Road to Roubaix: A Brief Review

I thought actually one of the most stunning things about it was the photographic stills. I’ve since gone out hunting for more photos by that guy who took all the pictures in the showers (whose name escapes me…); they’re just so evocative. As a cobble lover I naturally lapped it up, and there are certainly some goosebump moments, but I did think some of the interviews were a little on the boring side. The interviewer at times seemed to ask questions to which the answers were rather obvious. And Lance being in it annoyed me (clearly catering to the US market) and also Basso, what was he doing there pray? Basso+cobbles=a nasty mess.

Dear Lord baby Jesus, lyin’ there in your ghost manger, just lookin’ at your Baby Einstein developmental videos, learnin’ ‘bout shapes and colors… if it’s not too much trouble, I would really like it if you could have a hand in letting George Hincapie win Paris Roubaix. See, this guy has served a selfless career (except for that one stage in the tour… maybe that wasn’t selfless) in service of seemingly greater men, but it’s a case where the captains could not have lived without the lieutenant. So, if there’s a way you could bring him first across the line at the Velodrome this year, preferably with both himself and his bike in one piece, you would truly, truly make a great many people rapturous.

Thank you Jesus… and you might want to have those hands looked at…

Daniel

was that the movie was supposed to be following GH on his quest for the rock. But he had to go and get himself hurt (I forget how) but they already had all the Basso/LA interviews, so they kept them in.

The SF Bike Coalition did a screening of this last year. It’s really amazing. I liked it so much that MBG got me the DVD for xmas. It’s always great motivation to go ride.

I was a little disappointed in little segments of the crowd at the showing last night. First, there was a very loud group in the corner that wouldn’t quiet down. (One of the waitstaff had to shush them) There were other little pockets of talking near us that was also annoying. (But, hey, beer in a movie theatre is going to cause some sort of hub-bub, right?)

What was interesting was there is a scene with the photographer taking pictures of the riders immediately after the race. One Rabobank rider was laying on the ground in pure exhaustion. His turn came, he stood up and wobbled over to the photo backdrop. Then, he took off his helmet. His hair was sticking up, dirt lines were all in his face and he had that blank look of being spent. It was a powerful moment of showing the sheer physical toll of the rider reprensented by the aftermath on the body after such a feat.

But, how did the crowd react when he took his helmet off, with hair sticking up and dirt lines? Peals of laughter. And, not an amazed laughter. It was that, “Har har, look at the doof with his hair stupid hair sticking up” kind of laughter. (Again, beer may have fueled this. But, still, I found this a rather unexpected reaction from the crowd.)

Nice review. My favorite part is the long walk with O’Grady. You can see how thrilled he is to have won. Good soundtrack too. I give it three thumbs up.

Ordered and watched with little to no preconceptions. Loved it. How could you not. After a 4th and 5h viewing tho, I’m wishing they’d spent a lil more time outlining the layout of the race, going over the re-built sections and re-capping past exploits. Just one bunny-hopping Tchmil or Gewiss train shot might’ve put it into the classic section. Or even talking about how Paul and Phil missed Stuey getting away from the bunch. Now it serves as a good-sized modern addendum to the original. Highlight is Timm Kölln’s verite photos. www.timmkoelln.com

I was in the restaurant next door when I got a text from a buddy saying that it was sold out. I didn’t think there was enough demand in the DC area for that to happen! Anyway I got home and ordered the DVD to host a private showing… Too bad I didn’t know that it was coming back for a second showing to the Drafthouse, but I’m sure I won’t mind having the movie in my collection.