Dale
Posts:1767
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| 12/07/2021 08:24 AM |
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| Stage racing has devolved into an accountants game- scripted, calculated, generally dull until they throw in a day where the stage is short and the attacks start at the gun and it becomes a full on knife fight. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 12/07/2021 10:52 PM |
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OC is correct, my rant was focused on the grand tours. Small caps, as that is mostly what they are now, mostly. So if I were emperor I would ban race radios beyond warnings of road hazards and would surely ban power meters. In other words, I would ban robots.
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 12/26/2021 01:05 PM |
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Nice win by Wout today….hopefully gives him a mental boost moving forward, even if MVP is still not at full speed yet. He completely dominated the race.
Also a great ride by Toon Aerts to finish on the podium. Went from the start and took the race to both Wout and MVP. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 12/28/2021 11:43 AM |
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| Doubt we’ll see VDP in another cross this year. There was an article on his injury history the other day. Seems he’s had back issues since his youth, in fact his junior road worlds title seems to have come straight after a back injury recovery. Best scenario seems to be recovering in time for spring classics. Give how chronic this is he’ll likely have to start managing his objectives more carefully. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 12/28/2021 04:12 PM |
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^
I expect to see WvA in Fayetteville and for him to mop the field. Even if MVdP shows up... which is at this point doubtful, I can't see him threatening the top podium step. 2nd would be a good day for him given the current circumstances but as OC opines, he ought to be more selective in what he chooses to race.
To my surprise when I told my wife of my plans to watch, she said she wants to go as well. Hotels are stupid expensive that week but we've thrown money at dumber things. Probably get in some hiking in the mornings before the races. Loads of cool hikes in that area so it's going to be a fun weekend. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 12/31/2021 07:01 AM |
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Dale, I got 2 rooms in Bentonville for cheap. Only 40 min away and great riding (as you know)
Undecided if I will go given the current state of the world. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 12/31/2021 07:24 AM |
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I was in that part of AR yesterday and drove to the venue. No parking on site, they'll run shuttle buses.
We've booked a cabin at Devils Den State Park about 40 minutes south of Fayetteville with hiking right outside the cabin's door. Cool place built in the 1930's by the CCC. They used to have a stage race there with a brutal uphill TT. Steve Tilford had one of his many crashes there- he finished his warmup then descending somehow went down. He posted his GPS file where he went from 40 to zero in short order.
You've got my email? Keep me posted on your plans. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 12/31/2021 01:03 PM |
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You've got my email? Keep me posted on your plans
Will do!!! |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 12/31/2021 01:12 PM |
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Posted By Dale Dale on 12/31/2021 07:24 AM
We've booked a cabin at Devils Den State Park about 40 minutes south of Fayetteville with hiking right outside the cabin's door.
This better be with a shouldered bike. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 12/31/2021 02:20 PM |
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bwahaha... pass, my wife already thinks I'm nuts.
And todays public service announcement. When getting on a mountain bike do not use the cyclocross flying leap technique, the saddle-to-ground height is not the same. I was fooling around in the parking lot and about injured myself trying to look cool. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 01/03/2022 11:47 AM |
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Nice win for Pidcock in Hulst, even if it was slightly assisted by Wout's drivetrain mechanical.
brandt continues to dominate the women's field....really impressive.
That was a super-technical course and fun to watch. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 01/03/2022 01:55 PM |
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Posted By Cosmic Kid on 01/03/2022 11:47 AM
brandt continues to dominate the women's field....really impressive.
You see what Brandt said about Alvarado being held up by a lapped rider?
As someone who's been lapped occasionally I figure it's my job to get the heck out of the way and not factor in on the finish. Poor form for the US rider to not just move hard left to give a clear line for Alvarado. Looks like she held up Brandt a bit as well but really messed up Alvarado.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/brand-criticises-uci-over-lapped-rider-rules/ |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 01/03/2022 02:10 PM |
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Poor form for the US rider to not just move hard left to give a clear line for Alvarado.
Absolutely....how hard is it to understand that when the leaders are even close to you, you get the hell out of the way? Sucked for Alvarado. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 01/03/2022 02:33 PM |
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Speaking of getting lapped... Hermann, MO a bunch of years ago at Dogfish Cross they lumped all the masters in to one field with staggered starts. 40's go, 50's go, 60's go all with a 30 or 45 second gap between. I've already spotted a full minute or more to my team mate who kills the 40+ field not to mention the 50's and 60's and in a 45 minute race, sure enough and I look back here he comes.
Problem is I'm 300 meters from the finish and don't want to do another lap so I ease up. He's got a monster gap on 2nd so HE lets up, laughing to himself that he's not going to lap me so I have to keep going. I see what's going on and let up more. We're now both about track standing and I say, "Heck with that," stomp the pedals, sprint to the finish line, and post up. Everyone there, except the officials and my team mate, think I just won... photos of me, people yelling, etc.
The official rolled his eyes, shook his head, laughed a little, and waved me off the course.
My teammate rolled through a few seconds later laughing at my idiot move.
He did point out his winnings to my 10th place, or whatever it was with no payout.
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 01/03/2022 06:15 PM |
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As Brand (nor Brandt) said it’s not about the specific rider, it happens all the time. I could see moving out of the way being tricky on technical courses.
It’s about how race officials and rules deal with lapped riders. Apparently Brand offered suggestions last year but no response. |
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