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

Tyler Hamilton Retires - Oh well

Greetings Readers

It is news, but not news. After all, I knew that Tyler was already in "trouble" earlier this year when he was not part of a team anyone, due to what we did not know at that time.

Then again, Tyler Hamilton has been out of the limelight for some time now due to the events following the Olympics (Athens) if I remember correctly. Not the Olympics themselves, but he did have a positive test come up, but could not be backed up since the back up sample was tainted or something or the other. You Readers can probably Google and research to see what it was specifically. I am just going from my memory.

Anyway, he was able to keep his Olympic Gold and thereafter he tested positive in another event and was handed a two year suspension.

Tyler eventually came back, but no high profile team wanted him and Phonak was no longer in existence (or what it that red/black and white jersey team-the name slips my memory-CSC?)

Anyway, I did not follow his return to cycling or cared.

I have to say that I really did not care for Tyler Hamilton at this point. I think, it was duly to the point in A Tour de France years back when Lance fell down with another another rider on a Mountain climb due to a spectator's handbag (purse) getting caught on the handlesbars. Anyway, there was Tyler in the Breakaway group and got news and then waved/told everyone of the news and used his hand to indicate to the other riders in the breakaway group to slow up and wait.

Now, this is my opinion - whether right or wrong - and there is bias. If Jan did not hold up per Tyler's hand waving Jan would have won the tour. Yes, I do believe it was the right thing to hold up if a rider fell, but in this particular incident it still appears that the two riders had the "choice" to veer from the accident to be forever talked about. The spectator did not purposely get in the way or pushed the strap into the handlebars. The spectator was in the way, but again the two riders could have rode to the left 6 inches. And I have seen an interview between then and now that I am not the only person who believe Jan should have taken off and not waited - This commentator is a high profile commentator who I have mentioned in the past.

Anyway, that is my thoughts and personal views on that particular moment with Tyler Hamilton.

So, as with Jan "retiring" years back it is Tyler's turn to "retire" without really anyone caring the least bit.

P.S. this is one of the pictures that I can remember seeing of Tyler Hamilton's in his high point of his short biking career.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Mr. L.A. - Again - in the News

Greetings Readers

I have not done my research on this particular news item. I am only going by what I have read and heard.

So, apparently, Mr, L.A. has stated, twittered, blogged, listed on his website that he may be banned from the Tour de France.

Now, I am going to basically sum up what I have heard and read. This will not be verbatim.

Apparently, a surprise anti-doping test was scheduled for Mr. L.A.

A tester showed up had credentials. Either the Team Captain Johann or some people on the team called to verify the tester's credentials. So, while that was going one Mr. L.A. decided to take a 20 minute shower. Nothing from what I heard or read that the tester forbade or Mr. L.A. was doing this because he could.

Yet, it is stated that all riders being tested have to remain in view of the tester when a test is being submitted. Period.

Bottom line, Mr. L.A. did what he wanted because he is Mr. L.A. Come on Readers, I know that I can wait 5, 30 or even 60 minutes before taking a shower. I may stink, but I will wait so I do not break any official rules or regulations in place that could suspend or fine me for acting that way. If there is a problem/issue then I am betting an objection, a report, or complaint could be filed later.

No one is above any rules and regulations - not even Mr. L.A..

On other side - there is another article saying that the Team asked the tester if Mr. L.A. could shower. The Team asked the tester to wait outside, as opposed to inside where Mr. L.A. was. Mr. L.A. apparently told the AP that this news was leaked, when in fact Mr. L.A. posted what happened on his website (Livestrong, I think).

Now, Mr. L.A. is pouting like a three year old child, or a seven year calling another person out, or even like Paris Hilton - he is trying to be in the news at every moment possible.

Again, there is conflicting information and I do not know what it true and what is not true. I do not know what is right and I do not know what is not right.

The only issue is Mr. L.A. not liking what is being done in his comeback. If he has to complain every other week and what not and does not care for it then leave the professional career again. If you don't like it then don't do it. What's in the past is past, deal with the here and now and future. After all, there are a lot of people that want to see Mr. L.A. back. Personally, I don't care, except everyone saying "Lance's team" when in fact Mr. L.A. is not the team Leader - Alberto Contador is the Team Leader currently

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Mr. L.A. - The "Male" Paris Hilton

Greetings Readers

I was thinking about Mr. L.A. Getting to the bottom of him he is like the male version of Paris Hilton.

