And the Earth Shook

Greetings Readers

Boom - I Kissed Mother Earth.

Flashback - Not a good day for me overall. Things were tough and just did not go my way.

Now, with the worse presumably behind me I decided to take the long way home just to cruise and take it easy. I did not want to deal with traffic so I decided to take the side streets and the now empty office parks along the way home.

I came to the downhill portion of the way home, where I usually drop down into my lower gears. This helps me when I start pedaling so that I can actually feel my pedalling as opposed to be in a higher gear and just pedalling with no "pedalling power" aka "pedalling air."

Of all evenings the stoplight suddenly changed from green to red. A car was leaving late from one office park and obviously set off the sensor. That meant I had to stop. Yes, it was just that one car and me. No other vehicles were seen. I could have blown through the stop light, but I did not.

So, I stopped and waited for about 20 seconds I estimate. Somehow, I must have geared up and then probably rolled my bike backwards a bit when I came to a stop. When I did that something, it dislodged the chain from the crank a bit. And that bit was all it needed.

The light turned green and then I pushed down on my left pedal to get going. Well, the chain instantly slipped free and caused my body to go forwards and to the left. I slammed my inner thigh into my bike frame and my upper body to hit my handlebars. All this time, the bike barely moved, until I slammed into the bike frame with my body, which at that point the bike weaved to the left and I immediately lost my balance. With my bike going left and my foot stuck in the clip and my right foot off the ground I was going down.

And down I went to kiss Mother Earth. I wobbled for about one foot and then fell sideways into the street. The car to the side and behind me managed to avoid driving over me and kept on going. No, it did not bother me. I was not looking for help nor was it his fault for this accident.

I hate slamming into the ground. I got up and then noticed that my chain somehow got wrapped around the left crank arm and then the chain was on the gear. How in the world that happen I do not know? I walked my bike to the sidewalk and shook my head in disgust since I was going to do the one thing I hate to do.

Getting my hands on the bike chain. Urgh. That just burns me up every time that I have to handle a bike chain. The grease, dirt, etc and then takes forever to wash the chain stains away from your hands.

Before doing that though, I literally had to take off the back wheel since the chain was securely lodged between the crank and chain guard derailleur.

After fixing my issue I finally took a look at myself. Great - a cut on the left knee, on the left shoulder and I felt tenderness in my inner left thigh (looking forward to two bruises, I bet)

I got home, ate my Jason's Deli sandwich, which I picked up before my accident since I did not want to cook dinner.

After I ate it was time to clean myself up. I got the warm water going, the ointment, and band aids. A few minutes later I had my Scooby Doo band aid on and I thought to myself - hey, I saw this on a movie trailer this year - Paul Bart - Mall Cop or some movie title close to take.

Of course, I have been wearing Scooby Doo Band aid long before that movie came out. Perhaps, someone saw that on me and now it is in a movie. Though, I am not going to take credit.

You know me Readers - I am Gangsta, even more so when I sport that Scooby Doo Band Aid for everyone to see.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

New Plaza near Arapahoe Light Rail Station

Greetings Readers

So many things have happened in the past month and a half. I have done the Ride the Rockies, then the French Open was on TV, then Wimbledon, then my parents coming up to visit and finally for the past three weeks - the 2009 Tour de France.

Beyond those important things in my life - the new plaza opened up near the Arapahoe Light Rail station. Now, there is a water fountain and a new way that is required for us people walking west from the Light Rail Station and Arapahoe. You know how I wrote about the new fucked up pedestrian path a while back and how there were some hair pin corners and how the old path was "Golden."

Well, now the new plaza path is even more fucked up that I thought it could get. There are some corners and hair pins turns which are even worse than I was complaining about.

Before mid week last week I was able to hold about 5 to 8 mph going down the pedestrian path when there are no walkers. When there are walkers I wait on my bike while holding onto the railing until all pass and then I can ride down (or up) the pedestrian walk. The corners were sharp, but doable after getting used to the corners.

Now, the new plaza path for wheelchairs (and probably bikes too) is fucked up on the top portion. There is a nice walkway, but 80 degree corners (as opposed to 90 degree corners) and then there are the metal railings. The metal railings stick out into the walkway making the walkway even more smaller (tight). I literally had to stop and guide myself around the corners and hairpin turns while holding onto the railing. Yes, Readers I think I will have to get a picture of this (if I have not by the time I publish this post).

However, the lower portion of the plaza is just a crescent moon circle walkway and very nice to go down (or up). I can literally break the sound barrier going down the walkway. So smooth, so new, and so not have to worry about any corners in lower portion of the walkway.

And before any of you Readers tell me that I should be walking my bike. Fuck you and fuck that. It is not posted (probably not yet, but I am sure it will be) that I have to dismount from my bike. Until then I am going to ride like I own that parcel of the plaza. Well, not just like that, but with smugness. I know, I know - what's new right.

There are some stairs on the upper and lower portion of the new plaza and I do feel that I will be walking down (and up) those steps pretty soon.

Oh yes, someone has blocked off the old walkway, so dealing with the lessor of the two fucked up walkways is not an option anymore. Story of my life - just deal with it.

P.S. I have a new neighbor (well, about month and half now) and I have to admit I am getting very attracted to her. I have some posts that I mentioned her, but I have not published. I guess that is one thing that keeps a smile on my face and a nice feeling overall. Whether or not she is involved I do not know, but not knowing and me thinking there might be an opportunity does not hurt my current status about her.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tour de France 2009 - Stage 17

Greetings Readers

Apparently, "The God of Thunder" was showing who the true Green Jersey wearer is. Not to mention - he has earned the wearing of the Green Jersey.

