race

The Tour de France Departs in 10 Days from Nice. Nice! 10 Changes in 2020

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 7 Comments

Professional cycling’s biggest event was rescheduled from July to begin August 29, thanks to you know what. A few other pro racers have happened, and so there is hope Le Tour will start, and end, without problems. Of course there are always problems; it’s the nature of sport. Last year’s edition saw a huge storm blow up the last few stages with a landslide and flooding caused by snow and rain. This year is no different, except it’s completely different, again, thanks to coronavirus. Here are 10 changes and what to expect in 2020 with some of my commentary.

Continue reading →

C’est le 14 juillet, où est le Tour de France?

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 2 Comments

Bastille Day, France’s independence celebrated July 14th, is a day when a French cyclist turns himself inside out to win this day’s stage in the Tour de France. But not this year. Due to you-know-what, it’s been postponed. How, and whether, it happens at all is a big question. Sites like Cycling News explain how testing, keeping team staff and riders away from fans, podium protocol to a minimum and so on will perhaps make it as safe as possible. But it’s up to the microscopic coronavirus and local health officials what happens. Let’ s hope Mother Nature and the government will, as the Cajuns in Lousiana say: Laissez les bons temps rouler.

Continue reading →

Le Tour de France 2019 Continues: I Can’t Stop Watching

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 4 Comments

I’ve been enjoying the 106th edition of Le Tour de France thus far, but I’m way behind watching it. I’m streaming it on NBC Sports, and just finished Stage 10, which was July 15th, the day after Bastille Day. If I can’t manage to watch five hours of cycling a day, imagine trying to ride as fast and over hill and dale as these guys do. For many it’s confusing, boring, or “they’re all on drugs.” Forget those negative nobodies and start watching it now.

Needless to say, the premier cycling race of the year on the planet has had its share of chills and spills. The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat. Strategy, bravado, risk-taking and raw emotion. Far better than any staged reality show, I could just go on and on about it. So I will. (I don’t like spoilers so will try to avoid them, but may be a few. If you haven’t started watching after 10 days, that’s on you, so be forewarned.)

Continue reading →

Mis Cinco Razones por qué La Vuelta a España Es Muy Interesante Si Ud. Es una Ciclista o No

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 7 Comments

[NOTA: Este blog NO incluye spoilers.]

la vuelta 2018 la pasion que te toca

He estado mirando La Vuelta a España, y no estoy desilusionado. Es la tercera de los tres Grandes Vueltas, y también la menos reconocido. Pero todavía nos ofrece una oportunidad mirar a los profesionales de bici haciendo un montón de millas y montanas también, con rapidez, chocos, accidentes y más – entonces, toda la dramática de Francia y Italia. En este blog, toco en unos de los asuntos en por qué a mí me da gusto y tal vez hará la misma para Vosotros. ¡Es la pasion que te toca!

Continue reading →