Friday, March 31st, 2006
Super Rookie wins!
E-mail me your address.
Archive for March, 2006
Tour of Flanders
Friday, March 31st, 2006
(click image to play video)
OK, here is the video for this week. Michele Bartoli’s race winning attack on the Mur de Grammont (or Muur Van Geraardsbergen..or the Wall of Grammont/Geraarsdbergen) in the 1996 Tour of Flanders.
(Most of the cities and towns in Flanders Belgium have two names and which name you use depends upon whether you are under the influence of the Dutch or the French)
The 257km (160 miles) race, known in Belgium as De Ronde, starts in the two thousand year old city of Brugge, proceeds due west to the English Channel city of Oostende before doubling back towards the southeast.
At 138km the riders will hit the first climb of the “Flemish Ardennes”, the Grotenberge. This is the first of 18 climbs that the race will cover before the finish in Meerbeke. Some of these climbs are asphalt, some are paved with cobble stones, but all of the climbs are quite steep.
However, the Tour of Flanders is not a race for a climber. Typically the older, and more experienced members of the professional racing community do well at this race. Knowing the course, having the strength to get over the climbs with the leaders but also having the power to stay at the front of the race on the flat sections between the climbs, being at the right place at the right time is critical for success in De Ronde.
In 1996, Michele Bartoli did everything right to be at the front of the race on the second to last climb, the brutal Mur de Grammont. His acceleration on the Mur, along with race favorite Johan Museeuw suffering a broken spoke in his back wheel, gave Bartoli the gap he needed over the top of the Mur to push on solo over the final climb of the race, the Bosberg, an on to victory in Meerbeke.
The 2006 Tour of Flanders takes place this Saturday. The race favorite has to be last year’s winner and current World Champion Tom Boonen. In his rainbow jersey, Boonen will be a marked man, but will it make any difference? The strongest rider usually wins De Ronde and this year the strongest rider looks to be Boonen.
MDA photo blogging
Friday, March 31st, 2006I think I have finally figured out photo blogging with my new phone. Here is a picture of my doggie.
(sent wireless via T-Mobile MDA)
Friday, March 31st, 2006
I apologize to those who are trying to read my site with their RSS software. I am uncertain as to what is causing the problem with the RSS feed over the last couple of weeks but I am working to try and get it resolved. I will let you know when I have it back up and running. Thanks for your patience.
Thursday, March 30th, 2006
AP:
In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that having people pray for heart bypass surgery patients had no effect on their recovery. In fact, patients who knew they were being prayed for had a slightly higher rate of complications.
You just didn’t pray hard enough…
Blue America
Thursday, March 30th, 2006
I apologize for all the links and lack of real substantive posts the last few days.
This is my last week taking care of Baby Smithers here at home and it’s taking up a great deal of my time.
I should have time for more and better posting starting next week.
Until then, enjoy Blue America!
Wednesday, March 29th, 2006
Apparently, not many youthful citizens of this great country know this fine song. I know this song.
Tuesday, March 28th, 2006
Tour de France Time Trial Racer.
47.40, I suck.
Post your post time in the comments section.