Now, I am not sure if I am looking correctly, but I do not think that the news has been carried on the AP wire. Though, I will admit that I have not researched at all.

I am going from word of mouth and the live coverage of Stage 17 that started at 4:30 AM MST today.

Mark Cavendish is apparently bent out of shape and feels robbed. Only because he did not keep his line at the finish line a few stages ago. It was subtle, but this was not the first time that Cavendish has gotten in the way of "The God of Thunder." Last week Mark bumped "The God of Thunder" and even though that bump was slight - you have to wonder was it an accidentally or not. After all, just a little nudge can cost another rider a victory sign. Also, was Hincapie a contributor to Thor losing a second of two because he may or may not have gotten in "The God of Thunder's" line towards the sprint to the finish line early on in the Tour? I do not know.

So, I can not quote, but I guess Mark all but called Thor a cheat and the Green Jersey he is wearing is tainted. And will continue to be tainted when the Green Jersey reaches Paris.

Now, I do not dislike Mark Cavendish, but Mark is acting like his age, a bit too cocky, and then being a cry-baby is really starting to annoy me.

However, "The God of Thunder" did not take those comments by Mark lightly, I speculate. What I saw this morning was a beat down by "The God of Thunder." Even though the stage was a pure mountain stage - 4 Cat 1 mountain climbs and I think there was a Cat 2 mountain climb "The God of Thunder" managed to be the lone rider in front for most of the stage 17. At one point "The God of Thunder" was over 2 minutes ahead of a chase group of 20 riders or so and "The God of Thunder" was at one point over 5 minutes ahead of the Peloton.

How fucking great was that!? "The God of Thunder" showed he earned that Green Jersey and why he is wearing that Green jersey.

And where was Cavendish you wonder? At the back of the Peloton. "The God of Thunder" had a goal this day and it was to win the 2 intermediate stage sprints for a total of 12 points to be added to his Green jersey totals. I am sure that he wanted those 12 points, but more importantly he wanted to show us watchers he is "The God of Thunder."

One may say, or even Mark may say, he did not try for points since he was disappointed because of his Green jersey points behind denied to him on one stage win. That may be, but if that was the case, we viewers need to be prepared to a prima donna in the future. If Mark wins then the cockiness side will show, but if he loses then he is going to complain like a bitch.

Another thought did occur to me even though this was a mountain stage, the Polka dot jersey aka King of the Mountain jersey contenders really did not try for maximum points on the stage - meaning first place. Was this because "The God of Thunder" was too fucking good? Or was this because they too wanted to see "The God of Thunder" get the maximum sprint points on today's stage and no points for Mark Cavendish? Or were most of the riders working together to let "The God of Thunder" get points for the remarks Mark Cavendish made? I do not know.

But Readers - seeing the "The God of Thunder" a pure Sprint rider dominating, leading, all alone and way out in front of every Tour de France rider on a Pure Mountain stage - hell the Alps Mountain stage - was fucking phenomenal to see. We may never see such a scenario by another Sprint Rider ever again.

"The God of Thunder" aka Thor Hushovd was the rider of this specific stage.

And on a personal note - I got a bit choked up seeing the Schlek brothers (both on the same bike team and wearing the Saxo Bank white bike jerseys) riding and crossing the finish line together. One brother helping another rider in an event where brothers are not the norm. One brother helping another brother out in one of the greatest cycling events in the world.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tour de France 2009 - Stage 10

Greetings Readers

Alas, "The God of Thunder" got edged out by Cavendish. Close. And now, there is yet another different victory sign he has made. Once more different from the victory sign we faithful watchers know of and different from his TO wanna be victory sign from last week.

After some careful research I have come to the conclusion that Mark is being held hostage and these "victory signs" are a way of telling us what he can not tell us verbally.

The telephone victory sign is actually the sign that he can not use a land line or cell phone to call for help. Team Columbia is actually holding him hostage and forcing him to win some stages. Further yet, Mark better win the Green jersey at the end of the Tour de France or else. An ultimatum, but not a good one for Mark.

The victory sign for today was his way to tell us that he does not know where he is being held at when they escort him after the testing area of a stage win. Apparently, after being tested Mark becomes groggy and soon loses all his bearing on what/where he is being taken to after required post race testing. He can not see where he is being held each night.

Never mind, that does not fly. Matter of fact, that conspiracy theory/ hostage theory has more holes than a bag pipe does. Fuck it.

Mark is really telling us watchers that he is going to use an escort service (call girl) for his victory celebration for that particular stage win last week. Forget his team members, choosing between a call girl and a team of cyclists - well it does not take a 5th grader (you know Readers - that show "Are you smarter than a 5th grader.") to figure out a night with a hot call girl is going to be so much rewarding than a night giving high fives about his victory to other guys.

Well, now with this new victory sign on Stage 10 - it is the sign that he wished he did not see that call girl since she was "not hot" at all. Matter of fact, this is going to be the universal victory sign that he had to put a brown paper bag over the call girl's head. So the victory sign for today it was really saying Mark's call girl night was not a sight to see.

You know what Readers, that does not fly either.

If Mark would just go back to his "regular" victory sign I am betting the rest of the cycling world would be okay.

Better yet, if Mark did the John Cena "You can't see me!" sign I would be okay with that. Perhaps the rest of the cycling world would be okay with that. Although, I think Mark weights about 150 pounds so a guy built that huge doing the "You can't see me" is kinda laughable for Mark's body type.

Okay, I am getting serious now. This is the first stage in about 15 years or 16 years since radio were first introduced into the Tour de France that the Tour de France riders were forbidden to use radios on this year's particular stage. I am all for the no use of radios this year on particular stages. This brings back the element of bike racing in the Tour de France that I grew up with.

