ToC Stage 3 Preview - San Francisco to Santa Cruz
by Jimbo... on May 18, 2010 12:35 PM EDT
in News
Email
Print
Today's stage rolls 113 miles (181 km) south from San Francsico to Santa Cruz which means lots of exposed coastal highway and big onshore winds, and we all know what big onshore winds can mean, right? Echelons, that's what! Probably not actually going to be a factor, but I mention it because "echelons" just happens to be my third favorite word in cycling, right behind "bonifications" and "chamois-cream", which I am counting as one word in this instance because I used a hyphen. Yay punctuation. And speaking of chamois cream, check out DZ giving us a demo on proper application of said unguent during last years ToC. That is solid gold cycling entertainment right there, peoples... Oh the race preview. I forgot... So, long coastal road followed by some medium mountains, followed by a screaming descent into Santa Cruz. And unlike yesterday's deja vu stage, rain is not in the forecast. So a screaming descent is a virtual certainty. And we may actually get to watch it!
Perhaps the only upside of not having any live video coverage for stage 2 is that the stage 3 climbs are pretty much the same as the stage 2 climbs, with one small additional climb, which means you can turn back your clock and party like it's May 17th, 2010. Ah, May 17th. What a crappy day you were. At least you made for a nice podium shot...
Now, predictions time. My prediction is that Thomas Rabou from Team Type 1, current holder of the KOM jersey, is going to pedal his little orange legs off to keep that jersey, seeing as his mom is battling cancer back home in Holland, and Thomas wants to make her proud of him. All true. Heard him say it with my own ears. I, for one, am going to be cheering for him. Seriously, how can you not cheer for a guy who wants to make his sick mom proud? My other prediction is that Levi is going to try to escape on the Bonny Doon climb, again, and that Jens is not going to let the wee man succeed. Also, I predict that Lance will not win this stage.
Linkage...
50 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Help
This stage will be the first pro bike I’ve ever seen, so I’m looking for any suggestions for spectating. My plan is to go to the start, and then I was thinking of driving 280 to 92/35 Skyline Blvd. to catch the Tunitas Creek KOM. Does this sound plausible? I’ve got to be in San Rafael at 4pm for work so no Bonny Doon or Santa Cruz finish for me. Thanks.
Seems plausible.
Hopefully the pack will be a little broken up by the climb. I went out to see this stage last year, but I was only a few miles from the start, so—gruppo compatto… whoosh! gone in five seconds.
I wouldn’t be too shocked if you are late to work.
Cycling will always be a beautiful sport no matter how many people disgrace it.--Christian Vande Velde
You're right...Whoosh!
Maybe in like six seconds as they were going uphill. We were right at the KOM, but next time I would seek out the steepest pitch of a climb. I got back in time to watch the Bonny Doon climb and finish on the tourtracker, and made it to work at 4:15, which is when I really needed to be there.
You will have at least two hours to get to San Rafael
ETA for that KOM is between 1:06 and 1:24 according to the official stage log located here. Have fun. Write up a few words about your adventures if you get a chance.
"Do you think we are a bunch a girls?...Go and ride some cobbles and you’ll definately know that we don’t discuss perfume and shaving cream." - Dom
Thanks.
It worked out (see above) but the start was the best part. The teams were so accessible, and the vibe was so relaxed. I’ll post any photos if any turn out.
Great previews
It could use a little Frinkining touch though..
What we do does not define who we are. What defines us is how well we rise after we fall.
I think you just gave it that touch yourself ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Echo Loons..
fitting somehow.
have you supported your local race photographer today?
Why not? It's cheap, easy and you might win something.......
by Christopher See on May 18, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
gav's gonna get you for that
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on May 18, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
nah I doubt it.....
have you supported your local race photographer today?
Why not? It's cheap, easy and you might win something.......
by Christopher See on May 18, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
but you're smarter than him
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
"Ah, May 17th. What a crappy day you were."
The Norwegians have set sail. They will kick your ass in November.
"i just see giro and get all spazzy" - Gavia
Norwegian Constitution Day is May 17
So you’re telling me that God is a Swede and that all that rain was God’s tears?
"Do you think we are a bunch a girls?...Go and ride some cobbles and you’ll definately know that we don’t discuss perfume and shaving cream." - Dom
No, but I like the theory
Now continue to piss off the Norwegians while we simply walk into Mordor.
"i just see giro and get all spazzy" - Gavia
by TheFigurehead on May 18, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
forgive me if this has been posted
since it’s hard to keep up with all the cycling this week, but USA Today has Zabriskie’s ToC blog
hasn't this thing started yet?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Not yet
Stage 3 departs San Francisco at: 11:15am PDT
In the past it wound me up seeing riders who were not as good as me go twice as fast as me on the climbs. But I've stopped asking myself if someone is okay or not. You can't let it send you crazy. --Damiano Cunego
lazy west coasties
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
But it's five minutes earlier in local time than the Giro started today.
In the past it wound me up seeing riders who were not as good as me go twice as fast as me on the climbs. But I've stopped asking myself if someone is okay or not. You can't let it send you crazy. --Damiano Cunego
Looking quite foggy on the golden gate
Several riders have posted photos from the buses. Still foggy and wet, but maybe clear by the time they come to the finish.
Nice one from Quinziato
In the past it wound me up seeing riders who were not as good as me go twice as fast as me on the climbs. But I've stopped asking myself if someone is okay or not. You can't let it send you crazy. --Damiano Cunego
Twitpic files expire after a short while
So they force you to use the “share this on your website” feature with a thumbnail picture:
Thanks!
In the past it wound me up seeing riders who were not as good as me go twice as fast as me on the climbs. But I've stopped asking myself if someone is okay or not. You can't let it send you crazy. --Damiano Cunego
It's a virtual certainty
that the start will be foggy and damp, but it probably won’t be raining. Here is a almost live shot from Ocean Beach, the start of today’s stage…
See what I mean?
"Do you think we are a bunch a girls?...Go and ride some cobbles and you’ll definately know that we don’t discuss perfume and shaving cream." - Dom
I think they're taking this compete with the Giro thing a bit too far
"i just see giro and get all spazzy" - Gavia
by TheFigurehead on May 18, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
If there's no video tonight I will cry.
by Albertina on May 18, 2010 1:01 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
we're still hours away from video
but atleast its not raining at the start right now
I hate mountain lions. -me
That is Solid Gold entertainment right there
good one Jimbo
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Jimbo...recap is as good as....
..,yesterday’s media room treats! chocolate covered apple slices!! see you in Bakersfield!!
by steph- on May 18, 2010 1:59 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
See, I look at Andy's smirk and can't tell if he's enjoying the view or thinking "that's ridiculous"
or maybe a little of both.
In the past it wound me up seeing riders who were not as good as me go twice as fast as me on the climbs. But I've stopped asking myself if someone is okay or not. You can't let it send you crazy. --Damiano Cunego
He is not thinking "that's ridiculous"
Trust me on that
"Do you think we are a bunch a girls?...Go and ride some cobbles and you’ll definately know that we don’t discuss perfume and shaving cream." - Dom
Oddly, I have known guys who don't like implants.
Or, at least they claimed they didn’t like implants.
Okay, yeah, they were probably trying to pick me up at the time.
Never mind.
In the past it wound me up seeing riders who were not as good as me go twice as fast as me on the climbs. But I've stopped asking myself if someone is okay or not. You can't let it send you crazy. --Damiano Cunego
Lying is such an ugly word
They believed it when they were saying it
"Do you think we are a bunch a girls?...Go and ride some cobbles and you’ll definately know that we don’t discuss perfume and shaving cream." - Dom
I wonder if Andy and Jakob knew what those pictures were being used for?
"Do you think we are a bunch a girls?...Go and ride some cobbles and you’ll definately know that we don’t discuss perfume and shaving cream." - Dom
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Podium Cafe
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Celebrate the Giro d'Italia at Podium Cafe!
Check our Giro Section for race updates, on-the-scene reports, and other hijinx.
Featured Stories
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
