Smackdown Finals: Zabel vs. Cancellara! Vote Now!
by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 1:39 PM EST
in Cafe Happy Hour!
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The headline and pictures say it all, but for starters, here's your bracket:
Another incredible nailbiter for Cancellara. At 8am he led Lance's 7 Wins by 7 (naturally). I commented then that I thought Lance's Wins were just about cooked, and they were... but not before closing the gap to a single point, thanks to the late dash of Awesomeness! attributable to his 2009 Tour success. Not enough, and for good measure Tony Spartacus added an exclamation point of Awesome! to pad his lead to a sweat-staunching 3 points when the final buzzer sounded. But kudos to Lance's 7 Wins for pushing the #1 seed to the edge of oblivion.
Second-seeded Zabel also held form... comfortably. Podium Cafe Invented! may be the first opponent to make Zabel work a bit for his win, but little more can be said in light of the 62-36 victory Ete hung on you poor Internet Forum People. As I mentioned in the comments, the fact that Zabel could beat the Podium Cafe Invented is a tribute to the Awesomeness! of the Podium Cafe's Invention -- bringing out fans who haven't forgotten the greatness of a guy who did most of his best work five years ago and more. PdC Invented gets hoisted by its own petard. The levels of ironicalness are many.
In the finals, we plain and simply have two individuals and their body of Awesome! work from the past decade. The simplicity of the matchup is comforting, after having to watch a person square off with a set of races or the invention of a website. All ya gotta do is contemplate which rider brought more Awesome! to the table in the last ten years. I don't want to start handicapping things along the lines of R Mc's statistical breakdown of Awesome! in the comment threads; it's not for me to influence your vote. But you're free to influence each other. Frankly, I could go either way.
Anyway, no more fanposts, the poll is right here. Have at it! Polls close at noon Pacific Friday -- a little extra time for you drunkards to roll out of bed and click your mouse.
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I amy be off a championship here
But DT still ruled!
"…I saw bloody Cavendish coming, really fast…"
HH
Indeed
You are, and he did. Personally, I favor Derek Wittenberg.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
DT beat Marquette more than 30 years ago now
aaaggh! Must go read Jens! and feel better about being old and having watched that game in HS.
Didn't DT play center or power forward
back then. At a whopping 6’3". That guy had some ups…
by Peter Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
Myself as Maryland fan- I hated DT.
But Maryland and NC Sate sure had some good games. I remember my mom and I screaming at the tube!
oooo, mayland, we hates it forever :- )
Never a Lefty fan.
"…I saw bloody Cavendish coming, really fast…"
HH
I hope this shapes up like Stage 3 from 2007 except for right at the end...
Fabian will attack and get a lead but right before the line Ete will come around right at the end.
Me too
Ete is a legend! Fabian is almost a legend of the same status. Almost.
If this were Dec 2010 I might have voted the other way, but this is only Aught Awesomeness.
by Douglas Ansel on Dec 31, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
Well
remember the time limitations. It’s not all of Ete.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
Problem is
that most of Ete’s legendary stuff happened before the aughts.
And, as he said in Hell on Wheels, . . . oh wait, er hat auf deutsch gespracht und ich kein dutsch sprich . . .
I think it was something like “when you get your butt kicked by the same guy every time it’s not so bad . . .”
WTF?!!!!! WTF WTF WTF WTF WTF WTF WTF WTF WTF WTF WTF WTF WTF?!!!
have I made my point clear about the current score?
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
Hey
it’s early. Ete was trailing Mattan Drafts the Cars at one point.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
You know what they say
Democracy simply doesn’t work.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
And Derrick Wittenberg nails a trey from the top of the key.
Clyde the Glide is looking angry. Looks at Reid Gettys. “Why didn’t you block that shot?”
Fabians grace on the bike is always an inspiration.
Cancellara puts on a descending clinic Just one of the many ways he proves it’s not just wins that count, this is just poetry in motion.
