Pedal Dancer®: Taylor Phinney

Showing posts with label Taylor Phinney. Show all posts

09 May 2016

Top 22 tips to see the Amgen Tour of California

SPECTATOR TIPS

Top 22 spectator tips for seeing the Amgen Tour of California, by Pedal Dancer®:

Print this one single page with all the facts created by AmgenTourofCalifornia.com
Study the team rosters (startlist) and team websites to better recognize the racers (Teams)
Attend the Team Presentation if possible (Events & VIP)
Check for road closures and allow for time to park (always park where it is easiest to get out)
Know the start and finish times of the stage you are attending (see Stages)
Arrive 2 hours before any start or finish (stages)
Allow time to watch the women's race before the men's race.
Bring water, snacks, sunscreen and a rain jacket
Ride your bike up a mountain!
Ride your bike into the city: use bike valets or bring a good bike lock
Visit the team buses at the start of a stage and ask the mechanics a question
Use Tour Tracker app to watch while you wait, or watch the jumbo-trons in the Lifestyle Festival near the finish (How to watch)
Enjoy the festival and sponsor booths at every finish area while you wait
Bring a rider startlist to the time trial, or use your Tour Tracker app to check the order of rider start times
Buy a VIP ticket in San Diego, Monterey, Santa Rosa, or Sacramento
Put down the phone and watch the race with your eyes - look for the yellow jersey
Stay overnight in a host city and dine locally
Go to more than one stage: see a start, a finish, a mountain top, a sprint, a KOM, a feed zone (feed zone locations are marked on route profile maps) (Routes and Maps)
Wear your Tour of California tshirts, hats or gear (ATOC shop), or wear blue and yellow.
Bring 3 sharpie pens for autographs (just in case you loose one, or two) (Spectator Tips)
Always carry something to autograph, just in case you see your favorite racer before or after a stage, or while walking around town.
Come back again next year!

Read more by Pedal Dancer at TourChaser.com:

Recommended Read: Ted's blog post GooOOOOoooOOooOOooo Team! Ex-pro American Ted King explains to fans what it sounds like from the saddle inside the peloton - TED King on what not to say - the riders hear what you say.

A bike race is coming to town:

Servais Knaven of Team Sky probably using Tour Tracker to check the stage start time (and why does this Team Sky car have New Jersey plates?).
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Joe Dombrowski was deep in concentration pre ITT in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Team Sky staff members wait at the finish line at Mt Baldy KOM in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

United Healthcare staff members in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Taylor Phinney signs an autograph for a fan. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

More Pedal Dancer® race coverage 2016 Amgen Tour of California:

18 August 2015

Taylor Phinney's Big Win

And we were all there to witness it

Here I am, below, on Stage 1 of the Pro Challenge (blue vest, center) the first and solo photographer to be right where Taylor Phinney finally stopped his bike to meet his soigneur after winning the first stage of the 2015 USA Pro Challenge. How this day ended was pretty nice, getting there was a total unknown.

We never know what to expect from a day, but we know we can always expect a good story from sport.

As you may remember, I have my dog, Jack, here with me in Steamboat Springs. It was all quite unexpected, when he was diagnosed (yet again) with Mast Cell Cancer. He had surgery last week and is healing well. Between taking photographs and meeting people associated with the race, Jack and I have been spending quality time frolicking on the shore of the local Yampa River. Yesterday I was with Jack on and off between shooting at the start and finish of the race.

I'll say it, I was was nervous: not knowing how to manage Jack and moving around the race, plus hoping the outcome of the stage would be good for this race in general.

The stage start was fun. Lots of smiles and fresh energy to get the week started. Nobody is yet fatigued, as groupings of driver meetings and police coordination meetings were held in the street in the early morning. Photographers met their moto drivers on day 1 and teams showed up an eager ten minutes early to sign-in. The general mood was let's get this thing going.

Riders lined up, the national anthem was sung, and the swoosh of color stretched out as pedals were pressed and cranked - the racers and team cars were off. They raced slightly faster than expected. Kiel Reignen later stated that the three climbs and altitude were too much for many, but still there was a sizable, yet quite unorganized group heading for the line in the last 1 kilomtere of the final lap.

That is when it happened.

Taylor Phinney sped down the right side of the open finishing course with such speed he cleared the pack and crossed the line in solo amazement. The roar of the crowd was huge. All the talk before the race, never matters. This was the perfect win for Taylor, and for this race.

And then I ran after him.

Not wanting to be where everyone else is (as usual). I had studied the set up of the course and the finishing straight the day before. I had told the Media Coordinator I want to be back near the Carers. What? "I want a bib, I want to be behind the pods of photographers, in the back." Now even though I usually have a plan, I always have to fight for what I want on race day. Always. But I knew how the race would unfold and I knew where I wanted to be.

