Recommended Viewing: Follow 3 Riders at the Giro

Elia Viviani, Alex Dowsett and George Bennett

I like this idea - Global Cycling Network (GCN) is following three young riders through the Giro d'Italia. I am fascinated by watching both the mental and physical challenge of what is involved in laying it all out there during a Grand Tour. Following these three riders should give us a picture of the ups and downs, physical demands, and hopefully triumphs.

(I will add more videos of this series as I find them...)

Giro d'Italia - Rider Diaries Episode 1
Elia Viviani (Team Cannondale, Verona, Italy, age 24)  @eliaviviani
Alex Dowsett (Team Movistar, Essex, England, age 24) @alexdowsett
George Bennett (RadioShack Leopard Trek, NZ, age 23) @georgenbennett

Update 05/09/13: Giro d'Italia - Rider Diaries Episode 2

Then watch the GCN video series - Inside Line:  

Giro d'Italia - Stage 1 Inside Line
Giro d'Italia - Stage 2 Inside Line - Team Time Trial
Giro d'Italia - Inside Line On Team Cars

Team SKY

Also team Sky has by now fully developed their own team marketing social network system of getting news out there to the public about their team members and races. SKY is the model of the future for disseminating team news. You can follow Sky Pro Cycling at the Giro d'Italia for playlists, apps, photos, stage previews, before and after race video and results.

Visit the SKY Pro Cycling team website to follow the team through the Giro d'Italia

Related posts by Pedal Dancer - for the other teams social media links, see this list:
2013 Pro Teams, and Social Media links (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, websites) By Pedal Dancer

Pro Cycling Stats

This would be a recommended reading today - I like Pro Cycling Stats, they offer the meat of the race. The results, the route and profile. Sometimes pure facts are all that is needed. Well facts, and the magnificent Italian landscape. Please follow: http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/1169441-Giro-dItalia-2013. Click through all the links for deeper information.
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Best Sportives and Gran Fondos

Favorite Citizen Event Rides

By way of CyclingTips today comes this recommended viewing video from GCN listing the top 10 Cyclosportifs and Gran Fondos in the world. I have to say I fully agree with this list. These are the events that come closest to allowing amateur cyclists to feel what the pros endure on any given stage. They are true challenges, and I am sure there is some fool out there trying to conquer all ten.

Video link : Top 10 Best Sportives And Gran Fondos To Cycle In The World. By GCN

 


What are the top cyclotourist rides - although they are more like races!

1. Etape du Tour, Annecy, France - 130km: July 7, 2013
2. Haute Route, Geneva-Nice, 7 days (with time trial) - 866km (also in Pyrenees)
3. La Marmotte, Central Alps - 174km: July 6, 2013
4. Gran Fondo Stelvio Santini, Italy - 151km: June 2, 2013
5. Paris-Roubaix, France - 212km: April 6, 2013
6. Mallorca 312, Spain - 312km:  April 27, 2013
7. Ronde van Vlaanderen Cyclo, Flanders, Belgium - 140km: March 3, 2013
8. Wiggle Dragon Ride, South Wales, UK - 216km: June 9, 2013
9. Levi's Gran Fondo, Ca1ifornia, USA - 165km: October 5, 2013
10. Scody 3 Peaks Challenge, Victoria, Australia, 235km: March 10, 2013

Whether you call them a gran fondo, cyclosportif, cyclosportive, cyclorace, citizen's ride, event ride, or just plain crazy, I think these events are amazing, so I have written before about getting out there and doing it yourself. Related reading, previous posts by Pedal Dancer:

• You too can race the cobbles
• Cyclosportives - you can do it!
• 2012 Ronde van Vlaanderen for cyclotourists 
• 2012 l'Étape du Tour Mondovelo
• L'Etape du California is back for 2012 
• Levi's GranFondo 2011
• The best climbs in Europe in the Grand Tours  
• Fast Freddie Gran Fondo, and a New Champion 2013 

Recommended reading: Gran Fondo Bucket List By Cycling Tips

Milan-San Remo 2013 - this weekend!

La classica di Primavera

Milano-Sanremo - 17 March 2013, this Sunday!

Whether you call this race Milan-San Remo or Milano-Sanremo - just watch it! To set the mood for this extremely prestigious one-day 298 km race - first take a look at a great collection of photos by Cycling Tips : Milan-San Remo :: Moments in History. And then read this story: Milan to Sanremo, When Fausto Coppi Stopped for a Coffee on the Way to Victory.