"Drawing on my fine command of language I said nothing."- Groucho
That is beautiful to watch
but he is chasing on after getting dropped… and getting dropped is not awesome… getting dropped sucks. Believe me, I should know.
Total awesomeness for having those kind of skills.
That’s the point, Fabians riding skills and his performances are awesome. I’m not a bean counter, I’m all about being amazed by what this guy does on a bike.
"Drawing on my fine command of language I said nothing."- Groucho
except he wasn't dropped, he flatted.
so awesome points added for not having any team-mates to bring him back.
I'm glad I didn't lose too many brain cells last night...
that was my memory of it too..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
you want to make yourself sick?
re-watch the versus coverage and observe how Paul Sherwen is totally unimpressed by the descent (and Cance flats the front wheel right after he gets back to the bunch).
Sherwen spent most of the descent yakking about Cancellara’s off-season.
Nice guy
Kenny needs some lovin in the form of a mongo draft.
by Douglas Ansel on Jan 1, 2010 9:02 AM EST up reply actions
I see that video...
…and I can barely catch my breath to vote for Tony Spartacus. Unbelievable awesomeness!!!
"He looked pretty good until he went over the side of that cliff." - thevaro
Do you want a cake competition?
Who are all those people in the background, the competition you say.
No horn, watch for finger.
What is Ete doing to Robbie there?!
(Look who’s arm is showing behind Ale-Jet’s left arm…)
Well when you do this you have to be awesome...
by Vlaanderen90 on Dec 31, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
Two can play at this game...thank you Unoffical Erik Zabel fansite.
by Vlaanderen90 on Dec 31, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
Ah, but flexibility can't beat power in awesomeness
nice stretch by Zabel, but power wins
No horn, watch for finger.
Perfect example of Spartacus' riding intensity.
No one I’ve seen can take his body to the red line and hold it there until every molecule of oxygen in his body is spent on powering himself and his bike to incredible feats like this one.
"Drawing on my fine command of language I said nothing."- Groucho
Seeing you guys all love big asses apparently, you should enjoy this pic
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
I'll think about that in the next decade
which gives me bundles of time I believe.
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
You may use my 1 pointers.
I picked the best.
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Well sort of. The team I posted in your VDS thing is a good indication.
Onlt Samsan is targetting the Tour so he will be replaced.. And maybe Mosquera has to be included.. But that;s just a little fine tuning
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Terry Gannon, of the bench, curls around Lo Charles and shoots... two!
“Mean Man” Michaux yells at The Dream.
'Akeem with the putback
and one. Close game again.
What time do the bars close in Germany? Wait, same as Switzerland. No real boost there.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
Now this is more like it
Zabel with a quick surge in voting to get within one.
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
We have 22 more hours of this? My heart can't take it.
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
btw, check out my new sig. Thanks Chris...
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
Very snazzy!
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
That's why Cance beat Lance.
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
Hey Frinking, what time is it?
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
11.08
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Isn't that party time? What are you doing here with us Internet Forum People?
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
I'm in the middle of France. Not to much party and people arround here..
I doubt if I see any firework
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Time
to bring on THE PAIN TRAIN!! WOOO WOOO! WOOO WOOO!!
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
Here's your one man pain train.
When you take a turn that tight, you’re AWESOME.
That is a wheel that no one else can hold.
No horn, watch for finger.
you da man
I have no other response.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
oh wow. I keep saying that but that is crazy!
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
Ooooh noooo. They say he's gonna go
GO-GO-QUADZILLA!
"My facking goat didn’t wear Robes! Does he look Scottisch?!" Baron von Frinkenstein
Happy Birthday Ruthann!
I hope the guy you pick wins! xo Bethie
I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.
Thanks, Bethie! 50 is Fine. \o/ Happy New Year to you! And everyone else, too!
I’m just torn! I’ve been watching the flashing cursor for many minutes. My love for Ete runs very deep; he’s one of the major reasons I became interested in cycling in the very very beginning.
