Rode with my new buddy LANCE on Friday.

Looks like a big guy, bob roll maybe?

Chris Carmichael?
No idea - just a guess.

I am far from a roadie, but gotta say that's pretty cool, schmed - did you chat him up?

PBR me! said:

Looks like a big guy, bob roll maybe?

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Yep - Bob Roll. They were chatting it up and being filmed for some French TV documentary.

Not sure what Bob was thinking with those socks. I guess it is just Bob being Bob.

Very cool experience.

schmed said:

Yep - THAT Lance.

Finishing up Ride the Rockies on Friday. Just coming out of Aspen and two dudes pass us on the sidewalk. One dude all in black and yellow wearing Livestrong shorts. Could it be? Yep, Mr. Armstrong himself.

We rode behind him for 10 miles. What a day! :thumbsup:

Bonus points if you know who the guy on the left is.....

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That's about cool as hell. Did you ride by him saying, "last one to the top is a rotten egg"?

Very cool. I guess he is living in Snowmass these days.

"last one to the top is a rotten egg"

Yea - tempting to try that, but it's like driving down the street next to a Ferrari. You KNOW if you challenge it to a race you are going to lose, so might as just well enjoy driving next to it.

OK. Maybe a tortured analogy, but you get the idea.

They knew we were back there and were pointing out potholes and stuff like you do in a pace line. My buddy talked to him for about 10 seconds, but we just rode behind for a half hour or so at 22 to 24 mph.

On a few downhill/uphill transitions, he stood to pedal and we found ourselves 100 yards behind in a blink of an eye.

schmed said:

On a few downhill/uphill transitions, he stood to pedal and we found ourselves 100 yards behind in a blink of an eye.

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That's pretty awesome :thumbsup:

I'm as far as you can get from a roadie, but that's freakin awesome! Lance is a hero...

joelalamo45 said:

I'm as far as you can get from a roadie, but that's freakin awesome! Lance is a hero...

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I'm with you.

I hated the thought of being a roadie, so I bought a cross bike instead of a road bike. I also ride with my mtn bike shoes and visor on my helmet!!!!!

That being said, Lance is a hero and I do have to admit that I was a little star stuck seeing him.

Now.... who's your bigger hero... Lance or Dave Weins?????

For me, Lance is a bigger star, but Dave is THE MAN for his Leadville 100 wins!

Except that lance stated he was in ok shape for the 100 and pushed Dave to best his time by several minutes. Lance in GOOD shape.....

What an honor!

Nevada City Win

Aspen must be good for Lance, because he won Nevada City on Sunday. Nevada City is one of the oldest and toughest criteriums in the US. What the hell Armstrong was doing there right before the Tour de France is a mystery. You have to respect a guy who would jump in to a race with quite a bit of risk this close to the Tour. He clearly just loves to race.

It would be cool if he showed up at Leadville. With TdF fitness, I can't imagine anyone would be able to hang with him, even Wiens.

http://velonews.com/article/93695/armstrong-wins-nevada-city-in-solo-break

Best man arse post ever.

honkinunit said:

What the hell Armstrong was doing there right before the Tour de France is a mystery.

http://velonews.com/article/93695/armstrong-wins-nevada-city-in-solo-break

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Its called an appearance fee and it pays really well. If promoters have the cash they can use it to bring big names in. Win/win situation.

He looks to be in great shape but I'll wager that Armstrong is not at the Tour to win it. He is there to be an ultra-domestique. He is going to punish people with some mean tempos, but he won't attack his own teammates.

69erSycip said:

Its called an appearance fee and it pays really well. If promoters have the cash they can use it to bring big names in. Win/win situation.

He looks to be in great shape but I'll wager that Armstrong is not at the Tour to win it. He is there to be an ultra-domestique. He is going to punish people with some mean tempos, but he won't attack his own teammates.

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I hadn't thought of an appearance fee. Nevada City isn't that big of a race anymore, so I wonder how much they would be able to come up with.

I hope it doesn't turn into a LeMond/Hinault type situation, where one rider or the other is held back. I still remember the TV coverage of LeMond arguing with the team car when he was told to wait for Hinault during the 1985 TdF. If LeMond had stayed with his group, he would have taken the overall lead, and he won the final TT, so in all likelihood he would have won the Tour that year.

Of course, given the situation between Armstrong and LeMond, that is exactly what LeMond wants to see!