Unlike Paris, here’s something London doesn’t see every day, nor every year: The Tour de France rolling into town. While rainy weather made for a wet welcome, it certainly didn’t keep tens of thousands of fans from filling the sidewalks around Buckingham Palace and beyond.
Click for more Stage 3 photos.
Stage 3 out of Cambridge ended with not only a second stage victory for Marcel Kittel, but an ironic second second-place finish for Peter Sagan. What is it with second for Peter? Surely it doesn’t thrill him, sprint classification aside. In any event, at least he’s on par with last year’s Tour, when he came in second THREE times before his first stage victory. His first one this year, safe to predict, is imminent as he carries his “still second” status. We won’t say again who was absent from London’s royal sprint finish today… ahem. 😦 Moving on now, across the Channel.
Sure enough. The very first thing we heard at the top of today’s broadcast certainly came as no surprise, all-around disappointment notwithstanding. Mark Cavendish is out of the Tour de France. With this, stage 2 went on with 198 riders minus one.
It’s difficult to imagine the next three weeks without the Missile, especially with Le Tour still in England today and tomorrow. Nevertheless, as we’re left to picture how Cavendish would surely have dominated the peloton through his homeland, the race shall go on as always.
As it did, today’s route from York to Sheffield ended with minus one photo finish. Winner du jour Vincenzo Nibali just couldn’t be caught, crossing the line “well ahead” of the pack with his two-second lead. Next stop, London! (Sorry, Cav.)
Stage two’s finish in Sheffield, England. (Photo: AFP)
From a royal send-off to fittingly colorful sheep, the big first day got underway with full fanfare in the English city of Leeds, followed later in the day by polka dot victory for this year’s oldest rider. Then, as instantaneously as everything can change in cycling, stage 1 did not end as hoped for the day’s largely anticipated winner. Not only did the region’s star competitor lose the day– but rather, complete disaster prevailed. With the rare chance to capture yellow in a sprint finish on not just his native soil but his mother’s hometown of Harrogate– before the eyes of William, Kate, Harry, Prime Minister Cameron and thousands of supporters, not to assume any pressure of course– shockingly, painfully, and in a cycling instant, it did not happen.
The 101st Tour de France appears likely to resume with one less rider at the start of stage two in York, a huge loss indeed to the next 20 days of racing. Sadly enough to say, for as “royally” as his day began, his crash on finish line approach looks like a pretty bad one for Mark Cavendish.
As we’ve already known for a while now, it will begin in the United Kingdom. While not a first, it’s all the more fitting this time around, given a defending champion of the same nation of course.
Behold, the route for the 2014 Tour de France has hereby been unveiled, avec distinctly British spin.
On my regular cycling route along Pacific Coast Highway through Malibu came a recent halt to my cadence, much to my non-surprise. After all, at hand is this rare, stunning and visibly flawless 1974 450 SE, if not with original paint job then appropriately repainted to the period-popular factory color of thistle. This particular car’s rare column shifter is noteworthy; the oversized American-spec bumpers are not, first mandated in this model year after all. Halted as I was, the happier I resumed my ride. My affinity for well-kept vintage Mercedes-Benz cars lives on, especially considering those the exact same age as I am. If I could look this good at 40! 😉
“The Missile” bookends the 2014 Amgen Tour of California. (Photo: www.cbgphoto.com)
As usual, the word-wise Phil Liggett phrased it appropriately. For the Missile’s victories in the first and last stages of this year’s Amgen Tour of California, the past week has been nicely held together by “Cavendish bookends,” much to Peter Sagan’s disappointment no doubt after clearly gunning for two in a row to wrap up the event. In the end, with Sir Bradley Wiggins’ overall victory and Mark Cavendish’s comeback performance, it’s plain to see British legs rule California roads. I myself am thrilled to have been right there, live at the final finish line in Thousand Oaks, even as the peloton flew by faster than most our heads can turn!
What I said two years ago regarding cycling in Idaho I say again. Better yet, it’s just been said again for me:
“Idaho’s rule is pretty straightforward. If a cyclist approaches a stop sign, he or she needs to slow down and look for traffic. If there’s already a pedestrian, car, or another bike there, then the other vehicle has the right of way. If there’s no traffic, however, the cyclist can slowly proceed. Basically, for bikers, a stop sign is a yield sign.” (Joseph Stromberg, Vox)
Unfortunately nothing has changed in the past two years. California is still not Idaho, as I remain in the former while responsibly cycling as if I were in the latter, free of any so-called “guilt” yet always a mouse with an eye out for the cat. After all, common sense and a good workout prevail in my book, cop risk notwithstanding.
At the end of the cycling day, a welcome relief it will certainly be when California– and the entire country for that matter– finally gets it together and follows Idaho. At least then the current sensible actions of so many road-safe cyclists, yours truly among them, will cease to be an unnecessary and potentially costly crime.
