More random thoughts in the evening hours...

I was recently reading about Dave Zabriskie of CSC (he wouldn't have crashed in the Tour if he'd been on a Masi, that's all I'm saying) and a friend of mine turned me on to Dave's website semi-blog. The kid is funny. Not only can he ride, but he is pretty funny and has an off center slant on things. If you haven't already checked out his site, I highly recommend it.

There's been a lot of talk recently about the new VooDoo Cycles blog site, especially on the Just Riding Along site. I don't want to get into details here, just because of space and because this isn't the correct forum, but I am always amazed by the way dialog can go from a polite "this is what I think" to somebody else saying "you're an a**hole!" I have to applaud Jonathan Maus at JRA for his decorum and professionalism in dealing with all of the replies and comments his commentary received. All I will say is, it makes for an interesting read, so check out the thread of dialog. While on the topic- I'm glad to see that VooDoo is getting into the blogging world in the first place. As they say, the more the merrier.

I rode my fixed gear road bike today, the one bike I ride that isn't a Masi (I know I'm going to have to say like 1000 Hail Marys or something). I just love riding a fix. Track racing tomorrow night, so I figured I'd spin my legs loose today. I still think I need to put a smaller gear on because the 90" gear (50x15), is just a bit too steep on the hills. It's great for going down hill, since I don't get too spun out, but climbing is a royal pain in the arse when the hill is steep or long. Still, I sure love the sound of a good clean, smooth chainline. Mmmm... like butter. I am going to try to make it out to the local evening fixie ride this week or next. One of the local shops does an evening fixed-only ride and usually gets a pretty solid group out. I'm trying to sell the wife on the notion that I'm doing market research and analysis for the introduction of a Masi fixed gear bike. Sounds plausible enough...

I was thinking about the Tour again recently and how the French riders were again unable to reach the podium in Paris. I mean, it doesn't seem like that big a deal to me because it always seems to come and go in cycles like this. The French have so many talented riders, but they seem to whither under the intense scrutiny of the French press. It's really just a matter of time before another French rider wins the Tour, even if it looks unlikely now. I just feel for the poor riders who are trying to make it to the podium. Look at how long it took Chrsitophe Moreau to shine at the Tour? He didn't make the podium, but he rode very well and looked like the potential contender that he has been touted to be. Chavanel is a rider to keep watching as well. He shows a lot of class and poise. Once he matures a bit more as a rider, he'll be a threat. I don't know about you, but I was really hoping that Voeckler would have another Tour like he did last year. He's just a gutsy kid and does appear to be a reasonably normal guy as well. Mon dieu, c'est la vie.

Good night.

Tim