I got my - wide shot of the scene at the finish line (with cowboy hat and tiers of fans) to convey what it felt like being there.

And I got my - thrill when the post race five seconds of pain rush subsides and the winner just realized what he did. Typically that moment comes when he gets the care from his soigneur, and hugs of handshakes from his teammates.

Greeting Trudy his BMC team soigneur (Carer)

That moment when pain and joy mix. This is the racer's high.

Care and joy and thrill all in one moment of recognizing this is what team racing is about.

I am thrilled for Taylor Phinney and his very meaningful win(s). Yellow!, Green!, Best Coloradan!

Let me share with you what I observed yesterday: this racer now races from pure fun and joy. From the love of being able to participate at the highest level and compete with the very best. He plays on the bike, just like Peter Sagan plays. This trait is a stand out. This young man is back to becoming and being great.

Brent Bookwalter said of Taylor Phinney yesterday in the post race press conference:

“He really grew a lot emotionally and mentally. Before that, I valued his friendship and I valued his respect as a team mate, but I felt like we were not always on the same wavelength. He felt like the young crazy guy, he made me feel really old.”

“His experience the past 15 months went a long way to help him relate and appreciate everyone, as well as value them and vocalize it.“

Signing autographs for a happy family of BMC Racing.

With his teammates before the stage start.

With Peter Stetina (right) at the call-up.

Being celebrated on the top step of the podium with Brent Bookwalter (2nd) and Kiel Reijnen (3rd)

Congratulations on a glorious recovery and big win.


You might notice Taylor's proud parents (Connie Carpenter Phinney and Davis Phinney) around at the race this week. Talk about two people who know bike racing very well.

My day ended with a hug smile at overhearing Kiel Reijnen talk about what really went down on course with Davis. After riding up to the post race press conference in the elevator with Brent Bookwalter, I rode down in the elevator, after, with Kiel. It was a nice. After the stage I sat by the cool flowing river with my dog to unwind and reflect.

One thing I know is how to move around at a bike race. Yesterday that learned skill afforded me many small adventures that make for great stories. Thanks to all the wonderful fans I met yesterday, you were the biggest part of the day. I can't wait to see what happens today.

Stage 2 Guide by Pedal Dancer®: How to see Stage 2 of USA Pro Challenge 2015

And thanks to Anthony, a reader and now friend, who alerted me to my helicopter inclusion in the race (top photo). Fun.

11 February 2014

Photo for the Day - Phinney

The Phinneys, Tour of Dubai and the Olympics

Taylor Phinney (BMC) Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Taylor Phinney recently won the Tour of Dubai. He won the overall classification and the Young Riders jersey since he is age 23. Phinney won Stage 1, Marcel Kittel won the other 3 stages. Taylor Phinney's teammate Stephen Cummings was just +15 seconds behind him for the overall. The Stage 1 time trial determined the overall winner of this new stage race. It also showed us who was in top sprinting form - Kittel!

Taylor Phinney's 2014 BMC Time Trial Bike - Photos By Jamie Wilkins of CyclingNews.com

I think of the winter life of a professional cyclist as - Training camp, Tour Down Under, Tour of Qatar, and then the One-day Classics. This year the new Tour of Dubai was thrown in the mix. In some regards the build up to and outcome of the Classics is the most exciting time of year in pro cycling. Only after all that is over, do we then begin real talk of Grand Tours, WorldTours and American Tours.

Taylor Phinney - BMC Racing Team bio

The Winter Olympics are on

Which means it is that time when I haven't a clue what sport will appear on the TV screen when I click it on. I wait in suspense for the image to appear on the screen, "oh, not interested," "yes, interested!" Sochi is 11 hours ahead of Colorado. With instant news we hear about the qualifications or medals before we see the actual event saved for primetime TV. Not nearly as exciting as watching the event in real time.

Did you know that Taylor Phinney's mom, Connie Carpenter Phinney, was both a Summer and Winter Olympian?

Connie Carpenter Phinney. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Yup - gold medal in the cycling road race at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Plus four medals in World Cycling Championship competitions (both road and track) and twelve U.S. national championships. She has stood on a podium many times. Connie also was a 1500m speed skater in the 1972 Winter Olympics at the age of fourteen. Pretty impressive.

Taylor Phinney's father Davis Phinney was an Olympian at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, he won a Bronze Medal in the Men's 100 km Team Time Trial cycling. He remains the most winning American cyclist.

Davis Phinney (left) talking with BMC staff members in Colorado. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Taylor himself competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, coming in 4th in the Road Race and 4th in the Team Time Trial. Taylor became the Junior World Individual Pursuit Champion in 2008, the same year he competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in the men's individual pursuit track, coming in 7th. No Olympic medals for Taylor, but he continues the family line of being an Olympian.

