Vampires bite Cobra

Ricco out - NEXT!

Liqui-dated!

Triki no more - the first one outta the TdF - is it really a surprise that it's a former lieutenant of Mr. 7 wins? Joining the ranks of Hamilton, Landis, Heras, Andreau, Vaughters, etc. Next???

Where's my referral fee?

Cruising around a showery Orlando this afternoon when I had no less than 3 inquires about my bike. One is about par for the course maybe on a crowded weekend mixed in with other bikers I'll get 2. But 3 separate inquires is good news.

First guy (white guy w/crew cut) in a H2 Hummer pulls alongside and says the typical, "what type of bike is that?" I explain as best I can in 10 words or less, he says he'd like to travel with his Trek but it's too cumbersome - so I think I've got his interest.

Second guy (older black man) is in a car who has been my shadow for about a mile (on fairly narrow, but not impassable, roads). Finally pulls alongside at an intersection STOP sign and says that he was pacing me at 26MPH for the last couple of minutes (which if true was on a flat road with a tailwind). States encouragingly that I should be racing the TdF and "doing those time trailing races." Boy what some kind words will do for one's ego, especially when I think I'm about to be passed by every slug on a bike with my current state of fitness. "I used to ride a lot when I was younger, still like bikes, but....(trailing off)" I tell him bikes speak the universal language of vitality regardless of age that everyone can relate to. He says, "I got to get me one and get my butt in shape again."

Last guy (younger black man) is on a mountain bike in the part of Orlando you probably don't want to risk being after dark. He picks it up when he sees me coming. As I pull alongside he gives me the once-over and then blurts out, "Where'd you fly in from man?" I ask what makes him think I flew in from anywhere?
And he says, "cause that's onna dose travel bikes that fold into nothin' dude, and you don't see them every day, 'specially around here. Where you from?"
ME - Seattle area.
HIM -"Where you goin?"
ME - back to the hotel.
HIM -"Where's that?"
ME - back south of Universal
HIM - "Shiii, man I gotta get me one of those, so I can be in as gooda shape as you."
ME (ego on the rise again) - Where are you off to?
HIM - "Oh I um, well ya see, I'm making a delivery (nodding at his backpack)"
ME - I see.
HIM - Ya well, if you were caught with this stuff thy'd prolly kick your ass off the team, like that Boonen guy, know what I'm saying?"
ME - Tom Boonen with the coke bust?
HIM - Ya that's the guy, he's busted for a social violation; 'course he's Dutch man and they're more liberal with that than around here - man if that was me, I'd be thrown in jail with the key thrown the other way."
ME - Unfortunately I think you're right.
HIM - Damn straight man, I gotta go, go get 'em Lance!

And I tempo the 45 minutes back to the hotel.

T. Boone

Is water the new oil?

T. Boone Pickens thinks so. Although not a new topic - T. Boone has invested to the tune of 100M (a drop in his proverbial bucket) over the years, whereas the average investor may be left holding the hose (and paying through the nose).

TdF - just like the song

With no prologue, no TTT, no time bonuses, and shorter ITT's - and hopefully no cheats; the TdF has begun with a flash.

AND perhaps just like the song by Paul Weller (played on the "take back the tour" advertisements on Verses) it IS time for a brand new start (which coincidentally, or not, was released in the fall of 1998 after the Festina marred TdF)

Yellow may be on many shoulders before it's over OR can Valverde hold on to it the entire time?

Players, Coaches, Management, etc. that used to play/work for the team formally known as the Sonics 2 OKC!

WHO CARES?

Go watch a local high school or college game if you want passion, drama, and excitement.

Now that the settlement states that the SuperSonics name stays in Seattle - my guess as to their new name is the Los Angeles Angels of Oklahoma City. OK maybe not.

Here are a few other clues:
The Oklahoma State Bird is the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Humm the OKC Flycatchers? No.
The Oklahoma State Flower is the Mistletoe. Well maybe the OKC Mistletoes!? Not a chance.
The Oklahoma State Tree is the Redbud. Those guys are pretty tall, not too far fetched to be named after a tree; but the OKC Redbuds? No again.
Oklahoma's motto is "Labor Omnia Vincit" (Labor Conquers All Things). So my second guess would be the "OKC Laborer's" - as in all their labor bore fruit and they now have a real live NBA team (though from their record last season maybe not).

Though when all is said and done money really omnia vincit!

1st day...

...of the 2nd half of the year.

My training program has gone to the dogs (er kids) for this year so I resolve now to start my '09 training program - watch out everybody. Of course if I get my knee scoped that may slow things down a tad. But that didn't keep me from heading on out for a nice ride in this great weather - loved it.

Oh and the elbow still hurts, to the point where lifting the dang gear lever is a bother - what's the fuel penalty to leaving the gear down on a x-country flight from SEA - MCO? Well I don't have to fly until the 6th - perhaps it'll be better by then, otherwise the First Officer may have to put the handle up for me.