USA Pro Challenge *** SPOILER ALERT ***
08-20-12, 12:13 PM
#27
Beer >> Sanity
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Does he train in full kit or something inconspicuous? I think it would be cool if some of the local guys would do some fun rides with the fans with the understanding that they will ride with us for a while and then at some predetermined point ride like they do during a race. I want to try and hold on as long as possible (~1.5 seconds) and get dropped by a pro just so I can really understand how much better they are.
08-20-12, 12:23 PM
#28
Descends like a rock
08-20-12, 12:32 PM
#29
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Does he train in full kit or something inconspicuous? I think it would be cool if some of the local guys would do some fun rides with the fans with the understanding that they will ride with us for a while and then at some predetermined point ride like they do during a race. I want to try and hold on as long as possible (~1.5 seconds) and get dropped by a pro just so I can really understand how much better they are.
08-20-12, 04:38 PM
#30
pan y agua
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There's someone waiting to grab your bike, hand your race bag, a recovery drink then a burrito.
You luggage is in the room, and your massage is scheduled.
We stay aty the same hotels, and eat with the pros. We have VIP access athe finish.
It's Pro Cycling Fantasy Camp. Carmichale raced professionally for a number of years and coached the National Team. He uses that experience, and connections to create as close as possible the Pro experience.
But that's good and bad. Staying in crappy hotels at times, eating cafeteria (albeit good cafeteria food).
If you want to do it cheap, DIY is way preferable. If you want luxury, something like Trek Travel would be better.
On the whole this is a huge challenge and a different perspective, and I'm glad I signed up, but I don't think I need to do it again.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-20-12, 04:44 PM
#31
pan y agua
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Managed to finish without getting swept. 6 hours 54 minutes. (riding time, elapsed probably more like 7:15) I'll post pics and a Strava or Garmin connect file later.
Went out way too hard to stay with the fast little climbers, before eventually accepting my fate, that I needed to be in the second group.
There was a big head wind on the valley coming toward Telluride, 50 miles of headwind, rollers, false flat on chipseal, really sucked, and the time our 5 man group was losing had us worried we wouldn't finish.
Up Leopard Pass, I was really suffering from the altitiude above about 8500 feet, just rode my own pass and solo'd in from there, which wasn't too bad because its mostly downhill into Telluride.
Went out way too hard to stay with the fast little climbers, before eventually accepting my fate, that I needed to be in the second group.
There was a big head wind on the valley coming toward Telluride, 50 miles of headwind, rollers, false flat on chipseal, really sucked, and the time our 5 man group was losing had us worried we wouldn't finish.
Up Leopard Pass, I was really suffering from the altitiude above about 8500 feet, just rode my own pass and solo'd in from there, which wasn't too bad because its mostly downhill into Telluride.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 08-20-12 at 05:37 PM.
08-20-12, 05:16 PM
#32
Maximus
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I'm curious about the logistics.
A couple of weeks ago I was at the finish line of the 6th stage at the Tour of Utah. It finishes with a 10 mile, 7.5% average grade climb (At Snowbird resort).
A grand fondo was organized to finish using the same route just before the race. Some of the people finishing the grand fondo made it to the finish line literally minutes before the winner of the stage (Johan Tschopp) arrived.
BTW, those guys are truly tinny. At the same race, this is how Ben King, Chris Horner and Jens Voigt look in their street clothes
A couple of weeks ago I was at the finish line of the 6th stage at the Tour of Utah. It finishes with a 10 mile, 7.5% average grade climb (At Snowbird resort).
A grand fondo was organized to finish using the same route just before the race. Some of the people finishing the grand fondo made it to the finish line literally minutes before the winner of the stage (Johan Tschopp) arrived.
BTW, those guys are truly tinny. At the same race, this is how Ben King, Chris Horner and Jens Voigt look in their street clothes
08-20-12, 06:14 PM
#33
pan y agua
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Pics: (it was overcast with some rain and thunderstorms, and the pics riding were mostly taken rolling and on an I phone.)
Heading toward Telluride:
podium:
George:
F'n Photobucket. I cleaned up those pics in their editor, and they lokk much better in Photobucket, but half of them come out unedited here. WTF?
And My Garmin is locked. Tech headaches.
Heading toward Telluride:
podium:
George:
F'n Photobucket. I cleaned up those pics in their editor, and they lokk much better in Photobucket, but half of them come out unedited here. WTF?
And My Garmin is locked. Tech headaches.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 08-20-12 at 06:35 PM.
08-20-12, 06:35 PM
#34
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Nice Merlin! I forgot you were signed up for this. Enjoy your experience. You may be suffering a bit but to help put it into perspective for you; my "hell": I've been in Durango since Friday and got to see the pre-prep etc but I've been too busy to ride or to see the start/finish. Work bites! I may get to see a little of the Montrose start but not super likely. I'll probably have to settle for watching the Flagstaff portion of the Boulder stage. <le sigh> as some might say. 
BTW, where are they putting you all up in Montrose?
oh, and thank goodness for the USA Pro iphone app... I did get to see some of the stream including the finish.
BTW, where are they putting you all up in Montrose?
oh, and thank goodness for the USA Pro iphone app... I did get to see some of the stream including the finish.
