Cyclocross

Interested in the sport of cyclocross?
The New York Times has a pretty good story about the emerging sport. It begins:

"The burgeoning pro tour for the sport of cyclocross had a successful fall: big crowds, thrilling finishes, the emergence of a superstar in the 6-foot-5 Ryan Trebon. But because of what most people consider good weather at several stops throughout the country, the United States Gran Prix of Cyclocross, in its third year, headed into last weekend’s finale here lacking mud, one of the sport’s most important elements."

Saturday Wheelings and Dealings

And holiday greetings to my fellow Cranks and our cranky readers.
I haven't been in much of a posting mood these days, although there have been little nuggets of news here and there.

So, off the top of my head:
-- I don't think Bad Boy Floyd is anymore guilty than anyone else on a bike these days. Like Tooth, I think just about everyone pushes the envelope with meds and such. Sometimes, they cross the line. How stupid of it would it have been for BBF to cheat with the expectation of winning the Tour knowing he would be tested? I don't think he's the brightest bulb in the universe, just a little naive at times. I don't like the coyness; everyone knows what everyone else is doing. But I don't think he overtly cheated.

-- Ivan Basso might as well ride for the Discovery Channel as anyone else. I don't think we really know why he didn't ride in the Tour. Or Jan Ullrich. Were they unable to purge their systems in time? Was there something to purge?

-- I do know this: I just don't care as much as I did. Maybe that's why I haven't been posting.

-- Oh yeah. Our Boy Lance. What's up with him? He's diluted his impact, I feel, for cancer research over the past year with his playboy period. But who's to say he wasn't entitled? He still does more than almost anyone else. He's still the poster boy for cancer research. As long as he remains on message, let the boy have a little fun.

-- Finally, Tyler Hamilton is back with some new Italian team called Tinkoff Credit Systems. I don't recognize a single other name on the team (but Granny probably does).

Happy Turkey Day Cranks!

Resurrecting Floyd

Alright, he hasn't been eloquent in his defense, but he has been consistently steadfast in his message...I DIDN'T DO IT! But after countless other cyclists before him who pleaded their innocence after having tested positive, Floyd Landis just seemed like the next guy to cry wolf. And after his "B" Sample came up positive, it didn't really matter to anyone what Floyd, his associates, his God-fearing parents, or his trainers or doctors said, he was guilty.

Well, let's borrow a phrase from Lee Corso..."Not so fast my friend."

There are new reports that there may have been a serious error at the French lab...how serious? They reported the wrong numbers. So these numbers, the positives, may not even be his...someone was cheating, but who? The French Conspiracy Theory against American cyclists just may have gotten a boost, as it seems the blinders may have been on at French lab.


Who do you believe...at this time, do you even care?

At least a group of people in the San Diego area still do, and right now they are the only ones that matter.

Allez Floyd!

Not Your Ordinary Hump Day...

THE GAME
You're gonna have to excuse Oude Granny for a bit here as I have to start off with a comment on THE GAME this weekend. As a sports fan, I'm proud and extremely happy to say that I fall on one side of two of the greatest rivalries in sports; that being the Yankees - Red Sox and Michigan - Ohio State. And in both cases, I'm even prouder to say that I'm a fan of the latter.

Interestingly enough, there are striking similarities among the teams. Both fan bases of the Sawx and Buckeyes are generally referred to as "Nations," as in Red Sawx Nation or Buckeye Nation; and they are equally as diehard. While the fans on the other side are often viewed as harboring a "superiority complex" for having beaten their rivals soundly over the years (26 World Series titles to 6, and although the Buckeyes have played Michigan even during the modern era of football, Michigan still holds a 17 game advantage in the win column; Derek Jeter - UM/Yankee Poster Boy).

Now how does this all relate to cycling, well for a Sawx and Buckeye fan it all starts and ends with PASSION.

The TC started this blog earlier in the year because we "were" extremely passionate about the sport of cycling. I say "were" because the luster came off when the scandals hit...And NO, although T-o-03 keeps up with OBL, we weren't just "Lance" fans whose interest suddenly waned because he had retired. The once fervent have been reduced to a group of dispirited cyclist. How does Oude Granny know this? Well around this time of year, when the route of the Tour de France is announced, there was about as much excitment and anticipation as THE GAME has this weekend. This time last year, we would have broken down our favorite stages, marked down which ones couldn't be missed, and maybe, just maybe even planned a trip to take in some of the race.

