veloman

Being in Luxembourg I suppose I should root for Andy Schleck.

Well done to them brothers.

So you are in Luxembourg ! You may know that Luxembourg produced another famous climber (and TdF winner I think) called Charley Gaul. But you may have to be 60ish to remember him. Bit of a legend I think but became a recluse.

about as appealing as eating a shit sandwich, when there's a normal sandwich right next to it and im not even remotely desperate for food.

An interesting simile; so perhaps more of a Jane Austen/ George Eliot fan then :winkold:

I wonder how long it will be before someone suggests that 'The Illuminati'

are behind all this ! It is starting to sound like something out of "Atlas Shrugged" - anyone read that ?

Yep, I reckon Voeckler should get more credit; he is no slouch in the hills but it may come down to how much his(relatively) weak team can help him.

It seems the French have been suggesting Cav had a tow up the hills yesterday, perhaps hanging on to a car or something. They arent the greatest sports are they, particularly when it comes to Le Tour !

After all, they were and still are after Lance and we all know he is clean.

(lights touch paper !)

Another great win today and Green Jersey must be a distinct possibility now.

What channel was that HTC proramme on please Mons ?

Good question. As my bike is worth more than my car, I put it in the car and wife on the roof !

All pro teams use roof carriers but that is for quick changes in a race situation. Roof can affect petrol consumption and (if you are as daft as me which you probably are not) it is possible to forget the bike is there when you go under a barrier over a carpark or something .

I think that there are a fair few rear mounted carriers these days but think the police can be a bit sniffy if the number plate is obscured.

I realise that doesnt really answer your question but perhaps just something to consider. Some manufacturers do a specific carrier for vehicles in their range; you could look into that .

Just a plug for a mate who has opened a bike shop in Tamworth.

2 Wheels Only - Lower Gungate in Tamworth. Ask for Martin (former schoolboy road race champion and Commonwealth Games track sprinter).

He is also a BIG Villa fan -so, if you live in the Tamworth area, mention that you saw it on here and he should sort you out. Repairs, road bikes mountain bikes and bits. Much better than Halfords !

Well yes Rev, there are a couple. Bradley Wiggins could get up on GC but he may have put a lot into winning another big French race called the "Dauphine Libere" - summat like that anyway. This is a damn good race to win so we shall just have to see. The other two are Ben Swift and Geraint Thomas (who the TV might refer to as "G" 'cos everyone calls him that) Both excellent riders; team time trial could be interesting tomorrow 'cos Thomas is right up there and with Wiggins,a time trial specialist, in his team ----could be interesting.

Quite how Contador managed to ride this years tour with such a cloud hanging above his head is unbelievable.

I cannot imagine why Contador would use Clen - he doesnt need it. It is mainly a fat-burning agent and is not even a 'proper' steroid. Abdujapourov (however you spell it) got caught using it but he would seek to control hie weight; it does also help breathing too. It does have a vetinary use I believe, hence the contaminated meat argument.

They said on Eurosport that the French booed him at the signing-on podium; but then he aint French !

NB Bradley Wiggins has been coached by Shane Sutton lately. Although Shane is an Aussie he was based in Brum for sometime and is a keen Villa supporter.

When I have recovered from this afternoons bike race on the A50 in Derbyshire, I shall shortly be taking-up the postion of Chairman of Selectors for England !

I must know more about cricket than they do - how on Earth could they leave-out Ian Bell !!!!!!!! That must be one of the daftest decisions I have seen for years in cricket. Any thoughts ?

I believe this pair were discussed in 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'. Please refer to that filum for further opinions

Respect for that ^^^. Isnt it quite 'lumpy around there ? Road bike or mtb ?

34 miles Friday after work then 50 yesterday; hoped to do another 50 today but legs ache plus blowing a gale so wimped out

Well the vultures are circling for Lance Armstrong; Landis, Hamilton and now (his mate !) Hincapie sticking the knife in. Could be bad for World cycle racing - but at least the French will probably be happy

I've no idea if he was a 'charger' but he did alter his body shape after his recovery from cancer. The only other person I have seen do that so dramatically was Canadian runner Ben Johson- but he gained mass whilst Armstrong lost it. I know there are cycling fans on here - any thoughts ?

