2008 Teams for Tour of Cali!!

[S54MCoupe]

Originally Posted by allison

Link? The Tour used to be great. Now it's just a joke.

The Tour is still a great, incredible event. Drugs have always been used, and until the powers that be make a true effort to change that, they will continue to be used. I can only hope that some changes are made for the better.

[allison]

Originally Posted by S54MCoupe

The Tour is still a great, incredible event. Drugs have always been used, and until the powers that be make a true effort to change that, they will continue to be used. I can only hope that some changes are made for the better.

But at least they used to let people race before. What's the point of rooting for a particular cyclist if they are going to be booted 5 days in, or have their title removed after.

I'm not talking about Floyd only either. It got to be a freak show last year, and I doubt that this year will be any different.

I don't mind the drugs or not, but either do it or don't. Stopping people halfway through makes it not as fun for spectators.. IMO.

[dirtmistress]

Slipstream has some great talent! They'll be the team I want to have win too! Rock Racing has big talent though. It's just tainted...big time. Now Mario Cipollini
has been seen on PCH (one reason why I carry a camera on my route) and is rumored to be going to Rock. But he just got hit with a 1.1 million euro tax bill from Italy so he may HAVE to work again. I'm not an Astana fan. I don't like Johan very much.
If any of you can make it to a stage, try to go to the top of Balcolm cyn in Ventura. Then do a nice road ride or go ride Sycamore. Up on Balcolm is as close to a Tour De France feeling as you'll ever get! I get goosebumps still.
I can't wait to see the rider list.

[FFW]

The start of the Angeles Forest Hwy climb (last stage Sunday Feb 24) is a few miles from home - I'll be riding up early to Mill Creek Summit. You can see almost the entire climb from the parking lot accross from the ranger station. The 8 mile downhill on the other side should be pretty hairy, especially if there's a good breakaway in the lead!

Depending on the time gaps this could be the most interesting point in the race. I'd expect a break giving full gas to make it up and over this one and the next climb trying hold a big enough gap for the stage win at the Rose Bowl finish.

I plan to ride from Palmdale to the finish in Santa Clarita (via Boquet Cnyn) the day before. If anyone wants to meet up or join the rides, PM me - I've got space at my house for a few bodies to camp out.

Balcolm will probably be the most fun place to spectate! It's gonna be a zoo.

I just had an idea, could ride mountain bikes up the road to Mill Creek to watch the race then bomb down some fun dirt on the way home - the trails are legal FR, DT and ST but hardly ridden except by us locals.

[S54MCoupe]

Originally Posted by allison

But at least they used to let people race before. What's the point of rooting for a particular cyclist if they are going to be booted 5 days in, or have their title removed after.

I'm not talking about Floyd only either. It got to be a freak show last year, and I doubt that this year will be any different.

I don't mind the drugs or not, but either do it or don't. Stopping people halfway through makes it not as fun for spectators.. IMO.

That's what the problem is, the powers that be seem to missing their brains. They have no concept of PR. They need to test everyone BEFORE the tour starts, and test everyone BEFORE each stage. They also need to learn a thing or two about PR. While it's a good way to discourage other riders from doping, the huge mess they make is not good public relations.

I really don't think the top guys are riding clean... and it's not nessecarily their faults. If they want to be competitive, they've got to take drugs. Until the UCI really cracks down and makes sure every last person is clean, it's not going to change.

And would it be that hard to keep quiet? Friends of mine who race professionaly (and who race clean) say that when their teams training camps come around, all of the team riders get tested. If one of them fails, they are quietly dropped from the team, without a huge media circus. He never said it's happened before, but it's a possibility. I think that there probably aren't too many domestic pros doping.

My problem with the idea of legalizing doping is that it would FORCE otherwise clean riders to start using drugs in order to compete, and to those who care about their bodies and longevity of their carrer, that's not cool.

Either way, I'll be there to watch the Tour of CA

Originally Posted by FFW

The start of the Angeles Forest Hwy climb (last stage Sunday Feb 24) is a few miles from home - I'll be riding up early to Mill Creek Summit. You can see almost the entire climb from the parking lot accross from the ranger station. The 8 mile downhill on the other side should be pretty hairy, especially if there's a good breakaway in the lead!

Depending on the time gaps this could be the most interesting point in the race. I'd expect a break giving full gas to make it up and over this one and the next climb trying hold a big enough gap for the stage win at the Rose Bowl finish.

I plan to ride from Palmdale to the finish in Santa Clarita (via Boquet Cnyn) the day before. If anyone wants to meet up or join the rides, PM me - I've got space at my house for a few bodies to camp out.

Balcolm will probably be the most fun place to spectate! It's gonna be a zoo.

I just had an idea, could ride mountain bikes up the road to Mill Creek to watch the race then bomb down some fun dirt on the way home - the trails are legal FR, DT and ST but hardly ridden except by us locals.

Yep, the last stage will NOT be a sprinters race, which is awesome, but also a shame, as the rose bowl would have been the perfect venue.

[MTBMaven]

S54MCoupe,

You going to have '08 Tour of CA parties at your restaurant?

TDF parties were off the hook. Lycra everywhere, pole dancers, doing shots of bike saddles. It was crazy y'all.

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by FFW

The start of the Angeles Forest Hwy climb (last stage Sunday Feb 24) is a few miles from home - I'll be riding up early to Mill Creek Summit. You can see almost the entire climb from the parking lot accross from the ranger station. The 8 mile downhill on the other side should be pretty hairy, especially if there's a good breakaway in the lead!

Depending on the time gaps this could be the most interesting point in the race. I'd expect a break giving full gas to make it up and over this one and the next climb trying hold a big enough gap for the stage win at the Rose Bowl finish.

I plan to ride from Palmdale to the finish in Santa Clarita (via Boquet Cnyn) the day before. If anyone wants to meet up or join the rides, PM me - I've got space at my house for a few bodies to camp out.

Balcolm will probably be the most fun place to spectate! It's gonna be a zoo.

I just had an idea, could ride mountain bikes up the road to Mill Creek to watch the race then bomb down some fun dirt on the way home - the trails are legal FR, DT and ST but hardly ridden except by us locals.

IMO, the tour of Cali will truely reach star status when they have a mtn top finish! Just one. I have heard some of the lamest excuses for not having one. It's just too bad because those finishes are epic! And of course we all have our favorite climb for them to finish on!

[Pain Freak]

This is going to be a great year for pro racing in the states.

Testing is going to be done at such a level it will be impossible to get away with it and anyone who even attempts it will be caught.

[S54MCoupe]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

S54MCoupe,

You going to have '08 Tour of CA parties at your restaurant?

TDF parties were off the hook. Lycra everywhere, pole dancers, doing shots of bike saddles. It was crazy y'all.

Hell yeah, some of my friends who are racing in the Tour are going to try and get their teams over here for post-race/pre party dinner. I'll let everyone know, but either way, we'll be partying and watching the race.

[biglimey]

Originally Posted by allison

I think Chipotle will do well, but it'll be interesting to see Astana also.

I think it'll all be about the Slipstream boys, not that I'm biased, because I am....

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by S54MCoupe

Hell yeah, some of my friends who are racing in the Tour are going to try and get their teams over here for post-race/pre party dinner. I'll let everyone know, but either way, we'll be partying and watching the race.

Sweet. Looking forward to it. I had to make sure my stories had that Jessy story telling feel to it, a la the pole dancing and shooters off saddles.

[FFW]

Originally Posted by dirtmistress

IMO, the tour of Cali will truely reach star status when they have a mtn top finish! Just one. I have heard some of the lamest excuses for not having one. It's just too bad because those finishes are epic! And of course we all have our favorite climb for them to finish on!

It's all about PR and $$ - Nothing but mountains on Mountain finishes - the city center finishes bring in lotsa bucks and publicity. Next year they'll do it though - I want to see a stage through Santa Monica's with finish climb on -pick your favorite-.

S54MCoupe - where's your restaurant, the northern contigent wants to party.

[dirtmistress]

Yeah I heard. They want to keep it more accessible to the people. My choice is top of Stunt. Lots of room for a finish line and team trucks. 3 ways out!! Back to Calabasas or into Malibu or into and out of Topanga.
Malibu doesnt want it. A flurry of complaints to city hall put an end to that. Thay said they don't need it anyway. Whatever. Be cool to go up Stunt which would impact few residents!

[S54MCoupe]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

Sweet. Looking forward to it. I had to make sure my stories had that Jessy story telling feel to it, a la the pole dancing and shooters off saddles.

You did forget about the cocaine, the shootings and the gang fights, though.

[D. Diamond]

Originally Posted by S54MCoupe

My problem with the idea of legalizing doping is that it would FORCE otherwise clean riders to start using drugs in order to compete, and to those who care about their bodies and longevity of their carrer, that's not cool.

What can I say, the man's a genius!
I mean, I know I would care about my CARRER if I was lucky enough to have one but... seriously though, he really is a genius.

[Endo Verendo]

Originally Posted by S54MCoupe

Hell yeah, some of my friends who are racing in the Tour are going to try and get their teams over here for post-race/pre party dinner. I'll let everyone know, but either way, we'll be partying and watching the race.

Woo! I went to one of your viewing parties last year and had a blast. Having some pros there would be a real experience.

[Endo Verendo]

Originally Posted by dirtmistress

Yeah I heard. They want to keep it more accessible to the people. My choice is top of Stunt.

I like the top of Stunt but it's way too tame, only a cat 2 climb. I'd rather see a Hors Categorie mountain finish and there's only one thats nearby... Mt. Wilson.

The racers would complain it's too much climbing too early in the season. boo.

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by Endo Verendo

I like the top of Stunt but it's way too tame, only a cat 2 climb. I'd rather see a Hors Categorie mountain finish and there's only one thats nearby... Mt. Wilson.

The racers would complain it's too much climbing too early in the season. boo.

They should Harden the F up!

[dirtmistress]

I saw a guy on PCH today in full Rabobank kit so I think the teams are starting to show up.
He was on a section where he would have been safer if he'd been on the path so I'll assume he wasn't from around here!