Recent content by syringelessss

1. A clean rider can lose more than 4 minutes on the Alp vs. a doped rider. 2. Contador's primary, if not sole, goal is the Tour. 3. Were Contador in Pantani form in June, he would not be able to sustain such form into July. 4. Did you see Andy Schleck in the Tour of California??? He got...

I just bought and watched the 1999 TDF DVD, and I agree that Lance's ride up Sestrieres was humorously ridiculous. He looked like he was on a Kawasaki, not a Trek. For honorable mention, I would submit SPRINTER Thor Hushovd's raging ride through the Alps during Stage 17 in 2009 - I believe...

For the sake of the fans, if not for the sake of determining the GC, all mountain stages must end on a mountaintop. Those of us in the USA stuck with watching the Tour of California saw a waste of time final stage, and a waste of time "Queen" stage 2 days previous, both of which included...

Thanks to you and Passo Stelvio for advice that sounds great and smacks of the truth! Rich

Thanks much for the details. I have a green light from my physician, who I see every September, although he recommends I get a girlfriend because I'm too attached to my DirecTV. I will be 42 on Mother's Day, so I assume I should recover fully every 3 or 4 YEARS at this point. Resting...

The tougher the climb, the more I want to time trial it because of the challenge and the fact that I have a full-time job and not enough time to climb. I have a spreadsheet with all of the major climbs here in overcrowded Southern California with my times, speed, feet climbed per hour and...

Amen on the weight - I've dropped from 172 lbs (USA, sorry) to 149, with marked improvement, but somehow you have to retain your quad power as you lose the weight. Also, pacing is critical, as I always am deciding how hard to go out so I won't crack late in the climb, although not going hard...

I see some terrific advice in here, and am happy I posted my question, except for the Cavendish part (he would crush me). With regard to getting out of the saddle, I find, curiously and maybe counterintuitively, it helps when: 1. I'm going through a short 22% switchback; or 2. I'm...

Holy guacamole. I estimate it would take me 70 to 80 minutes to do the 15.5K Alpe D'huez time trial. I wouldn't even be the Lanterne Rouge, I'd be the Lanterne Crimson with a Doppler red shift....

What is the best preparation for becoming what I call is a Double Digit Grade Climber??? I've heard many theories, including: 1. Do long, flat, high cadence routes to build your base. 2. Stay in the saddle. 3. Lie about your times. 4. Climb 12% climbs as practice for climbing...

Who Will Win the Giro??? Ricco - never mind, not invited Valverde - never mind, soon to be suspended internationally and intergalactically Rasmussen - never mind, still banned That leaves Vinokourov or Astana Rider X. Recent performances suggest the entire Astana squad is on what I will...

From a legal standpoint, From Lance to Landis is about as watertight as a submarine designed by the Fiat Spyder engineers. But to me the book sounds, smells and reads like the truth, sort of like Global Warming, the Atkins diet being unhealthy and nuclear power being a ridiculous energy...

Definitely Andreas Kloden, apparently for mental reasons. Better than Ullrich in the mid 2000s, but rode second fiddle. Outclimbed and out TTed Armstrong at the 2009 TDF, but supported Armstrong. Already with a 2nd and a 3rd in previous TDFs, in 2009, Kloden would have finished 3rd just...

I would place your 666 at 111 instead, although I agree with many of your other factors, especially the higher cadence, Bruneel, altitude training and course recons. Atlas Shrugged is a hopeless case, although I made it through The Foundtainhead, and We The Living actually is one of my...

From Lance to Landis did not refer to a Scientific American study, but to one conducted by a physician whose name I do not recall. The initial testing was done in 1992, I believe, and the subsequent testing in 1999. Lance claims that he dropped something like 20 lbs. in between, when in fact...