Just got back from watching Warks beat The Heathens (Scotland !)

(Wife was born in Scotland btw) We dont half miss Sir Ian and Trott come to that . Brightest moment was when somebody switched the sprinklers on and one part of the crowd got soaked as the wind blew water all over them.

Lancs next I think - I hate them !!

]If that's the case, and there was an un-marshalled road crossing, that's disgraceful. They shouldn't be allowed to host another race.

Well I was surprised but as a (sort of ) competitor in another sport, I know that one can sometimes become pre-occupied with the event. I also know that competitors dont always take any notice of marshalls.

I certainly wouldnt "report" the incident or anything but blimey this woman (who ran out in front of me) came pretty damn close.

Anyone know about some sort of 'organised ' run near Lichfield today?

Came through a smallish village called Whittington, about 11.45, on bike and some runners just ran straight across in front of me from a side road - no race marshall or 'owt. Just missed them- 'cos I'd got 50 miles in my legs by now, so was starting to slow down but I thought it was a tad dangerous.

ps. There were signs saying "Caution Runners" - perhaps that was sufficient :shock:

I venture to suggest that there could be a down-side to Warks brilliant start to the season. Chris Woakes appears to have been playing a blinder and must attract the attention of the England selectors. So - Warks could be without Trott, Bell and Woakes for part of the season. This must affect our chances of lifting a trophy do you think ?

Well here we go again - new season (have altered thread to 2011 -thanks LIMPID)

Great start by Warks - particularly nice to see Chris Woakes with another century and then pick up wickets. So, should he be (yet another Bear) playing for England and how do cricket fans on here think Warks will do this year ? (and that other lot down at Worcs I suppose :winkold: )

Mark you, if AVFC WERE to be relegated it would cast a cloud over the whole season !

AshVilla - really suggest that you look at second hand. Cyclists, particularly mtb'ers, are terrible fashion victims and swap really good machines quite regularly. So it appears that you dont want a road bike so hybrid or mtb I guess. Have no experience of hybrids so cant comment but if you go for an mtb, would suggest you go hardtail (no rear suspension) and even wouldnt worry about disc brakes (heavier and more to go wrong) Would suggest main thing is not to get a frame that is too big - a common mistake as shops seem to have no effin idea and will sell you what they have in and tell you it is perfect. You can get some bargains from discount places but they can be pretty heavy and with poor quality group-sets.

Hope that helps.

veloman - i own all of oasis' and the smiths' stuff, easily two of the greatest bands of all timet

Aye - you could be right - its probably just my age. After all, I still think Steely Dan is the greatest band of all time.

I find this fascinating. Many people not rating U2 (same riff in nearly every number) Oasis (excellent pub band) The Smiths (fall asleep when listening so cant comment). So who the hell buys their records to make them such "mega stars" ? It's like trying to find someone who voted for Thatcher - no-one admits to it.

Incidentally, Elvis was a damn good club singer; I actually backed him at East Birmingham Trades & Labour Club !

Well he said he was Elvis.

Actually what he said was"If you're a drummer ....."

In answer to dodgyknees question in the "Running" thread; it really does depend on the course and the weather i.e not blowing an effing gale !

On a race bike as opposed to ATB 12 to 13 minutes would be good.

5 miles isnt a usual time trial distance so a bit difficult to say but club riders would be looking to do 10 to 11 mins I reckon.

I have been getting bad muscle cramp in my legs, especially after 3 hours on bike or a race. Went to Docs and he suggested drinking Dr Pepper. Does it have quinine in it ?

Although well past all this sort of thing now - married 30 years - I can remember exactly how this felt; in fact in my teens I was covered in bruises where girls HAD touched me with a 10 foot bargepole !

You have my sympathy Rodders and remember the words of the Neil Young song (you may be a bit young to know of him) but he wrote a prophetic number called "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" .

So true.

(don't give a hoot about the cold, but I'm worried about falls), so my training has gone to pot.

Yeah that is my situation and I have the added bonus that if you come off in the road someone could run over you :cry:

By the Gods, those times of R.I.C.O.'s look quick - even tho' I am not au fait with fixed-distance running times. Might postpone my start of racing until April (or even May !