He is okay for a while being in the spotlight and then not in the spotlight, but somehow he has to come into the spotlight so us Readers do not forget him.

I do not have a clue how many of you Readers know or heard about Mr. L.A. returning to the cycling world. Anyway, he made an announcement to return to cycle and wants to ride in the Tour de France next year.

Believe me Readers I was up in arms. I rolled my eyes, shook my head in disbelief and wondered what the fuck.

Well, let us fast forward to the past month. L.A. announced he was going to compete in this race and that race. And then there was a race in Australia that he wants to compete in, but his application period does not finish until after that Australia race in January 2009. Mr. L.A. becomes eligible to race officially in February 2009, but he has appealed to the IOC and they have granted early riding privileges. Meaning he will be racing mid January 2009 in Austraila.

That is not fucking fair. Why does Mr. L. A. get an early exemption to ride when all other riders must abide to the rules of the IOC? Why? Mr. L.A. must adhere to the rules that the IOC and any other cycling foundations have laid down. Just because he is L.A. does not mean that he gets special privileges.

Anyway, L.A. announced his return. The world awaited which team would he be joining or what team would be formed. Though every one knew that it would be the first thought – what team, since he technically “destroyed” team Discovery into oblivion.

Readers, this post is entirely in my opinion and no thorough research has been done on my behalf.

Team Astana, which is currently being lead by Johann who was L.A. former manager on Team Discovery and U.S. Postal, was the team that L.A. has joined. Or to specific as the news - L.A.’s team. No fucking way. Team Astana has two strong leaders – Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer. And for L.A. to all of sudden to come out of retirement and want to win another tour de France is un-heard able.

Well, Let me say this for being out of cycling for three years and then all of a sudden to come out of retirement, join a team and presumably become team captain is bullshit. There are other riders who have earned the respect to be team leader. For L.A. to come out of retirement and get on a team and perhaps become team leader is pure bullshit. Other riders have perhaps earned the right to lead a team. We do not know.

Fast forward – Now, L.A. is “afraid” for his safety. Well, I have to say he has been afraid for his safety since winning those tour de France and breaking the record. Not being selfish the French did and prepare for an American to break the record of most tours won. Not to mention other records. L.A. rode and there was no mention of extra security needed for him when he broke all records.

Now, for him to say he fears for his safety and whether or not he will be able to ride in the tour de France is just hogwash. If he wants to ride in the tour de France he must prove himself to the team and also earn the right to ride to ride in the tour de France.

With L.A. announcing that he is concerned about safety, the president of the tour de France and people like me, who have second thoughts about L.A. he should be concerned about his return. Times have changed, perhaps his prescription to his cancer drugs are no longer used. His high cadence is great, but now we may see the truth. Again, I do not know nor will I ever know. The tests are better, but the turn around time is still about a week. Readers, I am totally assuming this since I saw the turn around time last year in tour de France for positive drug use.

Oh by the way Readers, L.A. has hired his own drug tester, but come on – he hired this person. Who gives a fuck! What matters is when the test is done and what the results are. That is what matters. After all how do we not know that L.A. has not “paid off” this drug tester? And not in the sense of salary.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Update to Team Astana and L.A.

Greetings Readers

As you can see from the blog picture

“Armstrong’s team receives tentative OK to ride in tour”

The article talked about how Team Astana would be able to ride in next year’s, 2009, tour de France barring any doping incidents.

Of course, anyone who is familiar with cycling knows that and this article was written just for the sakes of writing an article for / about L.A.

Now, that is not what or why I am writing this post about.

“Armstrong’s Team…” Now, as I have mentioned many, many times I do not follow L.A., but do mention something about L.A. when I happen to stumble across something about him. Is it really Armstrong’s Team or is it the way that the author of this article wrote the title and article. As far as I remember L.A. was looking to get on a team and there was no indication that any Team was looking to sign him on and be designated as the rider that everyone has to support.

