Pedal Dancer

A handmade Pegoretti bike

2012-02-20T21:41:00.012-07:00

The true art of framebuilding

A handmade custom Italian road bike is a wonderful thing. The other day I was fortunate to see and touch a Dario Pegoretti handmade Italian steel bike. This bike was so special it had it's own hand-painted finish. I was told these bikes can take more than 6 months (the website says up to 24 months) to receive after ordering. The frame geometry is built to spec according to the rider's measurements, and although a customer may request a color scheme, no other exact details may be requested. Dario Pegoretti is a true artist, and artists are not told how to create their next masterpieces. The Studio asks simply, "Please don’t ask for a reproduction of a Ciavete paint scheme you’ve previously seen, as the idea behind Ciavete is for each frame to be a unique work displaying Dario’s aesthetic creativity."

Can you imagine placing your order and waiting to see the one-of-a-kind bike that arrives on your doorstep? I can tell you, this beauty was worth waiting for, I could see the iridescent gold paint sparkle and the individual paint strokes of the artist's hand. Photos do not do this masterpiece justice - it was spectacular!

A Dario Pegoretti work of art click any images to enlarge (please!).
A big thanks to Creekside Bikes in Parker, Colorado, for sharing this Pegoretti bike for all to enjoy.

©Photo by PedalDancer

About the bike builder

Dario Pegoretti is considered one of the best modern frame builders in the World. He is 55 years old and lives in the town of Caldonazzo, outside of Trento, in the Dolomites, Italy. He is considered both a master frame builder and an artist. In an interview with Cycle Exif Pegoretti explained he takes inspiration for his paint designs from 60's street art. He added, "The paint sequence is primer, base coat, clear coat. But for many of my ‘WILD’ paint schemes I use piece of newspaper, powder, water color, coffee grain as i feel myself on that day."

Pegoretti was diagnosed with cancer in 2007, but still builds the bike frames. The studio produces approximately 600 frames a year. Prices range from $2000-$5000. Pegoretti has created bikes for champion riders including Stephen Roche, Marco Cipollini and five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain. Watch a sample of the Frame of Mind video featuring Dario Pegoretti. Images below by © Nadav Kander.

Dario Pegoretti

Inside the frame builder's shop

The Pegoretti workshop in Italy

Pegoretti uses only steel and aluminum to build his frames, you may choose from the Responsorium, Big Leg Emma (named after Frank Zappa), Marcelo (named after Thelonius Monk), Duende, Luigino, Love #3, and 8:30. See images of more Pegoretti bikes. View his amazing one of a kind artwork on bikes. Would you like to place an order? Search for a dealer in the USA. Visit the official Pegoretti website.

Or if you cannot wait for the bike to arrive on your doorstep, you may purchase the Rapha Pegoretti inspired pink club jersey now.

Rapha's Pegoretti bike jersey

Guess Where? #6

2012-02-16T20:18:00.007-07:00

Where have we pedaled to now

Another week of adventure and more desktop traveling to France. Can you guess the locations of these 3 sites?

Image #1

©Photo by PedalDancer/DRR

Image #2

©Photo by PedalDancer

Image #3

©Photo by PedalDancer

Answers

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port ("Saint John at the foot of the mountain pass" in French).

Located in Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is one of the major towns in the French Basque area of the Pyrenees. Once razed by Richard the Lionheart, the town was rebuilt in the same spot on the famed route of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela over the Roncevaux Pass. Only 6km from the border of Spain, Basque is still spoken on both sides of the border. The town is situated along the river Nive and is wonderfully picturesque with tiled roofs, rust or brown colored shutters, buildings constructed of pink and grey schist, and cobbled streets typical of the area.

I had read that Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port was a growing center of cycling and so we made a point, on a rest day, to travel to visit the town in 2008. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is the old capital of the traditional Basque province of Lower Navarre, and if you have not yet tried a Navarre chilled rosé wine, please do so. Vineyards are increasing in the area, land prices are rising, and the area in a growing trend in popularity. The region reminds me of areas of Tuscany, Italy, and the central coast of California. It is neat and tidy with plentiful cafes and rolling green scenery. Mondays are market days and Sheeps cheese is a delicious local specialty.

River Nive through Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port ©Photo by PedalDancer/DRR

Landscape of Saint-Jean-Pied-De-Port ©Photo by PedalDancer/DRR

Port to Spain ©Photo by PedalDancer/DRR

Gothic church, Notre-Dame-du-Bout-du-Pont ©Photo by PedalDancer/DRR

Signs in the area are in both French and Basque

Basque flag

Pic du Midi de Bigorre

It took me until my forth trip to the Pyrenees to understand that there was more than one Pic du Midi along the mountain range of the French Pyrenees. The most well known is Pic du Midi de Bigorre the grand peak above the Col du Tourmalet. The peak (pic) supports the highest observatory in France (Observatoire du Pic du Midi de Bigorre) initially constructed in 1878! NASA placed a large telescope in the building in 1963 in preparation for the Apollo missions to the moon. The observatory now houses a number of instruments and telescopes and has made numerous major discoveries. The road (on the west side) to the top begins just to the left of the souvenir shop on Col du Tourmalet. The road is rocky and rough and not always passable due to snow pack.

Continue past the souvenir shop on Col du Tourmalet ©Photo by PedalDancer

Hike to Pic du Midi de Bigorre ©Photo by PedalDancerr

The rocky road down from Pic du Midi de Bigorre in June ©Photo by PedalDancer

On the other side of this road (seen above) down the east side of the Col du Tourmalet lies the town of La Mongie, from this town you may take a steep cable car ride up to the observatory. This video will give you an idea of the massive area around the Col du Tourmalet, and perhaps why this climb is so magical on a small bicycle. Video: Pic du Midi de Bigorre - Cable Car Ride - All the way to the top!

There is another beautiful mountain peak that is a noticeable landmark on the mountain scape of the Pyrenees named Pic du Midi d'Ossau. This peak is slightly west of the other Pic du Midi with wonderful hiking trails and lakes. I hiked near the base of the peak in 2005, horses and cows roamed among green pastures and lakes, and the sound of cowbells filled the air. It was a rocky steep hike up the hillsides but a very enjoyable hike to Lac de Bious-Artigues. Take the D934 south of Pau and keep going (past the turn left up the D918 to the Col d'Aubisque) until you reach the town of Gabas, park and start hiking.

lake near Pic du Midi d'Ossau ©Photo by PedalDancer

Pic du Midi hiking ©Photo by PedalDancer

Pic du Midi d' Ossau from the Ossau Valley south of Pau ©Photo by PedalDancer

Flamme Rouge (Red Kite)

The red kite is the pennant marking the final kilometer of a bike race. The site of the flag means the race is almost over and the winner about to be determined. The banner inspires the phrase red kite prayer, supposedly naming the gesture of bowing the head as riders pass under the flag, digging deep in their last 1 kilometer of hard effort. I need to start paying better attention because I don't think I've ever noticed a rider actually doing this, but the popular blog Red Kite Prayer, inspired by the name, claims it to be a true tradition. I do know every time I am watching a break away or lone rider in the lead, and the rider passes under that red kite, I find myself cheering "come on you can make it, go!" The red kite is a long tradition in the Tour de France but is also used in other international races. The flamme rouge remains a very happy site for cyclists.

Red Kite at the finish line of the Tour de France ©Photo by PedalDancer

Red Kite being set up at the Criterium du Dauphine ©Photo by PedalDancer

Where we traveled to this week: click map to enlarge

A. Pic du Midi de Bigorre; B. Pic du Midi d'Ossau; C. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

View the other Guess Where series:

Guess Where? #5

Guess Where? #4

Guess Where? #3

Guess Where? #2

Guess Where? #1

Picture of the Day: climbs by gear

2012-02-16T15:12:00.002-07:00

If it were only this easy

No matter what mountain I am climbing, I always seem to be on Ventoux or Tourmalet, and looking for that one last gear!

from bicyclestore.tumblr.com

Love Friends and Bikes

2012-02-14T15:34:00.015-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day

I'm taking a moment to appreciate a day focused on Love. And on how the love of anyone and anything seems to multiply and grow turning into unexpected joys. Give a little - get a lot.

My niece Kristina and I have now made our plans to meet up first in Florence, Italy, and then travel back to Belgium together for the 2012 Paris-Roubaix in April. We are both so excited and will of course be photographing and writing about our adventures as fans at the race. My friend Janet and I have made all of our plans to France for the 2012 Tour de France in July. All that remains is some hard training (mostly for me). Tonight I'm having dinner and a Nuggets basketball game with my old friend I traveled to France with years ago and Janet, it should be fun to talk about past present and future with two friends who enjoy humor, travel, bikes and big mountains.

Meanwhile Paddy Sweeney has saved me and Janet a place at his cycling lodge in the Pyrenees in July, and I am looking forward to seeing his wife Olive and their son Sean again. Two other friends, Courtenay and Tom, I met at the 2011 USA Pro Challenge, will also be returning to France for the 2012 Tour de France, there is a good chance we'll meet up on the Col de Peyresourde for one of the stages. I also look forward to meeting Peter Thomson and his lucky clan of cyclists with Thomson Bike Tours during one of his tours to The Paris-Roubaix or the Tour de France.

