Am I missing something, or are we still waiting for Team Liquigas-Cannondale to finalize their team? Shouldn't Ted King know if he needs to be in France on Saturday?
We now have 5 entrants in the EN Fantasy Tour league. You have until Sat AM (1400 Euro time) to enter. Click on the blue "Enter" box in the upper right. Our league code is: 22183943. Link to Velogames here. You can change riders on your team up until the deadline.
NBC/Universal has yet to release their TdF iPhone/iPad app that allows me to watch/listen to the stages while at my desk in the office - but I have faith it will be out in time.
I'm in. Be warned I have a very low cycling IQ but I'm working on it. Figured this would be good way to learn and make it a bit more interesting. Thanks for setting it up Al!
@ Jenn - if you were to give me 50 points on cycling IQ I would still be a negative! LOL.... Regardless, I'm in. This is also my first ever fantasy team, so not sure what to expect other than some trash-talk and chest-thumping... Bring it on!
Yeah I was looking for Leaky Gas. I want Tim Duggan in but guessing he's staying here. Fred Velo is looking at a lot of "value" picks this year. Going dark horse, swingin' for the fences. Hell, anybody can pick Cav and Wiggo.... Cadel getting no respect, yo! I think its going to be wide open and like the NFL, injuries will play a role.
@ Fred - When in doubt (a) go younger and/or (b) go continental - Iberia, France, Itallo - when looking for dark horse stage winners. At least that was my strategy. I'm very pleased with my team, so I suspect I'll lose at least 3 of them within the first week crashes.
@ Joe - Johnny Hoogerland is on VacanSoleil; if you want him on your team, he's an 8 point "unclassed" rider - the same value as Cancellera, interestingly. Overpriced, IMO.
Any of the TdF junkies in da Haus have any tips for dropping in on a stage or two of the tour? I may end up nearby with some free time for the stages on July 7-9 (including ITT), and have no idea how to think about planning it, from where to watch, to how to get a hotel room, to how to not get stuck in 4 hours of traffic trying to get to the next stage (if that's even possible). Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
My experience has been okay, it's all kind of seat of the pants. Other than the race route itself on the day of the stage, things weren't too crowded, generally. That was the big important stages in the Pyranees. For stages other than TT, I'd work my way into the finish town somehow and find a pub to watch the race as it comes in and then walk out and see the finish live. I think you have an uphill into town finish one of those days. Unless you watch the stage on tv and see the whole thing unfold, seeing the finish can be sort of boring in person. For the TT, I'd try to book a room near Besancon (prob not in) and then wiggle into town, watch the TT on Monday, hang out, see the city.
Jealous of ya Mike! Be sure to get some pics for us! I'm still working on my team. Trying to decide if I should blow my wad on both Evans and Wiggo and then fill in with low priced riders or try to choose riders more evenly. And of course, I have to pick Frank just 'cause. In any case, I'm with Al, I almost always lose two riders in the first week of the race! Name of the game is picking folks who won't crash!
I've been in hiding all year. After completing Ironman 70.3 Galway last September I went back to school to undertake a 1 year intensive MBA program. Over here we tend to be a little older doing MBA's (and some of my class are OLD!). Its been so intense that I haven't even had a chance to train so I have not raced this year.
I'm starting to come up for air with my finish date only 7 weeks away.
Glad to see so many involved in the EN velogames league. It should be fun!
+1 on what Chris said. All good advice. I used to live in the UK so have had a chance to get out to 'le Tour' on more than one occasion. Here are my quick thoughts. PM me if you would like to chat.
1. Stages 7 could be very interesting this year. You have a very nasty looking uphill finish that could allow you to see the race over an extended period. If you do plan to go to a climb remember to get there early. Each stage is different but usally the climbs are closed anywhere between 10 and noon. You're not going to one of the stages in the Alps so none should be closed overnight i.e. no need to camp out! Alternatively you could go to the start town and then head out and catch them on the road somewhere. The start towns can be fun, great atmosphere but sometimes a little chaotic with parking.
2. Stage 8 is very bumpy. Many opportunities to catch them on the road. This could be a good day to get up early, grab a quick breakfast, head down to the local patisserie/charcuterie get your self a picnic lunch and then park yourself on the side of the road for a few hours. With so many climbs (especially that Cat 2 in the last 20K) the crowds should not be TOO crazy and you should be able to get a good spot.
3. I saw the ITT at Lac Annecy a few years back. Contador crushing it in the dusk with all the lights flashing around him is a great memory. ITT is a long day. You are seeing the first one so the GC could be all over the place. However I would still expect the main contenders to be going off in the last hour or so which will probably be about 4pm local time. At Annecy there was quite a tasty climb on the route but this route looks pretty flat. Really you could pick anywhere. The finishing town as Chris says should be great with a good atmosphere, big crowds and some great sights.
Two last points;
(a) Hotels: A bit of a lottery at this stage. However as long as you don't try to stay too near to the start or finish towns availability is reasonable. I would recommend the via Michelin website http://www.viamichelin.com/ It is great for searching out small local hotels in rural France. I would especially look for the 'Logis De France' hotels. Look for 2 or 3 'castles'. After a long day watching the race you usually will not feel like going out for a meal. These hotels usually have great restaurants on site serving local cuising all for a reasonable cost.
(b) Don't miss the publicity caravan. It is a hoot. Yes it is tacky, yes it is really for the kids, but you will gets some great pictures and just the general people watching (you know what happens when they fire t shirts into the crowd at basketball games here? Well imagine that for an hour with all sorts of weird French 'stuff'). Oh and the snacks they give out are not too bad if you were not able to pick up lunch somewhere!
I could go on but that is probably enough for now. Have a great time, it is a fantastic event and a real blast
Sagan is learning fast. Just brilliant. You're 22 years old and THE Spartacus tells you to take a pull and you say, nope, sitting right here on your big ass. You punch the hole. He's patient and the field is coming and you've got B Haagan on your wheel who's supposed to win this stage and you just pop through and win. He's incredible, as is Cancellara. Pretty nice opening stage.
You're 22 years old and THE Spartacus tells you to take a pull and you say, nope, sitting right here on your big ass. You punch the hole. He's patient and the field is coming and you've got B Haagan on your wheel who's supposed to win this stage and you just pop through and win. He's incredible, as is Cancellara.
Pretty nice opening stage.
Bad Chris!!! Use the spoiler thread, or Al will come crush you!!!
Comments
According to cyclingnews.com, leekygas (and all other teams) have final start lists, and Ted King is not on it.
We now have 5 entrants in the EN Fantasy Tour league. You have until Sat AM (1400 Euro time) to enter. Click on the blue "Enter" box in the upper right. Our league code is: 22183943. Link to Velogames here. You can change riders on your team up until the deadline.
I'm in. Be warned I have a very low cycling IQ but I'm working on it. Figured this would be good way to learn and make it a bit more interesting. Thanks for setting it up Al!
Fred Velo is looking at a lot of "value" picks this year. Going dark horse, swingin' for the fences. Hell, anybody can pick Cav and Wiggo....
Cadel getting no respect, yo!
I think its going to be wide open and like the NFL, injuries will play a role.
@ Fred - When in doubt (a) go younger and/or (b) go continental - Iberia, France, Itallo - when looking for dark horse stage winners. At least that was my strategy. I'm very pleased with my team, so I suspect I'll lose at least 3 of them within the first week crashes.
@ Joe - Johnny Hoogerland is on VacanSoleil; if you want him on your team, he's an 8 point "unclassed" rider - the same value as Cancellera, interestingly. Overpriced, IMO.
BTW - does anyone know whatever happened to the driver of that car?
I heard he was wrapped in barb wire and thrown out of a truck @ 90 kph ...
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hoogerland-to-sue-over-tour-de-france-2011-crash
A good resource.
My experience has been okay, it's all kind of seat of the pants. Other than the race route itself on the day of the stage, things weren't too crowded, generally. That was the big important stages in the Pyranees. For stages other than TT, I'd work my way into the finish town somehow and find a pub to watch the race as it comes in and then walk out and see the finish live. I think you have an uphill into town finish one of those days. Unless you watch the stage on tv and see the whole thing unfold, seeing the finish can be sort of boring in person. For the TT, I'd try to book a room near Besancon (prob not in) and then wiggle into town, watch the TT on Monday, hang out, see the city.
Have fun!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jun/27/mark-cavendish-olympics-tour-de-france
IIRC - that plan didn't work out too well for him in 2008. Just sayin'
I'm starting to come up for air with my finish date only 7 weeks away.
Glad to see so many involved in the EN velogames league. It should be fun!
Fergus
Mike,
+1 on what Chris said. All good advice. I used to live in the UK so have had a chance to get out to 'le Tour' on more than one occasion. Here are my quick thoughts. PM me if you would like to chat.
1. Stages 7 could be very interesting this year. You have a very nasty looking uphill finish that could allow you to see the race over an extended period. If you do plan to go to a climb remember to get there early. Each stage is different but usally the climbs are closed anywhere between 10 and noon. You're not going to one of the stages in the Alps so none should be closed overnight i.e. no need to camp out! Alternatively you could go to the start town and then head out and catch them on the road somewhere. The start towns can be fun, great atmosphere but sometimes a little chaotic with parking.
2. Stage 8 is very bumpy. Many opportunities to catch them on the road. This could be a good day to get up early, grab a quick breakfast, head down to the local patisserie/charcuterie get your self a picnic lunch and then park yourself on the side of the road for a few hours. With so many climbs (especially that Cat 2 in the last 20K) the crowds should not be TOO crazy and you should be able to get a good spot.
3. I saw the ITT at Lac Annecy a few years back. Contador crushing it in the dusk with all the lights flashing around him is a great memory. ITT is a long day. You are seeing the first one so the GC could be all over the place. However I would still expect the main contenders to be going off in the last hour or so which will probably be about 4pm local time. At Annecy there was quite a tasty climb on the route but this route looks pretty flat. Really you could pick anywhere. The finishing town as Chris says should be great with a good atmosphere, big crowds and some great sights.
Two last points;
(a) Hotels: A bit of a lottery at this stage. However as long as you don't try to stay too near to the start or finish towns availability is reasonable. I would recommend the via Michelin website http://www.viamichelin.com/ It is great for searching out small local hotels in rural France. I would especially look for the 'Logis De France' hotels. Look for 2 or 3 'castles'. After a long day watching the race you usually will not feel like going out for a meal. These hotels usually have great restaurants on site serving local cuising all for a reasonable cost.
(b) Don't miss the publicity caravan. It is a hoot. Yes it is tacky, yes it is really for the kids, but you will gets some great pictures and just the general people watching (you know what happens when they fire t shirts into the crowd at basketball games here? Well imagine that for an hour with all sorts of weird French 'stuff'). Oh and the snacks they give out are not too bad if you were not able to pick up lunch somewhere!
I could go on but that is probably enough for now. Have a great time, it is a fantastic event and a real blast
Enjoy
Ian
New road ID commercials, including Jens voigt and the amazingly beautiful Jenny fletcher!!!
www.roadid.com/bobke/#riajqrgGKrQ
You're 22 years old and THE Spartacus tells you to take a pull and you say, nope, sitting right here on your big ass. You punch the hole. He's patient and the field is coming and you've got B Haagan on your wheel who's supposed to win this stage and you just pop through and win. He's incredible, as is Cancellara.
Pretty nice opening stage.
Bad Chris!!! Use the spoiler thread, or Al will come crush you!!!
Sagan owes Spartacus a belgian beer for perhaps the best one man up hill lead out of all time, that's for sure.