That is not what I found out about in the past three weeks. I only heard that he wants to come out of retirement and is looking for a team to sign and ride on. There was no indication that he was going to “take over” a team and be designated as the rider to support for the next tour de France.

One could say to me that it is arrogant to think that he would not be signed onto a team to lead a team to victory for the next tour de France.

I would say that it is arrogant to think that he would be signed onto a team to lead to victory for the next tour de France.

Since, I am not following the news perhaps there was some talking and perhaps it was confirmed that he would be the rider that would be designated to win the tour de France for the team. All other riders would have to forgo glory and help L.A. in his ride for another tour de France victory.

Continuing on with the article – the article talks about how Team Astana would most like be able to ride in the 2009 tour de France next year, barring any doping incidents with Team Astana.

Now, I am going to have to say that 90 percent of the biking population knows and cares about the tour de France knows that Team Astana was banned from participating in this year’s 2008 tour de France due to the doping on Team Astana the previous year of the 2007 tour de France.

So, whoever wrote this article wrote this as just “filler” on the cause to talk just about L.A. We all know why Team Astana was banned / barred from the 2008 tour de France. We also know that Team Astana would probably be able to ride in the 2009 tour de France barring any doping incidents before the start of the next year. Those are facts.

Now, to the other thing mentioned in the article. Should Team Astana with L.A. be able to ride in the 2009 tour de France - L.A. would be tested for doping. That does go without saying. I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. After all it was L.A. that mentioned (complained) about being tested for doping during his latter part of his tour de France victories. And believe me Readers, he fucking complained left and right that he was tested and was “clean.” So be it, if you are “clean“ then get over being tested for doping.

And yes Readers – I am seriously worried about Levi Leipheimer. I hope that he did not get “fucked out” as team leader of Team Astana. All my hope Levi. Though with Johan as L.A.’s former Team Captain Levi’s chances are fucking slim.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

L.A.'s Announcment

Greetings Readers

I went and saw a friend and immediately asked for the paper since I knew that he brings in the paper almost every day. He said that the paper is over there, pointing with his head. With that I see that the section visible on top was the Sports Section.

I decided what the heck and see what is going on in the sports world on September 11, beside what day it is known for.

When I opened the Sports Section I see a familiar face with sunglasses on page three of the Denver Post. I automatically knew whose face that was without reading the photo caption.

Mr. L.A. Apparently, I did not have a fucking clue that on Tuesday September 9, 2008 he announced that he’s returning to the Tour de France next year (2009).

This is news. And most of you faithful Readers know my stance on Mr. L.A.

Well, I could not fucking believe what I saw on page three and I was no hurry to read what I thought was going to be why L.A. was in the paper.

First of all, I knew that L.A. was participating in Mountain Races here in Colorado. Yet, what I did not know, but apparently everyone around me was that L.A. announced he was going to ride in the Tour De France next year. I shook my head in the “I cannot fucking believe what I just read” way.

Yet, I have to agree with L.A. coming out of retirement. I have many, many times come out of retirement. Why you wonder? Well, the love of my biking and saying that I am retired do not go together. I never get burned out riding, but when I first retired, I really meant to retire.

Yet, after a few months I got restless. I had these bikes and I hated seeing those girls of mine just sitting my humble abode in storage. Also, without riding for a period of time one tends to get restless.

Now, personally I could not believe that L.A. was coming out of retirement, but after my initial finding out I can see why he has come out of retirement.

I whole-hearted agree with what he has announced. The tour de France the past three years has been different, but a good different. Without L.A. there are other teams and riders that have the chance to shine.

Whereas the team that Lance was on – Team Discovery – all riders were required to help L.A. to win the tour. Now, this is all my opinion and I have no facts, but never-the-less this is what’s what on a team with L.A.

First of all, each rider is required to help L.A. Period. His former team leader Johan Bruyneel was the leader of Team Discovery and I am sure he was the 1st lieutenant under L.A. Whatever L.A. said to Johan he relayed those order(s) to each rider on the team.

Every rider was there to help and sacrifice the cause to L.A.