Now, there are both sides. You cite sight safety. You could cite well why don't we just ban bike helmets. You could say this brings back more "interesting" elements. And so goes the reasons.

I have heard the news of a boycott(s). Complaining. Yet, these complaints are all made by teams not French related to France. Or something to that effect. Every team except the french team(s) signed a petition about the banning of radio on this stage.

If the riders, team captains do not like the banning of radios then leave the Tour de France. Forfeit. But Fuck You for acting like a whinny bitch. Or perhaps acting like your wife/girlfriend. What I mean - do these same riders and captains sign a petition and show their wives/girlfriends that they are against their wives/girlfriends if they don't like it? Nope, you do what the wife/girlfriend wants or else. No sex or out the door, I bet. So, the same riders just need to suck it up pretend that the Tour de France is their wife/girlfriend and accept it. After all, one day (well, 2 days of doing what the Tour wants) and the rest of days you ride the way you have been doing before the rule was included for this year's 2009 Tour de France.

It is what it is. Just quit, if it bothers you. After all, it is honor to be one rider of 10 riders chosen to be a rider in the Tour de France. So many riders never get the chance to ride in the Tour de France. If you leave so be it - the Tour de France will continue onward to Paris without you. Matter of fact, I am betting that should a rider(s) do just quit the Tour de France there names would be associated to this banning of radios and forever become history of the Tour de France.

I can see a year from now should any rider/team quits the Tour de France I would list and probably write something to the effect - One year ago - this particular team captain and a few members of his team acted like bitches after leaving the tour for not liking the banning of radiod on just two stages of the 2009 Tour de France. Only two stages there was banning of radiod, yet the other 19 stages radios were allowed. Instead of manning up they acted like bitches.

Changing topics - today was the first day, I think, that we got to see the France Sunflowers we see every year.

Readers, I am tired of writing so I will stop. Again, I don't dislike Mark Cavendish, but I do not care for his latest "new" stage victory signs. The banning of radios - it is just two stages - get over it. If the riders do not like it then quit the Tour de France. After all, the Tour director Christian Prudhomme is following what the UCI (International Cycling Union) actually put into effect for this year's Tour de France, if I researched this subject correctly.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tour de France 2009 - Stage 9

Greetings Readers

Stage 9 – The last day in the Hautes – Pyrenees. There are two major mountains on this stage. The Col d’Aspin at 4,888 ft. that is a category 1 climb (7.5 miles with a grade of 6.6 %) and then the monster Col du Tormalet at 6,939 ft. that is a category HC climb (10.6 miles with a grade of 7.5 %). Today is also the last Mountain stage for a week until the riders reach the Alps.

At the beginning of the stage 9 there are 172 riders that have started the Tour de France and 13 teams that have started with all their riders on the team roster.

Apparently Readers, there is a Versus TV commercial that is advertising “Lance vs. Alberto vs. Levi.” I do not disagree, but I think the order of the names in the commercial is incorrect.

I am happy to report and tell you Readers that “The God of Thunder” is now the overall leader of the Green Jersey competition and is now donning the infamous Green Jersey. “The God of Thunder” was able to obtain the Green Jersey by grabbing two intermediate sprint points (12 points total) during yesterday’s Pyrenees Mountain stage.

As I have stated before, you may be the fastest Sprinter in the world, but if you cannot handle the entire terrain of the Tour de France then you are not going to win the Tour de France as the overall Green Jersey Winner. “The God of Thunder” knows this from experience and knows that in order to secure the win he has to take all the points he can that are available throughout the tour stages, even if he is coming in behind Mark Cavendish at the finish line. As I have seen, so far, Mark Cavendish is unable to ride in the Mountains, where as “The God of Thunder” took two intermediate sprints win points during yesterday’s Tour de France stage. A green jersey rider taking two intermediate sprint points during a mountain stage is pretty remarkable. Or if you Readers are used to Phil saying “Something special” then so be it.

When I say remarkable what I mean is that “The God of Thunder” weighs about 80 kilos whereas the King of the Mountain Riders weighs about 60 kilos. Granted, “The God of Thunder” is not leading the climb up any of mountain category climbs, but for the “The God of Thunder” to be in a breakaway group and keep up (or ahead of the Peloton) is remarkable. Once the breakaway group comes off a mountain summit then that is when “The God of Thunder” has the greatest advantage of all those breakaway riders to win any intermediate sprint points in the middle of a Mountain stage.

Also starting today was a new leader in the King of the Mountain Jersey – Christophe Kern. Nope, I have no clue who this rider is.

I guess to summarize the things that I saw today. Garate looked like a serious mountain climber. Garate had a stone face going up the Mountain climbs while setting the tempo and was on a mission riding up to the summit. Tendam crashed on the Tourmalet. There was a 3 rider breakaway today with Jen Voigt in that breakaway. Unfortunately, Garate was able to ride down Jens with the Peloton behind Garate on one of the Mountain climbs.

I am not sure how much I have written about Jens Voigt, but I guess I better say a bit about him. Jens has ridden in the Tour de France 12 times – a veteran rider you can classify him as. He is a rider that I have cheered for in the past Tour de France races. Jens Voigt’s name comes up more often than not since he gets himself into a breakaway group. I cannot speculate on why Jens name is present in a breakaway group throughout the past years of the Tour de France. When Jens name is in the breakaway group more often than not I am cheering for Jens to be “the man” in that breakaway group. Of course, if there is a rider that I am going to be cheering more for in that breakaway group then I am not going to cheer for Jens Voigt.