Taylor has stood on plenty of podiums himself. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

One of my favorite memories - seeing Taylor Phinney and Tejay van Garderen out training on the road in Durango, Colorado, racing each other playfully in front of their BMC teammates behind. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

That's a big framed bike! And a tall cyclist at 6'5.5" (1.97 m) tall. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Photo by Ron Long for Pedal Dancer®

This is an athlete, did you know he was interested in soccer as a youth in Italy? My guess is he could have been great at a variety of sports. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Family support. The Phinney family is a family which knows cycling very well.

Ron Kiefel (left) preparing to drive Davis Phinney, Kelsey Phinney, and Connie Carpenter Phinney in the car for the final stage at the USA Pro Challenge in Denver in 2013. The Phinneys live in nearby Boulder. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Taylor Phinney Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

2014 Olympic SCHEDULE and MEDAL COUNT. News and updates at Bleacher Report.

29 July 2013

That's my kid!

It's a Family Affair

This last week I read a post my nephew Kenny wrote for a publication offering tips to first time triathletes. Now Kenny is a pro triathlete who has some pretty impressive race wins (hill climb & tri) to his name and young age. I am a very happy Aunt when I receive the usual podium shots and post-race play-by-play phone calls from Kenny. But when I saw his name attached as an author - my pride overflowed. Kenny is not only winning, he is sharing the joy of participation. So proud! [link: Top 5 Tips for First Time Triathletes].

My nephew, Kenny Rakestraw, racing the Vineman 70.3 Half Ironman triathlon on July 18th.

Then this morning I woke up and thought I would start my Monday morning by wearing my new bright yellow tshirt, but not just any bright yellow tshirt, a Je ne suis pas Ted King tshirt. [link: A Ted Tshirt]. Every time I think of Ted King now, I think of his parents traveling all the way to France to see their son race for one day in the Tour de France before missing the time cut-off by 7 seconds. We all know they were just there to show their support and love, but still, 7 seconds!

Je ne suis pas Ted King, mais je voudrais être

This got me thinking about the parents of some of the other pros, those parents who are often behind the scenes at races showing their support. I realized I have met a number of these proud parents at races over the years. I somehow feel more connected to the athletes after meeting their wonderful parents. So here it is - a brief collection of parental pride:

Tejay van Garderen's (BMC) Father, is a bike racer himself and often competes in weekly crits in Boulder, CO. He also works Mavic support.

Marcel van Garderen (second from left), Tejay van Garderen's Dad, with his Mavic support crew at the USA Pro Challenge in 2012. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Tejay van Garderen's Mother-in-law Lynn (that would be Jessica's Mom) was in Aspen as well (with Tejay's Father Marcel) in a show of support.

Lynn and Marcel in Aspen, Colorado, August 2012. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Taylor Phinney's (BMC) Mom - Connie Carpenter Phinney is a four-time Olympic medalist in cycling and speed skating. She knows a tremendous amount about the sport and also a great deal about cycling in Italy - just ask her sometime.

Connie Carpenter Phinney, Breckenridge 2012. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Taylor Phinney's Dad - Davis Phinney was a stellar sprinter and American legend in cycling, he is active in his son's career and a champion in his cause against Parkinson's Disease.

Davis Phinney (far left) with BMC staff members in Breckenridge, Colorado, 2012. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Peter Stetina's (Garmin-Sharp) Dad, Dale Stetina, and his Uncle Wayne Stetina were in Telluride last year to support Peter. Both are former National Champions and Olympians. Dale Stetina is a two-time winner of the Coors Classic. Wayne Stetina is V.P. of Shimano, USA.

Brothers Dale and Wayne Stetina, August 2012 . ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Timmy Duggan's (Saxo-Tinkoff) Mom Debbie is a familiar site at the races in the United States. I have seen Debbie in Colorado and California. She usually has a large support group nearby.

2012 American National Champion Timmy Duggan found his Mom in the crowd in Santa Barbara, May 2013, in her matching jersey. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Timmy's family can be easily spotted on the sidelines wearing their bright green tshirts.

The Go Timmy Duggan Fan Club in Beaver Creek, CO (who also happen to be his family and includes his Dad and Mom). ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Ryan Eastman's (Bontrager) Dad and Mom were there to support him in Santa Barbara in May 2013.

Ryan Eastman (USA) and James Oram (New Zealand National Champion) of Bontrager Cycling Team are greeted by Ryan's parents after Stage 4 of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Axel Merckx - we all know who his father is ... Eddy Merckx! Axel is currently Directeur sportif for the Bontrager Cycling Team.

