Author: Maxsons Import_User

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Discovery Losing Riders!

I got to work today (after a horrible ride…it was real tough…don’t know why) and was checking out the 2006 TDF page for today’s stage when I noticed this dispatch:

13:30 – Noval Abandons…
There are just seven riders left in the Discovery Channel team. Benjamin Noval is the latest to quit the Tour; joining team-mate Paolo Savoldelli who stepped off at the 43km mark.

That made me scroll on down where I saw this:

13:13 – Savoldelli Abandons!
The Discovery Channel team has lost the services of the two-time Giro d’Italia champion, Paolo Savoldelli. The Italian abandoned at the 43km mark of today’s stage.

This is Amazing! Who would have ever thought this! I wonder what Lance is thinking of his former teammates. One thing that his team always prided itself on was taking everyone to Paris. Now two riders have given up.

[Update 2013-01-18 06:58:05] Lance has admitted to doping.

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Rowletts Bike Shop in Richmond

[Update 2012-12-27 08:12:09] If you came here looking for our pictures, they are on flickr.

I just wanted to post about an experience I had today with Rowletts Bike Shop in Richmond, VA.

Last year at the beach, I broke the pedals on my bike.  I wasn’t too disapointed….they were the original plastic pedals and had been used quite heavily.  When we returned, I went to the bike store to get some more.  The guy who helped me recommended metal pedals.  No problem…I figured they wouldn’t break as easily.  I bought a set, took them home, and installed them.

Fast forward almost a year.  The right pedal broke last week and the left was starting to (I don’t have pictures though).  I kept riding because I didn’t want to sink money into new pedals.  Well, the other day, I decided I had enough and would go back to Rowletts to see if there was a waranty.

Well, the guys (and girl) in the shop didn’t know, but they guy in charge said he didn’t see why the company wouldn’t replace them.  Partially beacause he had never seen pedals get in that shape (everyone was in awe) and partially because he wanted to do the right thing.

I talked to them for a while about pedaling technique, pedals, clipless pedals, etc….  Anyway, I have made up my mind to buy a set of clipless pedals, shoes, etc….. 

If you live in Richmond, I would highly highly highly (did I mention I would highly) recommend Rowletts.  Where am I going back to?  Rowletts.  Why?  They treat people right!

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Todays Bike Ride — July 8, 2006

Yes!  This is the first time I know that I have done over 100 miles in a calendar week.  125.3 to be exact.  It's even more if you look at the past 7 days (that would be 167!).

If you are looking for a way to get in shape and enjoy the outdoors, bike riding is it!  You may start off slow, or not feel like riding at the start, but keep going.  After 4 or 5 miles you will really be into it!

Oh, Sorry for the lack of tour updates….I've been busy and haven't had much time to write about it (I haven't even got to watch that much the last part of this week).  I'll try to post some updates today possibly.

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OLN

For those of you who spend any time at Maxsons.org, you are familiar with our enthusiasm for the "Tour"…
OLN (Outdoor Life Network) airs it and Matt pointed out this AM that an ad across the bottom of the screen, which I thought was for a new fall show, was actually pointing out the network's future name! In September, OLN will become VS. (Versus), ostensibly to better reflect the bold, competitive spirit of their programming. Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones, but VS. sounds like a pretty silly new name and I was peeved enough about it that I actually emailed OLN this morning to inform them of my disappointment. I'd include the content of that message, but it seems to have gotten lost in cyberspace:) Suffice it to say, I know my opinion will be disregarded, but I wanted them to know that at least one viewer appreciates OLN more for content than for some gimmicky new name. And OLN certainly rolls off the tongue more fluidly. Hopefully, this "out with the old" trend will limit itself to the name and not extend to major programming changes. I'd hate to see a once-fine network wallowing in 24/7 Survivor reruns or add American Gladiator-style nonsense in an ill-thought and unnecessary attempt to spice things up! I may not be a huge fan of hunting, fishing, sailing, bull-riding, billiards, lumberjacking, etc…but I'd rather see honest competition ANY DAY over manipulative, brain cell-killing junk like Dog Eat Dog and the like!!

By the way, today was a little rough sickness-wise, but I'm hanging in there!!

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Bob Roll is hilarious

For those of you not living with a cycling enthusiast, Bob Roll is an American commentator for OLN's Tour de France (or as Bob says "tour day france") coverage. He raced in the tour several years ago and we first saw him when we started watching the tour 2 or 3 years ago. He's always funny and is part of what makes watching the tour such a great experience! Before today's coverage of Stage 3, the commentators were discussing the Hinault-LeMond controversy of 1986. Hinault was a French rider who had won 5 times and LeMond (an American) was a teammate who had raced with him for years and was ready to go for the win. After his 5th win, Hinault apparently promised LeMond that he would help him go for it the next year, but when he came into the '86 Tour in great shape, he changed his tune. So LeMond was ticked and looking for sympathy among his fellow American riders. When asked if he remembered the controversy, Bob related that LeMond would fall back in the Peleton hoping to commiserate…but he'd have to fall way back 'cause they were all at the back barely hanging on. Bob had his hands up and his tongue hanging out and said they were all like animals grunting and groaning in the back and LeMond would find them wanting to discuss the situation and they couldn't even talk!!

You'd have to see Bob to really appreciate the moment, but it's so worth finding OLN and checking him out if you get a chance:)

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Happy 4th

Well…it's another HOT and HUMID day here in Richmond. All I can say is that I am sooo thankful the baby isn't due til winter! I cannot imagine being 3rd trimester during summer in the south!! As for 1st trimester, I'm hanging in there. Last week was good sickness-wise and I was continuing to feel well until yesterday, when I felt pretty terrible most of the day. This morning was rough too, but after taking it easy for a while, this afternoon has been okay. Matt and I got to enjoy a late lunch at an awesome chinese buffet in town and I just stuck with basic stuff like chicken/shrimp with broccoli. My big splurge was crab rangoon…which is my absolute favorite! So far I still feel good, and I'm hopeful that will continue to be the case throughout the evening :^)
I've been pretty tired lately, but part of that is the result of working 6-day weeks with little kids for the last 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to next week, when I'll start a few weeks of down-time. I love what I do, but I'm ready to catch up on my rest and do some "baby" reading.
As for the rest of our 4th… we had a nice time exploring the bookstore and walking around the mall. I even ducked into Motherhood Maternity to check things out. It looks like they may have good sale racks, so I'm sure I'll have to investigate further in coming months. It was good to get out, but it's nice to be home where we can spend the rest of the evening relaxing with the Tour de France! Matt sure will be disappointed if "Little One" doesn't like cycling!!

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TDF 2006 Stage 3 — July 4, 2006

I just got done watching OLNs live coverage of the 2006 Tour de France.  There were two wrecks (I saw one and missed the other) where guys broke collar bones.  The second appeared to be caused when one or more riders in the peleton twitched and was hit by others.

Here are some news stories about Stage 3 of the 2006 TDF:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/5146492.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/5144480.stm

At the end of today's stage Matthias Kessler sprinted out and ended up and won the stage.  I was rooting for him the whole way to the line.  For those who don't know, in yesterday's tour, Kessler got out in front, put in a good effort, but got caught by the peleton.  I was bummed….he put out a good effort and didn't get the stage win.  OLN mentioned that Kessler later said he felt robbed.  I would to.