08-20-12, 07:15 PM
#35
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I guess I have to unsubscribe if Merlin is posting podium spoiler pix. Pretty freaking cool though. I'm heading to aspen tomorrow.
08-20-12, 08:19 PM
#36
pan y agua
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We're at the Telluride Mountain Lodge. (slightly less of a dump than the FLC apartments.) Shuttling to Montrose in the morning.
Who are you working with Hokuloa
Who are you working with Hokuloa
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-21-12, 05:20 PM
#37
pan y agua
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Bad day for me today.
Started out of Montrose into a huge headwind. Didn't feel good after yesterday and was suffering. Also the headwind really slowed our group's timing in relation to the Pro Peleton. Suffered up the first climb with the main group. Decided at the foot of the Blue Mesa climb to drop back to our next group on the road.
Turned out to be a bad idea. At the top of Blue Mesa, I was around 40 minutes ahead of the next CTS group, so I had 65 miles into Crested Butte into a headwind by myself.
To add insult to injury, flatted on that section had to wait about 30 minutes for a wheel (because I was between groups) and by the time I got support, it was futile to try to finish ahead of the pros.
I'll post pics later. The finish line at Mt Crested Butte was a pretty cool scene. They serve Fat Tire at the VIP tent, and the Ldoge at Mountain Square is actually a nice, 4 star hotel. So not all bad.
Started out of Montrose into a huge headwind. Didn't feel good after yesterday and was suffering. Also the headwind really slowed our group's timing in relation to the Pro Peleton. Suffered up the first climb with the main group. Decided at the foot of the Blue Mesa climb to drop back to our next group on the road.
Turned out to be a bad idea. At the top of Blue Mesa, I was around 40 minutes ahead of the next CTS group, so I had 65 miles into Crested Butte into a headwind by myself.
To add insult to injury, flatted on that section had to wait about 30 minutes for a wheel (because I was between groups) and by the time I got support, it was futile to try to finish ahead of the pros.
I'll post pics later. The finish line at Mt Crested Butte was a pretty cool scene. They serve Fat Tire at the VIP tent, and the Ldoge at Mountain Square is actually a nice, 4 star hotel. So not all bad.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 08-21-12 at 05:58 PM.
08-21-12, 05:46 PM
#38
pan y agua
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Pics from Crested Butte.
Te Jay taking it ahead of Vande Velde
Te Jay taking it ahead of Vande Velde
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 08-21-12 at 05:51 PM.
08-21-12, 05:54 PM
#39
Descends like a rock
nice. Just remember, a bad day doing what you're doing is like a super-awesome day for us. Today, I went to work.
08-21-12, 06:59 PM
#41
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**yeah, yeah cry me a river kid. You have no complaints in life**
08-21-12, 07:19 PM
#42
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Sounds like a rough day...
BTW, that is a novel obstacle on the course in the 6th pic. How the pros like the launch ramp finish?
BTW, that is a novel obstacle on the course in the 6th pic. How the pros like the launch ramp finish?
08-21-12, 07:30 PM
#43
well hello there
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Thanks for posting those photos. Fun!
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
08-21-12, 08:13 PM
#44
pan y agua
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So there is something to be said for the access. We eat buffet style in the same room as the Pros. Each team has their own tables, including us.
We're under strict instruction not to bug them at dinner. But you do get to hear their interactions. Tonight TJ was standing behind me in line, with Freddy Rodriguez. Everyone was cvongratulating TJ. Fast Freddy said that he foolishly tried to stay with TJ on the final climb to the line. TJ's response was that last year everyone thought it was going to be a Peter Sagan style sprint finish, and Levi schooled them.
TJ said with that memory he wasn't going to let that happen again.
Also saw Jens and Hincapie.
We're under strict instruction not to bug them at dinner. But you do get to hear their interactions. Tonight TJ was standing behind me in line, with Freddy Rodriguez. Everyone was cvongratulating TJ. Fast Freddy said that he foolishly tried to stay with TJ on the final climb to the line. TJ's response was that last year everyone thought it was going to be a Peter Sagan style sprint finish, and Levi schooled them.
TJ said with that memory he wasn't going to let that happen again.
Also saw Jens and Hincapie.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-21-12, 08:31 PM
#46
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08-21-12, 08:34 PM
#47
I let the dogs out
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I'll post some pics on Saturday when I see the pros in Boulder. Then I'll follow it up with some pics of the end in Denver.
08-21-12, 08:36 PM
#48
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I recently finished reading Joe Parkin's "A Dog in a Hat" about his days as a pro with Belgian teams. At one point he is going on about the really crappy hotel they were put in; Filthy room, plumbing barely working, people running through the halls making noise all night.
As they left the next morning, they learned they had just spent the night in a brothel.
As they left the next morning, they learned they had just spent the night in a brothel.
08-21-12, 10:36 PM
#49
Senior Member
I saw a piece on the local news (9News) about your group's ride. I'm guessing since you didn't mention it, you weren't one of the group they interviewed? I'll try to see if there's a a link and post if possible.
Good luck, great pics!
Good luck, great pics!
