Comments on: Tales of a Cyclotourist, Part II: 2003 Alpe d’Huez

By: gianni bugno

gianni bugno — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:32:59 +0000

[...] bike that weighed more than four pounds more than Il … Mail (will not be published) (required) …Velominati Tales of a Cyclotourist, Part II: 2003 Alpe d'Huez… a tunnel, and into the 90 degree corner where Greg LeMond nearly crashed in 1990 before narrowly [...]

By: frank

frank — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:07:48 +0000

@Marko Ullrich's my boy, he's pure as the driven snow. Dude, MN hunting season is scary. Does your winter riding kit look something like this?

By: Marko

Marko — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:48:17 +0000

Out of four dude. There’s two or three mountain top finishes at next years Giro during the final week which looks to be designed for high drama. I’d have to look it up again but I’m pretty sure the Gavia is one of them.

And you forgot Ullrich. Doper.

Had a great fall ride yesterday although my senses are always hightened riding during rifle deer hunting season. Some d-bag road huntung actually took a second look at me from a far as I peddled down the road. I know I’m fast and graceful on the bike but I’m pretty sure I look nothing like a deer.

By: frank

frank — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:52:03 +0000

@Marko Out of how many stars? Dude, I understand that the Tifosi are way nutser than the French. If you can, try to be at an uphill finish. I've watched the Tour several times on a mountain enroute; while it's still awesome, the excitement of being near the finish is well worth the extra effort it takes to find a spot!

By: frank

frank — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:48:31 +0000

@Dan O Thanks, Dan. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's an experience and a half!

By: frank

frank — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:27:40 +0000

@john
We were at Pla de Beret in ’06, but I have to say that l’Alpe was an order of magnitude cooler (even aside from causing Salvodelli from dropping out). The camaraderie and atmosphere was completely different from Spain.

Looking at those names and photos, it’s just doper after doper…but man, the racing was awesome.

Mayo: doper.
Vino: doper.
Heras: doper.
Beloki: doper.
Hamilton: doper.
Armstrong: well…technically…well…
Mancebo: made cycling look as painful as it is. And doper.
Basso: doper.

Zubeldia is the only one in the first 10 on the road who hasn’t directly been accused of doping.

And, yes. Virenque was une sac de la douche.

By: Marko

Marko — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:40:59 +0000

Four Stars. I’ll make sure my sweetie sees this as we prep for our Giro trip in May. Maybe we will have a similar experience on the Mortirolo or Gavia. Grappa yes, partner exchange probably not. Thanks.

By: Dan O

Dan O — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:49:31 +0000

Great post – enjoyed it – great story and experience.

Man, one day I’ll see it for myself. Me and my son Ian. That would be killer.

Thanks for posting.

By: john

john — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:10:42 +0000

Outstanding post laddie! You and the madame know how to have a good time. Really must have been a wild experience, I’m green avec envy. Too bad you didn’t hang out more at the Dutch Corner to see just what your peeps would have conjured up for show. But the Italians parading naked is pretty great. Grappa=hangover. This I know.
Mayo, doper.
Vino, doper.
That little French Weed Virenque, doper. I hates ‘im.