I wish my brother Michael would join us in France but he is so busy traveling (Africa, China, Japan) it is hard for him to squeeze in another trip to ride. I am looking forward to meeting up with Mike N. from Phoenix again this year at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado, (I met Mike at the 2011 USA Pro Challenge), we already have plans to stay at his friend Brian's house in Telluride during this years race, before making our way to camp overnight on Independence Pass.

Mike writes every so often to tell me how nice the weather is down in Arizona and how they are in their prime bike racing season this time of year. His writing seems to correspond with our biggest winter snow storms. It always makes me want to load up my car and head south to the warm sunshine. Bicycling.com recently wrote a story about cycling in the Arizona area: A Desert Oasis: Phoenix, AZ. A nice thing to think about when it is a chilly 38°F outside here in Colorado.

The other week Mike N. wrote to tell me that Chad Beyer, who grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and rode for Team BMC last year, was busy winning local races with his new Competitive Cyclist racing team. Along with Laura Somak, another fan who attended the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado last year with Mike, and competed in the same bike event as Beyer did that day. Here is Laura winning her Cat 3/4 womens race during the recent Bike Haus Crit.

Laura Somak, a cycling fan, winning races in Arizona

I am looking forward to making a trip to a local bike shop this week - Creekside Bikes in Parker, Colorado - to bring you more pictures of Colnago and Pinarello bikes. I will be meeting the owner Kirk, and learning from Chandler the Mechanic. I also have an interview to write up with Peter Thomson of Thomson Bike Tours, we had a great conversation recently and I look forward to sharing with you some of his well earned insight about cycling in Europe. There is always more to look forward to and more to learn in this great sport of cycling.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone, I hope you enjoy your day with those you love. Or if they are far from you - you could opt for sending a nice greeting card - bicycle themed of course. <3

“To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.”

Guess Where? #5

2012-02-09T23:34:00.016-07:00

Where have we pedaled to now?

Time to once again take a journey and see if you can guess where these three landmarks are located, ready ....

Image #1

©Photo by PedalDancer.com

Image #2

©Photo by PedalDancer.com/Kenny Rakestraw

Image #3

©Photo by PedalDancer.com

Answers

#1 The Giant of the Tourmalet sculpture (Montée du Géant du Tourmalet)

This enormous silver sculpture sits atop a stone wall on the summit of the Col du Tourmalet. No sooner do you reach the top of the Tourmalet, then the descent quickly begins off the other side, but here, in this narrow ridge of a mountain pass sits this very recognizable landmark welcoming cyclists and tourists. The statue was built in 1999 to honor the first leg of the Tour de France in the Pyreness, and was dedicated to the first winner, Octave Lapize.

The statue used to, for years (please read comments by VeloPeloton), rest for the winter in the garden outside the Laurent Fignon Cycling Center (now closed), in Gerde near the town of Bagnéres de Bigorre, down valley from the Col du Tourmalet (but now rests in Tarbes, 50 km away, according to VeloPeloton). The first Saturday of June the statue re-emerges from it's winter hibernation and is ceremoniously accompanied by a legion of nearly 1000 cyclists back to it's glorious place on the peak. On it's journey back to the top, the statue and participants make stops in the towns along the route including Sainte-Marie de Campan, Gripp, Caderolles, and La Mongie. Locals mark the procession with events and celebrate with local foods of black Bigorre pork, AOC Madiran wine, Tarb beans, local cheeses and more. I think it would be exciting to join in the fun of accompanying the statue back to the top of the Col du Tourmalet, 2012 will mark the 13ème édition de la Montée du Géant du Tourmalet.

The Tourmalet is the most frequented climb in the Tour de France. Read a related post by VeloPeloton Montée du Géant du Tourmalet and Laurent Fignon, Salut au Champion! or more Pedal Dancer posts: Pedal Dancer: Today I saw the Tourmalet bring a man to tears or Pedal Dancer: More Pictures from the Tourmalet

©Photo by PedalDancer.com

#2 Jardins du château de Versailles

The Gardens of Versailles cover 800 hectares (324 acres) of land on the west side of the Palace of Versailles. Late in the 1630's Claude Mollet and Hilaire Masson designed the initial gardens for King Louis XIII. The Gardens of Versailles were further developed in the 1660's by King Louis XIV in the French Garden style and were refined and mostly designed by André Le Nôtre (between 1661 and 1700),. The gardens are most notable for their overwhelming size, broad expanses, and numerous thirsty fountains.

The gardens suffered damage from the 1999 winter storm but have mostly been replanted. You may take a train from Paris to Chateau Versailles using the RER C "yellow" line, 6,80€ for a return trip. See more images of the gardens. The Gardens might be a welcome reprieve from the internal glitz of the palace.

The magnificent hallway of Mirrors at Versaille ©Photo by PedalDancer.com/Kenny Rakestraw

#3 Cormet de Roseland

The Cormet de Roseland is a somewhat obscure climb in the Rhones-Alps region of France. It is one of those climbs that is sometimes included in the Tour de France (the last time was in 2007), but I never knew where this climb was, until I made a point to locate it on a map and go out of our way and climb it in 2007. Cormet de Roseland is a 20.23km steady winding climb to a beautiful lake and mountain pass with little else except for the lovely town of Beaufort at the base of the climb, where cyclists gather in cafes. The descent is screaming fast with recorded speeds of 62mph for riders during the Tour de France. The climb is located east of Albertville, France, the start city of Stage 11 of the 2012 Tour de France. If you are in the area, put it on your "to do" list of climbs.

Beaufort, France ©Photo by PedalDancer.com

Cormet de Roseland Profile by ClimbbyBike

"A" marks the location of the Cormet de Roseland climb in the Alps.

The climb and fast descent of Cormet de Roseland from Beaufort (click images to enlarge):

©Photo by PedalDancer.com

View the other Guess Where series:

Guess Where? #4

Guess Where? #3

Guess Where? #2

Guess Where? #1

Recommended Viewing: Curvy Roads

2012-02-09T17:44:00.002-07:00

Every cyclist loves curves

Enjoy these images of curvy roads: Inspiring Roads with Curves. Which includes this image below of Stelvio Pass in Italy

Details on 2012 Tour of California route

2012-02-08T14:18:00.041-07:00

More details about the route for 2012

Tour of California adds more mountains and coastline to 2012 route By VeloNation

Read all the details on the Amgen Tour of California website: Specific Route Details Announced For 2012 Amgen Tour of California

2012 Stages:
May 13th – stage 1: Santa Rosa to Santa Rosa, 186.5km (115.9 miles)
May 14th – stage 2: San Francisco to Santa Cruz County, 188.5km (117.1 miles)
May 15th – stage 3: San José to Livermore, 185.5km (115.3 miles)
May 16th – stage 4: Sonora to Clovis, 209.6km (130.2 miles)
May 17th – stage 5: Bakersfield ITT, 29.7km (18.4 miles)
May 18th – stage 6: Palmdale to Big Bear Lake, 186.3km (115.7 miles)
May 19th – stage 7: Ontario to Mount Baldy, 126km (78.3 miles)
May 20th – stage 8: Beverly Hills to Los Angeles, 72km (44.7 miles)

Pedal Dancer Images from the 2011 Amgen Tour of California: some images I may not have used before in earlier posts - what it feels like to be a fan at the race. All ©Photos by PedalDancer™

Modesto, CA

Livermore, CA

San Jose, CA

Paso Robles, CA

Solvang, CA - Individual Time Trial

Claremont, CA

Santa Clarita, CA

Thousand Oaks, CA

Colnago bikes

2012-02-07T10:02:00.016-07:00

A tradition of innovative winning bikes

It is time I learn more about Colnagos, I have thought of the brands such as Colnago and Pinarello as the luxury line of expensive toys, not as affordable fast racing machines. Yet there I was a few weekends ago, watching Neils Albert race and win on his 2012 winning world champion cyclocross Colnago Cross Prestige bike. Albert rode with such smooth strong impressive bike handling skills during his win at Cyclocross World Championships in Belgium, that he made me take notice of his bike. He clearly was not fighting the machine; I wanted to learn more about Colnago bikes and their designer.

I read that Ernesto Colnago was already an accomplished mechanic when he started his own bicycle company in 1954. He first mastered the art of wheelbuilding after breaking his leg racing and needing a trade while recovering at home. He broadened his mechanical skills eventually becoming a mechanic for Eddy Merckx and a few other Italian and Belgian racing teams before returning to a small town outside of Milan, Italy, to build his own steel bikes. Just 6 years later at the 1960 Olympics, Italian Luigi Arienti won a gold medal racing on a Colnago bike. By 1972 Colnago had again teamed up with Eddy Merckx and built an innovate light weight frame ridden by Merckx to beat the world one hour record.

Ernesto Colnago and Gianni Motta

One day-classic wins, Grand Tour wins, and World Champion titles came year after year. You may give a word of thanks to Ernesto Colnago for being one of the first to use carbon fiber, for pioneering the use of titanium, for drilled chains and for 24-spoke wheels. Riders such as Gianni Motta, Michele Dancelli, Eddy Merckx, Giuseppe ‘Beppe’ Saronni, Joop Zoetemelk, Maurizio Fondriest, Johan Museeuw, Franco Ballerini, Paolo Bettini, Stefano Garzelli, Oscar Freire, Erik Zabel, and Alessandro Petacchi can say thanks to Ernesto Colnago for providing them with excellent bikes over years of racing victories.

If you like old bikes, read and see more about the history of bike design by Colnago (2002): Creating the best bikes – Part 1: The man & the collection and Creating the best bikes – Part 2: The bikes, A visit with Ernesto Colnago and an exclusive look at his personal museum.

The old Colnago Eagle and Arrow " La Freccia" logo created in 1954

Asso di Fiori - Ace of Clubs Colnago Logo was created in 1970

Colnagos

Here is the basic line-up of Colnago bikes click any image to enlarge

Colnago C59

Colnago CX-1 Evo

The new Colnago CLX 3.0 Ultegra Di2 2012

Colnago Cross Prestige

Colnago Flight time trial bike

This was Neils Albert's recent 2012 Cyclocross World Champion winning cross bike - the Colnago Cross Prestige. See more photos and read about how Neils Albert's bike was set up for Worlds - World Champion Bike Profile: Niels Albert’s Colnago Prestige Cyclocross Bike By Cyclocross Magazine.

Neils Albert's World Champion cyclocross bike Photo tweeted by @ColnagoAle

Photo by and tweeted by Graham Watson

Colnago Sponsored Bike Teams

Colnago will officially sponsor five bike teams in 2012: Team Europcar, Colnago CFX Inox, Landbouwkrediet, Team Type I Sanofi, and the Colnago Mtn Bike team. Thomas Voeckler of Team Europcar earned 10 days in the yellow jersey during the 2011 Tour de France. The Colnago-CFX Inox team will be racing in the 2012 Giro d' Italia. The Colnago team together with Team Type I with both compete at Milan-San Remo this year. Colnago supports the cause of Diabetes awareness, testing and supplies through sponsorship of Team Type I Sanofi (a U.S. Professional Continental Team).

This is Team Europcar's new Colnago road bike for 2012 shown at the team presentation last month. It looks similar to the model their squad used at the 2011 Tour de France with a few changes.

Ernesto Colnago in 2012 with Pierre Rolland and Thomas Voeckler Photo tweeted by @ColnagoAle

Colnago matt black and neon green Europcar team bike

You will be seeing the team on the black and green frame and also on the white and green frame C59 models in 2012. Here is the team at the Grand Prix d'Ouverture La Marseillaise seen below, and with a fleet of C59s at the recent Tour of Langkawi.

Photo tweeted by @ColnagoAle

Team Europcar at the 2012 Tour de Langkawi

Team Europcar's Colnago Flight time trial bike

View lots of wonderful pictures here from the 2011 TDF: On the road and behind the scenes look at Colnago & Team Europcar

For the Italian Colnago CFX Inox team they will ride the Colnago C59 with Campagnolo Super Record 11 V.

For the Italian Continental team Colnago-CSF Bardiani, their 2012 bike is Colnago + Campy:

Colnago-CSF Bardani 2012 team bike

The Colnago C59 frames are still made in Italy!

Here is the Colnago mountain bike

Colnago TWENTY IX mountain bik

Colnago Ferrari Partnership

Just as Specialized teamed with McLaren to develop the McLaren Venge, Colnago joined forces with Ferrari to design their joint effort - the CF8 and CF9 road bike models introduced in July 2011, and the Limited Edition.

The Colnago Ferrari CF8 ($15,799.00) buy it

Colnago Ferrari CF8

Colnago for Ferrari Di2 Bicycle - Limited Edition ($13,620.00)

Look at this beauty - the Colnago C549 Italia Limited Edition in white buy it

Photos by Pedal Dancer of Colnago bikes at races in the United States (the Continent) in 2011

Images of Colnago bikes at the Tour of California and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge ridden by Team Type I and Bissell. I remember seeing the fleet of Team Type I's Colnago Flight time trial bikes at the 2011 Tour of California and thinking those bikes are almost too beautiful to ride.

Team Type I Colnago time trial bike ©Photo by PedalDancer™

Power ©Photo by PedalDancer™

Colnago at the race with fans ©Photo by PedalDancer™

Team Type I car and bikes in 2011 ©Photo by PedalDancer™

Colnagos at the Tour of California ©Photo by PedalDancer™

©Photo by PedalDancer™

Team Bissell Colnagos at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge ©Photo by PedalDancer™

©Photo by PedalDancer™

I'm going to ride off (in comfort) into the sunset on this one - the modern Colnago City Classica ($2,194.00)

Colnago Classica bicycle

Or on this fine red bike - the Colnago Ferrari CF9 ($3,759.00)

Update 02/09/12: Ernesto Colnago is 80 years old and is celebrating his birthday by releasing 80 special collectors version Colnago bikes called the C59 Ottanta. C59 is currently their leading frame and Ottanta is eighty in Italian. The special bike was designed in beautiful detailed gold paint with Campagnolo Super Record EPS 11s electronic components featuring a special 'Eagle and Arrow’ logo (created in 1954, see image above). Also see a new CyclingNews Gallery of Colnago photos from years past or read Colnago celebrates his 80th birthday with a limited edition bike.

2012 Colnago C59 Ottanta 80th birthday limited edition bike

Please click to enlarge the image of this bike - it is beautiful!

Update 02/20/12: More images from a recent visit to a great local bike shop - Creekside Bikes in Parker, Colorado, an official Colnago dealer. All photos below were taken at the Creekside Bikes bike shop by PedalDancer.com (featuring shop own Kirk Webster and mechanic Chandler Snyder). If you have any questions about the bikes or need a Colnago, please give them a call.

Colnago CLX 3.0 frame with Ultegra Di2 (approx $5700): (also in white, red, blue) (more details)

Colnago CLX 3.0

Colnago Ace with Shimano Ultegra or 105 ($2700-$3100) (more details)

Colnago Ace

Colnago Air (read more)

Colnago Air

Colnago World Cup CX frame (more details)

Colnago World Cup CX

Next up a look at Pinarello bikes, coming soon ........

for now - learn about Specialized bikes or BMC bikes

Contador and Armstrong

2012-02-06T13:00:00.023-07:00

Remember when these two men were teammates?

Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong in 2009

Their union on the Astana team was only 3 years ago! So much has changed since then. The battle raged between these two men then and has since evolved into individual battles against agencies, testimony, codes, rules, truth and time. We have all heard the news by now - Lance got off, Alberto got banned. Or as I read in a text from a friend, "Lance wins again!" Well, I personally don't believe there are any winners in either of these cases. Only outcomes. Justified or not, these outcomes have now become fact.

The facts:

Alberto Contador has been given a 2-year ban for doping by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, backdated to January 25, 2011 (with some credit for his previous suspension period), his punishment will end August 5, 2012. After he returns, any points he earns in races over the next two years will not count for his team.
Alberto Contador has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France victory, he has also been stripped of his 2011 Giro' d' Italia win and any other victories after February 2011.
Alberto Contador has paid for his legal expenses, and may have to pay for the legal expenses of the UCI which is seeking a €2,485,000 fine from Contador.
The Press released the news of Alberto Contador's positive blood test results on September 29, 2010. The next day Contador claimed his positive test for 50 picograms of clenbuterol during the Tour de France on July 21, 2010 in Pau, was due to ingesting contaminated beef. He was immediately suspended by the UCI. But Contador was then cleared in full by the RFEC (Royal Spanish Cycling Federation) on February 16, 2011 and returned to racing. The UCI and WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) disagreed with the RFEC decision and continued their own investigation finally concluding today, after 565 days of suspense, in a guilty verdict.

The U.S. Federal Investigation against Lance Armstrong has been dropped.
The USADA (Drug Administration) may proceed in further drug-use (or misuse) investigation on Armstrong.
Lance Armstrong has incurred tremendous legal expenses since before his case began in May 2010, so too have many of his former US Postal teammates, who may not be out of the woods quite yet.

You are remembered for the rules you break. ~ Douglas MacArthur

The news is shocking, but I think we will look back over time and realize it was the only outcome possible. There are people who need to believe in Lance Armstrong, whatever his service to Livestrong.org (or Livestrong.com lucrative service to him), Armstrong is a part of the modern history and development of this sport. Perhaps not an admirable example of how it should have been done, but how it was done - 7 times. I am one who believes that doping was prominent in the sport, rules were broken, cheaters won, but did Armstrong commit a crime in the United States? Apparently that was either too long or too expensive or simply not worth proving. Still I believe it has tainted his legacy.