Don't get me wrong, the TC still loves to cycle and to talk about the events in and around cycling, but until the sport is able to honestly confront its issues, it'll be difficult to wrap our arms around any of the sports "athletes."

What A Hack...
Oude Granny shouldn't be surprised by the lengths and depths some individuals may take in order to perpetuate a lie, or in this case a defense. But it saddens me to hear that one of Floyd Landis' mates may be involved in a computer hacking conspiracy to clear his name. Apparently, one of Floyd's associates "hacked" into the computers at the French lab that ran all his tests and sent out fake emails to all the heads of the major cycling governing boards claiming past laboratory mistakes. Word to the wise, plan ahead!!! At least have a native French speaker write the letters, not someone who knows the French language as well as Bob Roll (sorry Bob, but your "Tours de France" have been killing me all these years). To read the sad details, follow this link to Velonews.com.

We Believe - Part (what f*%$^@ part is this now)
Tyler Hamilton is officially back (my apologies for the painful pun to the left) in cycling as there are reports that he has signed with a team. Many have reported that its the new continental pro cycling squad headed up by Oleg Tinkoff, Tinkoff Credit Systems. But no one is letting the cat out of the bag, yet. The question, however, still remains for those ardent supporters of Tyler's who waited out the sentence of a presumably innocent man - Do You Still Believe?? For the rest of the details, check Cyclingnews.com.

Fro-Yo, Now Cy-Yo...Huh?
That's right!! No, it's not from the makers of Fro-zen Yo-gurt, but from the state that has some of the best fro-yo and ice cream (if you're ever in Beantown, run, don't walk, over to JP Licks), Massachusetts. Now comes a marriage of seemingly polar opposites, but one that makes a whole lot of good old fashion sense...Cycling and Yoga, or Cy-Yo. Although Granny hasn't participated in one of these classes, they are apparently more Yoga than Spin, with a focus on the alignment of your body in order to cycle better. As I've done both, albeit separately, in the past, be prepared to get your arse kicked and love every minute of it. Check it out at Cy-Yo.com.

Incidentally, Buckeyes 24 - Michigan 10.

The TC's Got The Fever!

The Fixed Gear Fever that is...

If you're a regular reader of this blog or have stopped by on occasion, you probably know that Oude Granny tried out his cycling skills on the track this summer/fall. Well in order to incorporate another flavor to this blog, we've added the site Fixed Gear Fever to our list of sites to visit (see sidebar). The site is probably the most comprehensive of its kind on the internet (although I've seen some great track site solely devoted to juniors). Anyway, if you don't have a local velodrome or don't know much about Track Cycling, give The Fever a whirls.

Mr. Right

Wondering how the 2007 inception of Discovery Pro Cycling will perform with all the recent turnover...wondering if they signed the right guy(s) in the off-season? Well this picture by CorVos for Pezcyclingnews.com kind of speaks for itself, as Ivan Basso is already back to training in full Discovery regalia days after his signing.

In Weather Like This, We Ride!

Mike Armellino and I got out on the W&OD Trail here in Northern Virginia this morning for a brisk 35 miles in about two hours. Temperatures were in the 60s (with mid-70s predicted for the afternoon). Our little ride seemed like a good event to celebrate the Cranks' 400th post since last March!

Granny's Wayback Machine...Approaching 400th

To commemorate the TC's fast approaching 400th post (it'll be the next one as this is #399), Oude Granny is busting out the wayback machine (and incorporating some of the technology that's sweeping the blog-o-sphere; that $6 Billion thing called You Tube), so Sherman if you will...Ah, right away Mr. Peabody.

Let's take you back to Stage 13 of the 1986 Tour de France...Bernard Hinault is in the Maillot Jaune, but his La Vie Claire team is splintered. Greg Lemond is seeking revenge on his boss for having reneged on last year's promise of "as he has bled for me so I will bleed for him." Amazingly, this mountain stage victory marked the first time an American had won a mountain stage in the TDF. If you're not a fan of Greg Lemond, at least enjoy the "wonderful" 80's music that's been dubbed in with this video, and the commentary of a young Phil Liggett.