And that is one of the reasons why L.A. has won the Tour de France. His team members, again my humble opinion, were told / instructed to help L.A. at the cost of their own glory in the tour. Unless L.A. gave the okay for any team member to take glory on one stage should a “good” opportunity arise, then you have limited freedom, on your own mind you, to try and win the stage. Winning the stages was not important as keeping the overall lead in the Tour de France. Otherwise, each team rider was to conserve strength, provide a slipstream for L.A. to ride in and make sure he keeps his overall lead in the Tour de France or at least keep L.A. within seconds of the overall lead.

And believe me Readers riding in a slipstream for 80 miles plus you will have the advantage over all other teams that are not like L.A.’s team. L.A.’s former team was part dedication to the cause, but most of it was required to help L.A. If you were not part of the team, well part of being required helping L.A, then you were not going to be on the team or go find another team to ride for.

If L.A. or Johan said do that or this. You do it. No questions. If you are required to set a pace for L.A. you do it. If you are told to hold up for L.A. then you hold up. If you are told to go and get water bottles for L.A. you do it. If L.A. has bike trouble you hold up or even give up your bike in order for L.A. to continue in the Tour de France.

Again, what I have just wrote is speculation, but I am betting that I am not that far off from the real truth behind his winning of the Tour de France many, many times.

Now, when I found out about this news I immediately thought of Levi Leipheimer.

Levi went to another team after being under / on L.A.’s team for one bike season, but then left for another team once that was done.

I am not sure we know the real reason why, but I know that the reason was that Levi wanted the chance to ride for himself and not be told that he must give up his biking rights to help L.A. win the tour.

Now, as of last year Levi found himself on another Team - Team Astana. My team that I have behind ever since they were basically known as Team T-Mobile. Which you readers may or may not know that is where the second most bike rider I model myself after was - Jan Ullrich.

Due to doping riders of Team Astana the year before they were forbidden (not invited) to ride in the Tour de France this year. Which was very unfortunate for Levi since he was basically the unofficial team captain of Team Astana.

Now, I feel for Levi since now there is a possibility that L.A. will be joining Team Astana since L.A.’s former 1st Lieutenant is now captain of Team Astana. With that being said all previous team objectives would change since Johan and L.A. will make it clear that L.A. will be the rider to be supported on Team Astana.

I hope that I am wrong, but I want Levi to have a chance to shine at the Tour de France on Team Astana and not another team. Though I believe in my heart that L.A. and Johan will be reunited even though the team owners said in a statement that they are not interested in signing L.A. to the team, though in the past that would have been a very good option to take.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Qdoba Girl - 3 years later

Greetings Readers

It was just like any ordinary visit to my local Qdoba’s to get my burrito from my post bike ride. Mainly, to get my carbs from the rice and to get some chips and salsa that I love from Qdoba’s

I see that guy that I have gotten to know working behind the counter. He sees me and smile and I too see him and smile back.

“How are you? Is that a Mexico bike jersey you have on?” He says smiling.

Of course this is a joke that has been on going for a while. He must love Mexico since he always wonders if I am going to ride for Mexico or if I was going to ride in the Tour de France of the Summer Olympics for Mexico. I have to respond to him that I am not. I am too old and I am not that good. Though even that is speculation whether or not that I am a good rider.

Anyway, we are both joking and talking and I have to admit I do look forward to the weekend visits seeing him and basically treating me more than a customer. He treats me like an amigo.

He says to me see you next time and then I am off to the next person on the line to help me on what I want in my burrito. You know Readers, the person who asks what you want – very hot, hot, mild or medium salsa. Then, whether you want cheese, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes, etc.

I turn to the next person in line.

I was speechless. I could not fucking believe my eyes. There she was – the Qdoba girl from my past. A past that is about three years old now.

Readers, my smile that was on my face got bigger if that was possible and I say something to the effect “It’s you. How are you?!” And my eyes widen up with sudden excitement on seeing my Qdoba girl.

“Hi. How are you?” she responds.

I could not believe it Readers! This is/was the Qdoba girl that I have mentioned in my blog a few times in the past. I was so close to asking her out to a company Christmas party when she was suddenly gone from my life. She was adorable to me and yes I was smitten with her.

