2009 Tour de France. This Rabobank rider was in the back group on the climb up the Platzerwasel. He was in so much pain that it looked like he was going to fall of his bike with each pedal stroke. It was a wet cold day that barely featured in the WCP TDF dvd. This was our first day on the tour and the end of the day we were soaked.
I Count 3 pairs of sunglasses, 3 cups of espresso, at least 3 Colnago Forks + 5 others, 1 Bag of Espresso Beans, 1 box of Premium Minis, Sidi Winter Shoes, 1 Derosa Time Trial Bike, 1 Colnago Time Trial Bike and so much more. And all I have to say is no one and I mean no one can rock the lime-green arm warmers like Sammy. I cannot wait for the first time we roll into St. Charles!!
Imagine your self on the Prairie Path trying to race the Double-Loop but instead of 2010 it is 1989 and Luke Hero, wearing his Atala-Campagnolo Jersey, gives you the look. All 150lbs of his body hurls itself up the Foxriverberg. Its like the movie the Terminator except Luke is not Sara Conner fighting against the machines he is fighting machines named Ben, Todd, Patrick, Isaiah etc etc etc.
I raced Mtn Bikes a few times back in the late 80's and got to see some of the stars of the day This is Jacquie Phelan who was one of the dominant women of the day. For more photos you can go to this site. Great Photos. I was not fast but I got to see John Tomac, Joe Murray, Joe Breeze, Ned Overend and the great Jacquie Phelan in the drops going downhill very fast!
In 1984-85 I bought my first real bike from Georges Lightweight Cycles in Boise, Idaho. A 1983 Trek 850. It was used and cost $375 which was the most anybody in my family ever paid for a bike. I used $175 of my own money and the rest was a birthday present. I also bought two issues of the Fat Tire Flyer which I still own to this day.
The Hero Nation has been calling for some information on the Double Loop for some training when the snow melts away. This is the closest thing to a map I can find of the Prairie Path Route. It of course does not take into account our diversions/modifications from road to limestone path but we will work on that. Without construction delays it is a 108 mile ride. Unfortunately our favorite climb the Foxriverberg has been taken out due to trail work on the Fox River Trail until Autumn 2010. Our Route starts on the red dotted line in Villa Park to Wheaton to S. Elgin (Fox River Trail) to St. Charles to Batavia Spur back to Wheaton. Repeat the Wheaton Loop again and then you have a 9 mile return trip from Wheaton to Villa Park. Over the years we have found quiet local roads from Wheaton to Villa Park which we will detail later. When we do the single loop (60 miles) it is usually this last section where the attacks take place.
I wish I could find a bigger picture of the cast from the TV version of Breaking Away. Shaun Cassidy did not get as nice a bike as Dennis Christopher.
I was talking with my good friend Ben Hero the other day about Podium Prizes for the Double Loop. It might be kinda of cool to have a Prize Potluck. This is what I am adding to the list. I purchased this thinking it might motivate the Heroes to do something special on that Spring Day. It is 11 x 14" and will be a great addition to your study, you know, the study where you sip Scotch and look at that beautiful steel frame mounted on the wall like a big game trophy. It may just tempt some of our Tenspeed Heroes in Boulder, New York, LA and Boise to come out, see their friends and ride the limestone paths they call the Double Loop.
Luke Hero with Stephen (Youth Development) Hero at Kirkham Hot Springs, Payette River Idaho.
Stephen looking for eagles.
Elk eating grass made available from of hot springs assisted snow melt.
Crossing the Payette.
In the coming months the Young Hero Development Team will start to go on their first training rides. First we will venture from Villa Park to the Fox River and then back to Villa Park in an effort to understand riding the limestone at speed. The next journey will be to do the Single Loop in preparation for the Double. Maybe a trip to the Blue Mounds to build some fellowship. Isaiah Hero and Todd Hero will look at young Stephen E, Stephen C., Rowley and Ken in the eye and tell them what it is like to win the Double, to race with Half Acre, to come home and share the spoils of the road with their lovers and friends. This day will come.
Memory does not serve me well in recalling which cobbled climb this is but I am sure I had to stop at least once on the way up. Re-starting on these things at 15% grade is near impossible but it can be done. Far off in the distance smoke stacks look quaint in a way they do not in Chicago. Also, can you believe 170 + riders come up this road on the first Sunday in April.
