After the Summer is Over

The Tenspeed Heroes got together to preview their favorite ride for the upcoming Double Loop this sunday. We set out looking to check the condition of the course and to make sure there was no trail work that would disrupt sundays epic race. What we did not expect was the tension that started to reveal itself between those riders that went to France and those who stayed behind. For the riders that conquered Ventoux, Verbier, the Col de la Columbiere it was like coming home after summer camp to find that your hometown-girlfriend did not understand that something had changed. When our favorite Irish-American Hero (No Names), tried to pronounce some of the climbs we tackled it sounded like he was ordering a Mc Rib at Mc Donalds. Awkward yes. Re-introducing ourselves in places where we became Heroes was not easy, but then Sunday will not be either.

More from the Col du Platzerwasel

Tired

Fatigued

What comes after fatigued?

Confused?

These guys seem to be doing alright. But they got here earlier.

Johan Museeuw and Mt Ventoux

No I really did not meet Johan Museeuw on the tour. But I was sitting on a railing after climbing Mt Ventoux from our campsite. Jon was still coming up because he rode down to Bedoin and then came back up, but that is another post...Anyway. I was wearing an Eddy Merckx jersey and an old flemish man came up to me and spoke to me thinking I was flemish as well because of my love of eddy. He then turned to english after he realized I was not a Flandrian and we talked about bike racing, cobbles, mt ventoux, and the grand Canyon.



He was a retired school teacher and just came down to spend a few days on the Giant de Provence. He and Johan are from the same town in Belgium and the "Lion of Flanders" was his student. I asked how a young Johan was as a boy. He said "nice, a good little boy." We talked about Johan's trouble with EPO but we both agreed that Johan was still thrilling to watch on the cobbles no matter his fall from grace. No camera that day just a story...

Leaving the Col de la Colombiere

Frank, Andy and Alberto about to descend after reaching the top of the Col de la Colombiere.


This is what the road looked like when Luke and I descended. Frankly, I think the Alberto and co had it a bit easier.

The Col de la Columbiere

Jon and I rode up the Col de la Columbiere from the race finish in the Le Grand Bornand. It is easier than the way Frank and Andy came up and the only reason we did not ride down was because the rain was on and off all day and it gets quite cold coming down those hills. We decided to just stay at the top where we could duck under a chalet for cover. While we were there we saw the tour people prep the banner and get ready for the crowds



Jon stayed up at the Mountain Points Banner and I walked down to the crowd. It was crazy and surprisingly mellow at the same time. It is a bit like a dance where you crowd in on the cyclist and at the last moment you step back. I never felt like I was going to cause a crash but I was awful close to the riders a couple times. I took this photo of a National Police man and he shooed us back a couple of steps every time a rider came by. it is all pretty gentle. He would often be laughing with us after a lull in the race.



I must have missed the photo of the two Schlecks and Contador but I did manage to get Kloden and Zabriskie below. On the Ventoux I will be a little more prepared as I just had my point and shoot for these. The Hasselblad was a little to heavy to haul up the Mountain, plus the rain.



As Jon may have mentioned we are way behind on our posts. We are near the Ventoux right now in Provence and tomorrow we start camping on the Mountain. It is already getting filled up. I can't imagine how many people will be there on Friday. Upcoming posts will cover our ride up Ventoux, Marc Madiot doing his best reality television bit and more for sure.....

Jens Voigt

Very sad and worried about Jens Voigt after crashing on yesterday's stage. Let's hope for a quick and full recovery.

Verbier, Switzerland

This is the view that that Alberto and company (Lance, me, Luke, etc.) had while riding toward the finish on the Verbier stage of the TDF.


After a while you get used to being followed by a helicopter while riding. At first it's a little annoying, like a giant mosquito buzzing over your head.



When you see the flam rouge, or the 1k to go banner, it makes you forget all about the 206.7 kilometers that came before, or the 4.5 kilometers in our case.

Today we are off to ride the Col du Colombier.

How Young is Too Young?

This scene is from the Col du Platzerwasel as well, and Jonathan and I thought it deserved its own post. I will leave it to the Parents out there to guess how old this kid is but since we have been on the Tour we have witnessed this amazing scene time and time again. Parents and their tiny kids climbing the 7.9% Grades. The best part is the kids are often climbing out of the saddle a la Contador Kilometer after Kilometer. As they say Allez Allez Allez!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Col du Platzerwasel

Our first stop on the Tour route was Stage 13. We decided to camp on the category one climb of the Col du Platzerwasel. Coming from Munster the climb looked terribly hard. Since this was our first night we were a bit nervous about the camping protocol or even availability. We ended up pitching our tent right in front of our car. We could have found a better site but our neighbors were peaceful Dutch and French retirees which made sleeping a little easier. Some areas are party zones full of Euro-Bros soaked with beer.


