg

Those crazy race fans. :eek:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/2445633975_9705561620.jpg

Kanstantin Sivtsov is the first up the mountain.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2446464358_bd1c75ba59.jpg

Levi Leipheimer and Trent Lowe follow just a little too late.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/2446466430_08630e457a.jpg

more...

Bobby Julich and Scott Nydam
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2446478354_44896b1a00.jpg

George Hincapie group
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2446483830_edd34da247.jpg

Chris Horner
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2446489610_79e27efd0a.jpg

Dave Zabriskie looking a bit weary.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/2446499062_2d79d13a30.jpg

Bobby Julich eases back down to the parking lot.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2445674039_ab94e38cfd.jpg

more suffering
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2179/2445685001_978660eac6.jpg

Freddie driving the sufferbus
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2445694631_ba3ae45cc4.jpg

I think he liked hearing it was almost over.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/2445695357_3b6e117e93.jpg

The new race leader
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2445626155_e1813f52b3.jpg

The long walk down the mountain
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2446520298_8df79bc81c.jpg

Take it that Bikes were not allowed up to the finish. Long walk back I should think.

Thanks for the photo's- but hopefully- you have encouraged some others to get out and see the professionals at work-They are well worth seeing.

Great pics and hope the legs recover from the walk down the hill.

I walked down Alp D'Huez after a stage....OUCH it was not great..

Great pictures!!!

Take it that Bikes were not allowed up to the finish.

Bikes can go up to the parking lot 1K from the finish line. We have ridden up in the past, but decided to leave them at home this time. We took a shuttle van up the mountain but decided to walk down. I think I'll take my bike next year.

Take it that Bikes were not allowed up to the finish. Long walk back I should think.

Thanks for the photo's- but hopefully- you have encouraged some others to get out and see the professionals at work-They are well worth seeing.

Great pics and hope the legs recover from the walk down the hill.

Yes, I enjoy the pictures as well. I would sure like to go to some of the races.I blew it today, I thought about the races all week and I missed them today. On the TV that is.

Good pictures! I watched from just before "the wall" It was a great day for a rise and a race. It was good to see you at Road Atlanta on Thursday, Got to see them Friday as they went within a mile of the house.

Dan

Yes, I enjoy the pictures as well. I would sure like to go to some of the races.I blew it today, I thought about the races all week and I missed them today. On the TV that is.

George,

You an see a lot more than just the daily 1/2 hour recaps here:
http://web.wcsn.com/schedule/index.jsp?s=34009&e=2008_tour_de_georgia_sched

Good pictures! I watched from just before "the wall" It was a great day for a rise and a race. It was good to see you at Road Atlanta on Thursday, Got to see them Friday as they went within a mile of the house.

Dan

Hey Dan. :beer:
I enjoyed the beer and the talk Thursday at the TTT. It has been a fun week. Getting back into the daily grind tomorrow will be tough. :(

Nice shot of Levi opening up the suitcase of pain.
I love to see the pros suffer.

Oh, and, Yay Team High Road!