Ah, well. It’s all about the rapture, isn’t it? Voting now. Cheers, all.
What happens when you combine the Beauty and the Beast to make one character?
Answer: Cancellara
What happens when you youtube Cancellara?
Answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdTHnYIAGPs
What does that all add up to?
Answer: AWEsomeness
No horn, watch for finger.
that's an AWESOME video
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
Unreal
Can someone quickly develop an iPhone app for tracking the results? Gonna be a long one again…
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 31, 2009 6:37 PM EST reply actions
Oh. I see. I am expected to vote on The Unthinkable Question
…after all. And on New Year’s Day, too.
OK. Fine. (Have you got the Counselling arranged for me, Chris?)
Did someone mention what a nice guy Fabian is and what a beautiful family he has.
Seen here helping raise money and awareness for Swiss farmers.
Excuse me.. I … I need a moment to myself.
No horn, watch for finger.
the matching shirts are the cherry on the whipped cream of all that awesomeness.
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
LOL
I’ve always been struck by the man’s canines. Very impressive
His canines look a bit vampirish in that photo
don’t you think?
I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.
Man
cyclists look pretty gnarly next to normal people.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 1, 2010 2:34 AM EST up reply actions
Just voted
cance leading by 1, that is, my vote.
Happy new year for everybody. I will go party now. 21:20 here in Brazil. Need to start warming up.
Your bike doesn't want to crash so relax and let it roll!!!
Just checked in and it's 63 all!
I was sure i knew which way to vote, but R Mc may have convinced me otherwise. I may just sit here on the fence a little longer…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Maybe... but I really haven't voted..
Love Ete, but Fabian’s always the way I vote!. Thought I could do the right thing, then I saw a way out: Ete’s results aren’t all in the Aughts. And they’re both lovely men and brilliant cyclists and….
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
"Ete’s results aren’t all in the Aughts."
You’re not thinking of penalizing the man because his awesomeness spanned TWO decades????
Some of Zabels’s Aught victories:
2 Green Jerseys
5 Tour stages
8 Vuelta stages and 3 fish jerseys
2 MSR
1 Amstel Gold
8 Tour de Suisse stages
German National Champ
2 Paris-Tours
12 Six-Day wins
Points jerseys in D-Tour (3 times), Suisse, T-A
Not like he slacked off once the ’90s ended.
Majope, I haven't voted, but I promise you, lists won't work
And if you read further down you’ll see what I was thinking..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I read the whole thread. It probably just didn't stick.
Dawn is just breaking here, and I’m about to go run the Resolution Revolution in 11 degrees F. Survival is uppermost, so forgive me if I overlooked your no doubt very sound, for an Aussie, reasoning.
I don't know what the Oz thing has to do with it
but have a good time. No doubt there is sound reasoning for what you’re about to do too.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
what did I say
about thinking?
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 1, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
thing is if you get a bunch of awesomeness
all over you in the 90’s, you can’t wash it off just like that. It sticks.
How many days in the Yellow Jersey?
"Drawing on my fine command of language I said nothing."- Groucho
What a briljant idea
Why didn’t I think of this before I voted? OK, tell you what- I’ll broker the sale (and take a cut)…
Right, calling for offer for the vote of one Seahorse! Let’s hear your offers, please bidders!
I will write a six day report if you vot Ete (:
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Lou... Frinking's bid is pretty high... so tempting
Damn you both and happy new year!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Yeah you two
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
You'll write a 6-day report regardless, young man!
You will have to do better than that ;-)
Any more offers? Calling for offers for the vote of our Seahorse! Don’t let this chance slip by!
It's pretty good you know... Will the report have pictures Frinky?
Casting my vote in an election is easier than this..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Eeh.. Naah..
I don’t have a camera.. And I don’t even know if I will be there.. It’s a yes or no for my school after this examens. Should foucs.. For once
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Exams are always a pain... maybe you Ted and Lopex could collaborate
… but after the exams… never mind. I’ll just hang here on the fence a while longer… or not vote at all.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Ahem... Who's brokering this sale?