Then go directly to the official race website for the 104th edition of this often epic race at Milano-Sanremo, where you should resist clicking the small British flag to change to English language. That's right, try to navigate and discover in Italian - if the new Pope can do it, so can we (A quick tip - silence the Matt White videos).
Squadre (teams)
Programmo (program)
Percorso (route)
Planimetria (map)
Altimetria (profile)
Ultimi 30 km (final 30 km)
Partenza (departure/start) 10:10am
Arrivo (arrival/finish) 17:00-17:30pm
Cronotabella (timetable)
Word of the Day: Passista, Scattista, Velocista

Route maps - 298 glorious kilometers with a sprint finish!

Route map of 2013 Milan-San Remo

Profile map 2013 Milan SanRemo.

Or view the complete 32-page official guide done with Italian style.

Let's remember who won Milan-San Remo in recent years:

2000		Erik Zabel (GER)	Team Telekom
2001		Erik Zabel (GER)	Team Telekom
2002		Mario Cipollini (ITA)	Acqua & Sapone-Cantina Tollo
2003		Paolo Bettini (ITA)	Quick Step-Davitamon
2004		Óscar Freire (ESP)	Rabobank
2005		Alessandro Petacchi (ITA)	Fassa Bortolo
2006		Filippo Pozzato (ITA)	Quick Step-Innergetic
2007		Óscar Freire (ESP)	Rabobank
2008		Fabian Cancellara (SUI)	Team CSC
2009		Mark Cavendish (GBR)	Team Columbia-High Road
2010		Óscar Freire (ESP)	Rabobank
2011		Matthew Goss (AUS)	HTC-Highroad
2012		Simon Gerrans (AUS)	GreenEDGE

Check out the teams and roster of riders for 2013 by VeloNews: Milano-Sanremo 2013 confirmed riders

Read over a preview of the race for 2013: By my favorite race tactician Frankie Andreu (his picks are spot on) Race Preview: Milan-San Remo, "Every racer thinks they have a shot, if they can drop the sprinters." Or by Mikkel at C-Cycling: Milano - San Remo: Preview and Favorites, "there is only one true favorite for this race; Peter Sagan." Or read the lengthy preview by a very knowledgeable reporter Ed Hood: PEZ Previews: La Primavera.

Promo video: Milan-San Remo promo by Cycling Central (available for 3 days). 

Plan on popping up Steephill.TV to watch live coverage very early this Sunday morning (St. Patrick's Day): 2013 Milan-San Remo Live Video, Route, Teams, Results, Photos, TV.

According to Steve Hill at Steephill.TV we can expect:
Start time: Sunday March 17th 10:10 CET (3:10:00 AM MDT); Current Weather in Milan 
Earliest live video: 14:00 CET (7:00:00 AM MDT); Live video/text options 
Approximate finish 17:15 CET (10:15:00 AM MDT); Current Weather in San Remo

I always recommend opening a second browser online with live text coverage by Cyclingnews, this way you can truly know which riders made the break or are falling off the back on the climbs (something TV coverage does not always convey). Open http://www.cyclingnews.com/milan-san-remo coverage from 8:30am CET (European time) on Sunday morning (that's a little early here!).

I won't be watching at 12:30 am but I will rise early to see the final kilometers. Milan-Sanremo is a race in which I want to see the faces of the winner and loosers after 298 km of racing. Tough tough men win this race. M-SR is a career maker, I can't wait to see who the next victor will be.

Travel in the area

Did you know - the top 3 things to do as a tourist in Milan, Italy, are:
1. Viewing the frescos at Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
2. The Cathedral (Duomo); every city in Italy has one.
3. L'Ultima Cena museum, the location on the Last Supper painting.

Top things to do in San Remo, Italy:
1. The sea
2. A bike ride from Sanremo to San Lorenzo on the old railway cycle path (24km along the Liguarian coast).
3. Eat!

Check out the route of the 2013 Giro d'Italia in May, this year Stage 13 of the Giro, from Busseto to Cherasco, will cross the route of Milan-Sanremo.

Here is a map that I think is of equal importance - all the pizza places near the route of Milan-San Remo. It is Italy, and racing makes me hungry.

That's a lot of pizza!

Related posts by Pedal Dancer:
Photos of the Day: 2013 Milan-San Remo & results
SPRING CLASSICS

Recommended viewing: Aaaaand Go!

Ted King calls out to a fan

For anyone who missed this fun video from the ATOC last month, Ted King (Liquigas-Cannondale), while leading the front group and teammate Peter Sagan (the eventual stage winner), takes the time to call out to a young fan at the side of the road .... "And go"

Also recommended reading today: make I am Ted King's blog one of your regular reads.

It sounds like a pack of cackling geese when the peloton passes by... what were they chatting about, I wonder? And in how may languages? 