Changing topics, Phil has stated that the Tour stage to watch is Stage 17. That prediction is so far out and so much can happen from stage 9 to stage 17. Oh, Phil and Paul both keep referring to other riders that have ridden with L.A. as former teammates of L.A. Why? With so many riders going from one team to another team each year almost every rider has a former rider that he has ridden with or for. I guess Phil and Paul are so hard up to mention L.A.’s name that they have to say his name over and over. L.A. this. L.A. that.

What is also interesting to note that all these former riders to L.A. are now mentioned by their birth name as opposed to “Domestics”, team mate, pacer, tempo rider or rider for L.A. When all these former riders were riding for L.A. they were basically not allowed to ride for themselves nor never really referred to by their birth name. Every once in a while the General Manager, a.k.a. Johan, would give a certain rider freedom on a certain stage when he figured that the overall G.C. was not in jeopardy of big changes on the overall leader board to win that stage, otherwise all team members were required to ride for L.A.

What I do find interesting is that according to everyone there is no leader of Team Astana. However, last year Johan was quoted that Contador was the Team Leader of Astana. Soon after that statement was said L.A. joined the team Astana and then Johan said that the better rider would lead team Astana at the Tour de France.

Yet, let me be frank as I usually am - Contador is the Team Captain/Leader. This supposedly L.A. being team captain now is really all Johan’s fault.

I have said this in the past and will state again for the record - Johan and L.A. are more than just friends. They are “wrapped up” together and when L.A. wanted to race again in the Tour de France there was only one option to get into the Tour de France. And that one way was to seek out Johan, his former friend/General Manager to basically talk and decide when to make the announcement publicly to the world.

Even though last year’s Tour de France was over for about 3 months - teams were already in place for next year Tour de France and I am guessing that all the team’s GC leaders were already chosen. The only choice, and chance, L.A. had was to go to the only person who has some sort of say and closest friend was Johan. Otherwise, all other non-American sole sponsored teams have no interest in having L.A. be on their roster.

And the last thing to add – no radios are allowed on Stage 10. And let me tell you Readers Johan is acting like a baby. “I signed a petition as well as some other teams protesting the banning of radios.” Wow. For Johan to be acting like this is just so… Bottom line, if you do not like rules then you do not have to be in the Tour de France. What is a Tour de France without rules? Either you do or do not. Don’t coerce other teams to your point of view or opinion. Don’t cry, don’t protest, don’t have a tantrum, don’t be angry, and don’t raise a stink. Just take the situation like a man and deal with the banning of radios.

Though, I smiled when I heard that all the French teams (3 total, I think) refused to sign the petition, making the protest not 100%. It is an honor for any Rider / Manager and Team to be in the Tour de France and every Team, Manager and Rider knew beforehand that there were going to be two stages in this year’s Tour de France that will be banning the use of radios. The banning of the use of radios was no secret and with that knowledge you either dealt with that piece of information when announced or you just say, “Fuck it” and elected not to compete in the Tour de France.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tour de France 2009 - Stage 7 & 8

Greetings Readers

Stage 7 – The first mountain stage of three mountain stages in the Pyrenees Mountains. For today’s stage there are five major mountains. The Cote de Monteserrat that is a category 4 climb, then the Port de Solsona that is a category 3 climb, then Col de Serra-Seca that is a category 1 climb (4.8 miles with a grade of 7.1 %), then Port del Comte that is a category 3 climb and lastly, the Andorre Arcalis that is a beyond category HC climb. (6.6 miles with a grade of 7.1%). In addition to the Andorre Arcalis being an HC category climb the Andorre Arcalis is the 3rd highest climb ever in Tour de France history.

Does this matter you wonder? Of course. Every commentator and the world pulled stats and facts and whatnot and the conclusion that was deduced was that everyone agreed to was that the overall GC winner of the first mountain stage in the Tour de France in the past 10 years or so won the overall Tour de France in Paris. Stats don’t lie.

Today is the longest stage in the Tour de France, so far, at 139 miles.

At the beginning of the stage 7 there are 177 riders that have started the Tour de France. The three riders that have not started are all out of the Tour de France with broken bones. And not because of abandonment

Johan and L.A. had big smiles and good cheer being shown on TV interviews on Versus.

According to Phil and I quote “Every second will count” and today “is the true test of the GC.” Only 1 rider on Team Astana can be leader after this stage. Phil and Paul both agree that there is no need for Team Astana to attack, yet Paul and Phil state the overall GC winner of the Tour de France of the first Mountain stage wins the Tour de France after three weeks of racing. Paul and Phil show stats, graphs and state what they just say about the overall GC winner winning the first mountain stage of the Tour de France.

Today is also the only Mountain top finish in the Pyrenees Mountains for this year’s Tour de France.

Now, to the recap. There was a nine rider breakaway. Fabian had two flat tires (front and read back tire), which probably did not help him to retain the yellow jersey at the end of today’s stage. An interview segment that was shown on today’s stage with L.A. was quoted that L.A. was in the Tour de France to win. Readers, it was announced last year by L.A. that L.A. was riding in the Tour de France to raise cancer awareness as well as his foundation Livestrong to the world about cancer awareness. Funny how L.A. does not remember what was said prior to him joining a team riding in the Tour de France. Or in my case not funny at all, just a two faced rider watching out for himself. Also, 23k from the finish line Levi Leipheimer and Mark Cavendish crash

I will admit that it would be hard to be a “workhorse” rider or commonly known as a “domestic” rider in the Tour de France, after being a winner more than once in the Tour de France. Johan was also interviewed prior to the start of the Tour de France and to quote Johan he said “no specific plan.” Yet, we true followers of the Tour de France know that Johan wanted, as well as L.A., for L.A. to be the wearer of the yellow jersey at the end of this stage. The smiles, the good mood and the non-serious questions by the press totally ignored Alberto Contador. In the end, Alberto showed his team as well as the rest of the world who the “true” leader of team Astana is.

