Author Archives: Kathryn
2014 Tour of Alberta stage 3
While waiting for the first of the riders to sign on, race announcer Dave Towle called up Canadian former cyclist Gord Fraser for a chat. Andrea and I flipped and flopped about which one of two spots we wanted to be in for the sign on but we decided to stay put when we … Continue reading
2014 Tour of Alberta stage 2
After yesterday's monsoon, which left my shoes soaking well through the following afternoon, today's mild temperatures and even bursts of sunshine were particularly appreciated. There was a good turnout at the arrival town of Red Deer's festival. Andrea and I grabbed some space on a sweeping corner and got ready to watch the peloton … Continue reading
2014 Tour of Alberta stage 1
Stage 1 of the second annual Tour of Alberta headed south of Calgary for six laps around Lethbridge. Here's the most important thing you need to know about today in Lethbridge: it rained. Now, I've stood in some good downpours at the races before, but the merciful weather gods have typically allowed a scalding … Continue reading
2014 Tour of Alberta prologue
This is my first time being between Vancouver and, oh say, Hamilton, Ontario in Canada. So why am I in beautiful Alberta? For the Tour of Alberta of course! The 4 kilometer prologue through Canada Olympic Park, home of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics (remember the Jamaican bobsled team?), featured a massive climb … Continue reading
2014 Vuelta a España stage 7
Stage 7 of the Vuelta started in a parking lot which is pretty typical but the parking lot was shared between the local theater and a funeral home. And there was a funeral this morning. Eek. Fortunately it was well before sign on began. Still… Bob Jungles was the first to sign on. … Continue reading
2014 Vuelta a España stage 6
Snow tires? No need today on Alto Cumbres Verdes! The climb is around 4 kilometers long, so relatively short, but it’s dead straight with just the occasional curve and it kicks up to 16% in the middle. With no shade, Alto Cumbres Verdes promised to show no mercy. I’m really not a hat … Continue reading
2014 Vuelta a España stage 5
Walking to the sign on this morning, I turned right to head to the park and noticed a not insignificant hill. I’m sure the peloton will have noticed this same not insignificant hill, too, as today’s roll out started from the bottom of said hill. That’s racing! Lots of tasks to be done in … Continue reading
2014 Vuelta a España stage 4
It took a good piece of logistics working but in the end I found a way to catch the sign on at today’s Vuelta stage. I’ve loved the racing I’ve gotten to see so far, but if I’m not on a climb, my next choice is to interact with the riders and a sign on … Continue reading
2014 Vuelta a España stage 3
I give the Vuelta organizers 10 points for their creativity–today's sign on was on a naval ship! However, I immediately disqualify said 10 points and am even administering a 2 point penalty for poor execution in terms of logistics and fan friendliness. I was baffled to see the regular sign on stage set up … Continue reading
2014 Vuelta a España stage 2
La Vuelta tends to be geared more towards climbers, so I'm sure the sprinters were all chomping at the bit at today's stage profile. With a category 3 climb just 10 kilometers in, the remaining 164k promised to be dead flat. It remained to be seen whether the winds would split the peloton into echelons, … Continue reading