The Stage turned out to be rainy and cold and by the time the tour caravan came by Jonathan and I were soaked. I had to run back to the car to get new clothes for us. It was a miserable day but seeing Alberto, Lance, O'Grady, Boonen and the rest was pretty exciting. The picture above is of a couple of old timers legs that had just finished the climb before they shut the road down.

We did not really come to France to do race photos but when Alberto and Lance come by we could not resist being amateur journalists. Jonathan got this nice picture of Alberto. When you are behind the camera it is actually hard to see who you are looking at. You just know that it is the Tete de la Course.

Tomorrow we are going to ride the Col du Romme and the Col du Columbiere before the riders get there on Wednesday. It is going to be a hard day. Harder than our climb to Verbier for sure. I have just learned to go slow....

Cobbles

Before joining the route of the Tour de France we took a deTour to Belgium and rode a section of the Tour of Flanders. We picked the 72 k route that included some of the famous bergs such as the Koppenberg, the Pattersberg and a few more that I cannot remember.

These cobbles are reported to be smooth compared to those of Roubaix. I am sure they are. I now have no desire to ride Roubaix. Surprisingly, the non-cobbled roads are exceptionally smooth. Beautiful, narrow, smooth roads with rolling hills. Luke and I both thought that the riding in Flanders is the best either of us have ever experienced.

Here is Luke being chased down by a local as he ascends the Koppenberg.

Here is Luke approaching the top of the Koppenberg.

Unfortunately, we only just found out that Europe has the Internet so we are a bit behind on our posts. Much has happened in the tour for example that we have yet to report. For example, did you hear that George Hincapie missed the Yellow Jersey, or Maillot Jaune, by 5 seconds? Sad but true. For 24 hours we thought that George was in yellow because we misunderstood the radio announcer, who speaks only in French, when he said "missed it by five seconds. We thought he said "got it by five seconds." Those were a nice 24 hours. We only found out the truth when Mr. Hincapie himself road by us, behind some guy in the Yellow Jersey.

Also, there is sad news about Levi Leipheimer. So sad in fact, that I do not want to tell you. The news will eventually make it overseas to the U.S.A.

heroes on the homefront

. . . A little guest post from Jen (Luke's girlfriend). . .


Just because Luke and Jon are currently in Europe about to follow the Tour de France with their bikes doesn't mean that the rest of the Heroes aren't working hard back home. Today Patrick stopped by to give my friend Caitlin and I an impromptu lesson on how to patch a flat tire. This particular lesson just happened to end in a new tube, but the session was informative nonetheless. So Patrick, thanks for keeping the girls riding around Chicago on cute bikes!

Amsterdam at t'Zonneweil

We have arrived safely in Europe. Yesterday we drove from Frankfurt to Amsterday in a VW Golf station wagon - bigger than the american Golf. The bike boxes fit easily in the back. Also, the bikes are together and unharmed. We've been biking on dutch bikes around town with one of our great hosts, Pete. He seems to know everything that you could possibly think to ask about Amsterdam. Particularly if it pertains to bike culture.


Perhaps this is why some people take there socks off in the plane.


Washing his wheels on the wet bridge.




Another of our great hosts, Farris, just yesterday made the momentous decision to become a bike racer when he grows up. And he is starting to grow up right away. He will be 4 years old in a day or two and this hat was made especially for that occasion. Apparently Farris likes birds. And apparently that's a bird.

One more great host needs to be mentioned: Amy. She is the bike mechanic among the hosts. We feel pretty lucky to have friends with a bike shop in Amsterdam. One thing I did not mention about the bikes is that the seat binder bolt for the Colnago somehow did not make the trip with us. Of course, Colnagos have odd-sized seat tubes and require a special bolt. Amy found a quick release style seat post clamp that fit. Thank you Amy.

Off to France tomorrow.

Tenspeed Heroes Go to France

Look for us on Ventoux. Wearing straw hats and looking dapper.

Going to Europe to watch a bike race

Mild-mannered tenspeed hero on his way to the airport.

Packing for France

New Look

The completed bike on a 60 mile test ride at Sammy's bikes.

The Campyfication of Ben's Look

Luke runs down the plan of action with the boys. Or he sits back and watches them work. Not clear which.

Bottom bracket removal.

Todd's solution to difficult BB removal.

Todd's rugged hands preforming unnecessary task. Honest mistake.

Rear brake installation.

Sophia, not wanting to get her tender paws greasy, decides to sit this one out, or sleep this one out.