Working Weekend in Store

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 11, 2008 4:26 PM EDT

I'll be deep in the woods most of the weekend, based largely on my initial assessment that I wouldn't be missing much. Of course, the riders and other circumstances have a habit of changing the narrative constantly and without notice, and were it not for a long-awaited chance to backpack I would be totally parked on Versus the whole time. [And it'll be business as usual at the Cafe, I can assure you.] Anyway, here's what's in store.

Saturday's course will draw out the sprinters and KOM scrap-hunters. Look for Thomas Voeckler and/or Sylvain Chavanel on the loose early on, chasing handfuls of maillot pois points in the climbs out of the Massif Central. Won't mean much in the long run, but there's something to be said for wearing that jersey in the Pyrenees... as long as you can wear it well.

Sprinters have had a hard week, and it's going to get worse before it gets better -- apart from this stage. Assuming a break gets chased down, look for the fast men to have at each other once again. Problem is, who besides Credit Ag and maybe Milram will feel like chasing? Even Columbia and Kirchen can afford to let the break go.

Sunday's route brings the Tour into the Pyrenees, where the real battle for yellow will begin to take shape. Same with the KOM.

As for the latter, several successful polka-dot campaigns have been launched with solo assaults on the first major mountain stage. Here, with five minor points and two Cat-1s, all well before the finish, a KOM hunter need only survive to the Col d'Aspin to take a big lead in the classification.

On the former, I don't expect the yellow jersey fight to do more than simmer. Two cat-1s aren't enough to break any serious (healthy) challengers, and the run-in to the line won't help unless your name includes "Sanchez" in there someplace. More importantly, the following day's trip to Hautacam is a HUGE stage, with two above-category climbs over the legendary Col du Tourmalet and finishing uphill to Hautacam. Still, while nobody will win the Tour Sunday, one or two guys will probably lose it. It's a long stage at 224km.

Enjoy watching the Basque fans embrace their sport, and get ready for Monday...

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Two things...

1. Where are you going backpacking?
2. I’ve found out how to record a Google Earth flythrough and I’ve got Stage 9 loaded up and ready to go… it looks like a nice appetizer :)

After a hard day of watching a Tour stage, I like to unwind with Verbotene Liebe

by crashdan on Jul 11, 2008 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

Do post!

Headed over to Olympic NP. Not sure how high up we’ll be able to go before we’re completely engulfed in snow, but most of the big ticket items are still buried. Good year to be a salmon though…

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 11, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Is that near Port Angeles?

I may be heading up there last weekend of July.

60% of the time, it works every time.

by bethie on Jul 11, 2008 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

My wife and some friends

are over at Lake Quinault this weekend.

by ursula on Jul 11, 2008 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

mmm

never been there, but that hike up the Quinault River to Enchanted Valley is a legend. Looks easy too.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 11, 2008 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah it is

Soon you can do it with your Little Bears, parts I and II.

by ursula on Jul 11, 2008 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

The park is

You can get to the Elwha entrance within a few minutes from PA by car… or a truly hellish climb on a bike, so they say. There’s a really cool natural hot springs that IIRC is about a mile hike in from the uppermost parking lot. Lots of random pools of varying temps. It’s hardly undiscovered, particularly midday, but still pretty great.

We’re hiking in a different side.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 11, 2008 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

thx

60% of the time, it works every time.

by bethie on Jul 11, 2008 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

been there--great in early spring, with frost or light snow around

by JFS_PGH on Jul 13, 2008 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Very cool...

... I was going to go to Kings Canyon-Sequoia after taking a week off from vacationing to work :) but the weather there is supposed to be about 100deg with upwards of 70% humidity… so I decided to stay home close to the Pacific instead where it’ll be about 30 degrees cooler.

I’ll be posting the “Exploring Stage 9” stuff tomorrow after Stage 8 is completed.

After a hard day of watching a Tour stage, I like to unwind with Verbotene Liebe

by crashdan on Jul 11, 2008 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Cool

post away! I’ll have live threads timed to show up for both stages, but if they get full someone else will need to do a second thread. If Gavia’s around, she usually puts up the post-race one. After that, just keep it coming as you see fit!

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 11, 2008 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

and are you taking a garmin?

by JFS_PGH on Jul 11, 2008 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

Not yet

I decided, even if I go for it, I can’t fathom the possibility of it being stolen by a bear.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 11, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

now which garmen would you take on a camping trip?

by lyne on Jul 11, 2008 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I take Cozza...

... that mustache is certified as Grizzly repellent.

After a hard day of watching a Tour stage, I like to unwind with Verbotene Liebe

by crashdan on Jul 11, 2008 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Worst stache

this side of Italian Spiderman.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 11, 2008 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

heh

The Edge 705 comes off the handlebars, right?

Still, it’s too expensive to throw in with all my decrepit gear, and unnecessary. Altitude? If you’re standing in snow, you’re over 5500’. Might bring a compass though, to see if I can find where the trail starts up again. But Park trails are like superhighways. No mystery.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 11, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions