So, I guess the 2009 Tour de France route was announced. How do I know? Lance Armstrong is now on Twitter! I'm not kidding. You can follow along with his training, social engagements and even restaurant choices through his tweets.
Here's what he says about the Tour Day France 2009:
Now looking at the TdF route for 2009. Sure would like to erase those Ventoux dreams/nightmares...
Ah, Lance...you know you love it.
UPDATE (10/23): USAToday article with Lance makes it seem like he's surprised about "threats" along the roads from crazed fans during stages. He's rethinking this ride there a little bit. How is this different than when he raced before? Stages, particularly in the mountains, have always had passionate fans in the roads yelling in riders ears. I've always found it a little un-nerving, but it's not like this is new. Wonder if Lance is finding training slightly harder than he thought and he's trying to set expectations for his comeback now. Check it out, it's a good read.
Also, if you are in Austin this weekend, it's Ride for the Roses time. Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Tour Day France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tour Day France. Show all posts
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
He's Baaaack!!!
Lance Armstrong is going to professionally ride again, folks. What has been rumored for a couple of days now has become official with today's Vanity Fair article. Lance talks about politics (a political run in 2014 is possible), The Lance Armstrong Foundation and returning to cycling. Look for him in the Tour "Day" France next year.
Wow.
Update: Video of Lance talking about his return.
Wow.
Update: Video of Lance talking about his return.
Monday, July 28, 2008
New Spokesmen Podcast Ready
I'm still a proud member of The Spokesmen Cycling Podcast even though I've missed a couple of episodes this year. But, I was able to join the guys this morning for a bit of cycling chat.
Episode #33 is up and ready for your listening pleasure. We talked about commuting to work, the Tour Day France, Tyler's win, the UCI, "WADA World" and even wee-wee shorts. I'm not kidding...
We also mentioned that we're all on Twitter now. Links to each on the post for the podcast.
Give it a listen. You'll be glad you did.
Episode #33 is up and ready for your listening pleasure. We talked about commuting to work, the Tour Day France, Tyler's win, the UCI, "WADA World" and even wee-wee shorts. I'm not kidding...
We also mentioned that we're all on Twitter now. Links to each on the post for the podcast.
Give it a listen. You'll be glad you did.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Bobke on the Tour Day France
by Bob Roll, Team Kryptonite
The 2008 Tour has been an absolutely fantastic race so far. There were a few speed bumps initially. The first was Manuel Beltran being positive for EPO from Stage 1. The second was Moises Duenas, also positive for EPO and in possession of doping products. But the big speed bump so far was the expulsion of Riccardo Ricco, whose two stage wins have been taken away, and his team mate Leonardo Piepoli and the withdrawal of the whole Saunier Duval team. Ricco looked fantastic in the Pyrenees, but now we know that looks can be deceiving.
Ricco was arrested and thrown in jail as part of the French authorities zero tolerance policy in the ongoing fight against doping in cycling.
Cycling, more than any other sport, has to present a clean and real and authentic spectacle for the fans. It’s not a sport that is fought in a stadium where the fans are far from the action. It’s a sport that courses its way through the neighborhoods and towns where people live. Because of that slight distinction cycling must be clean or it will die. It’s important for us to be critical but not allow our criticisms to disintegrate into cynicism.
Conversely, once the dopers were kicked out of the race, the actual competitive component came to life. Cadel Evans showed himself to be a very gifted cyclist but perhaps possessing a very fragile psyche. The pressure of the yellow jersey weighed heavy on Evans and he lashed out when it was completely unnecessary.
The Tour is mostly about the prudent expenditure and management of energy whether it is physical or emotional. And Evans proved to be vulnerable in managing his emotional energies. Schleck proved to be a bit more calm and a bit more steady and took the yellow jersey. But only to give it up to his own team mate Carlos Sastre on the stage to Alpe d’Huez.
Sastre’s main rival now is probably Cadel Evans. Even though he has a significant advantage of 1:34 he’s not the world’s greatest time trialist. All of which gives us a race which one of five men can still win this late in the Tour. Everyone still believes Evans to be the hot favorite but every pedal stroke that Sastre stays in yellow he gets a little bit stronger.
Stay tuned to Saturday’s stage! Never has so much been on the line for so many cyclists this late in the Tour.
The 2008 Tour has been an absolutely fantastic race so far. There were a few speed bumps initially. The first was Manuel Beltran being positive for EPO from Stage 1. The second was Moises Duenas, also positive for EPO and in possession of doping products. But the big speed bump so far was the expulsion of Riccardo Ricco, whose two stage wins have been taken away, and his team mate Leonardo Piepoli and the withdrawal of the whole Saunier Duval team. Ricco looked fantastic in the Pyrenees, but now we know that looks can be deceiving.
Ricco was arrested and thrown in jail as part of the French authorities zero tolerance policy in the ongoing fight against doping in cycling.
Cycling, more than any other sport, has to present a clean and real and authentic spectacle for the fans. It’s not a sport that is fought in a stadium where the fans are far from the action. It’s a sport that courses its way through the neighborhoods and towns where people live. Because of that slight distinction cycling must be clean or it will die. It’s important for us to be critical but not allow our criticisms to disintegrate into cynicism.
Conversely, once the dopers were kicked out of the race, the actual competitive component came to life. Cadel Evans showed himself to be a very gifted cyclist but perhaps possessing a very fragile psyche. The pressure of the yellow jersey weighed heavy on Evans and he lashed out when it was completely unnecessary.
The Tour is mostly about the prudent expenditure and management of energy whether it is physical or emotional. And Evans proved to be vulnerable in managing his emotional energies. Schleck proved to be a bit more calm and a bit more steady and took the yellow jersey. But only to give it up to his own team mate Carlos Sastre on the stage to Alpe d’Huez.
