I just thought with all the griping we do about the stuff we can't stand about OLN, we should do a thread on the stuff they do great. Maybe if some OLN exec is reading, they'll take some cues for an even better Tour de France coverage for next year. :)

Some things that I like about OLN:

-LIVE coverage... that's da bomb, baby!

- When they do extended coverage for the longer stages. What a pleasant surprise.

- Phil and Paul. They are both great!

- Not showing the Cutters in the morning. I would probably go out and have some serious road rage issues if I had to endure that in the morning! I get the Tour and coffee, and that's how I like to start my day!

- When they have that commercial free half hour coverage sponsored by one company. It's so awesome that they don't have to take a break, then we have to see the recap of the crash, the finish, etc.

- The explanations- I like how they break down the technical stuff the teams are using for their bikes and stuff. It's fascinating.

- Talking about the other riders. WE WANT MORE!

That's what I can think about right now. I'm sure I'll post more later.

Koffee

You gonna be with us for the fall one-days, Coffee? I'd forgotten 'bout ya until this TDF.

Well, I will be. I haven't been before because I didn't have OLN (cable provider didn't have it). That was pure torture, especially because news about other races were few and far between. I got OLN finally, so I'll be there for every knock down, drag out bike race, unless I'm in Europe, of course. Then I'll be observing from the sidelines!

Koffee

Hell yeah I'm gonna be there for the classics. Record every one of em
so I can watch over the winter.
Now back to OLN.
Props for the "Rollistrator" I think its great, love him or hate him Bobke does
well at explaining tactics etc.
props for not cutting out if a stage goes over allotted time (although it does mess
up dvr recorder unless I extend recording an extra half hour)
guest commentators, really liked having Davis Phinney give his opinions of the
race.
Robin Williams who else could get away with Bikesexual?
and just for Koffee, shots of Cheryl and Lance doing some semiserious tongue wrestling!
(just kidding)
Marty

i don't have cable, but i was able to see stage 13 in a movie theater (as part of the tyler hamilton MS foundation and OLN). i thought that was a great community event. i hope they continue to sponser that.

I love the "Aerial view brought to you by Trek". I thought it was brought to us by the TdF. Is there a Trek helicopter?

- The interview w/ Robin Williams yesterday was a lot of fun...

Another vote for the Roll-a-strator (really showed how Lance took the inside line to beat Basso on the last turn that mattered on the 2nd mountain stage - while Basso followed the line in the road that veered right, compared to the barriers).

Also, all the Frankie Andreu segments are good: inside looks at the gear, the communications, etc. - fascinating stuff. And the history moments are very good, to add perspective about the great TdF riders of the past.

I don't have a single complaint about the OLN coverage. I watch the morning live coverage, so I don't see the Cutters or the broadcast by Bob and Al. I don't mind Bob and Al like others seem to, but you can't do better than Phil and Paul.

I like that they started airing live coverage of the Saturday/Sunday stages this year.

Compared to when I started following the Tour in the 80's when you got a one hour recap on the final day in Paris, there is no comparison in the coverage, so I'm going to be thankful that we have OLN. I wouldn't want the entire 5 or 6 hours anyway. Then I'd be up at 3a.m. to watch it.

I also like the replays- I am watching the repeat of stage 16 right now.

Koffee

I like having Bob Roll in the booth with Phil and Paul like they did at the Giro d'Itlaia.

Davis Phinny seems good for a job, if his health is up to it.

More Robin Williams!