2007 TDF Discovery Motto

Its a cliche, but Oude Granny couldn't help having a bit of fun with the news of Discovery's latest signing...Will Johan Bruyneel ever reach the leadership status that Tony Soprano has achieved (albeit through the cycling world's Belgian Mafia) or is he forever saddled with the epitaph of having the best gun on the toughest crew??? The 2006 TDF did nothing for his reputation as one of the greatest Director Sportifs, and Basso's signing is sure to lessen that credibility.

Welcome Back Granny...Race 2 Replace, Finished

Well after another prolonged hiatus, Oude Granny is back. So what has Granny been stewing up since his last post?

Let's start with some thoughts on Basso to Discovery. This whole year has been about who might replace LA, not only as the boss of the peloton, but also as the head of Discovery Channel Pro Cycling. The answer, for most, didn't come as quickly or as decisively as some of LA's past exploits in the Pyrennes or Alps, but the correct answer has finally arrived.

Early, some looked to "Gentleman" George Hincapie, the faithful lieutenant, to pick up the mantle, but his crash in the Queen of the Classics set his preparations back and he was never able to recover the form which helped him win a Stage in the 2005 TDF. Others looked to Bad (or should he now be referred to as Badder) Boy Floyd Landis. After his dramatic come from behind win in the TDF, Floyd not only looked but sounded the part. Then the wheels literally came spinning off.

Enter Ivan Basso...

Although he is Italian and has never ridden on the same team as LA, Basso was a close Armstrong confidant during a time when Basso's mother underwent cancer treatment. Basso has also been as close to an LA apprentice as one could imagine without actually being on the same team. His climbing style of "dancing on the pedals," as Phil Liggett might remark, is reminiscent of the low gear, high octance cadence that LA once employed, and he has become an excellent time trialists. His recent and decisive victory in the Giro d'Italia, only confirmed his talent in the Grand Tours. Now he's on the only American sponsored Pro Tour team...

So come next summer, from the North End of Boston to Little Italy in San Diego, Italian-Americans will have more than the World Cup to celebrate, and American cycling fans should start getting used to Grappa rather than Shiner Bock.

Basso is the Latest to Join Discovery

It is a sign of the times in cycling that Italy's Ivan Basso, arguably the world's top stage racer and the runner-up to Lance Armstrong in the 2005 Tour de France, could sign with Our Boy Lance's old team, Discovery Channel, without much of a stir.
This should be huge news. However, Basso, 28, who won the 2006 Giro d'Italia, joins Team Lance after leaving Team CSC a few weeks ago after he had been banned from participating in the Tour de France because his name was linked to the Spanish drug investigation, Operation Puerto.
Basso and Germany's Jan Ullrich, also thrown out of the 2006 Tour because his name surfaced in documents seized during the raid on a sports doctor's office in Madrid last spring, were the co-favorites to win the Tour until they were both sent home before the start of the race in disgrace.
Basso would have been trying to become the first rider since the late Marco Pantani in 1998 to win the Giro and the Tour de France in the same year.
The Italian Olympic Committee and the Italian Cycling Federation have said they will take no action against Basso and have cleared him to return to racing. That prompted Discovery's interest after CSC released released him from his contract.
The Italian paper, Gazetta della Sport, said Basso has agreed to a three-year, $6 million contract to lead one of just two American-sponsored teams on the Pro Tour.
Armstrong and Basso became close when the world's most famous cancer survivor attempted to help Basso's mother in her own fight against cancer. She later passed away.
Basso will become Discovery's new leader after a year in which the team struggled to find its way without Armstrong, whose seven yellow jerseys are the Tour's all-time record. Although George Hincapie wore the yellow briefly and Yaroslav Popovych won a stage, no Discovery rider placed higher than 19th in the 2006 race.
And young American Tom Danielson proved at the Vuelta in September that he wasn't yet ready to step into the leader's role when he struggled in the mountains early and, despite an impressive stage win late, placed just sixth.
Discovery had previously added Levi Leipheimer, 33, to its team. After Basso and Ullrich were banished, the American Leipheimer was considered a threat to claim the yellow jersey, but he never contended, placing 13th, almost 19½ minutes behind Floyd Landis.