I’ll do the negotiating, you do the voting, Seahorse ;-)
Frinking is making an offer that he admits he may not fulfil. We can do much better than this, trust me. Maybe there will be better offers later, when time is running out and the vote is still close…
(there is nothing in the rules about selling another PdC menber’s vote, is there Chris…?)
Do you charge commission?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
What a question!
Of COURSE I do.
It’s worth it, Seahorse… I remind you that you nearly accepted an offer from Frinkster that he is in no position to come good on…
But a report from the Frinkster is gold... money in the bank...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Need to aim higher, Seahorse!
There are folks around here holding tickets to the 6-day…
For sure, we’ll sell for two tickets plus transport…
You're betting against yourself here.
They’ve all declared for Ete.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
It's not about who is most awesome
It’s about what we can get out of it ;-)
Besides, we don’t yet know who the winning bidder will require you to vote for. We’re waiting on more offers…
C’mon sminer… what will you put on the table?
His heart... it's on his sleeve already
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
R Mc is doing a fine job further up the thread..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
So where's R Mc's offer?
You know, I’m starting to think that I may have missed my calling…
He's very persuasive... in a bludgeoning sort of way... not really
He’s a lit man… his words work well, but Frinky makes me laugh…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Am I correct in thinking he's on the right?
Echelons only. But if you read ‘Cloudstreet’ you’ve got my vote. I proselytise for Tim Winton.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
The trip is all expenses paid?
We’re not vegan, are we Seahorse? Menu looks good… and I dig the guitars…
R Mc, can you get me tickets to Slaid Cleaves?
He’s one of your boys, right? Vegan? I could never be that self controlled. Ever.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
What's the Sims Foundation? Will my money go to a good cause?
I covet the whole 17 cd’s I think. But as a literature man, please give Tim Winton a crack…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Just read the blurb! I now know what Sims F is.
Great cause.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I always think reading's a perk of the job :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
You put your faith in a mad Vino priestess?
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
What? As against you? You see the position I'm in...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
There you have it..
All the Dutch cool kids voted Ete.. He’s 6 days.. They called him: Herr sechs tagen
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
'Six day', 'Spartacus', 'Bear'... What's in a name?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
You understand though Jimbo that pushing too hard will make me fall?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
65/64 in Cance's favor after my vote
If my vote is the decider youll be happy to know I was drunk when I voted.
Merry New Year everyone!
Cheers
I’m sorry if the new year isn’t minty fresh by the time it gets to you. We’ve been using the hell out it for hours here.
After *we* handed it over...
Urgh. Looking a bit tatty now…
Feeling a bit tatty too..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Sort of stale beer and salt water?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
We could offer you a decent cab sav if you'd like?
although it’s a bit early in the day to be drinking red…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Sun's over the yard-arm
It’s gone mid-day ;-)
I know, but a red now after last night? beer o'clock is the order of the day.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
This is so confusing.
A ballot with worthy candidates competing? My usual method of “x next to the name of the one you least want to punch in the face” is completely useless.
Zabel rode 6-days..
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
I've always been a sucker for a bit of bromance...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
You made me look bromance up
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Just helping you study for your exams..
See how subtle I am in drilling you? ‘Examens’ is out in favour of ‘exams’.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Ducking my head as I write this...
but when the voting’s over can we rest ‘awesome’ for a month and use ‘fully sick’, stupendous, amazing…. anything really?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Yes! We forgot 'briljant'.. and PdC owns it
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
So slow in the north..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Would that be a 'riposte' Ursula?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Maaate! ( Yet another way of expressing epicness in Oz).
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Unsurprising that the Aussie's have messed up their votes
and Cance leads by 10…I will one day lead an invasion because of this, watch out Aussie’s…watch out!
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
Seahorse hasn't voted yet...
… and I am brokering the sale of her vote ;-). So what’s your offer, Phil?