You Readers may be persuaded by the American Press as well as the American Commentators and writers that Alberto should not have attacked, but if it was L.A. that attacked then it would not have been viewed as an attack against the team Astana, but as the 7 time former, yes former, champion of the Tour de France making a “special” comeback and dominating on this stage of the Tour de France. Alas, it was Contador that made the “something special” and now he is viewed by the American supporters of L.A. as the “bad rider” of Team Astana. Of course, there are the former riders of the Tour de France who also agreed that Alberto should not have attacked, but I believe that they too also supported L.A.’s comeback to the Tour de France and want L.A. to win.

This is pure speculation on my part, but it is hard not to see this scenario playing out. I have made it no secret that I do not care for L.A. and that I will not wear that Livestrong bracelet. Yet, what I saw today was team Astana setting the tempo and eventually set up the strongest rider to take control of the Tour de France. Even though every General Manager says / hints toward that holding onto the yellow jersey in the first week of the Tour de France is not the best thing to do, Johan and L.A. hinted that L.A. was going to be the wearer of the yellow jersey at the end of the stage today. Unfortunately to their surprise, Alberto made a fantastic move on the Andorre Arcalis to show who the best mountain climber of the GC contenders were.

The post interview of Lance stating that he had to ride the wheel of the next opponent’s wheel is true. However, it is true since he should not endanger the “true leader” of the Tour de France. There should never be two teammates jockeying for the overall lead since any of the opposing opponents will try to keep in touch (within distance) of the overall leader of the Tour de France. If the second rider of the GC tour leader board is trying to catch the overall leader of the GC rider then the teammate of the overall leader should not try and match the pace of the overall leader. Why? You do not want any other team to be motivated or inspired to rider just as fast as the teammate of the leader of the Tour de France. The teammate needs to follow the next rider who is trying to close the gap to first place before the finish line. That lets the opponent decide whether or not to chase the leader and not to give an opponent the reason or a second wind to try a catch the overall leader. Some times following a teammate is like dangling a carrot in from of a horse. It is there and you will do anything to get that carrot.

Yet, in the end the overall winner of the stage was Brice Feillu who is one of the youngest riders in this year’s Tour de France at the age of 24 years old.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Greetings Readers

Stage 8 – The second mountain stage of three mountain stages in the Pyrenees Mountains. For today’s stage there are three major mountains. The Port d’Envalira at 3,980 ft. that is a category 1 climb, then the Col de Port at 4,098 ft. that is a category 2 climb (7.1 miles with a grade of 5.5 %) and lastly, the Col d’Agnes that is a category 1 climb. (7.7 miles with a grade of 6.5 %)

Today, the riders will reach the highest point in the Tour de France, so far.

At the beginning of the stage 8 there are 175 riders that have started the Tour de France and 15 teams that have started with all their riders on the team roster.

The thing that I have heard so far during the Tour de France is to get HD. Watch the Tour de France in HD. See the rider’s team jerseys in the Tour de France in HD. Check out the scenery in HD.

Interesting. Last year I saw the US Open Tennis in HD and I was amazed. The white lines on the hard court, the tennis balls (and the fuzz) and I have to admit everything was sharp and clear. In some cases a bit too clear.

So, with Versus and Phil saying go and get HD to see the Tour de France in HD I am not sure if I agree. Yes, there are going to be some scenery that are going to look fantastic in HD, but I have to admit that I am not sure that seeing the Tour de France in HD is going to be that much better. There are so many cameras in the Tour de France and all those cameras are on the move – whether by a camera operator on the back of a motorcycle or a helicopter(s) flying along a stage in the Tour de France. Otherwise, the focus of the camera bearing HD is really focused on the riders. So any HD viewer is really only going to see colorful team jersey, sunglasses, bikes, bike helmets, facial hair and the occasional chest hair (if any) of the Rider of the Tour de France.

Those things I mentioned are not incentives for me to see the Tour de France in HD. Again, this is my opinion. And should I see the Tour de France in HD I may change my tune, but for now I can only speculate and form an opinion on what I would really see in HD. Readers, there are the occasional aerial Helicopter views that show very nice scenery, but in my opinion those occasional spectacular views are not the reason why to get HD.

Onto the recap – today was the day that “The God of Thunder” came out to play and showed why he is “The God of Thunder.” Along with “The God of Thunder” there were nine other riders that got away from the main group to form a nine rider breakaway group. Where was Mark Cavendish you are perhaps wondering? Well, he was well behind the peloton. Mark Cavendish was in the Autobus, which I think finished about 22 minutes behind the winner, Luis Sanchez, Stage 8 in the Tour de France. Cadel Evans was initially in the breakaway group, but the Peloton managed to catch him and bring him back into the main field of the Peloton with all other GC riders. Once that was done, any non-GC rider was basically allowed to ride out without any sort of attack from the Peloton. Unless, those riders got too much of a time lead then the Peloton would go into attack mode and reel in the breakaway group to a lesser time gap.