A hard-working Lance Armstrong ©Photo by PedalDancer/ArchRake

Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

I recently was grateful for an interview with Peter Thomson of Thomson Bike Tours. Peter operates cycling tours as an official tour operator for A.S.O. races and has seen a lot of races in person on the roads of Europe, and raced with Bernard Hinault on the La Vie Clair team back in the day. When I asked Peter the question, "Which rider appears to you to have the most natural talent on a bicycle?" Without hesitation he answered, "In modern times, there is only one guy and that is Contador, he was born to ride a bike. I know he is not popular in the States ... but he is a phenomenal rider, he looks great on a bike, he is an attacking rider, he goes for it. He doesn't sit back and play tactics ... at the Tour de France he was not on top form at all, he was really suffering this year but he was still attacking, he was going for it. I love riders that race, that make a spectacle of it." "And the one looking back, has got to be Bernard Hinault, he was absolutely phenomenal, Bernard would race from day one to the Champs Elysees. He would climb, he would time trial, he just wanted to win, win everything ... if Bernard Hinault was in the race you were going to see a good race."

I am a fan who wants to see Alberto Contador racing. I am saddened by Alberto's experiences over the past 2-3 years. But the fact remains that his lab results tested positive and the WADA code demands a strict 2-year ban. Contador now joins the ranks of those officially found guilty of doping, whether he is guilty or not, this is the path he will walk as a man into his future. He will miss the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in 2012, he will never again be eligible to compete in the Olympic arena. I am certain innocent men have been banned before, I am certain guilty men have walked away free. WADA had no choice but to stand by their code. We are talking about the principles of competition here, the rules of engagement, and unfortunately the sport of cycling to date has not proved it's ability to do without standards, as unjust as they are sometimes applied. This is one code that needed to be enforced however sad this case truly is.

A sincere Alberto Contador ©Photo by PedalDancer/Sys

Integrity has no need of rules. ~Albert Camus

Oh how I wish this were true in sport. Perhaps this day marks the point were we walk away from a shameful expensive and inconsistent past, accept the punishment today, and know that the message into the future stands that doping in cycling is not acceptable.

Read Red Kite Prayer's report of the news today Contador suspended, stripped of Tour and Giro titles. RKP also mentions that Alberto Contador and Saxo Bank general manager, Bjarne Riis, will hold a Tuesday press conference.

Update 02/07/12: Alberto's Press Conference and statement - Alberto Contador Press Conference: Spaniard considers appeal, vows to return By VeloNation.

Jens and Stuey

2012-02-04T16:18:00.019-07:00

Quote of the Day: “Yeah, take a picture of us—please!” ~ Jens Voigt

An excerpt from last's month Hardly Serious with Jens Voigt post From Down Under, With Respect

..."Today, with about 20km to go, I got into a breakaway with Stuey O’Grady, my friend and longtime teammate. And even tough he’s riding for GreenEdge this year, it still felt like it was back in the old days with him. After all, we’ve spent about 10 years together as teammates on different squads, from GAN to Credit Agricole, from CSC to Leopard. So being there with him in a small breakaway brought back the old memories. At one point Graham Watson was taking photos from his motorbike and I was just thinking, “Yeah, take a picture of us—please!”

"I mean, together Stuey and I are almost 80 years old and here we are stretching out the pack! It was just one of those moments where you think to yourself, “Yes, this is why I love this sport. All the suffering and hard work so I can enjoy moments like this.”

Graham Watson did capture their image that day in Australia during the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under: Jens Voigt and Stewart O'Grady together again leading the pack Stage 3 Photo (follow link to view photo in the race album by Graham Watson).

Long time friends - Stewart O'Grady and Jens Voigt riding for CSC back in the day

Guess Where? #4

2012-02-02T23:03:00.011-07:00

Where have we cycled to now?

Today Pedal Dancer continues the Friday travel series titled Guess Where? Here are three more images for you to guess the location, and learn a little more about the famous sites.

Image #1

©Photo By PedalDancer.com ™/Kenny Rakestraw

Image #2

©Photo By PedalDancer.com ™

Image #3

©Photo By PedalDancer.com ™

Answers

#1 Eiffel Tower

I am really hoping you were able to guess the famous monument of La Tour Eiffel in Paris, France. Nicknamed La dame de fer, the iron lady, the tower was built over three years (1887 to 1889) by Gustave Eiffel for the entrance to the World's Fair in 1989. The tower was supposed to be dismantled after 20 years, but by the time 1909 rolled around the city had discovered it's value as a communications tower. It requires 50-60 tons of paint every seven years to keep the tower safe from rust. It has escaped two attempts at dismantling the collossal structure and remains arguably the most recognizable landmark in the world.

Impressive by day, beautiful by night. Take an elevator ride to the top of the tower (video), or see the view from the top of the tower (video). The tower is open to visitors every day from 9:00-23:00 in Winter and 9:00-24:00 in Summer. In 2002 the tower received it's 200,000,000th guest and is reported to be the most visited paid monument in the world. The cost of a ticket to the top is € 13.40 (but rates are going up April 1st!) . We just missed the opportunity to ice skate on the 200m ² ice rink located on the first floor of the tower (dates were 5 December 2011 to 31 January 2012).

Ice rink at the Eiffel Tower in Paris

I have two small replicas around my house as fond memories. Not to be confused with this tower below - one of over 30 duplicates or fake towers around the world. This copy is located on the Las Vegas stripe, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, the location of the annual Interbike cycling convention. ©Photos By PedalDancer.com ™

In 2003, the day before the final finish in Paris of the Tour de France, I was fortunate to participate in the Centennial La randonnee du centenaire ride for the 100th year of the Tour de France. Thousands of citizens, grabbing anything with 2 wheels, rode the course around the closed streets of Paris. The mood was festive and fun and I was happy to ride with a great group from Arizona. When the riders or announcers on TV describe the Champs Elysees as uphill on cobbles, it really is the truth! "You can't take it with you, memories are all that remain," well this is one memory that still remains with me as pure gold.

Cyclists under the Eiffel Tower in celebration of 100 years of the Tour de France ©Photo By PedalDancer.com ™

2003 La randonnee du centenaire ride on the Champs Elysees ©Photo By PedalDancer.com

Centenaire riders in Paris (I still have my commemorative yellow jersey!) ©Photo By PedalDancer.com

#2 Tom Simpson Memorial

Tom Simpson (1937-1967) died at the young age of 29 after amassing an impressive cycling career. His controversial death overshadowed his major triumphs in the sport. Tom Simpson nearly won the Tour de France in his first year of riding as a Pro. He went on to win the Tour of Flanders in 1961, Bordeaux–Paris in 1963, Milan-San Reno in 1964, and the Tour of Lombardy in 1965 before completing the year by becoming Britain's first World Champion Road.

Tom Simpson died on Mont Ventoux of exhaustion while competing in the 13th stage of the 1967 Tour de France. Suffering in the heat of the day and complaining of a stomach ache, Simpson, after falling off his bike 3km from the summit, famously commanded the fans that rushed to help him, "Put me back on my bike." His effort took him a short 1km upward until he collapsed again and fell unconscious. Post mortem found that he had taken amphetamine and alcohol believed to have complicated the dehydration and exhaustion of the race.

The Tom Simpson memorial is located on the steep slopes of Mont Ventoux. Any cyclist who has climbed this mountain can remember it well. Just as you round one of the last big corners near the top, the memorial is up the hillside on your right, in a field of barren rock. Cyclists and visitors by car routinely leave items to honor the man who never gave up.

Read the story of Tom Simpson, a widely popular British celebrity in his time, by Pro Cycling News. Read my story about my ride up Mont Ventoux in 2010 and the history of the mountain (including why the mountain is bald) I love Mont Ventoux.

The last kms of Mont Ventoux ©Photo By PedalDancer.com ™

A steep climb - Mont Ventoux Profile by ClimbbyBike

There is a second Tom Simpson memorial located at the Harworth & Bircotes Sports and Social Club in his hometown of Hawarth, England. See images of the memorial in England.

Tom Simpson Photo from hdcc.co.uk

#3 Mont Blanc

The White Mountain or White Lady (La Dame blanche) towers 4,810.45 m (15,782 ft) above sea level making it the tallest mountain in the Alpes and Western Europe. The town nestled below this mighty mountain is Chamonix, famous mountain town and the host of the first winter Olympics. A 7¼ mile tunnel runs underneath this mountain connecting France with Italy. The first ascent of Mont Blanc was on August 8, 1786 by two men from Sardinia - Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel Paccard (prior to the French Revolution, the mountain was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia).

In 1886, future U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt led an expedition to the peak. In 1990 Pierre-André Gobet (Swiss) set the fastest ascent and descent record from Chamonix in a time of 5 hours, 10 minutes and 14 seconds. Mont Blanc is a serious undertaking, every year almost 300 people die in the massif area, but if you want to learn more about the climbing routes up to the peak read Mont Blanc - mountain focus & routes

The views from the top of Mont Blanc from my trip in 2007:

©Photo By PedalDancer.com

The lively town of Chamonix, France ©Photo By PedalDancer.com

View the other Guess Where series:

Guess Where? #3

Guess Where? #2

Guess Where? #1

Route of the 2012 Paris-Nice announced

2012-02-02T09:50:00.004-07:00

2012 Paris-Nice route and profile maps

The 8-day stage race will be held 4-11 March 2012. Read about the stages, see a list of ProTour teams who will be racing in the race, and see the profile maps at this summary Paris-Nice 2012 by Velo Peloton.