Well I am storming the beaches of Australia like Normandy if she doesn't
I just need to establish an army of about 5,000….should take no time.
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
5000? Have you *seen* our coastline?
(To be honest, I suspect that Seahorse is pretty sure about how she’ll be casting her vote anyway…)
See R mc's delicate touch hasn't done it, or Frinking's enticements
… but Phil blame game could be the straw. You have to finesse a vote Phil
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Most Aussies are out or in bed sleeping off hangovers.
I think we can safely blame your lot for this.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Oh no, it was a one point Zabel lead about 3 hours ago
then you guys woke up, connect the dots…
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
Yeah, but wouldn't it be safe to say that close to midnight on New Year's Eve
that dot connecting is difficult?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Happy New Year!
Seriously not sure that I will vote at all. I think they’re both amazing.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Happy New Year to you as well
it’s already 2011 in Australia is that correct?
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
Thanks. we're always ahead of the times.
If Tony wins, it’s because we recognised the new trend… well not me. Still can’t hit that poll button.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Wait I'm back and ready to barter for a vote.
Sorry I had to put an hour on the rollers for Cance and it seems to have paid off.
I can’t blame you for thinking about not voting, I don’t vote alot here in the States but usually for the opposite reason… all the candidates suck. But when you have two great choices you should feel lucky and inspired to get in there and vote. The new sig below is for you, hope you like it, Happy New Year!
"It's the pointless things that give your life meaning." Tim Winton
Oooh... a .sig line...
…now that’s a crafty bid ;-)
Sminer! Amazing and thank you...
Ironically, I believe in compulsory voting… Wow sminer, just wow. Didn’t think anyone could top our Frinky.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Except for Council elections
That just gives me the shits. But State & Federal – my word, I agree that every m…f… must vote.
+ 1000
This is the Winton quote that would have made me vote: "We rise to a challenge and set a course. We take a decision. You put your mind to something. Just deciding to do it gets you halfway there. Daring to try. " also from ‘Breath’ ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Really?
"We rise to a challenge and set a course. We take a decision. You put your mind to something. Just deciding to do it gets you halfway there. Daring to try." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Probably. when the man speaks, I listen :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
That's a bit long for a sig though
I like this new one below, and how it relates to Cance.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Oh, now that has got to be hard to beat
Surely we have a winner here….
"We rise to a challenge and set a course. We take a decision. You put your mind to something. Just deciding to do it gets you halfway there. Daring to try." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
This is going to sound stupid, but that one makes me cry
… in a good way. All Winton’s books are about grace.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Yep, that's a keeper.
Plus, I’m going to start reading this guy, “Breath” sounds like a nice novel. Occasionally someone will ask me what’s my secret, I always tell them to make breathing an exercise.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
'Breath' is great.
All his best ones have a lot to do with the water. And men seem to love ‘Breath’.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Do we need to post a picture
… of Tony on his TT bike underwater?
Everything seems to be pointing in one direction, doesn’t it…
"Lou is always correct..." Seahorse, PdC
One of the things I enjoy most is his sense of place
Even though I have no great personal connection with the Australian landscape, I stilI understand that feeling….
I agree. Read 'The Bone People' when you're homesick
Hulme also has an incredible feel for it. The novel won the Booker Prize.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Grim subject matter, but it's so beautiful.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I just picked up "Breath"
but I feel like I’m getting the highlights version here anyway. :)
Is it as good as “Dirt Music”? I loved that book. Reminded me of home, strangely enough, as my home is definitely not Western Australia, but I suspect celerity is right, and it’s all about that strong sense of place that he evokes. That and the water.
'Breath' is a little more bleak I think
but it still has that very strong sense of place and who couldn’t love a book where the central characters’ names are Loony and Pikelet? Do you have pikelets in Canada?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Yeah, definitely a bit bleaker
but I still loved it. Started it yesterday and ended up staying up until 2am to finish it.