Well, the line was busy so I told her what I wanted but I/we were speed talking to each other since we knew we only had a very limited amount of time before she has to help the next person in line after me.

All of a sudden, the guy that I know interrupts our conversation. Whether it was jealousy on his behalf or something else, I immediately held up my hand to him in a stop hand gesture and then with my left hand I crossed my fore and middle finger and hold it front of me and the Qdoba girl and say to him. “Shhh. Me and her are like this.” And I smile at him and then at her and she smiles at me and then at him. And she says, “we are.”

He smiles and then goes away.

I do not know where that comment came from, but it came out since I did not want to be interrupted with our reunion after almost three years.

Flashback – During our speed talk conversation I asked her how long she has been working at this Qdoba’s store. She responds since November last year. Wow. November of last year and this was the first time that I saw her at this Qdoba’s location. Unfucking believable. I guess with her working presumably the hours that she worked at the other store I knew her at makes since. And with me seeing her this past weekend was pure fucking luck. Or perhaps fate.

Present - What is that saying? You find someone when you are not looking. Well, I have not been looking and I did find someone I am very attracted to.

I am so happy. Happy is not a word that even describes how I feel about seeing her. Now, I have to run into her again and hope for the best. Granted, a lot has happened in the three years since I last saw her, but I can only hope for the best.

She seemed happy to see me, but was that because I was a familiar face or perhaps the same way I feel about her? I do not know. Is she single? Probably not, but I can hope. Or at least give her the option to get to know me more.

Anyway, I cannot believe this. Qdoba girl after all these years. Fate?

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tour de France 2008 - Day 19

Greetings Readers

3 HC mountain climbs

Col du Galibier
Col de la Croix-de-fer
L'Alpe D'Huez

Obviously the last Mountain will break the hearts and minds of the riders on the remaining riders left in tour.

And obviously, I love the commercial Versus is running for the Stage 17 - D'Alpe D'Huez. She is a beast. She attracts thousands to her slopes as she makes every rider on the Tour de France ride to the top of her. She can make dreams or crush them. She will punish the weak and reward the best. She is L'Alpe D'Huez. The baddest bitch of Europe.

2645 Meters - 13 Miles ascent
2067 Meters - 18 Miles ascent
1850 Meters - 8.6 Miles ascent

I got up at 4:00 AM this morning and left about 8:00 AM for work just as the riders were getting to the top of Col de la Croix-de-fer. Tonight, I will find out which riders L'Alpe D'Huez took out of the Tour de France.

I love rooting for the underdogs, but in this unique case I want L'Alpe D'Huez to take and punish every rider in the Tour de France.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tour de France 2008 - Day 13

Greetings Readers

Well, the news this morning (Mountain Time Zone) at 6:30 was that another rider in the Tour de France was found to have "doped." The team that he was on, yes was on, also withdrew from the Tour de France. Though, this was breaking news when us Coloradan tuned into the Tour de France this morning of LIVE coverage.

What is there to say? Nothing that has not been said before. I am all for the test, but I am totally against the negativity. Negativity is the word I want to use since I am not going to be specific about certain subjects, since I need to do research before blurting out something and then being called on for my error.

Though I am glad that Versus dropped that, what is that "Silly" words Phil uses..., ah "idiotic" commercial of showing riders who some were guilty of doping, while others were not to have been found guilty, though presumably those certain individuals were found to be linked to doping. Anyway, Versus finally put a commercial about bike riders crashing the in Tour de France. Now, that is what I look forward to, but I do not like to see a rider to abandon the tour due to a crash. Yet, seeing a crash LIVE - I gasp and basically whisper "oh fuck" sometimes "oh no." And yes other times I hold my breath hoping for the rider to be okay. Kudos for Versus for now running a tasteful commercial.

Getting back to the Tour de France and the three riders that have tested positive for doping (EPO.) I have a friend that comes over and says to me "uh oh another rider out of the Tour." Yes, too bad. "For Doping" my friend responds. Yes, test sample "A" came back positive and now they will test sample "B."

