Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 07/17/2013 02:52 PM |
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Posted By Cosmic Kid on 07/17/2013 02:46 PM
It is very simple - if you don't like the speed at which others are descending, don't follow. If you are worried that you may die on a descent, go at a speed at which you are comfortable.
But don't whine about it after....
FFS, you could die in a sprint pile-up, but I don't hear sprinters saying "These guys are really crazy....could we all be a little more careful, please?"
Ya know? Buck up and go down the descent. |
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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BikeCzar
Posts:53
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| 07/17/2013 03:13 PM |
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Posted By Cosmic Kid on 07/17/2013 02:46 PM
..
FFS, you could die in a sprint pile-up, but I don't hear sprinters saying "These guys are really crazy....could we all be a little more careful, please?"
You've not been listening then. Sprinters are constantly complaining about the safety of the finishes due to couses, obstacles and other riders. |
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dkri
Posts:95
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| 07/17/2013 03:24 PM |
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| The sword cuts both ways for Contador, though. If you want to go downhill like a maniac as a weapon, sometimes you're going to fall over, and when you do, if someone decides not to wait, or to attack, hey s**t happens. Contador got his panties in a twist because he thought Quintana attacked when Contador fell. |
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| formerly dkri |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/17/2013 03:34 PM |
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But we aren't taling about complaints re: narrow finishes, road furniture, etc is not the same as complaining about the other riders. Sure, there may be the odd chirp about a guy whi is extremely reckless, but, as a rule, sprinters understand the dangers of their craft and accept it.
Bike racing is dangerous.....end of story. Don't wanna follow some kamikaze down the hill? Don't. Pretty simple. The consequences of ANY high speed mistake could be death....descending, sprinting, whatever.
Accept the risks or the consequences. You choose.
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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bobswire
Posts:304
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| 07/17/2013 03:35 PM |
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Personally I appreciate descending skills more that sprint or TT,maybe because it's one of the things I'm decent at (even at my old age).
Samuel Sanchez showing how it's done,basically having confidence and picking the correct line.
HERE
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BikeCzar
Posts:53
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| 07/17/2013 03:41 PM |
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| The whole premise of the thread was the complaints about the condition of the course from Martin and from Froome. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/17/2013 03:52 PM |
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That's correct, complaining to organizers about road conditions, as Martin did = fine.
Complaining about downhill attacks = weak sauce.
This page has 3.5 min video of tomorrow's descent embedded with HWy to Hell as tune. Jude yourself if Martin is onto something
http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/tour-de-france-2013/21740989/__VIDEO_Afdaling_morgen__crimineel___.html |
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BikeCzar
Posts:53
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| 07/17/2013 03:52 PM |
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| Bob, Your video - wide smooth roads without unprotected 300 ft. drops. |
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Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 07/17/2013 03:56 PM |
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| Nice! Sanchez NAILS that first corner after he attacks...show is over after that. |
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/17/2013 03:58 PM |
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| Unconfirmed rumour has it that tomorrow's stage may be adjusted given expected weather. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/17/2013 04:01 PM |
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OC, over on ST someone posted a Google Maps / street view link of the descent....as also apparent in your video, there are definitely a few sketchy sections.
However, I think it is important to remember that riders will likely be spread out after the first trip up l'Alpe and that road conditions, as I understand it, have been improved since this Spring. Dunno, though.
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/17/2013 04:06 PM |
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| Cosmic - A guy I know from Brisbane (former Kiwi Olympian albeit track) went down it day before yesterday; being known for understatement he described it as "a little crazy". They've been riding the entire last week of tour starting with Ventoux. Little bit jealous altho I had my bit of fun last week. |
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Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 07/17/2013 05:02 PM |
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“Listen, riders have been going down dangerous descents one thousand times before. They must hit the brakes and be careful,” Saxo boss Bjarne Riis told reporters. “This is a bike race; it’s not some Sunday morning grandma trip. They have to learn how to race their bikes and stop complaining.”
Don't hold back Bjarne!
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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CERV
Posts:151
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| 07/17/2013 07:36 PM |
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Froome calling for the descent to be removed if it rains. Pretty obvious he sees this descent as the biggest threat to his GC. Surprise, Andy, Jens and Tony Martin agree. The holy trilogy of bike handling skills..
http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/07/news/froome-calls-for-sarenne-to-be-neutralized-if-rain-hits-alpe-dhuez_295693
"Officials from Tour owner ASO, however, told reporters in Chorges on Wednesday that there were no plans to neutralize the descent, regardless of the weather."
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CERV
Posts:151
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| 07/17/2013 07:41 PM |
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just watched that vid OC.
Don't understand the complaints about 'no guardrails'. I mean, all the sketchiest corners are lined with big jagged boulders .
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