“At the moment many state traffic laws criminalize the way sensible, careful bicyclists ride.” (Click for full article)
From Bike World News: “I wanted a jersey that spoke to my inner drive to win, but also shows off my fun side. Working with SUGOI they quickly understood my vision, and I hope people love the jersey as much as I do!” says Peter Sagan.
At its core, the jersey is built on SUGOI’s custom RS Jersey. The bold design depicts Sagan’s “Green Machine” – a personality that cannot be contained. Lurking just below the surface of his Cannondale Pro Cycling livery, a powerful engine of fire and fury are ready to be unleashed at just the right moment in a race. His Slovakian DNA runs deep within his embedded national emblem and the eyes on his back address all those attempting to catch his wheel. (Ron Callahan, 5/5/14)
On this eve of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California, the timing is perfect– by design of course. Peter Sagan might be on your back in more ways than one, so watch out! Click here to read more about the new, eye-catching “Green Machine” Signature Jersey. My own eyes will certainly be open for it.
At this rate, now four months into 2014, one third down, it looks like I’m on par to beat my own annual cycling mileage record. We’ll see what ends up appearing in those empty squares, thanks to the workings of Strava.
Of the numerous classic American and world icons rounding the half-century mark this year— Jeopardy!, The British Invasion, 8-Tracks– one biggie stands quite worthy of its own mention: The Ford Mustang has been with us for 50 years, exactly– this week in fact. The legendary muscle coupe of decade-varying proportions debuted in New York on April 17, 1964. And now, expectedly enough, a new generation is on the way to commemorate Mustang’s anniversary model year. What looked great 50 years ago– and maintains its good looks today following a few awkward “growth periods” shall we say (watch just about any original episode of “Charlie’s Angels”)– is clearly poised to emerge yet again looking better than ever! At last, I feel young.
The sight of an impeccably restored and beautifully detailed– not to mention blindingly buffed– 1981 380 SLC proves more than enough to put a halt in the step of any true classic Mercedes-Benz aficionado. So it is for yours truly, as I clearly halt in good company– with a well-deserved nod to the responsible party.
The 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SLC: A stunning one-year rarity.
What was I just recently saying? Well, in the past few weeks since this further update, the visual confirmation has been steadily reconfirming itself. One example: The ELR commercial that played countless times during the Olympics– a well-cast and even better-scripted spot which I very much appreciate, by the way.
Wider, flatter, wreathless. (Photo: AP)
So be it. Cadillac has made its decision. The insignia’s wreath is dead and will soon be gone– via a slow fade into history like so much else of the original emblem. And who knows, this newest look might just grow on me yet– and that’s really a maybe. Meanwhile, I still miss those long-lost ducks.
Past Meets Present: The 2 Series is here. (Photo: autoevolution.com)
The 2002 has returned, sort of. At least we can say a presumed successor, long-in-coming no less. The fact BMW is offering up the all-new 2 Series speaks to the past as well as the present, no doubt pleasing to all us Bavarian motor historians. Then on the other hand, it’s another similarly styled model yet, hereby completing the debatably long and crowded sequence from 1 to 7, while replacing numero uno here in the U.S. In this regard, is 2 too many? It certainly is hard to tell most BMWs apart these days, after all.
American Taylor Phinney in the overall lead, flanked by not-your-usual podium girls. (Photo: AP)
As the XXII Olympic Winter Games get underway, while Jay Leno bids farewell (again) to “The Tonight Show”, a uniquely different event has been taking place this week that’s truly a first: The inaugural Tour of Dubai is underway for a whopping total of… well, four days. Sixteen professional cycling teams are braving the region’s flat, sandy terrain for a cumulative distance of 417 kilometers, not even 65 miles per day! Hmmm, I wonder is they’ll even break a sweat? Maybe best they don’t; the cycling season is young yet, after all. Next up after Saturday: The six-stage Tour of Qatar.
Online discoveries often prove exciting, especially when they involve numerous vintage Mercedes-Benz automobiles in absolutely phenomenal condition. Simply put, my new favorite website has me spellbound!
Click on each car above to link to its showcase page. Photos courtesy MercedesMotoring.com.
And set aside enough time to explore Mercedes Motoring’s extensive, awe-striking gallery!
From a commendable cast to their colorful characters, the stunning storyline to its sinister setting, along with a steady stream of twists, surprises and laughs, I loved every minute of it. Then I walked away thinking foremost of one gorgeous and timeless automobile– a true classic star who elegantly carried her own weight throughout the film. The 1978 Eldorado Biarritz clearly adds to all things fabulous about American Hustle.
“About how many kilometers did you ride last year?”, I asked him just after our photo was taken. His answer comes out to about three times my amount– that is, what equates to around 310 miles per week to my 110, roughly 1350 miles per month to my 475, and more than 16,000 miles for the year to my less than 6,000. Altogether, it looks like my own dust settles at about 35 percent of his answer to my question: “about 26 thousand kilometers.” Naturally he’s the pro and he’s getting paid; I’m not and I’m not, as reality likes to remind me. Still, it feels good to be more than a third of the way there!