Sastre’s main rival now is probably Cadel Evans. Even though he has a significant advantage of 1:34 he’s not the world’s greatest time trialist. All of which gives us a race which one of five men can still win this late in the Tour. Everyone still believes Evans to be the hot favorite but every pedal stroke that Sastre stays in yellow he gets a little bit stronger.
Stay tuned to Saturday’s stage! Never has so much been on the line for so many cyclists this late in the Tour.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Your Favorite Bobke-isms?
Ok, it's a rest day at Le Tour....all of you cycling fans are wondering what to do with your mornings and/or evenings or both! Right?
Well, I know you are catching up on some sleep and that's ok. You want to be ready for the next stage tomorrow. Seriously, how great was Hautacam yesterday?
Since I'm at work when the Tour Day France is going on during the day, I try to stay away from results and friend's emails and Facebook messages until I can watch the coverage at night. With that coverage comes our friend Bob Roll's commentary.
Bob's great and he comes out with some funny/interesting sayings. My favorite so far? Last night while describing a rider heading up the Col du Tourmalet..."He's as cool as the other side of the pillow." Classic!
What's your favorite Bobke-ism from this Tour Day France so far??
Well, I know you are catching up on some sleep and that's ok. You want to be ready for the next stage tomorrow. Seriously, how great was Hautacam yesterday?
Since I'm at work when the Tour Day France is going on during the day, I try to stay away from results and friend's emails and Facebook messages until I can watch the coverage at night. With that coverage comes our friend Bob Roll's commentary.
Bob's great and he comes out with some funny/interesting sayings. My favorite so far? Last night while describing a rider heading up the Col du Tourmalet..."He's as cool as the other side of the pillow." Classic!
What's your favorite Bobke-ism from this Tour Day France so far??
Friday, July 11, 2008
Bobke on Beltran and Le Tour!
by Bob Roll
Tour '08 Report #1
After a great opening week of racing where the yellow jersey changed hands between 4 riders in only 6 stages, and sprint finishes were won by Valverde, Hushovd and Cavendish, and generally speaking a fantastic opening week of this year’s Tour….some rather disturbing news has come to us this evening.
A Spanish rider, on the Italian team, named Manuel Beltran has tested positive for EPO during the first stage. This is a stage where Mr. Beltran did not finish in the top 100 riders and is not a rider that anyone has picked to win a stage or finish well in the overall standings. As is often times the case, it’s the bad news that grabs all the headlines. And justifiably so or not, this Tour will not be free from the infamy that cycling has gone through recently.
To imagine any rider could be so conceited and have such total disregard for his teammates, his sponsors, the fans, the Tour itself and, most importantly, for himself is another sad chapter in the continuing degradation of a beautiful sport.
One would presume that all of the riders are under such intense scrutiny that their transgressions would be exposed before they came to the Tour and would never be allowed to compete. But, in the ongoing battle between the ASO and the UCI it has become, this year, more difficult to scrutinize the athletes adequately. In this case of the “feuding, divorcing parents” (ASO and UCI), the “kids” (the riders) are the ones that are free to do bad things that they might not do otherwise.
Since Beltran is not one of the top riders and no rider on his team, Liquigas, was forecasted to be an overall contender, let’s hope this is another incident that will blow over and we can resume paying attention to the race itself.
One side note, a recent signing to the Liquigas team for next year should give us an idea of the increased scrutiny that will be on this team. That would be Ivan Basso.
The ASO, organizers of the Tour de France, can not be asked to send a clearer message and every rider, no matter what station of the hierarchy of the sport, must race clean or never race again!
Tour '08 Report #1
After a great opening week of racing where the yellow jersey changed hands between 4 riders in only 6 stages, and sprint finishes were won by Valverde, Hushovd and Cavendish, and generally speaking a fantastic opening week of this year’s Tour….some rather disturbing news has come to us this evening.
A Spanish rider, on the Italian team, named Manuel Beltran has tested positive for EPO during the first stage. This is a stage where Mr. Beltran did not finish in the top 100 riders and is not a rider that anyone has picked to win a stage or finish well in the overall standings. As is often times the case, it’s the bad news that grabs all the headlines. And justifiably so or not, this Tour will not be free from the infamy that cycling has gone through recently.
To imagine any rider could be so conceited and have such total disregard for his teammates, his sponsors, the fans, the Tour itself and, most importantly, for himself is another sad chapter in the continuing degradation of a beautiful sport.
One would presume that all of the riders are under such intense scrutiny that their transgressions would be exposed before they came to the Tour and would never be allowed to compete. But, in the ongoing battle between the ASO and the UCI it has become, this year, more difficult to scrutinize the athletes adequately. In this case of the “feuding, divorcing parents” (ASO and UCI), the “kids” (the riders) are the ones that are free to do bad things that they might not do otherwise.
Since Beltran is not one of the top riders and no rider on his team, Liquigas, was forecasted to be an overall contender, let’s hope this is another incident that will blow over and we can resume paying attention to the race itself.
One side note, a recent signing to the Liquigas team for next year should give us an idea of the increased scrutiny that will be on this team. That would be Ivan Basso.
The ASO, organizers of the Tour de France, can not be asked to send a clearer message and every rider, no matter what station of the hierarchy of the sport, must race clean or never race again!
Congrats Fredcast!
My fellow Spokesman, David Bernstein, not only does our little gig, but he's also the man behind The Fredcast Cycling Podcast. He's a talented guy and extremely knowledgeable about all things cycling.
His wildly popular Fredcast Cycling Podcast just hit the century mark! Yup, episode #100 is up and ready for your listening pleasure. He just finished it late last night. David says it's a bit long, but hey, it's the middle of cycling season AND the Tour Day France! It's chalk full of good stuff. Go give it a listen.
Congrats on the first century, David. Now get back in the saddle and start on the 2nd century! We are all looking forward to it!
His wildly popular Fredcast Cycling Podcast just hit the century mark! Yup, episode #100 is up and ready for your listening pleasure. He just finished it late last night. David says it's a bit long, but hey, it's the middle of cycling season AND the Tour Day France! It's chalk full of good stuff. Go give it a listen.
Congrats on the first century, David. Now get back in the saddle and start on the 2nd century! We are all looking forward to it!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Happy Birthday Bobke!
Yes, today is Bob Roll's birthday! Most every year he spends it commentating on the Tour Day France for us Americans and we are thankful for it!
Happy Birthday, my friend!
Happy Birthday, my friend!
Saturday, July 05, 2008
It's Finally Here!
Today's the first day of the Tour de France.....or Tour Day France. Whichever you prefer, just enjoy!!!!
Woo-hoo!! Three weeks of awesome vistas, wonderful French scenery (love those shots of people having wine, cheese and bread on the side of the road), Bob-isms and, of course, all the drama of the granddaddy of them all.
Ok, so I was pessimistic to begin with, but I'm all on board now....Allez, Allez, Allez!
Woo-hoo!! Three weeks of awesome vistas, wonderful French scenery (love those shots of people having wine, cheese and bread on the side of the road), Bob-isms and, of course, all the drama of the granddaddy of them all.
Ok, so I was pessimistic to begin with, but I'm all on board now....Allez, Allez, Allez!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
July is a month for cycling!
Ok folks, Bob Roll has left for France! Yes, in a few short days you American cycling fans can sit in front of your TV and watch the Tour DAY France with Bobke! You know I'll want to know your favorite Roll-ism this year!
And, I see that the US Olympic team has been set. Zabriskie, Leipheimer, Vande Velde, Hincapie and McCartney...nice.
If you are in Massachusetts, don't forget the Longsjo Classic this weekend, too! I might just head up there myself.
Safe riding (and don't forget that helmet)!
And, I see that the US Olympic team has been set. Zabriskie, Leipheimer, Vande Velde, Hincapie and McCartney...nice.
If you are in Massachusetts, don't forget the Longsjo Classic this weekend, too! I might just head up there myself.
Safe riding (and don't forget that helmet)!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Cha-cha-cha-changes....
Thanks to my very good friends at Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, the cat's out of the bag on some big news for me personally.
After 8+ great, great years here at Kryptonite I'll be starting a new adventure on July 1st. I've been holding off writing about it here because then that makes it very real and, to be honest, although it's a fabulous opportunity and I'm excited about it, I'll very much miss both the bike and motorcycle industries. This has been my home for all these years and I'm grateful to the people in both industries for welcoming me with open arms and making me part of these fabulous groups.
The element of any job that makes it or breaks it is the people. I've been extremely fortunate to work with some of the best people in the industry here at Kryptonite. And, I've interacted with some other intelligent, wonderful people throughout both these markets. It's been a blast and I'll miss the daily interaction. But, I am happy knowing that some of those friendships can't be broken by just a job change. For that I'm extremely thankful.
However...having said all of that....I'm not going to far...well, it's a big leap in some respects and not so much in another. Next week I'll start my new role as Director of Web/New Media for our parent company, Ingersoll Rand. So, if you think you've seen the last of me online, you are sadly, sadly mistaken! The absolute passion that I have for all things new & social media will be parlayed into a full time job! How cool is that?! I'm like a little kid waiting for Christmas!!
Know what's cooler? I'll be working in Ingersoll Rand's New Jersey office a couple of days a week and then I'll be spending the rest of the time here in the Kryptonite office. Although I won't be doing any Kryptonite work, I'll still be at the same email and phone number. Yes, I'm a lucky duck.
And...to continue the good luck....because she knows it would be like quitting an addiction cold turkey, Karen has decided to let me still be a guest blogger here! You know I'll have rants about the Tour Day France and, like it or not, you'll be hearing them. I'll still be down at the Perewitz shop and will let you know what's going on there, from time to time. And, in general, I might just have some fun action sports things to say - I'll jump on and let you know what's on my mind.
Kryptonite is currently looking for a new marketing manager; you can find the Monster.com listing here. So, it won't be long before you are being introduced to another Team Kryptonite member right here. Until then, I'm still around...you can't get rid of me that easily! And, don't worry, there's plenty for me to write about before the 1st...stay tuned!
Ride safe.
After 8+ great, great years here at Kryptonite I'll be starting a new adventure on July 1st. I've been holding off writing about it here because then that makes it very real and, to be honest, although it's a fabulous opportunity and I'm excited about it, I'll very much miss both the bike and motorcycle industries. This has been my home for all these years and I'm grateful to the people in both industries for welcoming me with open arms and making me part of these fabulous groups.
The element of any job that makes it or breaks it is the people. I've been extremely fortunate to work with some of the best people in the industry here at Kryptonite. And, I've interacted with some other intelligent, wonderful people throughout both these markets. It's been a blast and I'll miss the daily interaction. But, I am happy knowing that some of those friendships can't be broken by just a job change. For that I'm extremely thankful.
However...having said all of that....I'm not going to far...well, it's a big leap in some respects and not so much in another. Next week I'll start my new role as Director of Web/New Media for our parent company, Ingersoll Rand. So, if you think you've seen the last of me online, you are sadly, sadly mistaken! The absolute passion that I have for all things new & social media will be parlayed into a full time job! How cool is that?! I'm like a little kid waiting for Christmas!!
Know what's cooler? I'll be working in Ingersoll Rand's New Jersey office a couple of days a week and then I'll be spending the rest of the time here in the Kryptonite office. Although I won't be doing any Kryptonite work, I'll still be at the same email and phone number. Yes, I'm a lucky duck.
And...to continue the good luck....because she knows it would be like quitting an addiction cold turkey, Karen has decided to let me still be a guest blogger here! You know I'll have rants about the Tour Day France and, like it or not, you'll be hearing them. I'll still be down at the Perewitz shop and will let you know what's going on there, from time to time. And, in general, I might just have some fun action sports things to say - I'll jump on and let you know what's on my mind.
Kryptonite is currently looking for a new marketing manager; you can find the Monster.com listing here. So, it won't be long before you are being introduced to another Team Kryptonite member right here. Until then, I'm still around...you can't get rid of me that easily! And, don't worry, there's plenty for me to write about before the 1st...stay tuned!
Ride safe.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Tour Day France
Although it's a race with "issues", there is always a little tingle of excitement when the Tour "Day" France starts. I just spied on my Facebook countdown that the start of Le Tour is only 29 Days away! Woa....where has time flown???
So, are you gonna watch this year? Me? I'm torn....I kind of have no time for the dramatics and, as I call them the "divorcing parents" (ASO, UCI), but listening to Bobke every night, watching the French countryside and fans is always fun. But...no Contador...no Levi...but...Bobke. Oy.
What are you going to do? Watch or not?
So, are you gonna watch this year? Me? I'm torn....I kind of have no time for the dramatics and, as I call them the "divorcing parents" (ASO, UCI), but listening to Bobke every night, watching the French countryside and fans is always fun. But...no Contador...no Levi...but...Bobke. Oy.
What are you going to do? Watch or not?
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Happy Birthday Little Blog
So...a year ago today we set up this blog. Nearly 280 posts later, here we are. Like the very first post, I struggled this morning to be prolific (and giggled at myself trying). Instead, I decided to look back at that first post and see what I had planned for the blog and see how far we've come, or not.
We haven't done nearly all of the things I thought we would with this blog. Time got in the way, in some cases - there just never seems to be enough time to do all of the things you want to do. So, while we had some great Unbreakable Bond stories, we didn't have as many as I'd want. The ones we did were great stories. If you missed some of them, please go back and read them. I want to do more of them in year 2. Look for more soon.
I also wanted you to get to know more about the people here at Kryptonite - not just me, but the passionate folks who work here. Did we succeed there? I don't know - you tell me. Somewhat, I think, but a struggle I've had, until recently, was getting some other folks here to blog. It took longer than I thought (surprisingly, they are shy, which I never would have imagined...ever!), but now they are participating more and more and, if truth be told, I think they are actually having some fun doing it. Shhhh...don't tell them that, though. While that took longer than I'd like, I think we are up and running there now and you'll hear from more than just me more often than ever before. C'mon, y'all have to be bored with me sometimes, right?!
Passion. We promised passion and we delivered. Whether it was Bobke talking about the Tour Day France, Dave Perewitz talking about protecting his motorcycles after breaking down, Craig building his motorcycle or me ranting about cycling (me, rant? nah...)...you got passion. There is no shortage of passion here.
The responses I've gotten, for the most part, have been very positive about this blog. Not everyone agrees with everything we post, but that's the point! But, what I want to know now is...what do you want to know? What do you want to see in year 2?
Do you love hearing about Rob's snowmobiling? Eric's hiking? Want to know where the Bobber project is at? Do you want me to rant away about the state of cycling ('cause, don't kid yourself, I can...for days, just ask my Spokesmen cohorts!). What do you want to know more about? Let me know - either here in the comments or via email
donna(underscore)tocci(at)irco(dot)com
Until then...thank you for giving us a chance. Thanks for the encouragement and the new friends I've made along the way. Thanks for having a different opinion and expressing it. Mostly, thanks for coming back and continuing to read.
We will all work hard to make sure that we give you multiple reasons to keep coming back to our little blog. Until then...maybe I should go look for a cake.....yummmm.....happy birthday little blog....
We haven't done nearly all of the things I thought we would with this blog. Time got in the way, in some cases - there just never seems to be enough time to do all of the things you want to do. So, while we had some great Unbreakable Bond stories, we didn't have as many as I'd want. The ones we did were great stories. If you missed some of them, please go back and read them. I want to do more of them in year 2. Look for more soon.
I also wanted you to get to know more about the people here at Kryptonite - not just me, but the passionate folks who work here. Did we succeed there? I don't know - you tell me. Somewhat, I think, but a struggle I've had, until recently, was getting some other folks here to blog. It took longer than I thought (surprisingly, they are shy, which I never would have imagined...ever!), but now they are participating more and more and, if truth be told, I think they are actually having some fun doing it. Shhhh...don't tell them that, though. While that took longer than I'd like, I think we are up and running there now and you'll hear from more than just me more often than ever before. C'mon, y'all have to be bored with me sometimes, right?!
Passion. We promised passion and we delivered. Whether it was Bobke talking about the Tour Day France, Dave Perewitz talking about protecting his motorcycles after breaking down, Craig building his motorcycle or me ranting about cycling (me, rant? nah...)...you got passion. There is no shortage of passion here.
The responses I've gotten, for the most part, have been very positive about this blog. Not everyone agrees with everything we post, but that's the point! But, what I want to know now is...what do you want to know? What do you want to see in year 2?
Do you love hearing about Rob's snowmobiling? Eric's hiking? Want to know where the Bobber project is at? Do you want me to rant away about the state of cycling ('cause, don't kid yourself, I can...for days, just ask my Spokesmen cohorts!). What do you want to know more about? Let me know - either here in the comments or via email
donna(underscore)tocci(at)irco(dot)com
Until then...thank you for giving us a chance. Thanks for the encouragement and the new friends I've made along the way. Thanks for having a different opinion and expressing it. Mostly, thanks for coming back and continuing to read.
We will all work hard to make sure that we give you multiple reasons to keep coming back to our little blog. Until then...maybe I should go look for a cake.....yummmm.....happy birthday little blog....
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Bob Roll visits Velo Pasadena
by Don Shipman, Western Regional Manager
At the Interbike trade show in September, Bob Roll worked in the Kryptonite booth with us each morning. In the booth, Kryptonite retailers could enter to win a personal store visit by Bob himself, and on the last day of the show we drew from the fishbowl to see who the lucky winner was.
This year's winner was Hrach Gevrikyan at Velo Pasadena in Pasadena, California. Hrach and his wife Nevrik have run their high end Pro Shop since 1988 and were thrilled at winning. Hrach selected Sunday, November 4th and organized a "ride with Bob" VIP ride for his best customers, invited some vendors like Time & Specialized to demo their bikes, hired a DJ and a guy to BBQ and the party was on!
The sun rose Sunday on a perfect day. I was to pick Bob up at the hotel and arrived early - but Bob was ready to go! As we drove to the shop he asked how many people were expected and I said well.............we though there would be about 30 on the ride but that there were already about 80 when I left a half hour ago. Bob seemed worried, "80?" he asked. "80, but that was a half our ago".
We snuck in the back of the store where Hrach had full use of a large parking lot - the lot was jammed full of bikes and people - it was a sea of color. We wasted no time and made our way though the crowd to get fitted on a couple of spankin new Time bikes.
Back outside, a ride leader announced the route - were going to do about a 20 mile loop out around the Rose Bowl. Bob "clicks in" and were off through the quiet streets of Pasadena. I dropped back to count and was astonished - there were about 150 people on this ride! The peloton was about the same size as what you see in the "Tour Day France" - and the amazing part was that wile the pace was brisk the pack stayed together, mostly because as we snaked our way through the tree canopied streets of Pasadena Hrach was working the peloton to keep it together - he dropped back and pulled some back to the peloton, was calling out to others and checking on people, going to the front, dropping to the back and just working hard at 20MPH! Some wanted to go faster, some slower but Hrach just wanted everyone to ride together and have fun.
As we rounded the Rose Bowl and started the mild descent back to the shop the pace relaxed some. People were going to the front to ride with Bob and chat with him a bit. The fun and relaxed pace slowed as we rounded the final turn onto Colorado Blvd. (yep, the same one as the Tournament of Roses Parade) and arrived back at the shop. The BBQ was smokin, the DJ was spinning and the demo bikes were ready to go.
Bob changed and worked the crowd some before settling under the tent to sign Kryptonite posters, shake hands and take pictures.
As the crowd of roughly 300 finally subsided Hrach, brought out an old program from the 1982 Coors Classic and Bob and Hrach shared war stories about racing together back in the day. When Bob left I heard him invite Hrach to come hang out with him at the "Tour of Cali" in February.
A special thanks to Hrach and his wife Nevrik for their warm, welcoming hospitality. We only get Bob to the store - the rest is up to the retailer and Velo Pasadena know how to throw a party!
At the Interbike trade show in September, Bob Roll worked in the Kryptonite booth with us each morning. In the booth, Kryptonite retailers could enter to win a personal store visit by Bob himself, and on the last day of the show we drew from the fishbowl to see who the lucky winner was.
This year's winner was Hrach Gevrikyan at Velo Pasadena in Pasadena, California. Hrach and his wife Nevrik have run their high end Pro Shop since 1988 and were thrilled at winning. Hrach selected Sunday, November 4th and organized a "ride with Bob" VIP ride for his best customers, invited some vendors like Time & Specialized to demo their bikes, hired a DJ and a guy to BBQ and the party was on!
The sun rose Sunday on a perfect day. I was to pick Bob up at the hotel and arrived early - but Bob was ready to go! As we drove to the shop he asked how many people were expected and I said well.............we though there would be about 30 on the ride but that there were already about 80 when I left a half hour ago. Bob seemed worried, "80?" he asked. "80, but that was a half our ago".
We snuck in the back of the store where Hrach had full use of a large parking lot - the lot was jammed full of bikes and people - it was a sea of color. We wasted no time and made our way though the crowd to get fitted on a couple of spankin new Time bikes.
Back outside, a ride leader announced the route - were going to do about a 20 mile loop out around the Rose Bowl. Bob "clicks in" and were off through the quiet streets of Pasadena. I dropped back to count and was astonished - there were about 150 people on this ride! The peloton was about the same size as what you see in the "Tour Day France" - and the amazing part was that wile the pace was brisk the pack stayed together, mostly because as we snaked our way through the tree canopied streets of Pasadena Hrach was working the peloton to keep it together - he dropped back and pulled some back to the peloton, was calling out to others and checking on people, going to the front, dropping to the back and just working hard at 20MPH! Some wanted to go faster, some slower but Hrach just wanted everyone to ride together and have fun.
As we rounded the Rose Bowl and started the mild descent back to the shop the pace relaxed some. People were going to the front to ride with Bob and chat with him a bit. The fun and relaxed pace slowed as we rounded the final turn onto Colorado Blvd. (yep, the same one as the Tournament of Roses Parade) and arrived back at the shop. The BBQ was smokin, the DJ was spinning and the demo bikes were ready to go.
Bob changed and worked the crowd some before settling under the tent to sign Kryptonite posters, shake hands and take pictures.
As the crowd of roughly 300 finally subsided Hrach, brought out an old program from the 1982 Coors Classic and Bob and Hrach shared war stories about racing together back in the day. When Bob left I heard him invite Hrach to come hang out with him at the "Tour of Cali" in February.
A special thanks to Hrach and his wife Nevrik for their warm, welcoming hospitality. We only get Bob to the store - the rest is up to the retailer and Velo Pasadena know how to throw a party!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Meet Bob Roll Sunday
Each of the last few years at Interbike we've held a drawing for dealers that attend the show. There are a few prizes, but the grand prize is a visit to their shop by Bob Roll. Each of the last three years it's been "An Evening with Bob Roll" where he'll come in and share stories about his riding days, his fellow competitors and team mates, the Tour Day France and the state of cycling today. He always arrives to packed shops wherever he goes.
This year we changed it up a little bit as part of our whole Feel Free to Stop campaign. This year the grand prize is that Bob will go to the winning shop and ride with the owner and a few of his/her close friends and then go back to the shop and hang out for a little bit. As we mentioned, a very good customer of ours won the event at the show in September. Well it's this weekend!
Yes, Bob will be visiting Velo Pasadena this Sunday morning! It seems as though owners Nevrik and Hrach have taken their prize to the next level and created quite an event for their customers, too. They really care about their customers because not only will Bob be there but there will be food, music, demos, test rides, raffle prizes (hint..think locks, Bob Roll shirts...) and, did I mention...Bob Roll!
The festivities will start around 11am so if you are close to Pasadena, c'mon over and meet Bob - he'll be with our regional manager, Don Shipman, so it's a Kryptonite twofer. Bob and Don will be there until around 1-ish so get on over there and say "hi". And, while you are at it, thank Nevrik and Hrach for making us feel so welcome. Have a great time!
This year we changed it up a little bit as part of our whole Feel Free to Stop campaign. This year the grand prize is that Bob will go to the winning shop and ride with the owner and a few of his/her close friends and then go back to the shop and hang out for a little bit. As we mentioned, a very good customer of ours won the event at the show in September. Well it's this weekend!
Yes, Bob will be visiting Velo Pasadena this Sunday morning! It seems as though owners Nevrik and Hrach have taken their prize to the next level and created quite an event for their customers, too. They really care about their customers because not only will Bob be there but there will be food, music, demos, test rides, raffle prizes (hint..think locks, Bob Roll shirts...) and, did I mention...Bob Roll!
The festivities will start around 11am so if you are close to Pasadena, c'mon over and meet Bob - he'll be with our regional manager, Don Shipman, so it's a Kryptonite twofer. Bob and Don will be there until around 1-ish so get on over there and say "hi". And, while you are at it, thank Nevrik and Hrach for making us feel so welcome. Have a great time!
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Dave Zabriskie's Calling YOU out!
Have ever watched the Tour Day France and thought, "I can take him". Ok, me either....but maybe you've watched a race at some point and thought, "I can hang with him." Tomorrow's your chance if you live in or near the state of Utah.
As part of the Bikes for Kids Utah, current USA Time Trial Champion, Dave Zabriskie will race YOU, big talker. Yup, that's right. Bring your trash talkin' and give it a go. For $75, which goes to this great organization, you can race Dave on a USA Cycling sanctioned time trial course. Is there a catch? No...except that it is up Salt Lake's Traverse Ridge (that to me says "mountain").
Dave's ready. Are you?!
If that's a stretch for you...'cause it is for me....you can participate in Bikes for Kids Utah on Saturday with Dave, too. There's a 5K family ride and a 50K with Dave and a metric century at 100K. Hopefully, it will be a nice fall day for a ride. Go on out and join 'em. I've only been in contact with Dave once...he visited our booth at Interbike in '06 (no not to see me...to say 'hey' to Bob Roll). He seemed very, very nice - I'm sure he'll be fun to ride with.
So, what is Bikes for Kids Utah? You can read all about them here, but basically they are an organization that started last year to provide "disadvantaged children with free bicycles as an inexpensive and fun way to get to school and as a hobby that helps them exercise as well as learn responsibility and safety."
The organization teaches them about bike safety, rules of the road and the importance of regular exercise. Last year they gave away....are you ready for this....they gave away 1,000 bikes! They are aiming to do so again this year. Amazing.
Kryptonite has been a proud supporter of this event the last two years. Seriously - kids, bikes and safety...it's a great thing for all involved.
We wish everyone involved tomorrow the time of their life and everyone a crisp, clear fall day to ride on Saturday.
As part of the Bikes for Kids Utah, current USA Time Trial Champion, Dave Zabriskie will race YOU, big talker. Yup, that's right. Bring your trash talkin' and give it a go. For $75, which goes to this great organization, you can race Dave on a USA Cycling sanctioned time trial course. Is there a catch? No...except that it is up Salt Lake's Traverse Ridge (that to me says "mountain").
Dave's ready. Are you?!
If that's a stretch for you...'cause it is for me....you can participate in Bikes for Kids Utah on Saturday with Dave, too. There's a 5K family ride and a 50K with Dave and a metric century at 100K. Hopefully, it will be a nice fall day for a ride. Go on out and join 'em. I've only been in contact with Dave once...he visited our booth at Interbike in '06 (no not to see me...to say 'hey' to Bob Roll). He seemed very, very nice - I'm sure he'll be fun to ride with.
So, what is Bikes for Kids Utah? You can read all about them here, but basically they are an organization that started last year to provide "disadvantaged children with free bicycles as an inexpensive and fun way to get to school and as a hobby that helps them exercise as well as learn responsibility and safety."
The organization teaches them about bike safety, rules of the road and the importance of regular exercise. Last year they gave away....are you ready for this....they gave away 1,000 bikes! They are aiming to do so again this year. Amazing.
Kryptonite has been a proud supporter of this event the last two years. Seriously - kids, bikes and safety...it's a great thing for all involved.
We wish everyone involved tomorrow the time of their life and everyone a crisp, clear fall day to ride on Saturday.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Bike Riding Alive and Well
After this year's The Tour Day France, I wondered what the impact of all the drug stories would be on cycling, in general. I'm sure there were similar thoughts at other bike companies and bike industry rated companies.
This weekend, I was pleasantly surprised during a road trip and now I know - bike riding in the US is just fine. I don't know how many youngsters are going to turn to bike racing, but bike riding is just fine.
I was traveling down Rt. 95 from Massachusetts to Connecticut (and back) this Saturday. I went to visit my best friend and her family - I don't get to see her much since she lives in Boulder, but she visits family in CT a couple of times a year and I never miss an opportunity to see her.
As I was driving down the highway, with the music on, enjoying the absolutely perfect day (blue skies, big puffy white clouds, clear air...and traffic that wasn't stopped!), I started to notice something...bicycles...everywhere. No, people weren't riding them (we're on the highway remember) but they were being carried in twos, threes, fours, fives and even, in 2 cases, six bikes at once! It seemed like every 10th car or so had bikes attached. All kinds of bikes - mountain bikes, kids bikes, road bikes - all sizes and shapes. I couldn't believe the volume of bikes I saw all the way from Mass, through Rhode Island and through CT.
It was reassuring to see all those bikes and think about all the fun adventures people either had had over the last week with them, or were headed to have on vacation with them that weekend. I just hope that when these groups got home they would ride as much as they did on vacation - take a Tour Day Neighborhood every day - or at least on the weekends, when there is a little more time.
When I got to CT, we took my friend's little boy to a big, huge park with ponds and bike paths and he started to count the bike riders that went by us...1...2...3...4...he got up to 10 before he got distracted by the lily pads (hey, lily pads are cool to a kid who isn't five yet). But, still, we were only in that particular spot for 10-15 minutes and I counted 20 people on bikes riding around the park. Again, good reassurance that bike riding is just fine!
This weekend, I was pleasantly surprised during a road trip and now I know - bike riding in the US is just fine. I don't know how many youngsters are going to turn to bike racing, but bike riding is just fine.
I was traveling down Rt. 95 from Massachusetts to Connecticut (and back) this Saturday. I went to visit my best friend and her family - I don't get to see her much since she lives in Boulder, but she visits family in CT a couple of times a year and I never miss an opportunity to see her.
As I was driving down the highway, with the music on, enjoying the absolutely perfect day (blue skies, big puffy white clouds, clear air...and traffic that wasn't stopped!), I started to notice something...bicycles...everywhere. No, people weren't riding them (we're on the highway remember) but they were being carried in twos, threes, fours, fives and even, in 2 cases, six bikes at once! It seemed like every 10th car or so had bikes attached. All kinds of bikes - mountain bikes, kids bikes, road bikes - all sizes and shapes. I couldn't believe the volume of bikes I saw all the way from Mass, through Rhode Island and through CT.
It was reassuring to see all those bikes and think about all the fun adventures people either had had over the last week with them, or were headed to have on vacation with them that weekend. I just hope that when these groups got home they would ride as much as they did on vacation - take a Tour Day Neighborhood every day - or at least on the weekends, when there is a little more time.
When I got to CT, we took my friend's little boy to a big, huge park with ponds and bike paths and he started to count the bike riders that went by us...1...2...3...4...he got up to 10 before he got distracted by the lily pads (hey, lily pads are cool to a kid who isn't five yet). But, still, we were only in that particular spot for 10-15 minutes and I counted 20 people on bikes riding around the park. Again, good reassurance that bike riding is just fine!
Friday, August 10, 2007
In Falmouth!
Each of the last 16 years I've headed to Falmouth, MA for the internationally famous Falmouth Road Race. This year is no different; I arrived yesterday afternoon and started working on getting organized and settled.
During my morning walk, I was reminded why I love it so much here - there's such a wonderful, vacation atmosphere in the whole town. Everyone you meet along the way says 'good morning' or 'hello'. There are walkers, runners and cyclists out early on the roads enjoying the nice sea air during their rides/walks. Me, included. It was lovely breathing in that salt air along the finish line route. And, yes, I even visited my special brick at the finish line park.
Interestingly enough, I saw as many cyclists as runners this morning, which is amazing considering that it is road race weekend. But, this is a great cycling town - a couple of people riding to work, a mother and daughter out for a morning Tour Day Neighborhood and two guys in their Discovery kits out for a training ride, among others. It's good to see.
But, this weekend is mainly about running so, good luck to all the runners. I hope you all enjoy the 35th running of the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Bob Roll on the Champs-Elysees
by Bob Roll
Reporting from Paris between television takes, right after the Tour concluded
The 2007 Tour Day France will go down as one addition that bounced back the highest from the lowest ebb of the sport. In the end, the yellow jersey eventually found its rightful owner, Alberto Contador of Discovery Channel Cycling Team. The young Spaniard inherited the jersey because of the disgraceful exit of the Dane Michael Rssmussen.
Michael Rasmussen, while leading the Tour and looking to be the dominant player in the event, was asked to go home because he lied about his whereabouts prior to this year’s Tour. In this day and age in the sport of cycling with all of the debilitating scenarios that have transpired no pro, let alone the leader of the Tour, can have any irregularities whatsoever associated with the anti-doping protocols. He followed in the footsteps of Cristian Moreni, Patrick Sinkewitz, and even Serhiy Honchar, who was not even allowed to start by his team. But most compelling for the sport, and ultimately who might prove to be the most damaging, was Alexander Vinokourov.
Vino began the tour as the sentimental favorite worldwide and left the tour as a disgraced sportsman who tried in vain to defraud the race, the yellow jersey, his sponsors and especially the millions of fans who stand for hours at the side of the road to catch a momentary glimpse of their heroes.
The sport descended to as low as it could go before rising back to the firmament where it belongs underneath the wheels of Alberto Contador. Let’s hope that the post Tour revelations about Contador are only positive and do not include any of the negative elements that have plagued last year’s Tour results.
When you look at the bright eyes and beautiful pedaling motion so raptor-like in the mountains of Alberto Contador you can not find a better ambassador as we look towards the future of cycling.
Reporting from Paris between television takes, right after the Tour concluded
The 2007 Tour Day France will go down as one addition that bounced back the highest from the lowest ebb of the sport. In the end, the yellow jersey eventually found its rightful owner, Alberto Contador of Discovery Channel Cycling Team. The young Spaniard inherited the jersey because of the disgraceful exit of the Dane Michael Rssmussen.
Michael Rasmussen, while leading the Tour and looking to be the dominant player in the event, was asked to go home because he lied about his whereabouts prior to this year’s Tour. In this day and age in the sport of cycling with all of the debilitating scenarios that have transpired no pro, let alone the leader of the Tour, can have any irregularities whatsoever associated with the anti-doping protocols. He followed in the footsteps of Cristian Moreni, Patrick Sinkewitz, and even Serhiy Honchar, who was not even allowed to start by his team. But most compelling for the sport, and ultimately who might prove to be the most damaging, was Alexander Vinokourov.
Vino began the tour as the sentimental favorite worldwide and left the tour as a disgraced sportsman who tried in vain to defraud the race, the yellow jersey, his sponsors and especially the millions of fans who stand for hours at the side of the road to catch a momentary glimpse of their heroes.
The sport descended to as low as it could go before rising back to the firmament where it belongs underneath the wheels of Alberto Contador. Let’s hope that the post Tour revelations about Contador are only positive and do not include any of the negative elements that have plagued last year’s Tour results.
When you look at the bright eyes and beautiful pedaling motion so raptor-like in the mountains of Alberto Contador you can not find a better ambassador as we look towards the future of cycling.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Tour de France, Catalogs & Such
Oh my goodness, how about the Tour Day France this weekend? Tim Jackson/Masiguy has great recaps - better than I could do since he has raced and knows more about that aspect. I just watch for the pure enjoyment of watching these guys put it all out on the line athletically. That, and the antics from the sidelines.
Seriously, a guy in a full chicken costume running up the mountain next to Michael Rassmussen yesterday? Priceless.
But, the most enjoyment, for this fan, was watching Alexander Vinokourov just kick some serious butt on the time trial - in the wet! Wow. It was impressive.
Equally impressive was yesterday's win by youngster Alberto Contador. After riding for hours and hours and then needing to attack that last mountain? And, leave most of your competitors behind. Nicely, done. He really made it look effortless, which floors me.
I can't wait for tonight's coverage with Bob and Al (shhh...don't tell...I spend all day not looking to see who won the stages so I can be surprised at night). Besides, I just love the "Bob and Al Show". They are too funny.
Oh, stay tuned for another Bob post at the end of the week. He's going to check in from Paris on Friday night or Saturday to give us his thoughts as the Tour wraps up.
Now it's off to work on the bike security catalog. It's that time where we are getting ready for the big industry trade shows. Eurobike is at the end of August in Germany and then there is the Canadian show in mid-September and then Interbike in Vegas at the end of September. Kryptonite will be at all three. If you are a dealer attending one, or more, of those shows, stop by! Much more news about those shows as we get closer.
I wonder which Tour stars will be at Eurobike....one year Jan Ullrich was there and you would have thought royalty was in the building or something. I don't know what to compare it to. It was a frenzied crowd. Somehow, I don't think he'll be there this year....but you never know who might show up. Someone from Astana? The Chicken himself?
There I go thinking "Tour" again. It's so hard not to in July! But...catalogs need to get done....
Seriously, a guy in a full chicken costume running up the mountain next to Michael Rassmussen yesterday? Priceless.
But, the most enjoyment, for this fan, was watching Alexander Vinokourov just kick some serious butt on the time trial - in the wet! Wow. It was impressive.
Equally impressive was yesterday's win by youngster Alberto Contador. After riding for hours and hours and then needing to attack that last mountain? And, leave most of your competitors behind. Nicely, done. He really made it look effortless, which floors me.
I can't wait for tonight's coverage with Bob and Al (shhh...don't tell...I spend all day not looking to see who won the stages so I can be surprised at night). Besides, I just love the "Bob and Al Show". They are too funny.
Oh, stay tuned for another Bob post at the end of the week. He's going to check in from Paris on Friday night or Saturday to give us his thoughts as the Tour wraps up.
Now it's off to work on the bike security catalog. It's that time where we are getting ready for the big industry trade shows. Eurobike is at the end of August in Germany and then there is the Canadian show in mid-September and then Interbike in Vegas at the end of September. Kryptonite will be at all three. If you are a dealer attending one, or more, of those shows, stop by! Much more news about those shows as we get closer.
I wonder which Tour stars will be at Eurobike....one year Jan Ullrich was there and you would have thought royalty was in the building or something. I don't know what to compare it to. It was a frenzied crowd. Somehow, I don't think he'll be there this year....but you never know who might show up. Someone from Astana? The Chicken himself?
There I go thinking "Tour" again. It's so hard not to in July! But...catalogs need to get done....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
