2012 Tour of California

[Quixote]

ACF, I must say I am disappointed with your attitude

Cadel has many fans out here in the USA.
And out here in California.
Lots of fans.

They would love to see the Tour de France Champ in person.
He recieved a very warm welcome the last time he raced here iirc.
.

If the folks who I ride with are a sampling of California opinion, then Cadel would be treated unabashedly like a hero!
The great thing about this tour is the access the fans have with teams. They seem to appreciate the pubic's recognition of their efforts and their willingness to participate here. IMO it could be a pleasing ego boost for Cadel to get the attention I expect he would receive.

 

[Anonymous]

im not sure, how acf, being a fan of the tour down under, can with the same breath critisise the tour of california

 

[Fausto's Schnauzer]

Palmdale to Big Bear

This is a completely different stage than the 2010 Big Bear finish. All total they're going to gain the altitude up to the 6200'+ of Big Bear in only 8 to 10 miles. In 2010 they went up the South side of the San Bernardino Mountains on a route that had them in the mountains for something in the neighborhood of 40 miles. Yeah, there were some steep sections, but lots of level sections and even descents where the non-climbers could regroup a bit.

The Palmdale to Big Bear route brings the racers from the desert and up the North side of the range. While there are a few small pitches and some gradual elevation gain for most of that route, it will be no problem for the peloton to stay together all the way to base of the final climb...which is where things will get interesting. They'll first face a long nearly straight pitch----a pitch where local riders routinely hit 60mph+ while descending it. Then once the route gets alongside the gypsum mine there are a series of switchbacks with hardly any level spots in between. Once they've reached Big Bear Valley alongside Baldwin Lake the climbing is basically done. So the real question is; Where will the finish be? I'd bet it will again be at one of the ski resorts, 8 or so miles from the last of the real climbing.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I am lightened by your optimism, but Palmdale-Big Bear was the original planned 2010 route iirc, and utilised the same Big Bear climbing route that they used in the actual race...

 

[Boeing]

With El Nina present in the Pacific and a winter wash expected, that Big Bear route up the back will likely change

 

[ghostofjoy]

This is a completely different stage than the 2010 Big Bear finish. All total they're going to gain the altitude up to the 6200'+ of Big Bear in only 8 to 10 miles. In 2010 they went up the South side of the San Bernardino Mountains on a route that had them in the mountains for something in the neighborhood of 40 miles. Yeah, there were some steep sections, but lots of level sections and even descents where the non-climbers could regroup a bit.

The Palmdale to Big Bear route brings the racers from the desert and up the North side of the range. While there are a few small pitches and some gradual elevation gain for most of that route, it will be no problem for the peloton to stay together all the way to base of the final climb...which is where things will get interesting. They'll first face a long nearly straight pitch----a pitch where local riders routinely hit 60mph+ while descending it. Then once the route gets alongside the gypsum mine there are a series of switchbacks with hardly any level spots in between. Once they've reached Big Bear Valley alongside Baldwin Lake the climbing is basically done. So the real question is; Where will the finish be? I'd bet it will again be at one of the ski resorts, 8 or so miles from the last of the real climbing.

this, it should be a very interesting stage and a nice setup for baldy. it's possible that i'm being overly optimistic, since i'll be able to watch both stages in person, but the parcours has great potential.

 

[CobbleStoner]

I am lightened by your optimism, but Palmdale-Big Bear was the original planned 2010 route iirc, and utilised the same Big Bear climbing route that they used in the actual race...

no, the original planned 2010 route went from Pasadena up Angeles Forest Highway, but it was closed due to rain wash-out so they changed it to starting in Palmdale and up into the mountains right away and riding along the ridge until the San Bernadino mountains, it will be a much better route if it is as described above

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

they better invite lots of colombian teams.I actually think they have too because they dominated teh american team rankings

 

[jens_attacks]

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=44727

sevilla says here that that he wants to do well in california,utah and colorado.so after this year gobernacion show,they'll proabably be invited in all those races.

epm is a must too

 

[Libertine Seguros]

GW-Shimano are apparently applying for Continental status as well.

However, this year Messick was saying 16 teams was his limit, so places will be at a premium for those wildcard slots unless they have less than 8 teams from the WT wanting to go.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

sevilla says california will be a goal for him next year. I think california will have a big problem if they invite 16 teams and 3 of them have to be colombian because of uci rules. the colombian teams have smelled blood in usa and now all want to come and they are in first places of uci team ranks so must be invited over american teams that aren't even in rankings almost. also last year proved how strong the colombians team are there

I doubt brazilian teams will want to go they have 2 teams in top 5. but I expect movistar ct, epm-une and gobernacion to be in there. they have alreayd said they want to ride

 

[c&cfan]

sevilla says california will be a goal for him next year. I think california will have a big problem if they invite 16 teams and 3 of them have to be colombian because of uci rules. the colombian teams have smelled blood in usa and now all want to come and they are in first places of uci team ranks so must be invited over american teams that aren't even in rankings almost. also last year proved how strong the colombians team are there

I doubt brazilian teams will want to go they have 2 teams in top 5. but I expect movistar ct, epm-une and gobernacion to be in there. they have alreayd said they want to ride

and they will conquer the world because colombians are naturally better because they are skinny better colombians. skinny colombians are to fatty dirty spaniards what israelite air force is to portuguese air force. you don't fack israelite air force. you don't fack skinny better colombians. also they skinny colombians are always in "high" training. not because big mountains, but because cocain makes "high" in them.

p.s: they also don't dope cause skinny better colombians are better and dope does not need skinny better colombians. except botero. except parra. except those dirty fatty spaniards in colombian teams.

p.s: herrera is jesus christ.

 

[craig1985]

and they will conquer the world because colombians are naturally better because they are skinny better colombians. skinny colombians are to fatty dirty spaniards what israelite air force is to portuguese air force. you don't fack israelite air force. you don't fack skinny better colombians. also they skinny colombians are always in "high" training. not because big mountains, but because cocain makes "high" in them.

p.s: they also don't dope cause skinny better colombians are better and dope does not need skinny better colombians. except botero. except parra. except those dirty fatty spaniards in colombian teams.

p.s: herrera is jesus christ.

Libertine, can you translate that please? Parullo maybe? Come on, help a brother out.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

and they will conquer the world because colombians are naturally better because they are skinny better colombians. skinny colombians are to fatty dirty spaniards what israelite air force is to portuguese air force. you don't fack israelite air force. you don't fack skinny better colombians. also they skinny colombians are always in "high" training. not because big mountains, but because cocain makes "high" in them.

p.s: they also don't dope cause skinny better colombians are better and dope does not need skinny better colombians. except botero. except parra. except those dirty fatty spaniards in colombian teams.

p.s: herrera is jesus christ.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Libertine, can you translate that please? Parullo maybe? Come on, help a brother out.

Something along the lines of a very sarcastic retort (presumably at Ryo):

"Colombians are better because they're Colombian. The Skinny Colombians urinate all over the Fat Rubbish Spaniards. Some probably un-PC statement about Israelis which I don't know if it's meant to be a compliment to the Israelis for having a strong air force or not? Then a statement to the effect that Colombians are all on coke.

PS Colombians don't dope because they're Colombian, which is enough of an advantage as it is, which is why Spaniards in Colombian teams need to dope to compete. This is obviously at odds with C+C's previous statement, hence it is sarcasm and therefore a joke.

PPS Herrera is a great prophet/wise philosopher/the son of God (depending on your religious background).

C+C>English translator is much easier than DAOTEC>English, it must be said.

 

[Havetts]

Something along the lines of a very sarcastic retort (presumably at Ryo):

"Colombians are better because they're Colombian. The Skinny Colombians urinate all over the Fat Rubbish Spaniards. Some probably un-PC statement about Israelis which I don't know if it's meant to be a compliment to the Israelis for having a strong air force or not? Then a statement to the effect that Colombians are all on coke.

PS Colombians don't dope because they're Colombian, which is enough of an advantage as it is, which is why Spaniards in Colombian teams need to dope to compete. This is obviously at odds with C+C's previous statement, hence it is sarcasm and therefore a joke.

PPS Herrera is a great prophet/wise philosopher/the son of God (depending on your religious background).

C+C>English translator is much easier than DAOTEC>English, it must be said.

Another nominee for one of the posts of the year .

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Is it true that Mr. Baldy is named in honor of Levi?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Low gradients! Levi is a superior tt'er than Horner. Horner nor any other climber could possibly take time out of Levi on this climb. Levi can roll a hard consistent gear hence why it is a Levi climb.

A Levi climb isn't defined by gradient or length. It's defined by the presence of wheels he can suck.

 

[Angliru]

and they will conquer the world because colombians are naturally better because they are skinny better colombians. skinny colombians are to fatty dirty spaniards what israelite air force is to portuguese air force. you don't fack israelite air force. you don't fack skinny better colombians. also they skinny colombians are always in "high" training. not because big mountains, but because cocain makes "high" in them.

p.s: they also don't dope cause skinny better colombians are better and dope does not need skinny better colombians. except botero. except parra. except those dirty fatty spaniards in colombian teams.

p.s: herrera is jesus christ.

c&cfan, would you be willing to share some of that wacky-tobacky that you've got? Based on the above post it must be quite potent.

 

[Angliru]

A Levi climb isn't defined by gradient or length. It's defined by the presence of wheels he can suck.

LOL! Thanks for that one, it brought tears to my eyes!

 

[The Hitch]

Another nominee for one of the posts of the year .

I hope you will have a list for us by the end of the year

Alternatively post it in this thread.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=11559

 

[c&cfan]

c&cfan, would you be willing to share some of that wacky-tobacky that you've got? Based on the above post it must be quite potent.

lol i was just trolling come on, can't you see it????

it was as clear as colombian coke, just like it was as badass as israelite air force lol

about the herrera part, i was totally serious.

that's the only way you can be ryo's yang, if you see him as ying. you have to be as troll as you can if you are going to "fight" again someone as delusional as they get.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

What's ying? Last I knew it was "yin".

 

[c&cfan]

What's ying? Last I knew it was "yin".

it's a stronger kind of yin. are you trolling? yang get's stronger when it get's yan. with ying it's the opposite.

instead of admiring the work of that great red bull's designer/engineer 3 hours per week, you should educate yourself a little.

my bad...

 

[Libertine Seguros]

it's a stronger kind of yin. are you trolling? yang get's stronger when it get's yan. with ying it's the opposite.

instead of admiring the work of that great red bull's designer/engineer 3 hours per week, you should educate yourself a little.

my bad...

Ying in this context is a misspelling of yin. Nothing more, nothing less. There is no separate stronger "ying and yan".