A privilege and a pleasure it was to meet cycling great Peter Sagan at Cannondale’s 2014 team launch party on January 7 at the Canyon Club in Agoura, California. For as exhausted as he and his teammates surely must have been by the end of the evening, together they put on one excellent show for all of us. You won’t find them spinning through the streets of Thousand Oaks for long however, as races are fast underway. We’ll see Peter back here in no time of course, ready to defend his green jersey in the Tour of California come May. For now– one week in– let the cycling year begin, for the pros and all of us somewhere behind them!
As the 2013 L.A. Auto Show closes shop, I’m thinking of a handful of classic and not-so-classic models that were not there on display, including more than a couple I’ve always liked. For all that TIME Magazine told us back in 2007– via some clever and humorous writing to boot– the continued passage of, well– time– might change a few hearts but will never rewrite history. TIME’s collection of models can simply be called timeless.
Something’s missing, so I thought upon sight of one of the newest TV commercials— it just looks naked. Then upon personal investigation, I quickly assured myself that my sight is well intact.
Cadillac appears to be ushering in another change to its iconic and history-steeped emblem. Notice, the ad tags we’re now seeing show no wreath surrounding the coat of arms. I spotted this nakedness right away– and not to my delight. Apparently some call the discarded element outdated– old-fashioned– obsolete. Well, call me a traditionalist here. As the wreath gives way to a so-called “cutting-edge” image, I’m sorry to see it go.
Take a good look at the above prominent logo, and picture it sans wreath. A naked sight, no?
The 2014 Amgen Tour of California is already taking shape, with the official route revealed this week. The peloton will once again be rolling through our familiar streets– and we can’t say we didn’t know it!
As we’ve already known for a while now, it will begin in the United Kingdom. While not a first, it’s all the more fitting this time around, given a defending champion of the same nation of course.
Behold, the route for the 2014 Tour de France has hereby been unveiled, avec distinctly British spin.
Any TV commercial that makes me laugh out loud simply has to be good, and this one takes the lead– starring one of my all-time favorite fictional comedy characters in a series of such spots. Not to mention, to my satisfaction there’s an automobile involved here of course, while perhaps these new laughs will indeed trigger some sales– we’ll see. Meanwhile, if only I can figure out where to score myself that fantastic suit!
Talk about defying sporting convention. One week ago– Sunday, September 15– marked an unforgettable moment in cycling history (fingers crossed). And then we waited, more or less along these lines:
The protocol looks something like this: Win a race, get kisses from the podium girls, shake hands with the Badger, and then wait for journalists to question the legitimacy of your performance. (VeloNews, 9/16/13).
Cycling’s 41-year-old Grand Tour champion!
Fortunately, aside from the “drug testing mix-up” that was quickly deemed no fault of his own, there’s been very little if any rumbling throughout the week about “legitimacy” in this case. As such it looks like we really can commend a remarkable accomplishment for what it is, even in a sport that at this point in time cannot be trusted, sadly yet understandably enough.
Those who see an age limit on athletic victory will probably want to reconsider their outlook. One week on, the headline can now be repeated with all the more confidence: 41-year-old American Chris Horner— close to 42 no less– has won the 2013 Vuelta a Espana. Not only is he the first American in history to capture Spain’s annual three-week cycling race, but the Oregon resident has also become by far the oldest rider ever to win one of cycling’s three Grand Tours– the other two of course Le Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
Along with victory comes the defense, as expected. Assuming no doping in today’s supposedly “cleaner” era of cycling, which even after a week we must still believe on faith without proof, this unlikely victory a month shy of the winner’s 42nd birthday is just plain awesome! Chris Homer stands a true inspiration to all competitive cyclists who, both mentally and physically, are never too old! Thank you “Grandpa.”
Apparently it’s not 1990 anymore. And I have to admit I wasn’t paying attention of late. Upon first sight of a TV commercial for the all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50, instantly I thought: “Oh good, it’s about time a full-size Q returns to the helm, a descendant of that which initiated the brand 24 years ago. I can’t wait to get a look.”
The flagship Q of 1990.
Boy, was I wrong! Upon investigation of Infiniti’s website confusion set in. Then with further reading I sat corrected. Unlike the old days, tomorrow’s Q is not attempting to keep pace with S, 8 or 7. Rather, the return of the once-reigning letter kicks off Infiniti’s new nomenclature, a shift sure to put the “Q” in question.
The entry-level Q of 2014.
As for that look… well, as I’ve said before I say again, too many cars these days look alike. In other words, I’m at first glance underwhelmed. At this point I say the M remains Infiniti’s most unique and strongly styled model. Oh, but wait– with everything starting with “Q”, so long “M.” I better start paying attention!
Ryan R. Sanderson 