The God of Thunder was able to win two (the first two intermediate sprints) of the three intermediate sprints in the stage today. Unfortunately, the third intermediate stage sprint was after the Col d’Agnes, which was the third major mountain climb and to top that off it was a category 1 climb. Yet, I knew that after “The God of Thunder” won the first two intermediate sprint points he would be happy with those 12 points he gained today. After all, there are two more weeks until the end of the Tour de France. No need to wear yourself out for 6 more points in the Green Jersey competition and with Mark Cavendish well behind “The God of Thunder” he knew that Cavendish would be getting no green jersey points for this stage to add to the overall points for the Green Jersey competition.

Oh, by the way Readers, with winning the first intermediate sprint all “The God of Thunder” needed was 1 point to take the Green Jersey off Mark Cavendish’s back and become the new leader of the Green Jersey and the first time this year for “the God of Thunder” in the Tour de France to don the Green Jersey for the next stage start – stage 9.

At the end of this stage there is now a new leader of the King of the Mountain – Christophe Kern. He now has “bragging rights” to be the best climber in the Tour de France (as well as in the world) for now.

Fabian Cancellara finished over nine minutes behind the winner of the Tour de France on yesterday’s stage, which took him out of the yellow jersey for the start of this stage in the Tour de France. From what I saw he was not a happy rider on today’s stage. He was in a breakaway group, but apparently he was not happy with his “fellow” breakaway riders. Only one can assume that none of the other breakaway riders were pulling their turn at the front of the breakaway group. That is a reason to be pissed off, but this is a race. If you want to win then you have to want to win it. You cannot rely on other opponents to help you ride. You want to win, then lead. If you had a teammate who was on your team then obviously there would be nothing to be complaining about. So for Fabian to be pissed off at rival teams was totally uncalled and unacceptable for Fabian to be pissed off about.

Of course Fabian could be pissed off for losing the yellow jersey yesterday as well as getting two flat tires on Stage 7. As my former old boss would “Sucks to be you.”

Anyway, Rinaldo Nocentini remained in the yellow jersey at the end of this stage.

Readers, a bit more information on the King of the Mountain competition. It was 35 years ago that a sponsor officially asked for the King of the Mountain Jersey be recognized in the Tour de France and become an ongoing competition in the Tour de France. Though, the King of the Mountain competition was first introduced in the 1930’s. Currently, at the end of the Tour de France the overall leader of the King of the Mountain jersey is awarded about 35 thousand dollars or 25 thousand euros. (estimated).

Lastly, the biggest news that Versus commentators (Phil, Paul, Craig & Bob) made was the way that Alberto rode away from L.A. If the roles were reversed the news would be totally different. Bob, Craig, Paul and Phil would be hard up to talk about how L.A. asserted himself on the first stage of the Pyrenees Mountain to show all other GC contenders that the 7 time winner of the Tour de France was back.

Alas, this did not happen and now all who is American related are asking questions of Team Astana. And guess what Readers; they are interviewing riders and the General Manager that we know of – Levi, L.A. and Johan. Either the reporters could not interview Alberto or he politely declined a one on one interview. Alberto did give all the press a post race conference and stated that he saw the other riders doing ok on the climb, but he saw a opening to attack the other GC riders and he took it.

24 hours ago, Paul, Phil and the rest of the world were amazed how Contador rode off from the other GC contenders as well as his teammates on Astana. As Phil stated and I quote again “Every second will count” yet on the pre-race show of today’s stage Phil chastises Alberto for “attacking” his teammates. When in reality, Alberto was attacking the entire GC rider group. This shows how bias and hard up Phil and Paul, as well as Bob, for L.A.’s comeback in Tour de France. Bob even stated that Contador should not have attacked his teammates for the few seconds he did get, but you know how much Bob’s opinion means to me – zilch.

Just like Bob Roll was a guest speaker on the Ride the Rockies in Aspen in this year’s 2009 Ride the Rockies; There was no fucking way that I was going to sit in the school’s auditorium to listen to Bob speak. I have to be blunt Readers – he is a fucking idiot with his commentary, his hand gestures and his off hand comments on other riders who are not L.A. He was just a good rider in the Tour de France when he rode in the 1980’s, but that was it – just good, not great nor “awesome”. Bob was a pissed off rider during the Tour de France and when nothing worked for him, he threw tantrums which were caught on camera. Throwing his bike, yelling at no one and everyone. What a fucking sore loser, in my book. Again, take your fucking licks like a man; don’t act like a fucking 3-year-old child throwing a temper tantrum just because he did not get what he wanted.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tour de France 2009 - Stage 6

Greetings Readers

Sorry Readers. but I saw the news on the Internet at lunch and it was unavoidable and I had to publish right away.

"The God of Thunder" has won today's stage in the Tour de France.

And that my Readers - is a stage victory sign worthy of. None of the I'm on the phone victory sign, which I re-iterate just looks stupid. Mark was like a T.O. wanna be, except Mark did not actually have a cell phone to use.

I am pretty damn happy to report that the "The God of Thunder" has won a stage in the 2009Tour de France. Most analyst and skeptics thought his days of stage victories were over now. However, in the past week we Tour de France watchers have seen and heard the name "The God of Thunder" almost every day and tis a name to say proudly when I talk about the Tour de France and who I like in the past and present day of the Tour de France.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tour de France 2009 - Stage 4

Greetings Readers

Once again I / we are at the time of the year that every true cyclist looks forward to. In addition, this also brings out the people who think they know the Tour de France.

I really do see two separate sides – no one is really in the middle of this particular time of the year regarding the race / tour de France.

Every year I get asked the questions – Who’s going to win? Where’s L.A.? Don’t you think the Tour de France is the most extreme sport? And so forth.

Well, I have answers for all those types of questions. The answers or my response may not be what they are expecting, but I do tell each and every one of them there is more to the Tour de France than just the winner at the end of the Tour de France, which is three weeks later from the Prologue day.