I am all for the test, but what has been puzzling me since the first incident last Saturday/Friday depending on when you heard the news the first rider was taken into custody 7 days later after the drugs were found in test sample "A" in the first stage before the start of Stage 7. And then, Phil or perhaps Paul say you can not get away with doping. Then, one of them adds this was a random test, but the rider was targeted from before the start of the tour.

With all that said - and indicating that they are catching the doping riders - why is taking a week to throw them out of the Tour de France? Such as the case with the other Spanish rider - Stage 11 his sample came back positive, but that was not for Stage 11, but for Stage 4. Then, today the Rider's sample came back positive for stage 6, but the rider was not thrown out of the tour until Stage 12.

I am not endorsing doping, but with the past three positive cases, a rider could technically start doping after the stage 16 and his test would not come back/show positive until a week later, after the Tour was done. Right?

to be continued...

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Tour de France 2008 - Day 12

Greetings Readers

Early this morning, I saw that another rider was identified by his drug test as having EPO in his sample.

Today is the last day of the Pyrenees - one Cat 1 climb and then "gravy." Meaning, the riders are out of the Mountains and onto the Flats. Though, looming in the distance is the Alps. I will give an update later when I watch my tape tonight.

In the mean time let me continue the topic from the past recent posts...

I can not seem to let this particular issue go. This topic got intriguing when I initially brought this up to one of my friend-o’s. After reveling to my friend-o of the issue at hand and what was being done. I asked him how he/she would have reacted if he/she had the sticker applied to his/her vehicle.

“I would be mad.” My friend replied (exact words).

From there I started asking questions and my friend also asked me questions about said scenario.

Then, I recollected some of the biker / cyclist / commuter’s words – and this is not a direct quote. “I should turn these pictures into the Denver Police Department” Hmmm. Should he/she turn in those photos of people’s cars that were caught on film (their camera) parking in a biking lane? If he/she does submit the pictures then would said person also turn himself/herself in for tampering with a motor vehicle? I do not know.

But from previous comments – I can already hear (read) the biker’s / cyclist’s / commuter’s reason/excuse. Oh yes! He/She always has some excuse as if it was not his/her fault in the first place. My rights… I’m entitled… Blah, blah, blah. And the excuse I can imagine being given is that “Oh, the parking vehicle offender is more serious than my slapping a sticker to the vehicle.” Or I can even hear this excuse “Oh, the vehicle’s owner committed a crime first by parking in the bike lane, therefore that is the crime and my slapping a sticker on the parked vehicle is not a crime since the vehicle’s owner committed the crime first - ahead of me.” Believe me Readers; I know I can hear some excuse as if the whole slapping the sticker on a vehicle is not a crime.

After my initial “what would you think” to my friend-o I decided to ask more people. People that I know and people that I do not know. I asked everyone, I think – young, old, white; black, man, woman, child, teenager, people with bikes and people without bikes, business people, an everyday looking person (to me). No, I did not write down their answers, but I did remember what they responded with when I asked is it okay for a person who rides a bike, like me, to slap a sticker on a vehicle parked/waiting in a bike lane?

No. Fuck no. Are you serious? What? No way. Is this a joke? Uh-uh. No fucking way. I would beat the shit of out him if they slapped a sticker to my car. (Note: the response to my question this guy I poll-ed said “him” when I gave no reference to the gender of the person slapping the sticker to vehicles in the Denver area.), You don’t do this - do you?

Those are just a few of the responses I got when I started asking people about this particular scenario. Not one-person said / agreed it was OK to slap a sticker to anyone’s vehicle.

Some people asked what kind of sticker. Meaning - is there a sticky adhesive where you might try peeling off the sticker and it leaves the backing on the surface and all you peeled off was the top layer of the sticker. Some also asked where was the sticker placed on the vehicle.

I did not know the answers to those questions. However, if it was a sticky adhesive and left some/or all of the sticker on the car would the vehicle’s owner have to use a razor blade or some solvent to remove any remaining adhesive from the sticker that was remove from their vehicle? Again, I do not know. However, thinking to myself first you slapped a sticker a sticker to my vehicle and I now have a ruin windshield and/or paint job because of you slapping a sticker to my vehicle, you are a “mother fucker.”

