Here’s a less shouty one :)

Bubblecar said:

Here’s a less shouty one :)

Oh, I’m sorry…I thought all caps would help it stand out in the VBT window.

Sheesh and shit…..

No harm done, but the Tour is nocturnal viewing Down Under, and we don’t want to be clicking on a shouty thread all night long.

For those who missed Stage 1, it was mostly a pleasant and undemanding spin around the Corsican coast, until everything started going wrong near the end. The Guardian takes up the story:

Tour de France 2013: chaos and crashes mark disastrous first stage
• Orica GreenEdge bus became lodged under finish-line banner
• Mark Cavendish and other favourites caught in crash

It was supposed to be the day when Mark Cavendish wriggled into the Tour de France’s famous yellow jersey for the first time. Instead it will be remembered for an Orica GreenEdge team bus wedged under the finish line and a spectacular crash with six kilometres remaining that took out half the peloton.

With the driver trying – and failing – to extricate the bus, before throwing his hands in front of his eyes as if desperately hoping to wish his worries away, Tour organisers frantically switched the finish to the three-kilometre line down the road. Moments later the bus started reversing – and so did the organisers, who switched the finish back to its original spot near Bastia beach. It was a decision that, in the words of Cavendish, led to “carnage”.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jun/29/tour-de-france-2013-chaos-crashes-first-stage

So the OGE bus blocked the finish line, an OGE rider brought down the peloton, and Kittel pulled a Bradbury to take the line.

It’s Australian all the way.

:-)

Rule 303 said:

So the OGE bus blocked the finish line, an OGE rider brought down the peloton, and Kittel pulled a Bradbury to take the line.

It’s Australian all the way.

:-)

Actually, winning by doing the dirty in the scrum is more yer English RU ploy.

what was wrong with the first one?

Arts said:

what was wrong with the first one?

CAPS :)

Le Tour is quiet nocturnal viewing, a form of relaxation therapy.

Bubblecar said:

Arts said:

what was wrong with the first one?

CAPS :)

Le Tour is quiet nocturnal viewing, a form of relaxation therapy.

Yeah I find it relaxing watching all those calories being burned!!!

you can burn some calories by shouting

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that hurt my eyes

Gabriel now introducing us to Corsican cheeses.

Bubblecar said:

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I want to ride my bicycle,
I want to rdie my bike,
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like

(with a helmet on…)

Bubblecar said:

Gabriel now introducing us to Corsican cheeses.

I keep intending to get into the TDF but it seems to take some commitment, conflicts with other stuff I like to watch and has been devalued by drug use. As far as I am concerned, albeit with very little knowledge, they should just let them use whatever drugs they like.

But I can also see some problems with that.

>and has been devalued by drug use

try watching it sober

;)

and has been devalued by drug use. As far as I am concerned, albeit with very little knowledge, they should just let them use whatever drugs they like.
————————
Watch it with the belief that none are on drugs, or watch it with the belief that all are on drugs, and then the drug aspect no longer matters. Just enjoy the competition on the day for what it appears to be.

(and don’t read the papers later…)

Skunkworks said:

Bubblecar said:

Gabriel now introducing us to Corsican cheeses.

I keep intending to get into the TDF but it seems to take some commitment, conflicts with other stuff I like to watch and has been devalued by drug use. As far as I am concerned, albeit with very little knowledge, they should just let them use whatever drugs they like.

But I can also see some problems with that.

I reckon they’ve got it right now, blood samples are stored to allow retrospective testing for new substances. Whatever you might be using will eventually be discovered and smaples can be retested.

Skunkworks said:

But I can also see some problems with that.

Aside from the obvious possibilities like competitors dropping dead on the finishing line, taking a Laissez-faire approach opens the door to ever more bizarre forms of performance enhancement. They’re already surgically ‘optimising’ the arteries to deliver blood – Why not sew on a couple of extra legs?

Why not sew on a couple of extra legs?
———————
Well… there are only two pedals for starters…

Letting them use whatever drugs they want would mean that the team with the highest paid doctors and pharmacists etc would always have the edge. It would become a very expensive chemistry competition with a bike race tacked onto it.