Running of the OBL IV

“Which way to the hot tub?”
That was Our Boy Lance's final comment after finishing the New York Marathon in just under three hours Sunday.
Writes Juliet Macur in the New York Times:
His dark green shirt was soaked with sweat, his gait stiff. He said his calves felt as if someone were squeezing them, hard. And his shinsplints were flaring up again.
“That’s when I started to feel helpless,” Armstrong said afterward, while being driven back to his hotel opposite Central Park. “I thought: Uh-oh, maybe I should have trained a little harder for this. I think I’m in trouble.”
And:
Exhausted and nearly walking, Armstrong crossed the finish line in 2 hours 59 minutes 36 seconds. He was 869th, with a pace of 6:51 a mile.
“I can tell you, 20 years of pro sports, endurance sports, from triathlons to cycling, all of the Tours — even the worst days on the Tours — nothing was as hard as that, and nothing left me feeling the way I feel now, in terms of just sheer fatigue and soreness,” [OBL] said, looking spent, at a news conference.

Inside with Outside

Our Boy Lance can still sell a magazine if you put him on the cover.
The December issue of Outside features "The O List":
"Lance Armstrong, Richard Branson, and Warren Buffett in a full-on philanthropic smackdown! The first energy-independent city in the U.S.! Your phone, your trainer/GPS unit/Web interface! Oh, yes, the time has come to sing the praises of 100 things — be they vegetable, animal, mineral, or secretary of the interior — worth getting overexcited about right now."

Running of the OBL III

856th!!!
But Our Boy Lance finished.
Not only finished, but finished under three hours to meet his personal goal.
Read all about it:
NEW YORK -- His face twisted in pain, Lance Armstrong virtually walked the last couple of steps. He slowed to a halt immediately after the finish line and bent to the ground, his green shirt soaked with sweat.
No one’s more familiar with how painful achieving goals can be.
Still, not even he saw this coming.
Armstrong barely met his lofty goal of breaking 3 hours in his first marathon, but it came at a price. No Alpine climb on his bicycle had ever been as tough as Sunday’s New York City Marathon, he said.
“For the level of condition that I have now, that was without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done,” said Armstrong, who finished 856th. “I never felt a point where I hit the wall, it was really a gradual progression of fatigue and soreness.”

Running of the OBL II

Here's a little fact for you: Our Boy Lance, 35, and past his prime (time?) in competitive cycling, has not raced -- on a bike or otherwise -- since winning a record seventh Tour de France in July 2005.
So that's why there is such interest in OBL's participation in the New York Marathon on Sunday?
OBL's goal? A sub-three-hour time. Lance will be paced by greats Alberto Salazar, Joan Benoit Samuelson and Hicham El Guerrouj.
"I haven't felt this kind of buzz since I raced," OBL says. "And I've never been passed in Central Park."
Is that a challenge? Has Lance thrown down a challenge?
"I wasn't born to be a runner. I was born to be other things," says Lance. "It would be foolish for me to say I've done workouts. I simply run. I don't do intervals. I just go every day and run, there's no science behind it. It's not about being competitive or winning, it's a personal goal. I needed something to keep me going. I don't want to say there's no question I'll finish, but I can always crawl. If I start smart and conservatively, I'll be OK from a fuel and energy standpoint. From a pain standpoint, I can deal with it."
Here are some other stories about Lance and the marathon:
-- NYTimes: Run of Luck: Bet the Favorites and Armstrong, Too
-- Reuters: Armstrong swaps bike for NY Marathon running shoes
-- NPR: New York City Marathon Runs Sunday (audio)
-- USA TODAY's Sal Ruibal: No pedaling, just running, this time for Armstrong

Running of the OBL

Can't separate yourself from Our Boy Lance, who's running in the 2006 ING New York City Marathon Sunday?
Well, now there's RunnerCam, which allows viewers to track specific participants -- like Lance Armstrong -- throughout the entire marathon.
NBCSports.com is working with MediaZone to provide this live online coverage of the Marathon Sunday starting at 9:30 a.m. ET., the first time in the 26-year-history of the event that it will be broadcast on the Internet.
Actually, there are two viewing options: the "RunnerCam" and "LanceCam."
LanceCam is a dedicated camera that will track the seven-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor as he runs a marathon for the first time. Fans can watch OBL for the first 30 minutes free of charge -- then continue watching him finish the race for $4.99 (you thought this would be free?!).
If you have a horse in the race, RunnerCam allows friends, family members and race enthusiasts to enter the bib number of any of the 37,000 race participants. They then receive a notification when the runner is approaching and passes three camera equipped points along the course for -- again for $4.99. The price includes all five camera feeds, "RunnerCam" interactivity, real-time leader boards, and the ability to watch live or on demand.
How long before you can keep a camera on anyone at anytime for $4.99?