I didn’t even get that Pikelet was a reference to anything. Just thought it was a random nickname. (Funnily enough, there are some “dialect” things that I noticed were actually the same as my home region. But obviously other things just pass me by.) I just looked them up, and I’ve definitely eaten those, but we just call them pancakes, I think.
Lou! I'm slow today... just saw your sig. Not fair
You guys are ganging up!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
No, just sending subtle messages...
"Lou is always correct..." Seahorse, PdC
Bludgeoning would work better today ;)
You know I haven’t voted because I’m going to have to go with the way i think Stuey would see it?
But I don’t want anyone to gloat. this compulsory stuff sucks.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Stuey would remember
… what happened in what decade. Just sayin’…
"Lou is always correct..." Seahorse, PdC
Are you sure after all those knocks on the head?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
So true
if you’re going to look at the whole career as most seem to be doing, then it’s only fair to look at what’s likely to come from the the most powerful man to mount a bike.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Man! Hoist on my own petard.
Fortunately you haven’t told me how you voted ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I'm quite the Winton fan now
I read and enjoyed Dirt Music, and followed it up with Breath. What would you recommend I try next?
You're ready for 'Cloudstreet' then... it's his best
although ‘Dirt Music’ is my favourite. ‘The riders’ is beautiful too. My favorite book ever is ‘The Bone People’ by Keri Hulme. your countryman I think?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
See phil, I worry about the riff raff supporting Ete
In ruby league (our footy), you’d be a prop: big and barging straight up the centre. Sure as hell wouldn’t stop for anyone
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Rugby
that’s the thing where grown men test how much they can HTFU without dying right?
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
There are two types, union and league
but yes, they would love Stuey’s mantra.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
In my dreams...
but Sminer, now that’s a play!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
HTFU Seahorse!
Don’t be such a wuss… we’ve all faced the terrible poll, you can do it too…
Now how would Stuey vote? ;-)
Ete... that's easy. doesn't mean he doesn't love Tony.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
For anyone in the States
y’all have got to switch to ESPN right now for this “new year new limit” thing, talk about real EPICNESS!
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
Whoever wins this poll...
Should he be obligated to guest star in the Adventures of Barbie Barbie?
Wigglypuff Cav Crunch, Breakfast of Madison Champions!
I think there's room for both if Majope feels like it...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
A sixties Barbie should surely be able to produce a flat top.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Win or lose, we'll have Spartacus to awe us as we turn into this new decade.
Happy New Year!
So just look at him turn again…
Did you see that crashdan?, close to getting the knee down.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
and he looks like a kid in a candy shop while doing it.
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
Damn
12 more hours of this? Madness…
Oh and gelukkig nieuwjaar!!
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 1, 2010 2:42 AM EST reply actions
Yeah you two!
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Have you been drinking?
You’re seeing double.
"Drawing on my fine command of language I said nothing."- Groucho
Zabel keeps coming back 85/85 now
On a completely unrelated note I would like to welcome new PdC members:
drew_2 drew_3 drew_4 drew_5 drew_6 drew_7 drew_8 drew_9 drew_10 drew_11 drew_12 drew_13 drew_14 drew_15 and drew_16 . Great to have you here guys!
+1 Thanks for enlighten my morning! (:
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Zabel has one vote more! And I didn't even double voted
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Muahaha... I still have my vote ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
87-92.. There goes your vote (:
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
Six hours ago Tony was twelve votes up... who knows?
Europeans voting now, North Americans later…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Will the 100-vote barrier
Be counted as an intermediate sprint?
"I'm sorry Karsten, I can't, I'm fucked" Lance Armstrong in respons to Karsten Kroon's request to take over. Shortly before the Muur van Geraardsbergen, Ronde van Vlaanderen 2005
I went to bed with Cance having an 11 point lead
…and I wake up to this mess.
Now I have to go ride for 4 hours, When I get back I expect this mess to be cleaned up.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Go Zabel! One vote ahead
Although it would be sort of fitting if he came second again, to another new challenger.
Almost too much Awesomeness! to decide
or is it Awesome!ness? Anyway, Ete is Awesome!, but AWESOME! Tony gets my vote
I wonder how many CQ or VM points the winner gets.
Should be a boatload to be the most awesome rider of the aughts.
Special lifetime acheivement award.
If Spartacus wins, I may just award him a 15 point bonus, which will guarantee him a spot in the Top 50. FWIW, I voted for Ete after much deliberation.
by The Team Chef on Jan 1, 2010 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Anyone ever read
The Iowa Baseball Confederacy?
I do believe this will go on indefinitely, and the universe will come apart at the seams as a result.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 1, 2010 11:28 AM EST reply actions
Just like in his match against Boonen 05
Fabian’s arse is proving hard to get around to assume the lead.
Much more better.
Good job kids, now just try to keep the room clean for a couple hrs.
Happy New Year again:
I resolve to make peace with a few more PdC’ers for past aggressions.
I resolve to find a new favorite beer this year, or get drunk several times trying.
And… I resolve to make Seahorse say “Wow” again some time in the new year.
(I’m pretty sure Winton would vote for Cance)
All that being said, watch out kids because I got a fully loaded snark card.
GO FABIAN ’10
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Put a cobble in it.
Six days isn’t awesomer than one of these.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
finally made up my mind
Ete just kept reinventing himself through out the decade. And didn’t loose his drive when fighting his battles with new sprinters, such as Petacchi or Boonen, he just put his head down and kept driving. Then when he did decide to change roles he became a great lead out man and as well as continuing as a dedicated team player, all with an attitude of just doing my job! Not an ideal of awesomenes, but an actual practicing awesome dude.
And that's different from Cancellara in what way?
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
they are both awesomely awesome
thanks for the pics and vids, sminer. But how in the hell did they come up with that musical tract for the cance highlights youtube thing? wtf?
I don't know
But the music didn’t ruin all those killer finishes.
I was asking myself: “How many solo kilometers has he powered to victory?”
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
We are talking a Decade,
And Cancellara’s awesomeness is truly awesome awesomeness, it just hasn’t been around for the decade.
Uh, more so than Zabel's, he retired.
Cance was showing off earlier in the O’s as a junior/U23 but went pro in ‘01 no? Zabel retired the end of ’08, so it’s about the same.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
and Zabel keeps going
as he’s now coaching the Manx Missile to his victories, including MSR in ’09. Zabel keeps going, and going, and going….
Hope not!
In the time span of this poll, I am pretty sure this is 150m to go
by Douglas Ansel on Jan 1, 2010 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
In the real world
Cance would have popped him at the line for prematurely celebrating.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
You have been just waiting for that, haven't you?
by Douglas Ansel on Jan 1, 2010 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
Just like kids...
can’t keep their room clean for more than a few minutes.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Well hell Will
had you mentioned he won the Swiss road championships earlier Cance would have easily won, that is an epic race.
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
looks like frank schleck there
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Why not join us for the Zesdaagse van Rotterdam
… in a week?
Although admittedly the arguments there tend to be limited to such pressing questions as “which way is up?”…
And it seems that Seahorse did not vote
… there goes my pimpbroker cred…
Yea, what happened to the 'cumpulsory' voting thing?
And I’ll still be one of your bitches work for you even though you don’t have the cred.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I'm sorry! I believed that Zabel should win, but I couldn't vote against Tony.
The compulsory vote would have gone to Ete. See that’s why it’s necessary to mandate voting, so that people like me don’t wimp out. At least you got a great new signature :(
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
The government will no doubt send a love-letter shortly
requesting payment of a $50 fine ;-).
Glad to know you’re still my bitch worker ;-)
Did you see Sminer's thing about 'morally bankrupt below?
It seems neither of us was entirely honest… he doesn’t appear to know that we’re already on record as being MB. Tony’s fans had finesse though, Ete’s were a bit, well, obvious… Phil, that means you ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Nah-uh, leave me out of it
I was not one of the angry horde of morally bankrupt souls who let sminer down ;-). I was a morally bankrupt soul working toward the same goal.
(“he doesn’t appear to know”?… the man’s not blind, mate…)
There were angry hordes? How did I miss that?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Oh no, sminer had great finesse
of course, sure he did, yep no doubt…HE ALSO LOST HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
And now you see why I didn't vote...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Call us both fully chagrined, let down,
and deserted by an angry horde of morally bankrupt souls.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
drew_46, I will get you for this
To paraphrase the funniest speech ever:
“I lost to Zabel? Wolverine I could have lost to. He’s got claws for hands”
Well.. Of course a German won. We dutch could foreplay that..
They always do. We have a ‘famous’, there are other Dutch to check so I am cautious, line for that in the Netherlands.
“Football is a nice game of 2x 45 minutes and at the end Germany always win.”
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
I think that's what Laurens ten Dam was riffing on during the Tour of Britain when he tweeted
Cycling is a sport, a bunch of riders start, and at the end wins Edvald Boasson Hagen!
Yep
So true too.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 1, 2010 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
Have I ever told you that you are the smartest person on PdC?
well now I have
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
The mafia
set up Grosso’s goal?
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 1, 2010 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
mwahahahhh
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 2, 2010 2:39 AM EST up reply actions
Bah!
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 2, 2010 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
More than
your life.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 2, 2010 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
Played even better for Parma
At least they make great cheese. Or at least they used to before Thomas Brolin ate it all.
Right
That would explain the missing prosciutto too.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 2, 2010 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
This could be first Crash dan appearance 2010...
‘Foreplay’ is a noun – you should look it up. The word you wanted is ‘foretold’…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Foreplay is a noun?
I’m crushed. My life no longer has meaning.
I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.
Bethie don't... or on the other hand do...
but when someone swings at Friny in a bar, we’ll know who to blame ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
except when they loose to Brazil
youngman, you still have a lot to learn.
Your bike doesn't want to crash so relax and let it roll!!!
Woow.. The rule isn't for every game in the world?!
Just wow.. (:
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
And it resambles how they win.. Most of the time in the 80+ minutes with 1-0
"Here the high school level of immaturity will be left to hottitude columns and people like myself." Der Phil. H
It was actually an Englishman that coined it
Gary Linecker or something I think. But I could be wrong.
"I'm sorry Karsten, I can't, I'm fucked" Lance Armstrong in respons to Karsten Kroon's request to take over. Shortly before the Muur van Geraardsbergen, Ronde van Vlaanderen 2005
Yep, long version
“Soccer is a game for 22 people that run around, play the ball, and one referee who makes a slew of mistakes, and in the end Germany always wins.”
Dumb as hell.
Democracy is once again proven fallible.
"…I saw bloody Cavendish coming, really fast…"
HH
Just a damn shame
… it had to be proven again here. And on the first fucking day of the new year.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Surely Fabian would have won the vote against Erik if there had been more effort to get the, er, mancrush demographic.
I suppose Fabian would have totally lost if he had been running against Emilia Fahlin…
Wigglypuff Cav Crunch, Breakfast of Madison Champions!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5dIZEEILSo
appreciate it
Your bike doesn't want to crash so relax and let it roll!!!
If you and Gravel Road had only voted...
instead of going for a ride in the snow. Oh, and signed Pennington up for an account here.
"…I saw bloody Cavendish coming, really fast…"
HH
So when will the victorious Zabel voters
Start to go through the member profile to see who voted Cance? Witchhunt! This vote was so close it could rip PdC apart.
"I'm sorry Karsten, I can't, I'm fucked" Lance Armstrong in respons to Karsten Kroon's request to take over. Shortly before the Muur van Geraardsbergen, Ronde van Vlaanderen 2005
It's okay, some of them are too busy gloating ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
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