Recommended Viewing: Photos from Paris-Nice

Photos from Stage 4 and Stage 5   

Some very good quality images by Paddy Sweeney at Velo Peloton:

Paris-Nice images from Stage 4 near Rodez Paris-Nice – Stage 4 Rodez 

Paris-Nice images from the start of Stage 5 in Onet-le-Château Paris-Nice Stage 5 Onet-le-Chateau

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Recommended Viewing: Boulder Culture

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)

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Recommended Viewing: Tour de France Photography

Going through Tour de France withdrawals

The first few days after the Tour coverage end are brutal. Cold turkey - no more daily live viewing of the Tour de France until June 30, 2012. To remember how good it was, this is a great collection of photos. Definitely read the name of each photographer responsible for each image. These were the people in the thick of it, day after day to capture our best memories and what we would like to imagine we would have seen if we had been there. 

2011 Tour de France photographs collected by The Atlantic 
Part II 
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/07/tour-de-france-2011---part-2/100114/

Part I
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/07/tour-de-france-2011---part-1/100105/ 

This video of Laurens ten Dam working the crowds of fans on Alpe d'Huez will make you feel good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqoWNVzu8Ss&feature=player_embedded

And another video of the peloton, along with Thor Hushovd, rounding the final "Norwegian corner" on Alpe d'Huez in 2011: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjruuJy7WPI&feature=player_embedded

And of course my favorite photographer blogger from the entire tour O'Nev Cyclismo Fotographia:

Tour De France 2011 – Stage 21 – Champs Elysees – A New Begining

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Fan Frenzy - winning a trip to the TDF

A cyclist from Virginia won a trip to the Tour de France

Liquigas-Cannondale conducted a contest for 1 cyclist to win an all-expense paid behind-the-scenes trip to the 2011 Tour de France with the Liquigas-Cannondale team + a new bike. I guess these contests actually pan out. Enjoy the story and videos of Joe Praino, a regular Joe from Virginia. Facebook fans of the bicycling manufacturer Cannondale and Peloton Magazine voted him the winner of the contest in early June.  

Upon saying goodbye (in video part II), I could swear the Liquigas guys said "see you in Colorado"!

Thanks to a friend who sent me these videos, I hadn't seen them before. 

Recommended viewing:

Arlington Cyclist Wins Trip to Tour de France

Trip de France: Part 1

Trip de France: Part II 

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Recommended Viewing: Tom Danielson after Stage 14

9th overall in the Tour de France and he doesn't know where he is

I love the Tour de France, they go over some climb called the Galibier?

This is a fun video: Tom Danielson Post Stage 14 (video Bicycling.com)

American (and from Colorado!) Tom Danielson of Garmin-Cervelo is 33-years old and at his first the Tour de France. 

Tom Danielson is 5'9" and only 130lbs, Photo by PedalDancer.com 
(for women - he would wear a size 2)

I have another friend who left for France yesterday with her Young Presidents Organization. She said her group tour was going into Provence, "going to go do some big mountain there," she said. Would that be Mt Ventoux?" I asked. "Maybe" she said. "Then we're going to the Alps, doing some road that is famous in the Tour de France," I asked, "do you think it could be Alpe d'Huez?" "Oh," she said, as if that one sounded familiar. "Is it hard," she asked, "nah," I said. 

No matter. Once they ride these roads, they will be hooked!

And also an interview with Erik Zabel (by Bicycling.com). Rolf Aldag (Zabel's old good friend) is also on the staff of the HTC Team. Also another HTC Directeur interview with Allan Peiper, a former TDF rider from Australia, talking about Tejay van Garderen

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Recommended Reading & Viewing: The Tour de France is here

Recommended reading this week

What the riders have to say - voices of some of the riders ahead of the Tour de France
Hardly Serious with Jens Voigt
Pushing 40, and Getting Faster - Chris Horner
Jens Speaks pre tour video interview with Frankie Andreu Thor spoke too
Training for Tour de France an uphill climb for the lucky few - Michael Barry (not racing)

For a complete list of all sources for watching and reading about the 2011 Tour de France please read Where and how to watch the Tour de France

At the Race
BikeSnobNYC Tour de France 2011 Viewer’s Guide

New Technology at the 2011 tour de France
Stay up-to-date with more tech new from Nick Legan at VeloNews 
See all the new bikes at this year's Grand Tours at 2011 ProTeam Bikes
New Bikes and Tech at the Tour de France Team Time Trial 
2011 Tour de France Time Trail Bikes (Oz Cycling)

Fabian Cancellara's new TDF time trial bike, the Trek Speed Concept 9.9

graphics on Fabian's top tube

Leopard Trek also has a new road bike the Trek Madone 6.9 SSL

Radioshack will have 4 GC contenders on this new Trek Madone

Cervelo also has a new aero road bike appearing at this years TDF

Cervelo S5

Check out the Cervelo S5 video

Specialized new Tarmac SL4, that will be used by Roman Kreuziger and Alexandre Vinokourov

