Spain

Nevermind that I wasn't originaly planning to watch the 2014 UCI Cycling World Championships in person and that it was a scramble to find last minute flights and accommodation that weren't embarrassingly expensive and that I helped my cousin PR in a half marathon just a handful of hours before I started a 19 hour … Continue reading »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

The 69th Vuelta a España got off to a start tonight with a 12.6 kilometer team time trial. Many teams did course recon this morning or early afternoon when the heat was less intense, but MTN Qhubeka, being the first team to ride tonight, also showed up in time to do a practice lap.   … Continue reading »