2012 Paris-Nice route map Télécharger

Paris-Nice is the second event on the UCI WorldTour calendar for 2012, and is another A.S.O. organized event. Visit the official race website: Paris-Nice website. Paris-Race details here (follow the red arrows for each stage):

**Les étapes**
Étape	Type	Date	Départ et arrivée	Distance
1	Contre-la-montre individuel	dimanche 4 mars	Dampierre-en-Yvelines-Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse	9.4 km
2	En ligne	lundi 5 mars	Mantes-la-Jolie-Orléans	185 km
3	En ligne	mardi 6 mars	Vierzon-Le Lac de Vassivière	194 km
4	En ligne	mercredi 7 mars	Brive-la-Gaillarde-Rodez	183 km
5	En ligne	jeudi 8 mars	Onet-le-Château-Mende	178 km
6	En ligne	vendredi 9 mars	Suze-la-Rousse-Sisteron	176.5 km
7	En ligne	samedi 10 mars	Sisteron-Nice	220 km
8	Contre-la-montre individuel	dimanche 11 mars	Nice-Col d'Èze	9.6 km

Related Pedal Dancer posts: Word of the Day: contre la montre

2012 National Champions and their jerseys

2012-01-30T20:48:00.008-07:00

National Championship road and time trial kits for the 2012 season

Although most of the National Championships were earned last June (except for Australia and New Zealand), a number of the riders who will wear these prized jerseys in 2012 have changed teams this year. Here is a quick visual summary of the new championship jerseys for the 2012 cycling season.

As a fan I enjoy identifying the national jerseys in the peloton. It makes the rider easily recognizable to the fans and uniquely honors their achievement, for at least the year, after which the colors shrink to the armbands around the jersey sleeve or collar. Still a team's roster that is packed with jerseys of various colors, representing the best of the best, is an impressive sight. I say let the sponsor logos take a backseat for these few cyclists for the year, overall the riders receive more exposure through airtime and photo time because they stand.

This post is a tradition, here are the previous jersey collections from 2011 and 2010: 2011 - National Champion Jerseys for 2010 / 2011, The New 2011 National Champions of cycling and from 2010 - National Champion Jerseys.

American 2011 Road National Champion - Matthew Busche (Radioshack-Nissan Trek)
American 2011 Time Trial National Champion - David Zabriskie (Garmin-Baracuda)
(National Championships took place in May 2011)

Matthew Busche's champion jersey

Australian 2011 Road National Champion - Simon Gerrans (GreenEDGE)
Australian 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Luke Dubridge (GreenEDGE)
(National Championships took place in January 2012)

Simon Gerrans's champion jersey

Belgian 2011 Road National Champion - Philippe Gilbert (BMC)
Belgian 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Philippe Gilbert (BMC)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Philippe Gilbert's champion jersey

Brazilian 2011 Road National Champion - Murilo Fischer (Garmin-Baracuda)

Murilo Fischer's champion jersey

British 2011 Road National Champion - Bradley Wiggins (Sky Pro Cycling)
British 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Bradley Wiggins (Sky Pro Cycling)
(The British 2011 Road National Championships took place in June 2011, the Time Trial National Championships were held in September 2011)

Bradley Wiggins' champion jersey

Denmark 2011 Road National Champion - Nicki Sørensen (Saxo Bank)
Denmark 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Rasmus Quaade (Team Concordia Forsikring)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Nicki Sørensen's champion jersey

French 2011 Road National Champion - Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quickstep)
French 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Christophe Kern (Europcar)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Sylvain Chavanel's champion jersey

German 2011 Road National Champion - Robert Wagner (Radioshack-Nissan Trek)
German 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Bert Grabsch (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Robert Wagner's champion jersey

Irish 2011 Road National Champion - Matthew Brammeier (Omega Pharma-Quickstep)
Irish 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Matthew Brammeier (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Matthew Brammeier's champion jersey

Italian 2011 Road National Champion - Giovanni Visconti (Movistar)
Italian 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Adriano Malori (Lampre-ISD)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Giovanni Visconti's champion jersey

Lithuanian 2011 Road National Champion - Ramunas Navardauskas (Garmin-Baracuda)
Lithuanian 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Gediminas Bagdonas (an-Post Sean Kelly)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Luxembourg 2011 Road National Champion - Fränk Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan)
Luxembourg 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Christian Poos (Team Differdange-Magic-Sportfood.de)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Fränk Schleck gets an extra red stripe on his jersey (right)

Netherlands 2011 Road National Champion - Pim Ligthart (Vacansoleil-DCM)
Netherlands 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Stef Clement (Rabobank)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Pim Ligthart's champion jersey

New Zealand 2011 Road National Champion - James Williamson (Pure Black Racing)
New Zealand 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Paul Odlin (Subway Pro Cycling)
(National Championships took place in January 2012)

Norway 2011 Road National Champion - Alexander Kristoff (Team Katusha)
Norway 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky Pro Cycling)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Alexander Kristoff's champion jersey

Polish 2011 Road National Champion - Tomasz Marczynsk (Vacansoleil-DCM)

Tomasz Marczynsk's champion jersey

Spanish 2011 Road National Champion - José Joaquín Rojas (Movistar)
Spanish 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Luis León Sánchez (Rabobank)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

José Joaquín Rojas' champion jersey

Swiss 2011 Road National Champion - Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Nissan)
Swiss 2011 Time Trial National Champion - Martin Kohler (BMC)
(National Championships took place in June 2011)

Fabian Cancellara's champion jersey

Uzbekistan 2011 Road National Champion - Sergey Lagutin (Vacansoleil-DCM)

Sergey Lagutin's champion jersey

List of all 2011 national road cycling championships (the teams have not been updated)

World Champion Road - Mark Cavendish (Sky Pro Cycling)

Mark Cavendish 2012 World Champion jersey

World Champion Time Trial - Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)

Tony Martin 2012 World Champion jersey

The next Cycling World Championships will be held in Limburg, Netherlands in 2012, Florence, Italy, in 2013, and Ponferrada, Spain, in 2014.

Team BMC has three former World Champions and 3 current National Champions Road on their 2012 team. Team RadioShack-Nissan has 4 National Champions Road and 1 National Champion Time Trail on their team in 2012. Omega Pharma-Quickstep currently has 3 National Champions Road when you include Curaçao Road Race Champion Marc de Maar, 1 World Champion Time Trial and 3 National Champions Time Trial (since Chavanel and Brammeier are both road and TT champions).

* I will try to add more time trial national champion jerseys as the men appear in their new kits at races in 2012.

To view the regular team jerseys for 2012: 2012 ProTour Team Jerseys

2012 ProTour Team Jerseys

2012-01-28T14:06:00.001-07:00

Cycling Jerseys in action in 2012

The lineup of the new 2012 professional cycling team kits. Subtle design changes in most of the jerseys for 2012, with more drastic changes in the design of the jerseys for Saxo Bank, Quickstep, Lotto-Belisol, and Katusha. Also the new kit on the scene for the new team GreenEDGE. I like the new Lotto-Belisol kit, which one is your favorite? (Images from the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under website, the Vacansoleil team website, and the recent Liquigas Cannondale team training camp)

ALM AG2R LA MONDIALE FRA team website

Ag2R La Mondiale 2012 team kit

AST ASTANA PRO TEAM KAZ team website

Astana 2012 team kit

BMC BMC RACING TEAM USA team website

BMC 2012 team kit

EUS EUSKALTEL- EUSKADI ESP team website

Euskaltel-Euskadi 2012 team kit

FDJ FDJ-BIGMAT FRA team website

FDJ-Bigmat 2012 team kit

GRM GARMIN-BARACUDA USA team website

Garmin-Baracuda 2012 team kit

GEC GREEN EDGE CYCLING TEAM AUS team website

Green Edge Cycling 2012 team kit

KAT KATUSHA TEAM RUS team website

Katusha 2012 team kit

LAM LAMPRE- ISD ITA team website

Lampre-ISD 2012 team kit

LIQ LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE ITA team website
(and the drama of the Italian Video, Liquigas-Cannondale, questa storia - La maglia verde-blu - Cap. )

Liguigas-Cannondale 2012 team kit

LTB LOTTO BELISOL TEAM BEL team website

Lotto-Belisol 2012 team kit

MOV MOVISTAR TEAM ESP team website

Movistar 2012 team kit

OPQ OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP BEL team website

Omega Pharma-Quickstep 2012 team kit

RAB RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM NED team website

Rabobank 2012 team kit

RNT RADIOSHACK-NISSAN LUX team website

RadioShack-Nissan 2012 team kit

SKY SKY PRO CYCLING GBR team website

Sky 2012 team kit

SAX TEAM SAXO BANK DEN team website

Saxo Bank 2012 team kitc

VCD VACANSOLEIL-DCM PRO CYCLING TEAM NED team website

Vacansoleil-DCM 2012 team kit

Word of the Day: duinen

2012-01-28T10:21:00.011-07:00

de duinen van Koksijde

Dunes, as in sand dunes. And that is exactly what will challenge the riders in the Elite Men’s cyclocross World championships tomorrow in Koksijde, Belgium. Sven Nys, Kevin Pauwels and Niels Albert are the three favorites. Watch it Live! on ProCyclinglive.com or Universal Sports ($4.99) schedule. Elite Mens race start is 7:00am (MST) in the USA.

Recently tweeted photos from Koksijde:

Photo by @BrakeThrough

Photo by @grahamwatson10

Race Previews:

Friday Preview of Worlds in Koksijde: Sand Determines All By Cyclocross Magazine (with more good pictures of the course)

Sven Nys, Kevin Pauwels and Niels Albert will lead the Belgian squad at the World Championships

Cyclocross Worlds Preview: Belgium vs Belgium vs Štybar in Belgium By CycliongNews

The defending two time world champion Zdeněk Štybar (Czech) (Omega Pharma-Quick Step):

Zdeněk Štybar Photo from www.zdenekstybar.com

The leader going into the race Kevin Pauwels (Belgium) (Sunweb-Revor) currently ranked #1:

Kevin Pauwels Photos from www.ktpauwels.be

Over 50,000 fans have been gathering to watch the races this weekend, how many will be there tomorrow?

Koksijde, Belgium

Men still fish the old fashioned way in Koksijde

Fishing on horseback on the sand beaches of Koksijde for Cragnon-cragnon or grey North Sea shrimp

Weather forecast for Koksijde, Belgium, Sunday January 29, 2012

For fans located near Denver, Colorado, the Frites en Mayo Velo Club is still planning their Denver World Cyclocross viewing party.

Update: 01/30/12: 25-year-old Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) Albert II crowned king of the Belgians By CyclingNews
Update: 01/30/12: Recommended Viewing: A good gallery of images from Wil Matthews Photo from the 2012 Cyclocross Worlds in Belgium

Eugene Christophe – Tour de France Legend by Velo Peloton

A wonderful read about one the the most significant stories of rider perseverance in the history of the Tour de France. This well-written story of Eugene Christophe and his broken fork on the Col du Tourmalet during the 11th Tour de France in 1913 delivers the real story with details you might not have read before.

The building that housed the famous forge still exists (repaired and with a new roof) and is a national historic site in Sainte-Marie-de-Campan in the Pyrenees. It is marked with a new commemorative plaque placed in 2003.

were the bellows stoked inside this small workshop?


the new plaque on the reported site of the 2 hour fork repair

old plaque

Location of Saint-Marie-de Campan (between the Col du Tourmalet and the Col d'Aspin)

Guess Where #3

2012-01-26T20:14:00.006-07:00

Where have we cycled to now?

Can you guess the locations of these 3 images (And because I was on vacation last week, a few extra images for you this week): click images to enlarge

Image #1

Image #2

Image #3

#1 - The gate to the Cirque du Litor

The Cirque du Litor shelf road connects the famous cols of Col du Soulor and Col d'Aubisque in the French Pyrenees. These two climbs are commonly featured in the Tour de France, as they will be again in 2012. The Cirque du Litor happens to be one of my favorite places to be on a bike. The views are incredible, and on each side of this passage, cyclists may relax at cafes.

Getting to this road is worth every bit of the 8%+ climbs of the Col du Soulor and the Col d'Aubisque, or from the third option - the climb from the town of Ferrieres. I hope upon your arrival you do not find the gate down as it was when I arrived one day in June 2010. The road is closed during times of repair and during winter months (December-June). On this occasion above, the road was closed to remove gravel in preparation for the Tour de France. Don't worry I came back a few days later and rode it twice.

Now you know where this well known image, often shown in Tour de France photos, is located. This scenic tunnel below is on la Corniche du Cirque de Litor between Col du Soulor and Col d'Aubisque in the Pyrenees.

#2 - Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy

The piazza is an urban open space in late Medieval style architecture dating from 1280 to 1350. The Piazza del Campo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy's most visited tourist attractions. Every July and August Il Palio horse race is held in the piazza, in which horses race around the brick square. The Palio is preceded by the Corteo Storico (passeggiata storica), the traditional parade of drummers and flag twirlers. Flag twirlers often delight tourists in the square throughout the year. If you are cycling in Tuscany (Toscana), make a point of visiting Siena in the heart of beautiful Tuscany, a 1'15"drive south of Florence, Italy.

Ivan Basso tweeted this photo of himself cycling in Tuscany on January 17, 2012

#3 - The Chapel on Alpe d'Huez

Any cyclist who has climbed Alpe d'Huez knows that the site of this chapel means you are nearing the top of the climb. It is a landmark well remembered. The name of the picturesque chapel is Church of Sainte Anne and is located in Huez Village at 1450m. The church still offers services on the first Saturday of every month at 4.45pm. There will be a Saint Anne's Feast Day on Satruday 28 and Sunday 29 July 2012. The festival is organized by Huizats (the inhabitants of Huez, I just learned that term) to honor the patron Saint of Huez (their historical village on the slope of Alpe d'Huez). The festival includes painting stained glass, trout fishing, a meal in the countryside, a ball, a traditional costume parade, a boot fair, and a mass.

Usually cyclists ride right by this small chapel and town, en route to conquer l' Alpe d'Huez's famously sign-posted 21 hairpin turns. I believe the chapel is at corner #7 (leaving six more corners to go to the top). Signpost #21 is at the bottom, when you see signpost #1, start celebrating - you have climbed Alpe d'Huez! This cyclist will give you a play by play of every turn on the climb. To learn more about the signs on Alpe d'Huez, which list every past stage winner, on Alpe d'Huez, in the Tour de France, read an earlier Pedal Dancer post: "21 levels of hell", or 21 steps to heaven. Discover whose name is on which sign.


Andy Hampsten's name is on Sign #5 ©Photo by PedalDancer.com

See all the Guess Where series of posts

Recommended Viewing: Boulder Culture

2012-01-26T09:12:00.012-07:00

Poking fun at the cyclist's culture

A friend recently sent me this video, that was promoted to the world on January 22nd, I watched it and immediately thought, where can I sign up to become a "runner," or a "swimmer" or just about any other title given to an athlete, for I realized I spent the last decade either saying or listening to the entire content of this video. Oh the life of a "cyclist."

This video was made in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder has a distinct fit in culture expected of their cyclists. Our local news site 303Cycling.com recently reported that Boulder is ranked as the #1 bicycle city in the United States. I suppose with cultural impact, often comes spirited character. Boulder is home to many students on bicycles, commuters on bicycles, professional cyclists in training, home of team Garmin-Baracuda, and way too many serious amateur cyclists. This is real life in Boulder, Colorado. Enjoy the laugh!

Hmm, I might want to return to being a "Skier"(video)

News: No Arenberg in Paris-Roubaix?

2012-01-25T14:03:00.001-07:00

Tranchée d'Arenberg

"After inspections from Jean-François Pescheux and Thierry Gouvenou revealed the cobblestones have been heavily covered by moss and other plant growth making the passage unsafe for racing.... Hopes that the cleaning work on the pavé will be enough to keep it in use."Sounds like incentive for the locals to clean the cobbles or have the Tranchée d'Arenberg nixed from the route ... No Arenberg in Paris-Roubaix? by CyclingNews.com

A very mossy forest Photo found on Spinwell.co.uk

This is the route (parcours) for the Paris Roubaix Challenge Cyclotourisme from San Quentin to Velodrome de Roubaix on April 1, 2012. (I know it is the same day as the Tour of Flanders). This is not the 2012 Paris-Roubaix parcours, the final route has yet to be announced, now we know why - moss.

Paris Roubaix Challenge 2012 map

Word of the Day: Wielertoeristen

2012-01-24T15:32:00.016-07:00

Cyclists

I just learned a new word, and I like it: Wielertoeristen means Cycle Tourists in Dutch

This is the word used to label the amateur cyclists that take part in the annual Tour of Flanders for Cyclotourists. 31 March, 2012 Registration, Routes /parcours, (although I'm not sure how much they are enjoying their touristy scenery during the event).

Cyclists (English)
Wielertoeristen (Dutch)
les cyclotouristes (French)
die Radwanderer (German)

Last year 19,870 wielertoeristen participated in the Tour of Flanders cyclosportif event which begins in Bruges (at 7:00am) and ends in Oudenaarde (by 8:00pm). Tradition dictates the event occurs the day before the real Tour of Flanders race (Ronde van Vlaanderen). The event allows amateurs to experience what the pros go through (in much less time, but the same pain).

One quarter of the participants in 2011 were from abroad, representing 30 nationalities. The majority of participants selected the 75 or 140 km routes, only four thousand real Flandriens tackled the entire 260 km. The 140km is thought to be the choice event offering the traditional climbs including the Molenberg, Valkenberg, Koppenberg, Steenbeekdries, Taaienberg, Eikenberg, Kapelleberg, Foreest, Berg Ten Houte, Kruisberg, Knokteberg Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg.


Regular Joes acting like the pros. Photo from http://www.boxxcyclingteam.be

Sadly the Muur de Grammont (seen above) will not be included in the 2012 Tour of Flanders (there will also be no Bosberg). But the riders will be doing three loops on the Oude de Kwaremont and the Paterberg before finishing in Ourdenaarde.

Wielertoeristen, Photo from http://www.boxxcyclingteam.be

I am going to go watch these brave Wielertoeristen on March 31st, maybe on the Koppenberg or the Paterberg. I'm not planning to ride the event myself, so a friend told me to at least go watch the wielertoeristen to appreciate their struggle and achievement, and compare their pace to the above-human performances of the professional cyclists tackling the real Tour of Flanders the following day.

I am so excited to be heading to Belgium to see the Spring Classics in April. I have dreamed about being a fan at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix for years. This year I am finally going. If I can work out all the hows and wheres of it all. It seems that unless one pops over for the Cyclosportif (mentioned above), or joins an official bike tour company, there is not a lot of how to guidance to be found for the tourist cycling fan.

I have been pouring over guide books, maps, and now finally online blogs and reports. So far the planning is challenging and time consuming and I fully support anyone who simply joins a tour company. My trip to France for the Tour de France in July was arranged months ago, that planning was a breeze in comparison. Belgium is a whole new beast, I know nothing, the last two times I traveled through Belgium seems like a life time ago. Certainly before I fully understood the domination of Eddy Merckx, had only vaguely heard the name Roger de Vlaeminck, and Tom Boonen probably was in grade school.

Although it appears things haven't changed that much ...

Recommended reading of the Day by Cycling Tips: Why The Tour Down Under Is Important To Flanders?

Spring Classics Bike Tour Companies
Are you interested in one of those Tour Companies I mentioned that will save you hours of time and show you the best of the best? Some of these tours may already be sold out, so don't wait.

Thomson Bike Tours 3-day trip to the Paris Roubaix with riding some key climbs (my #1 pick, and an official A.S.O. tour operator)
The ChainStay offers 1-day tours to both the Tour of Flanders and the Paris-Roubaix
VeloClassic offers a Spring Classics I - do it all 12 day tour including the Tour of Flanders Cyclosportif, Tour of Flanders, Scheldeprijs, and Paris-Roubaix.
The one and only hugely popular Cycling Tips blog is sponsoring a Spring Classics Tour for the first time to the big 3 races plus lots of riding.

Related Pedal Dancer posts: You too can race the cobbles

I wish I knew who is credited with this quote, but it sure is a good one:
"If you want to see a sporting event, go to the Tour de France. If you want to see a bike race, go to the Tour of Flanders"

I've been on vacation

2012-01-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

To Laguna Beach, California

Vacations are wonderful, and the coast of California in January is at it's most beautiful, with clear views down the coast and across to the Channel Islands, perfect temperatures, and a distinct lack of tourists, Laguna Beach is a wonderful this time of year. Not only did I go without a bike (although my brother got in his bike ride), I mostly avoided all computers, except for a few quick looks at travel plans, and some texts to family and a friend. Thus the lack of my usual posts on Pedal Dancer.

I was grateful for the warm escape from chilly Denver, Colorado, to the sunny coast of California. I enjoyed the blooming plants, walks along the coast looking for (and seeing) dolphins, eating fish tacos, cooking meals and birthday cakes (Happy Birthday Mom), feeling the sand underfoot, having lunch in outdoor cafes, shopping, and watching the sunset with a glass of cool crisp wine.

I simply couldnt miss even one-minute of such a lovely vacation. Although I did get a chance to watch some of the action of the Tour Down Under on Versus late in the evenings.

Images of Laguna Beach - a beautiful beach town in southern California

Picture of the Day: Tour Down Under

2012-01-18T20:23:00.001-07:00

It's not the Santos Tour Down Under without a kangaroo shot

Tradition dictates several kangaroo shots from the TDU each year - the best so far this year is this one of two lucky kangaroos with Christian Prudhomme (Director of the TDF) and Eddy Merckx (the one and only).

Photo retweeted by @edbud68 (one of my favs), tweeted by @1395Fiveaa

Buy your way into riding like a Pro

2012-01-17T11:36:00.002-07:00

Join a team of riders to ride every stage of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

In a new twist of opportunities afforded cyclists to experience what it feels like to be a pro in a UCI race, cyclists may apply to be on a small team of riders planning to ride every stage, preceding the real race, at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado in August, 2012. You'll need to pay $10,500 for this experience, and apply by February 29th, 2012, and be willing to be part of the Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) marketing brigade.

When I read this announcement for CTS USA Pro Challenge Race Experience released by the media center at USA Pro Cycling Challenge, my reaction was,"You can buy any experience these days," followed by, "Does this mean road closures affecting fans will be even earlier, and are they considering the mayhem on the mountain passes prior to the real race passing through?" "Is catering to 25 cyclists for a sum of $262,500, worth affecting every fan out on the road?" I decided to call the number listed on the announcement for more information, before I jumped to heady opinions about how the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is deciding to sell off pieces of their pie.

Leland at Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) enthusiastically took my call and answered my questions. Their plan is to select 25 riders, men and women, and their ride will likely begin 2 hours before the real racers in an attempt to beat the race to the finish line. Yes they will ride the entire stage, each day, with the final time trial course in Denver ridden at a slower group ride pace. Their expected pace for interested cyclists on the CTS team should be at least approximately 3.5 watts/kg at threshold, with the ability to ride well in a pack. The CTS team of 25 will have 5-6 coaches on the road with them, and support vehicles passing through prior to the real riders and teams cars. So clear a path for them.

It sounds like fun for the 25 participants, and I suppose the growth of VIP experiences is inevitable. It is clear this pack will need more than money, they will need to be trained, and ah-ha that is precisely what CTS really offers. Included with the CTS USA Pro Challenge Race Experience is of course access to the VIP tent in each finish city, accommodations, meals with the teams, amenities and post-race massages. If you have $10,500 and want to apply to complete the CTS USA Pro Challenge Race Experience team challenge visit www.trainright.com/upcc-2012. Application deadline is Feb. 29, 2012. There are other VIP and travels packages found at this link.

Related posts by Pedal Dancer: Are VIP tickets worth it?

Picture of the Day: Andre Greipel

2012-01-16T17:12:00.009-07:00

Image of the Day from the Santos Tour Down Under

Image tweeted by @AndreGreipel

"Found some nice boots in my size to keep my legs warm...the best way to recover"

Andre Greipel won the Down Under Classic (the closed circuit race, stand alone event) which took place in conjunction with the Tour Down Under last Sunday. The official website of the Tour reports, "The Classic is the curtain raiser for the Santos Tour Down Under, which Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) has won twice, in 2008 and 2010. Tonight he crossed the line ahead of Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) with Australian Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Barracuda) third." Video highlights (5:41) of final km and interviews.

@HansenAdam tweeted the Lotto Belisol train that made it all possible

The start of Stage 1 of the Santos Tour Down Under begins in about 20 minutes ... who will win the first stage of the UCI WorldTour 2012 season ....... In the United States you can follow the action via text updates on Twitter @SantosTDU_Live, in other countries view the possibilities on the list at this post: Santos Tour Down Under - just what you need to know.

I just discovered that Tobes' Blog is back on the scene for the Tour Down Under - check it out

Santos Tour Down Under - just what you need to know

2012-01-14T14:25:00.021-07:00

Tour Down Under - events begin tomorrow (which is today)

The first UCI World Tour event of the 2012 racing begins tomorrow in Adelaide, Australia. The Santos Tour Down Under is a 2.HC classified race now in it's 14th year. The event begins on Sunday January 15th, with the Down Under Classic (closed circuit road race, a stand alone event), followed by the Team Presentation for the Tour Down Under, then a non-competition day, and finally 6 consecutive stages of the Tour Down Under finishing on January 22, 2012.

The fun part of being a fan at the Tour Down Under appears to be that all stages are located near the city of Adelaide, making it easy for a fan to stay and play within the surrounding area of the city. They even offer coach/bus transportation for fans to get to and from the start and finish areas. If I wanted to spend $3800.00 on Qantas and 24 hours of travel time with 2 stops, I could get myself from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to Adelaide, Australia, to watch this great event. Instead I will have to do some fancy math and figure out how and when to watch the race live online, in a place 17.5 hours ahead of Mountain Standard Time in the USA.

At this hour riders are waking and beginning their preparations for their first big WorldTour race of the season. Race barriers are being placed, banners are being raised, and volunteers are taking their places as Adelaide, Australia, awakes to exciting days ahead in professional cycling. All the big teams are there - it is time to get this thing started.

Times like these call for a little arm-chair traveling as a professional cycling fan. We need to gather our tools of the trade: race information, stage dates and host cities, teams, riders, who is paying for our fun (Sponsors), jerseys, stats, maps and start and finish times, news, and finally how and when to watch the race live, plus any associated citizen rides where we can act like the pros.

Race information:

Official Santos Tour Down Under Website and Twitter

In 2008, the Santos Tour Down Under was the first event to join the UCI race calendar outside of Europe. Remember the series of 28 UCI races in 2012 (14 stage races and 14 one-day races) is no longer called the ProTour, it is called the WorldTour, with 18 ProTeams (no spaces needed when it comes to the UCI). The UCI strictly governs not only spelling but most aspects of international cycling (with great controversy). The ProTeams are required to attend the races on the WorldTour calendar, which begin in January and end in October (and you thought it was easy to be a professional cyclist).

There are no UCI Professional Continental Teams in the Santos Tour Down Under, the roster is completely filled with UCI ProTeams with the exception of Uni SA-Australia, This unique team is supported by the University of South Australia and considered the National Team of Australia, launching many cycling careers for young Australian riders. The team now called Uni SA-Australia first participated in the STDU in 2001 and is part of the tradition of the race. (See full list of teams below)

Stage dates and host cities for the Santos Tour Down Under:

Use the dropdown box at this link to access all stage information on the official website.

January 15, Sunday - Down Under Classic (one-day event), 51km (a closed circuit road race, not part of the Tour Down Under stage race)

January 16, Monday - no competition

January 17, Tuesday - Stage 1, Prospect to Clare, 149km

January 18, Wednesday - Stage 2, Lobethal to Stirling, 148km

January 19, Thursday - Stage 3, Unley to Victor Harbor, 134.5km

January 20, Friday - Stage 4, Norwood to Tanunda, 130km

January 21, Saturday - Stage 5, McLaren Vale to Old Willunga Hill, 151.5km

January 22, Sunday - Stage 6, Adelaide City Council Street Circuit, 90km

Riche Porte with a kangaroo in 2011

Teams:

A description of Teams competing in the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under. Here is the list of teams:

Ag2r La Mondiale (France)
Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spain)
FDJ-Big Mat (France)
Garmin-Baracuda (USA)
GreenEDGE Cycling Team (Australia)
Katusha Team (Russia)
Lampre-ISD (Italy)
Liquigas-Cannondale (Italy)
Lotto-Belisol (Belgium)
Movistar (Spain)
Omega Pharma-QuickStep (Belgium)
Rabobank Cycling Team (Netherlands)
Saxo Bank (Denmark)
Sky ProCycling (Great Britain)
Radioshack-Nissan (Luxembourg)
Uni SA-Australia (Australia) (Australian National Team)
Vacansoleil-DCM (Netherlands)

Riders and fans at the 2011 STDU

Riders:

Startlist roster of riders on each team in the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under.

Sponsors:

Santos is a major oil and gas company in Australia. See all the 2012 Sponsors for the Santos Tour Down Under - a page of Sponsor Logos (a big thanks to the Sponsors who pay for the races).

Jerseys:

Clear your mind of the habit of looking for the yellow, green or white jerseys. In Australia they have a way of doing things their own way. These are the leaders and classification jerseys for the Santos Tour Down Under for 2012:

STDU Ochre Leaders Jersey

STDU Skoda King of the Mountain Jersey

STDU Jayco Sprint Jersey

STDU Cycle Instead Young Riders Jersey

STDU Hindmarsh Most Aggressive Riders Jersey

STDU South Australia Brilliant Blend Winning Team Jersey

Stats:

Cameron Meyer (AUS) (Garmin-Cervelo) won the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under. View this very good listing of facts and statistical report on the race by Cycling Weekly.

Cameron Meyer signs in at the 2011 STDU

Maps and times:

This combined stage race map (below) was created by Velowire.com. As you can see, the city of Adelaide is consumed by bike racing for the next week.

Map by Velowire
(Lots of information by Velowire at this link)

Individual Stage Maps (click maps to enlarge) (Maps via the official STDU website)

STAGE 1: Start Time: 11am, Finish Time: 2.54pm ETA

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 1 map

STAGE 2 (Colemans Group Stage 2): Start Time: 11am, Finish Time: 2.45pm ETA

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 2 map

STAGE 3: Start Time: 11am (King William Road, Unley), Finish Time: 2.43pm ETA

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 3 map

STAGE 4 (Bupa Stage 4): Start Time: 11am (The Parade, Norwood), Finish Time: 2.31pm ETA

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 4 map

STAGE 5 (Jayco Stage 5): Start Time: 11.10am McLaren Vale, Finish Time: 3.02pm ETA, Old Willunga Hill

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 5 map

STAGE 6: Start Time: 1.10pm (King William Road, Elder Park), Finish Time: 3.15pm* approximately

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 6 map

News:

The big news of this race so far is that Jack Bobridge is out of the race due to injury after a gust of wind caused by a passing truck knocked him down during the recent Australian Time Trial Championships. Also long exiled Alejandro Valverde returns to racing in 2012 with his Spanish Movistar team. Italian Alessandro Petacchi is venturing down under to challenge other powerful sprinters including Matt Goss, Andre Greipel, Oscar Freire, Mark Renshaw, and Daniele Bennati. Mark Cavendish will not be racing the Tour Down under this year. This is however our first big chance to see the new teams of RadioShack-Nissan, GreenEDGE, Lotto-Belisol, and Omega Pharma-Quickstep in action. We will also get our first real siting of the entire lineup of new team bikes and jerseys for the 2012 season. And Jens Voigt will be in the house, what more could we want! Tour Down Under preview by VeloNews

News Sources:

Steephill.TV It is Steephill season again!, visit this one source, he will link you to all you need to know about the race. Or CyclingFans.com.

How and when to watch the race live:

Television and radio coverage (in Australia)

Tour Down Under 2012: Sky Sports TV schedule (British satellite broadcaster Sky)

In a first for the event, wwos.ninemsn.com.au will stream live coverage of the Down Under Classic, Jayco Stage 5 and Stage 6. Highlights packages will also be available each evening for Stages 1-4.

In the USA, coverage can be difficult to find, but if there is a way Steephill.TV or CyclingFans.com will list the link on their pages. On Sunday, January 15, 2011, NBC will show coverage of the "Tour Down Under Classic" at 3 p.m (ET).

Tune into Twitter, as people will frequently link to live steaming if found. Or follow the tweets at @SantosTDU_Live and @tourdownunder

International broadcasters: viewers around the world can watch the Santos Tour Down Under action on the following networks. Please check your local broadcaster for schedule details.

France - Sport+
Ireland - Setanta
Luxembourg - RTL
Norway - TV2Sport
Spain - Teledeporte
UK - Sky Sports and ITV
Pan-Africa - Supersport
USA and Canada - NBCSports and Rogers
South and Central America - Direct TV
Pan-Asia - Eurosport Asia
Japan - Jsports
Malaysia - Astro
New Zealand - Sky TV

Citizen Rides (how you can participate):

Amateur cyclists may participate in the 2012 Bupa Challenge Tour (formerly known as the Be Active Tour, Breakaway Tour, and Mutual Community Challenge Tour) on January 20, 2012. Cost $145 (Australian dollars). There are 4 different start locations and times. It sounds fun: "your opportunity to ride a stage of a UCI WorldTour event, the same day as the ProTeams. It's a challenge - not a race. Part of the ŠKODA Breakaway Series, this event is for regular cyclists who can make the distance. Will you make it to the finish before the professionals arrive? Take part in the 2012 Bupa Challenge Tour. Register as an individual or as a team."

Read previous related posts by Pedal Dancer: Who is Škoda and Tour Down Under begins today (2011)

Pedal Dancer

A handmade Pegoretti bike

Guess Where? #6

Picture of the Day: climbs by gear

Love Friends and Bikes

Guess Where? #5

Recommended Viewing: Curvy Roads

Details on 2012 Tour of California route

Pedal Dancer Images from the 2011 Amgen Tour of California: some images I may not have used before in earlier posts - what it feels like to be a fan at the race. All ©Photos by PedalDancer™

Modesto, CA

Livermore, CA

San Jose, CA

Paso Robles, CA

Solvang, CA - Individual Time Trial

Claremont, CA

Santa Clarita, CA

Thousand Oaks, CA

Colnago bikes

Contador and Armstrong

Jens and Stuey

Guess Where? #4

Route of the 2012 Paris-Nice announced

2012 National Champions and their jerseys

2012 ProTour Team Jerseys

Word of the Day: duinen

Recommended Reading: Tour de France History

Eugene Christophe – Tour de France Legend by Velo Peloton

The building that housed the famous forge still exists (repaired and with a new roof) and is a national historic site in Sainte-Marie-de-Campan in the Pyrenees. It is marked with a new commemorative plaque placed in 2003.

Guess Where #3

Recommended Viewing: Boulder Culture

News: No Arenberg in Paris-Roubaix?

Word of the Day: Wielertoeristen

I've been on vacation

Picture of the Day: Tour Down Under

Buy your way into riding like a Pro

Picture of the Day: Andre Greipel

Santos Tour Down Under - just what you need to know