Team Sky new green Pinarello bikes for the TDF

Philippe Gilbert's new Canyon bike (in Belgium colors) for the 2011 tour de france

Photo by BikeRadar.com

For us fans who want to be there, or climb there, read these well done stage and climb previews 

Tour de France: Ten great places to watch - CyclingNews
2011 Tour de France "Mountains Preview" - Podium Cafe

Team Presentation
If you were not one of the 7,000 people who attended the team presentation in the theme park roman theater today, Thursday, June 30, 2011, in France, you may watch a quick two minute video recap here: Team Presentation TDF (someone received a few boos).  

Summary Pages 
Cycling Weekly 
Steephill.TV Tour de France

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Recommended Viewing: The first American team at the Tour

The old 7-Eleven Team to be featured in a film

Last week, Gripped Films was in Colorado at Wheat Ridge Cyclery shooting interviews with the riders of the 1986 7-Eleven squad. It has been 25 years since this American team raced their first Tour de France. The film segment will be aired twice this Sunday, July 3 at 12:00 p.m. on NBC (MST), and again at 6:00 p.m. on Versus (MST).

Gripped Films will also be doing a daily behind the scenes segments at the 2011 Tour de France to enhance the race coverage by Versus TV. The pieces will air as part of the Versus Tour de France primetime coverage at 6:00 p.m. (MST). More information can be found at www.Versus.com and www.Grippedfilms.com

An old article on the 7-eleven racing team

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Recommended Viewing: Garmin-Cervelo

Video from inside Garmin-Cervélo's race
Beyond the Peloton: Paris Roubaix 2011

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La Doyenne

Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Tomorrow morning "the oldest" race will take place in the Ardenne region of Belgium. 1892 was the first year of this race. That is an old bicycle race.  

Yes those are flags of Andy and Frank Schleck above, What are the other flags?

The red lion is the official ensign for ships registered in Luxembourg. It is used for river and sea shipping, as well as for aviation

Liege-Bastogne-Liege is considered one of the Ardennes Classics. The Ardenne is a hilly forested area with steep valleys extending across Belgium, Luxembourg, and into France. The Battle of the Bulge, (Ardennes Offensive) in WWII, was fought in the Ardennes. Also as the Battle of the Ardennes, one of the opening battles of World War I. Origin of the name: "Ar Denn", from Celtic : "the forest".

Ardenne Region

La Federation Belge, Flemish north and French south

Provinces of Wallonia (Wallonie)

Flag of Wallonne region, (bold rooster, coq hardi)

The race is nicknamed La Doyenne (the oldest), it should be nicknamed the small climbers race instead, because the one-day race is well suited for the best climbers in the world, and is usually won by one (Alexandre Vinokourov 2010, Andy Schleck 2009, Alejandro Valverde 2008, Danilo Di Luca 2007). 

Liege-Bastogne-Liege is actually not an out and back, it is more of a loop route. 255.5km long, the last 100km features 9 very steep climbs. The race is organized by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the people who bring you the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, Critérium du Dauphiné, Paris–Roubaix, La Flèche Wallonne, Paris–Tours one-day races, Tour of Qatar, and the L'Étape du Tour cyclosportive events.

2011 Liege-Bastogne-Liege route map click to enlarge

Who is riding Liege-Bastogne-Liege?: 2011 Rider Roster (Steephill.TV)

Recommended viewing: Video: Jens Voigt talks Liège-Bastogne-Liège tactics

Today the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Cyclo took place for citizens who wanted to ride the course: Liege-Bastogne-Liege 23/04/2011, Liege, Belgium 245km 170km 130km


Tomorrow morning, please visit this link for a list of options for live internet viewing. Remember 2 browsers are better than one (open up Eurosport and Sporza both). Race start time is 12:00am (EST), first live video online will be 4:05am (EST), race finish estimate should be 8:38am (EST). And Happy Easter Sunday! 

Related Posts: Flags of the cobbles

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Recommended Viewing: Fabian Cancellara speaks

Fabian reminds us that cycling is really pure fun, excitement and conquering "you guys".

Driven: Episode 2: Glory - Fabian Cancellara, LEOPARD TREK, and the Spring Classics 

Episode 1 is more of an advertisement for Trek Bikes and can be seen here: 

Driven: Episode 1. LEOPARD TREK, Fast Faster Fastest

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Recommended Viewing: Dutch are tough!

Watch the video on CyclingTips blog today

I don't think I can complain about our 45mph winds lately in Denver after watching this video.

http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2011/03/hard-as-nails/

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