[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Pantani]

My 12 yr old was asking why the likes of Cav and Andy Schleck aren't doing much at the mo. The way I described it to him was to think of it with football as pre season warm up matches - the results don't mean a lot,it's just about getting fit really for the serious stuff that comes later.

Talking of Paris - Nice, I looked at ferry crossings from Dover to Calais on Sunday 8th April earlier for Paris - Roubaix. £30 return for a car and 4 people sounds pretty good. Seriously thinking of going for it as it only clashes with Burnley away and I've already lost my chance of doing all games this season as I missed 'Boro & Leeds away. Have you ever been over for it yourself ?

I can't drive unfortunately so that rather puts the kibosh on following cycle racing in the flesh, I suppose I could train it over then ride out to watch but that is quite a mission. Getting to Paris-Roubaix is going to cheaper to get to than Burnley and definitely more picturesque, sounds great.

On the first bit you have it about spot on. It is impossible for a cyclist to be at peak fitness for nine months so most target a part of the season, or certain Tour, some double it up (say spring classics then a second ramp up for the Worlds). I think Cav will leave it late this year and win far less than previously early season, then try and peak for TdF and hold his form through to the Olympics.

 

[Stat Brother]

A heads up for Fantasy fans.

Paris - Nice starts on Sunday.

 

[Stoichkov]

Talking of Paris - Nice, I looked at ferry crossings from Dover to Calais on Sunday 8th April earlier for Paris - Roubaix. £30 return for a car and 4 people sounds pretty good. Seriously thinking of going for it as it only clashes with Burnley away and I've already lost my chance of doing all games this season as I missed 'Boro & Leeds away. Have you ever been over for it yourself ?

I go over for the Spring Classics quite a lot - you can leave Brighton at, say 5:30, go over via the tunnel and be where you need to be (Paris - Roubaix, Flanders etc) by 10am ish

Last couple of years they've been getting really, really busy though which is why they've changed the Tour of Flanders to more of a circuit to try to discourage fans from watching it, then jumping in their cars to another point on the course. It is getting far too manic!

Its gone this year already but I recomend the Het Volk / K-B-K weekend as its just like the Tour of Flanders but a lot more relaxed

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Anyone got a 1940's/50's BSA bicycle for sale?

 

[Woodchip]

Completely new team for this one. 9 riders out, 9 riders in. It's great doing the transfers on time.

 

[1066familyman]

A heads up for Fantasy fans.

Paris - Nice starts on Sunday.

Picked your team yet SB?

I picked mine quite early. Will have a late look over tomorrow night once back from Donny just to make sure I've had no late withdrawals...otherwise I'm good to go.

 

[1066familyman]

I go over for the Spring Classics quite a lot - you can leave Brighton at, say 5:30, go over via the tunnel and be where you need to be (Paris - Roubaix, Flanders etc) by 10am ish

Last couple of years they've been getting really, really busy though which is why they've changed the Tour of Flanders to more of a circuit to try to discourage fans from watching it, then jumping in their cars to another point on the course. It is getting far too manic!


Its gone this year already but I recomend the Het Volk / K-B-K weekend as its just like the Tour of Flanders but a lot more relaxed

Thanks for that Stoichkov, I'll bear all that in mind for the future. Makes you wonder if a little NSC trip over next year for something might be a possibility ?, especially if it will help out those who can't or perhaps wouldn't go otherwise.

No family holiday for us this year, just day trips that will also include Olympic handball and the usual Diamond League Athletics at Crystal Palace. So a cheap day trip over for us to take in what we can of Paris - Roubaix for now. The advantage for us is that we're only about an hour from Dover and if we just end up going to the velodrome at Roubaix, rather than go for some Pavé and chase the race as well, then it's only about an hour and half from Calais. So far, because it'll be my first trip over and we'll have 4 young kids with us, it's looking like a picnic and fun and games in the velodrome to watch on the big screen and welcome the riders in. I may have to leave the Pavé for another year and more experience and perhaps without all the family in tow.

 

[Stat Brother]

Picked your team yet SB?

I picked mine quite early. Will have a late look over tomorrow night once back from Donny just to make sure I've had no late withdrawals...otherwise I'm good to go.

Yeah all done.
Sticking with Kittel (sp) for the first proper stage, then it's all change, as it gets lumpy.

 

[1066familyman]

Yeah all done.
Sticking with Kittel (sp) for the first proper stage, then it's all change, as it gets lumpy.

Yep, stage two for the sprinters apparently.

I've gone big on TT'ers and see where I go from there. Last stage is a TT too so may not make huge changes throughout, so long as at least some of my motley crew can cope with the lumpy stuff I hope I'll be ok with the limited transfers.

Just had quick look and I'm already a domestique down and the change I'd love to make for him is just 0.2 too expensive. Oh well, will have to look harder.

 

[Pantani]

I've gone big on TT'ers and see where I go from there.

This, although I have a few little ideas brewing, I did a crazy amount of research on prologue results and discovered a bunch of things I knew already and that I couldn't afford to implement anyway. Need to check my team out again now the start list has been confirmed. I am without the internet at home at the moment though so no Eurosport footage.

 

[Stat Brother]

10 points, lets see if anyone can top that!

 

[1066familyman]

Sods law, had Larsson penciled in at one point but then had a re-jig and had his team mate, Westra, instead.

Oh well, 3rd yet again on this stage and overall. Going to be tough breaking into that top two of this NSC league.

 

[Pantani]

What happened to Tony Martin? I thought he was a banker for some points today. He is booted out of my team and replaced by Boonen who will win tomorrow, you heard it here first.

 

[1066familyman]

What happened to Tony Martin? I thought he was a banker for some points today. He is booted out of my team and replaced by Boonen who will win tomorrow, you heard it here first.

I'd made that exact change just after my earlier post. Looks like the rain caught martin out, although brad coped ok.

 

[Stat Brother]

What happened to Tony Martin? I thought he was a banker for some points today. He is booted out of my team and replaced by Boonen who will win tomorrow, you heard it here first.

Kittel

 

[Pantani]

Kittel

Boonen

Uphill finish today, but not that steep or that long, so a strong man sprinter to win it or classics specialist. I'm going for Degenkolb today.

 

[Stat Brother]

Deg is the only person getting me points, at the moment.

 

[Stat Brother]

Oh and good call.

 

[Pantani]

1,2,3 and 4 for me today. I expect many will have 2,3 and 4 though as they were the obvious choices. Not done too shabbily considering I have been without the internet the last two days with no work or access at home. The Virgin man is coming tomorrow so I should be back to full tinker man mode by then.

 

[1066familyman]

1,2,3 and 4 for me today. I expect many will have 2,3 and 4 though as they were the obvious choices. Not done too shabbily considering I have been without the internet the last two days with no work or access at home. The Virgin man is coming tomorrow so I should be back to full tinker man mode by then.

1,2,3 & 5 for me today Had westra from the start and today I'm glad I've kept faith with him. Bizarrely my internet also went dow last night after the game and I done last nights transfers and this on my phone.