Also, I tell them that there is one team leader and all other team members sacrifice themselves to help the team leader to win the Tour de France for their team.

Even though the Team Leader may or may not be the winner at the end of the Tour de France it took the whole team (as long as there no conflict within the team) to help the Team leader to try and be the winner in the General Classification (GC) category. Sorry Readers, General Classification is commonly known as the Yellow Jersey Winner on the very last day of the Tour de France.

That Yellow Jersey is mistakenly known as the best rider throughout the Tour de France. This is not true. Throughout the tour a few or many individual riders hold the Yellow Jersey. The Yellow Jersey, during the Tour de France is the rider with the fastest time overall at the end of each stage. 99 % of the population believes that wearing the Yellow Jersey during the first weeks of the Tour de France is not the “right” thing to do.

One can argue, even I, but I am not going to. If a rider wears the Yellow jersey then the team supposedly has to defend that yellow jersey so that rider will wear the Yellow Jersey the next day. In the Tour de France, wearing the Yellow does mean a lot, but only so much. That rider becomes a statistic. However, in the corporate sponsorship of the team it means dollars/euros. In the media it means media coverage and the sponsor’s name/logo being pictured and mentioned in the news all over the world.

But, In addition to the Yellow Jersey there is the Polka Dot Jersey, the White Jersey and the Green Jersey. In addition, there is the winner of each stage in the Tour de France, the most aggressive rider and the overall best team riding with the fastest time among all teams at the end of each stage.

If the Tour de France did not have any of those other categories then it would not be the Tour de France. Again, the general public believes that the Tour de France is about the Yellow jersey and just the one winner at the end of the Tour de France.

In reality it is not. One year I may be rooting for the King of the Mountain Jersey, where as this year I am rooting for the Green Jersey a.k.a. Best overall Sprinter in the Tour de France.

I do not really follow the White Jersey, except for the recent past years when the Schleck Brothers came upon the scene. I have to believe… well, I do believe that we are seeing Andy Schleck as the most promising rider to be scene. Not only is he doing what he is doing, his brother Frank is helping him. Vice Versa Andy does help Frank during the tour also. The older brother helping his younger brother, as well as younger brother helping his older brother out in the Tour de France. I really like this since my brother and I have had this unspoken agreement to help each other out when I visit my family in New Mexico.

I digress Readers, sorry.

This year with L.A. being back and especially being recruited (or an automatic team member) onto Team Astana that had the Team Leader Alberto Contador - I was not excited. My faithful Readers know I do not care for L.A.

Among all the teams in the Tour de France I was not for or against anyone wearing the yellow jersey. I really did not know who the contenders were actually going to be until about two months before the Tour de France. There were some of the old names as well as veteran rider’s names that I recognized, but overall I felt that their time in the limelight of the Tour de France was nearing the end. I felt there are a new group of riders waiting to be known

Anyway Readers, what I want to point out even though that there is the overall winner, it takes the entire team to help that overall winner win the tour de France. All other riders for about 90 percent of the Tour are riding in front of the yellow jersey rider. Meaning, that the Yellow jersey rider is hardly doing the work. All that yellow jersey rider has to do is ride in the slipstream of the rider in front and let the lead rider(s) take the riding into the wind, which takes a lot of strength and watts. I also mention that the GC riders have other team riders get their water bottles for them.

In my opinion, the only time that the yellow jersey wearer really shines is in the Pyrenees Mountains and the Alps. As well as the individual time trials. Beyond these two different stages all the yellow jersey wearer has to do is stay in the lead peloton and make sure that no breakaway group with a rider that is close to the yellow jersey wear’s overall time gets away from the Peloton.

Jumping to the Breakaway group. In each stage there is almost always a breakaway group. This breakaway group most of the time includes riders that are not in contention of the overall General Classification. Meaning, that the GC riders really could care less, depending on the rider(s) in the breakaway group. Those riders will most likely not be a threat to the yellow jersey wearer, by taking away the Yellow jersey from the rider who does wear the jersey on that stage.

So, the breakaway group basically includes riders looking for a stage win in the Tour de France. Depending on the stage sometimes there might be a Green Jersey or Polka Dot jersey in the breakaway group. The green jersey rider obviously wants to win intermediate points in the stage to further gain overall points to retain the green jersey and hopefully win at the end of the three weeks of the Tour de France. The Green jersey wearer will take advantage of the flat stages, but most times the Green jersey wearer will try to stay with the Peloton since the more often than not the Peloton will catch up to the breakaway group before the finish line. When that does happen then the Green jersey rider as well as all other green jersey contenders will battle for finish line green jersey points at the finish line since that is where big Green jersey points are up for the taking.

The intermediate sprint points available during the stage are low, but in the grand scheme of things all those little points do help towards the end of the Tour de France. Some years at the last stage of the Tour de France the green jersey winner has been decided by mere points. And when that does happen more often that not it was because that rider went after the intermediate points throughout the tour.

Now, the Polka dot jersey will try to be in the breakaway group during a stage that has mountain category summit climb. Most of the stages have some mountains (or hill) that are categorized by numbers (1 through 4) and then a category that is “beyond category” and that is the infamous HC category. That is the climb that I often refer to as “the bitch” in my travels on the bike. The HC climb is a bitch to climb and waiting to destroy the riders in the Tour de France. Many Tour rider’s dreams have been crushed (or made) on an HC climb.