Just because the vehicle’s owner parked/idle in a bike lane does that give you/a biker the right to deface a vehicle? These next sentences are only some of the statements that were voiced to me – What if this was the first time that the vehicle’s owner parked in a bike lane? Is that first offense of getting a sticker slapped to his/her vehicle okay? What if this person was on a deadline and the only way to get to his/her next destination in time was to park their car in a bike lane for a minute (up to three minutes) did that earn the vehicle’s owner to get a sticker slapped to their vehicle? What if the vehicle’s owner has been doing this forever and ever and no one has ever said/done anything to him parking in the bike lane – does this warrant a slapping of a sticker to their vehicle?

A few people did give examples of what the biker / cyclist / commuter could have done instead of slapping a sticker to their car. The person could have slipped a “handbill”, “flyer”, or whatever you want to label it – even a piece of paper under the windshield wiper instead of slapping a sticker to their vehicle. Even use a Post-It note as opposed to a sticker saying that they should not of parked in a bike lane.

Yet, that was not the end of the questions that a few had for me. How do we know that the vehicle’s owner would assume that a biker / cyclist / commuter did the slapping of the sticker to said vehicle. Could the person who slapped a vehicle with a sticker was not even on a bike? I do not know. Also, I do not know what exactly is printed on the sticker. Did the person who slapped the sticker print/sign their name? Use a nickname? I do not know. I did get it “if he did not leave a name or anything identified him on who slapped the sticker then that is one fucking chicken shit person not to own up to his actions. Again readers, I can not voice an opinion since I am already bias against the slapping a sticker on the biker / cyclist / commuter. Also, the response was “he” and never “she” when I left the person genderless.

Most of the people I asked for their opinion were really interested on what I asked them. They started asking some questions of their own, which most of the time I did not know the answer to. But on other questions I did. Such as… How long has this person been slapping stickers to people’s vehicles parked in a bike lane? I responded from what I read on their post from last year I could only estimate that this has been going on for over a year. “Really?” they responded.

Oh yes, they even wrote about the vehicles they encountered. And in some cases they took pictures of the vehicle(s), including a picture of the license plate and the driver (if possible). Which brings me back to my previous post you have got to have serious issues about investing the time to take pictures of vehicles parked in a parking lane. You have the “balls” to take all the pictures you want of the crime and tell the Internet world, but you do not have the conjones to back up what you complained / reported to your blog readers? Wow.

You want sympathy for pointing out the parking in a bike lane, but you do not have the “balls” to file a police report?! Though, I will give credit for the biker / cyclist / commuter on actually calling the Denver Police department for having proof, via digital picture(s), of parking in a bike lane and asking what to do. I can not call this person an idiot, but any person can go to the local police department and fill out a police report. It’s free! Granted, I have no clue what priority this offense would warrant, but at least a police report was filed along with picture(s) {evidence). Yes pictures – since the person slapping the sticker can afford to make, buy and slap a sticker I do not see any reason why not the person can not go to a local Wal-mart or store that will print out a hard copy of your digital picture. I think the last time I did this the print cost me about .10 cents and about 2 minutes of my time.

One interviewee asked me that I should be Mr. “McGruff” and report the crime (You know Readers - “take a bite out of crime”) since I have proof of a crime that took place. He/she asked me if I had proof and I said yes, because said person posted and provided picture(s) of the vehicle(s) he/she slapped a sticker on. And if any of you readers remember those commercials from a year ago – if you buy drugs from a dealer you are helping the terrorists. How do we know that any of us readers are not helping America from this person’s actions by not reporting him/her, which may be helping the Terrorist overseas? It is far fetched, but how do we not know?

Wait! I have no reason to report to the police of said crime since I am not personally involved by it or nor I had someone ever slap a sticker to my vehicle. Though it may be premature since any retributions on me could be forthcoming on said crime performed by said biker / cyclist / commuter. I do know the name of the person (and there could be more) committing the crime, but I have no reason and could care less to report this disgraceful crime. He/She has done nothing to me, so far, but given reasons for his / her actions from their point of view.

Though, I will keep looking over my shoulder every now and then and if I should hear a “different” car sound (like the sound of a vehicle gunning towards me) then I am all ears. I do not want to be a victim of someone else’s crime.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete