Cycling 2014 - In honor of MDS

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Well, the thread has to start sometime.  2013 was started by MDS.
http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=28338.0

For 2014, let's start with an article about Jose Fernandez.  I'm guessing after reading this, MDS will get a second mancrush on the Marlins.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140117&content_id=66778042&vkey=news_mia&c_id=mia&partnerId=ed-7852843-644903053

Since last throwing a pitch in a big league game, he has remained on the go. Not so much in terms of baseball activities, but Fernandez has ramped up his conditioning by taking to bicycle riding.

We're not talking leisurely trips around the neighborhood. We're talking serious training, complete with top-of-the-line equipment and commitment. We're talking rides of 70-80 miles a day, five or six times a week.

As a rookie, Fernandez's fastball maxed out at 99 mph. His top speed on a bike was 43 mph.

Until a few weeks ago, when he started his throwing program, Fernandez had weeks where he rode 600 miles.

All of the miles Fernandez rides are calculated on his Garmin odometer. His crowning ride was a whopping 114 miles, which lasted six hours, 24 minutes and 51 seconds. For comparison, the 2014 Tour de France will cover an average of 108.2 miles per day over its 21 stages.

[blue911]

Well, the thread has to start sometime.  2013 was started by MDS.  For 2014, let's start with an article about Jose Fernandez.  I'm guessing after reading this, MDS will get a second mancrush on the Marlins.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140117&content_id=66778042&vkey=news_mia&c_id=mia&partnerId=ed-7852843-644903053

Not Henry?

[Slateman]

In memory? Did he die?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

no, he's quite alive and giving needleunits grief.  Just not here.

[tomterp]

I last saw him riding off on his wheels of steel into the setting sun.  Well not quite, he was headed back north to his Crystal City palace overlooking the Jefferson Davis Highway Canyon, but no matter.  He rode off, I waved, bye bye.  I just thought the setting sun sounded better.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Rock Creek Park is great on cold winter afternoons...you pretty much have it to yourself.  I saw a 7- or 8-point buck (in the middle of DC).  Definitely needed the neoprene booties today. 

[mitlen]

A Wisconsin man who became lodged in the windshield of a car that struck him said he turned to the driver and said, "Hello, I'm the guy you hit on the bicycle."

http://wtop.com/209/3546572/Cyclist-Driver-didnt-see-me-stuck-in-windshield

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

2015 World Championship road race in Richmond:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/richmond-ready-to-host-the-2015-uci-road-world-cycling-championships/2014/02/25/e66183a2-9e72-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html

[houston-nat]

I haven't been on a bike since 2005 but am thinking of cycling through one or two of the wine coutnries in France when I'm there during July. Apparently the Loire Valley is a great place to ride.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

It really is. 

I haven't been on a bike since 2005 but am thinking of cycling through one or two of the wine coutnries in France when I'm there during July. Apparently the Loire Valley is a great place to ride.

[houston-nat]

It really is. 

Have you done it? Where all did you go?

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Train from Paris to Orleans (bypassing the insane traffic and kinda shady banlieues on the edge of town), and then right along the river.  There are many spectacular chateaux and excellent roads all the way to Nantes and St Nazaire on the Bay of Biscay.  And the food does not suck.

[houston-nat]

Train from Paris to Orleans (bypassing the insane traffic and kinda shady banlieues on the edge of town), and then right along the river.  There are many spectacular chateaux and excellent roads all the way to Nantes and St Nazaire on the Bay of Biscay.  And the food does not suck.

How long did it take? What kind of pace were you at with all the stops? I have 2 weeks in France and am trying to figure out what will fit in the trip...kind of crazy amount of choice in what to do.

[HalfSmokes]

if you're not a biker why not rent a car? Sore and tired doesn't seem like the best way to experience small town France.

[houston-nat]

if you're not a biker why not rent a car? Sore and tired doesn't seem like the best way to experience small town France.

Well, I was one pretty consistently. Just Texas blows for biking. Also, when I was a biker I was about 30-35 pounds heavier, much more fit now.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I rode pretty long days, but there are so many points of interest and places to stay that one can go at pretty much any pace.  Hotels can fill up in July, so you might want to book ahead.  Lonely Planet usually has some good tips for bike touring, though I'm sure there are all kinds of bike-specific guides to the Loire as well.  I took a bike (this was back when People's Express was like $99 from Newark to London Gatwick), but there are probably all kinds of rental options there.  That part of France is perfect for bikes.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

2015 World Championship road race in Richmond:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/richmond-ready-to-host-the-2015-uci-road-world-cycling-championships/2014/02/25/e66183a2-9e72-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html

Cobbles, just to please fans of the Belgian Badass and Spartacus.

[houston-nat]

I rode pretty long days, but there are so many points of interest and places to stay that one can go at pretty much any pace.  Hotels can fill up in July, so you might want to book ahead.  Lonely Planet usually has some good tips for bike touring, though I'm sure there are all kinds of bike-specific guides to the Loire as well.  I took a bike (this was back when People's Express was like $99 from Newark to London Gatwick), but there are probably all kinds of rental options there.  That part of France is perfect for bikes.

Thanks. Even if I can only spare a day or two I might do a stretch, like from Chinon to Angers, or one of the areas with a ton of wineries so I can drunk bike.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

When in Rome...

or one of the areas with a ton of wineries so I can drunk bike.

[houston-nat]

When in Rome...

I'm saving myself to try steak tartare for the first time in France. I hope they'll be gentle.

[HalfSmokes]

Thanks. Even if I can only spare a day or two I might do a stretch, like from Chinon to Angers, or one of the areas with a ton of wineries so I can drunk bike.

I wonder if they'd take offense if you empty a bottle into a camelback? 

[HalfSmokes]

I'm saving myself to try steak tartare for the first time in France. I hope they'll be gentle.

the illegal in the US tour- that, french cheese, spanish ham, and maybe a little dutch pot

[Frau Mau]

I'm saving myself to try steak tartare for the first time in France. I hope they'll be gentle.

I had it in what is supposed to be a good restaurant here. I thought it was disgusting. It really is just like eating raw hamburger. I couldn't get over the feel of it. 

[HalfSmokes]

that used to be my grandmother's diner party special. Without the egg, it's edible, certainly better than salmon mouse (fish in a blender reshapped like a fish makes me want to throw up)

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

mmmm, raw meat with raw egg...that sounds like it would be fun to smear on a slide and put under a microscope.