The Polka Dot overall jersey rider is determined by the rider who has the most points on each mountain climb summit that has a category number or “beyond category” attached to the climb. The Polka dot jersey rider competition can get pretty exciting some years, while some years there is no excitement. I do consider myself a good climber, due to my body type and how much I do enjoy riding up Mountains. Many years back I even trashed talked during The Santa Fe Century. Back then I was probably in the best shape of my life…

Sorry Readers I digress.

Yet, sometimes, sometimes, the breakaway group is made up of riders with no jersey wearing goals. Their sole mission is to outride the Peloton during that stage and to win the stage – for themselves, for glory, for dollars, and to go down into lore of the Tour de France as the winner of a stage in the tour de France. I love seeing the breakaway group survive and win the stage by out riding the Peloton. Whether it might two riders or just one rider. Even after riding a whole stage you see riders somehow find the strength to out ride the other rider(s) to win the stage. I always root for the breakaway rider/group to outlast the Peloton to the finish line. To see the Peloton catch the breakaway group is sad to see since I know that breakaway group had to pedal much more than the Peloton had to during the whole stage of the tour de France.

And I remember I think the last thing in the tour de France is the overall team with the fastest time in the tour de France. At the end of each stage whatever team has the three fastest riders gets to wear yellow rider numbers that indicate they are the fastest overall team in the tour de France. White numbers are used for all the rider’s numbers in the tour de France, except for the overall fastest team and the most aggressive rider in the Tour de France.

With all that being said that is really what the Tour de France is truly about.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tour de France 2009 - Stage 3

Greetings Readers

I can not believe that the "God of Thunder" is doing so well this year in the Tour de France. If it was not for Mark Cavendish of Team Columbia "The God of Thunder" of Team Cervelo would most likely be the Green Jersey Leader. I had predicted that "The God of Thunder" would take the second stage, but I was proven wrong at the end. Yet, "The God of Thunder" was the fourth rider to cross the line.

Now, he was the second rider to cross the line on the third stage of the Tour de France.

I have talked about the "The God of Thunder" a bit in the past (matter of fact it was one year ago)and why I like the name "The God of Thunder." If he is in the tour "The God of Thunder" has a chance. Getting old, but still a favorite of mind.

I will be unable to see the live coverage I taped in the morning, but I will have to see what "The God of Thunder" did on Stage 3 at a later date.

The big thing that happen today was a break-away at the end of the stage and that did alter the GC (that General Classification) riders a bit. Well, more so since that GC leader board should not have changed at all, due to the nature of the stage. Yet, it happen and that is why I like watching the Tour de France live and seeing events such as this happening and not hearing/reading about it later that day.

P.S. "The God of Thunder" is on the right side of the picture while Mark Cavendish is on the left. My opinion - That victory sign Mark did was so fucking un-Mark Cavendish like. We faithful cyclists and tour watchers know the real stage winner sign Mark Cavendish displays and that is great - both arms outstretched with his forefinger pointing up from a closed fist. But this victory sign sort of conveys that to us people - yeah let me thumb my nipple to an erect status while talking to you on the phone about just winning this stage. Matter of fact, if I was not on the phone I would thumbing both my nipples for a photo finish picture so I don't look so ridiculous with only one thumb on my left nipple. LOL - I made myself laugh trying to type that! No disrespect to Mark, but really a I'm on the phone victory sign at the finish?! It looks bad.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Independence Day

Greetings Readers

Today is an automatic posting - Happy Forth!

My New Neighbor - Jenny

Greetings Readers

About 1/2 a month ago I met my new next door neighbor. I saw the moving boxes, couches, plants, bed, etc.

I noticed my new neighbor since she was the only one I was seeing, besides the moving guys that were bringing in her stuff into her "humble" abode. Well, let me rephrase that I was not seeing any guy over and over that could be her boyfriend and or husband. Not that I am looking for a new neighbor to be my new woman in my life, but I have to admit she does look like someone I could know than just a neighbor. I know, I know, I am being superficial, but alas I admit my weakness regarding the opposite sex.

Anyway, we finally came face to face in June (right before the Ride the Rockies) and I took the initiative and introduced myself to her.

After the pleasantries were done that was that. Here name is... "Jenny." Of course, I could not help to think "Jenny" from Forrest Gump, "She is my special friend" I smiled and then left to be.

Not that it matters, I hope, I was dressed to the nines in my biking gear so I hope she was/was not judging on first dress impressions (depending on your point of view). Otherwise, I would have loved to meet her in my work clothes or a nice casual outfit as a first impression.

She looked casual since she was moving in at that time. I can not remember actually seeing her eyes or not, but I do remember her petite size, figure, hair and hand when we shook.

Fast forward to the present, I was feeling pretty good one evening when I came home. I had come from the liquor store and had a six pack of Fat Tire. Well, the past week it has been raining and raining. So when I going home I spotted a pair of Tennis shoes drying outside her humble abode. I thought to myself - what the hell - what do I have to lose. I decided right there and then to go home, get a post it note and write "Happy Fourth from your next door neighbor - Daryl" or something close to that effect. Again, I am not sure what I exactly wrote since I was a little nervous about doing what I was doing and whether or not I should be. Yet, I felt I needed to try and new that nothing ventured nothing gained. Also, I was drinking before coming home - so I bet that had a part of me doing what I was doing.

I did not think she was home and I was really not wanting to knock on her door and find out. So, I did the next best thing in my mind. I taped the post it note on one bottle of beer and the went over to her humble abode and put that bottle of Fat Tire in one of her Tennis (running) shoes and leave.

I could not believe I did that. After all, I have not talked to Jenny for about 1/2 month nor have I seen her for about the same amount of time. If I get a response - great. If not - then so be it. And Sam(my) - There is not and will not be any stalking - so there.

That it Readers, nothing else to add.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete