An Epic Day

My Life. Digitally Prepped, Cooked and Served Exactly as You Ordered.
 

Lance moves up to 3rd in the Tour de France

Talk about an exciting race.  Columbia-HTC executing a look-what-we've-got-up-our-sleeve breakaway, Cavendish proving once again his legs are better than your legs, and Lance Armstrong shaking things up on the road...and in the Astana trailer (Contador is fuming, right?).  


Going in to tomorrow's team time trial, I’m expecting a few things:
  • Garmin-Slipstream to put together a surprising performance
  • Columbia-HTC to underwhelm
  • Lance and Co. to drop the hammer and win by a wide margin
The TTT is my favorite part of the Tour.  It doesn't happen every year, and I honestly believe it's a treat, regardless what anyone else (including race organizers) think.

Some of my fondest memories of the Tour are of watching Le Bleu Train barrel down the road in an effort more perfectly timed than a Clapton solo.  Fluid, precise and powerful.  I can't get enough of the TTTs.  

Filed under  //   cycling  
Posted July 6, 2009
// 0 Comments
 

Tour de France Preview - The Races Within the Tour de France

via nytimes.com

Ever wonder the about those funky jerseys that the riders in the Tour de France wear? What do they mean? Why is yellow so important to the Tour?

Here's your rundown. Hopefully people are getting pumped for the prologue this weekend...

Filed under  //   cycling  
Posted July 2, 2009
// 0 Comments
 

2009 Tour de France Team Bikes

via roadcyclinguk.com

If you love bikes...or art...or bikes so beautiful they could be art...you'll love this run down of the team bikes we'll be seeing this weekend.

Filed under  //   cycling  
Posted July 2, 2009
// 0 Comments
 

Hypebeast x adidas “The Complete Ride” Zeitfrei

via hypebeast.com

In what can only be described as one of the dopest and freshest birthday presents of my life, I present to you the Hypebeast x Solebox x adidas Zeitfrei pack. Complete with a messenger bag that could fit a weekend worth of clothes, a cycling cap for everyday wear, a canvas bag for whatever you want, and a slick pair of kicks comfortable on and off the bike.

Now I just need a single speed, a pencil thin mustache and a trust fund to complete the look. Turning 28 never looked so good.

Thanks Jamie!

Filed under  //   adidas   cycling   Sneakers  
Posted July 1, 2009
// 0 Comments
 

Ther reason I got into cycling in the first place was simply because of Lance Armstrong’s return from cancer.  Since then, the sport has been tainted to such an extent that I almost gave up hope.  If they weren’t riding cleanly, why even watch at all?

That’s why I’m so excited about Team Garmin-Slipstream and their self-imposed and ultra-agressive testing plan.  We can be certain that they aren’t doping, and that’s why I’m pulling for them this year at the Tour de France.

Check out this trailer to the movie that was just recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.  I can’t wait to catch it sometime later this week!

Filed under  //   cycling   Tour de France  
Posted June 30, 2009
// 0 Comments
 

Awesome trailer for the upcoming Bicycle Film Festival.  Cool song too…

Filed under  //   cycling  
Posted June 25, 2009
// 0 Comments
 

Lance back on his bike

http://digg.com/other_sports/Lance_back_on_his_bike

Lance is back riding on the road…no stopping him now…

Filed under  //   cycling  
Posted April 2, 2009
// 0 Comments
 

Shimano to Release Electronic Components

Cycling Enters Electronic Age If there is one thing I like, it's techy gear.  If you can couple it with cycling, all the better.  I dream about carbon fiber, marvel at uniquely laced wheels, and love hearing the words lateral stiffness and vibration dampening. Although I'm still going back and forth on the movement to electronic gear, I'm going to draw a line in the sand and stand firmly on one side. I do not believe this should be the future of cycling.  The central ideology of cycling is human propulsion.  At its core, throwing your leg over the top tube of a bike is a way to escape the dependence of fuel.  It's a way to use your legs to get from one place to the next - and pretty fast. Although the mere shifting of the gears in no way adds to the forward movement of the bike, it still takes away from the purity of the endeavor.  Cycling has always been a "romantic" sport whose roots are firmly planted on the hillsides of Italy and France.  When I think back to cycling of the early 1900's, I picture rickety but strong Italian made bikes being pushed to their limit.  And when the riders got to their destination - a hearty glass of wine was their reward. A light touch of a button, triggering a chain reaction of electronic charges resulting in the correct selection of gear takes away from my picture of the beginnings of cycling as we know it today. I also fear about what may come next.  More specifically, what happens when the electronic gearing system is becomes so sophisticated that it actually makes the proper shifts for you?  Yikes... So although I appreciate Shimano for continuing to push the envelope of technological innovation, I think that the the world of cycling would be better off with a mis-shift every now and then. Let me know what you think.  I'd love to hear what side of the argument you stand on.


Dura Ace Di2

Filed under  //   cycling   Technology  
Posted February 23, 2009
// 0 Comments
 

Lance Armstrong Strong Arms His Critics


Don't get to close - Lance might bite
In another classic "eff you!" to those looking to discredit Lance Armstrong's accomplishments, the man himself decides he's had enough of this guy.  I might as well come and say it now: I, Ted Barbeau, am a HUGE Lance Armstrong fan.  I've run 2 marathons for his foundation, watched countless hours of the Tour de France over the years, and channel his take-no-prisoner attitude every time I click into my road bike.  Needless to say, I'm an ardent supporter. Might he had taken EPO during his first year or two on his road back from cancer?  Sure.  Is he a "strong" (read: ego-centric) personality that often times rubs people the wrong way?  Absolutely. I'm not here to change opinions about Lance.  He's clearly has amassed as many detractors as he has supporters.  I'm only here to point out that he, more than most, has learned to live his life at 150 miles per hour, pushing the limits in everything he does.  From his tenacious workout ethic to his relentless push to eradicate the world of cancer - its clear he doesn't understand the word moderation. This is a classic example of his Lance playing by his own rules.  Its one thing to blog about him and his alleged drug use.  Its another thing to mess with his cycling. Clearly, Lance found this guy worthy of a Walter Payton-caliber stiff arm. [check out the video] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3rjb4G8ZMI]

Filed under  //   cycling  
Posted February 22, 2009
// 0 Comments