Axel Merckx in Santa Barbara, California, May 2013. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Did you know that David Millar's (Garmin-Sharp) sister Fran Millar works for team SKY as Head of Business Operations. I especially appreciated her tweet during the 2013 Tour de France after her brother waged his campaign against fans running next to the riders only to be ignored, but Fran posted this ...

The man in the pants with the beer running along the side of the road who nearly bumped into my brother - don't make me come and punch you.
— Fran Millar (@franmillar) July 13, 2013

Chris Froome used his brother as a double distraction from journalists during the Tour.

Chris Froome's brother (Photo tweeted by Chris Froome)

Seems we saw Chris Froome's fiance Michelle as much as we saw Chris himself in the final footage of this year's Tour de France, and then Chris dedicated his win to his Mom - awwh! Parents. Those wonderful beings who not only passed along outstanding genes but gave tremendous support on the road to forming a spectacular athlete.

So the next time you are at a bike race and see the parents of a rider there cheering on their kid, go up and say hi and congratulate them on their child's achievements, you never know, maybe someday someone will do the same for you on your son/daughter or grandson/granddaughter. Won't you be proud?!

After all there is no more justifiable pride than pride in one's family.

My other nephew, 7ft tall Kevin Rakestraw, with his very proud much shorter Mom Missy.

03 May 2013

Riders at the 2013 Giro d'Italia

GIRO - Pro Tour

Riders in the 2013 Giro d'Italia

The Giro d'Italia begins tomorrow. Twenty-three teams of 9 riders each will roll across the hills and plains, and over the mountains of Italy for the next three weeks. The Giro is pageantry and competition at its best.

See the full preliminary roster of 207 riders from 23 teams of the Giro at VeloNews.com: Giro roster 2013 or at Steephill.TV.

Any rider who will be competing in the 2013 Giro d'Italia will obviously not be racing at the Amgen Tour of California, where I will be, enjoying the other riders on this list: Riders at the 2013 Amgen Tour of California

Some of the key riders competing in the 2013 Giro d'Italia which begins tommorow include:

SKY: Bradley Wiggins, Christian Knees, Danny Pate, Uran
Cannondale: Damiano Caruso, Elia Viviani (Ivan Basso pulled out this week due to a cyst)
BMC: Cadel Evans, Taylor Phinney, Marco Pinotti
Garmin-Sharp: Ryder Hesjedal, Peter Stetina, Thomas Dekker, David Millar, Christian Vande Velde, Tom Danielson
Omega-Pharma Quickstep: Mark Cavendish, Pauwels
Orica-GreenEdge: Matt Goss, Luke Durbridge, Michael Matthews, Weening
RadioShack Leopard Trek: George Bennett, Yaroslav Popovych, Jesse Sergent
Saxo-Tinkoff: Majka, Boaro, Daniel Bennati, Matti Breschel, Karsten Kroon, and Rory Sutherland
Astana: Vincenzo Nibali
Blanco: Robert Gesink, Paul Martens, Wilco Kelderman, Maarten Tjallingii, Jack Bobridge
Argos Shimano: Thomas Damuseau, Koen de Kort, John Degenkolb, Patrick Gretsch

Looking back at the podium - 2012 General Classification winners of the Giro d'Italia
Final General Classification last year

HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN-BARRACUDA) 91:39:02
RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA) + 0:16
DE GENDT, Thomas (VACANSOLEIL-DCM) + 1:39

* Thomas De Gendt will not be returning in 2013, he will be at the Tour of California.

2013 Pedal Dancer top bets for overall win at Giro d'Italia

Bradley Wiggins
Robert Gesink
Vincenzo Nibali

More information: 21 Stages, Previous winners, Top-10 GC ranking of riders at GIRO:
See the statistics page by ProCycling Stats - 2013 96th Giro d'Italia (WT)

I can't wait for three glorious weeks of watching early morning bike racing across the hills, along the coastline, and over the mountains of Italy. May is here!

Riders to watch for at the Giro d'Italia

Recognizing your favorite rider is a big part of the fun of being a fan the races..... learn these faces. All photos ©By Karen at Pedal Dancer® click any image to enlarge

Bradley Wiggins

Robert Gesink

Vincenzo Nibali

Cadel Evans

Rory Sutherland

Rory Sutherland has hit the big time and will lead the Saxo-Bank Tinkoff squad to the Giro in 2013 ©By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Yaroslav Popovych

Taylor Phinney

Peter Stetina

Christian Vande Velde

Tom Danielson

Wilco Kelderman

Koen de Kort

Jerome Pineau

Maarten Tjallingii

This year the Columbia team will not be at the Tour of California, they will be at the Giro d'Italia! Good Luck to them.

Team Columbia is going to the Giro, meanwhile Frankie Andreu will be back at the Tour of California, but as a Team Director for 5-hour Energy Powered by Kenda Racing Team. ©By Karen at Pedal Dancer®

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