As for watching the Tour on telly, you don’t necessarily have to follow it religiously. It’s the sort of thing you can dip into whenever you fancy :)

Bubblecar said:

As for watching the Tour on telly, you don’t necessarily have to follow it religiously. It’s the sort of thing you can dip into whenever you fancy :)

I watch it for the scenery as much as the racing.

I watch it for the scenery as much as the racing.
————————-
A lot of people (including me) say that. But I strongly doubt that any of us would watch a doco with lots of motorbike shots of French roads and some helicopter shots of scenery/old buildings, for four hours a night for three week straight.

Rule 303 said:

Skunkworks said:

But I can also see some problems with that.

Aside from the obvious possibilities like competitors dropping dead on the finishing line, taking a Laissez-faire approach opens the door to ever more bizarre forms of performance enhancement. They’re already surgically ‘optimising’ the arteries to deliver blood – Why not sew on a couple of extra legs?

I sort of go lefty here, if it does no one else any harm whats the problem? Of course I am right enough to realise that will not work cos if you drug fuck yourself enough, in rich societys, the state gets to look after you when the best you can do is lay twitching in a bed, which is not ideal.

Stealth said:

Well… there are only two pedals for starters…

Come now… I don’t think you’re taking this seriously.

The brain is largely dead weight, I’m sure they could remove most of it.
The Intestines could be radically simplified, saving weight.
The steering, breaking and gear changes could be performed by only one arm – Remove the other.

…

Stealth said:

I watch it for the scenery as much as the racing.
————————-
A lot of people (including me) say that. But I strongly doubt that any of us would watch a doco with lots of motorbike shots of French roads and some helicopter shots of scenery/old buildings, for four hours a night for three week straight.

I think the charm is because it is fitted in here and there.

Stealth said:

I watch it for the scenery as much as the racing.
————————-
A lot of people (including me) say that. But I strongly doubt that any of us would watch a doco with lots of motorbike shots of French roads and some helicopter shots of scenery/old buildings, for four hours a night for three week straight.

The race provides a unifying theme but most of the time there’s nothing much happening in it :)

You get a few moments of drama and suspense amidst hours of relaxing pedalling. And the pleasantly inoffensive drone of Phil & Paul’s commentary.

Bubblecar said:

. And the pleasantly inoffensive drone of Phil & Paul’s commentary.

Yeah, thank dog it’s not one of the Australian commercial networks doing it.

Bubblecar said:

The race provides a unifying theme but most of the time there’s nothing much happening in it :)

Bit like long car races, still even with condensed recaps of the last hours racing they can be dull. I like to watch car or motorbike races toward the end, you get the tension, recaps to tell you where youa re at and fill in the stuff you missed. But even then they last at most for 24 hours? How long is the TDF?

Rule 303 said:

Skunkworks said:

But I can also see some problems with that.

Aside from the obvious possibilities like competitors dropping dead on the finishing line, taking a Laissez-faire approach opens the door to ever more bizarre forms of performance enhancement. They’re already surgically ‘optimising’ the arteries to deliver blood – Why not sew on a couple of extra legs?

sew on a couple of lungs would be better

Skunkworks said:

I sort of go lefty here, if it does no one else any harm whats the problem?

I think the libertarian approach to drugs produces wildly different possible consequences when applied to performance enhancement.

We’re not talking about some teenagers sitting around in their share-house loungeroom giggling at each other.

>How long is the TDF?

Three weeks.

wookiemeister said:

sew on a couple of lungs would be better

Compared to general public, the current batch are already running four hearts and eight lungs.

Rule 303 said:

Skunkworks said:

I sort of go lefty here, if it does no one else any harm whats the problem?

I think the libertarian approach to drugs produces wildly different possible consequences when applied to performance enhancement.

We’re not talking about some teenagers sitting around in their share-house loungeroom giggling at each other.

I agree and thought I said t may have conseque4nces for the state, or at least, other people who have to take responsibility for people who fuck themselves up on drugs. Recreationally or to enhance performance of all sorts.

Stealth said:

I watch it for the scenery as much as the racing.
————————-
A lot of people (including me) say that. But I strongly doubt that any of us would watch a doco with lots of motorbike shots of French roads and some helicopter shots of scenery/old buildings, for four hours a night for three week straight.

Driving on some of those roads is pretty scarey IRL. No time to look at the scenery. The mind is fixed on avoiding madmen trying to push you over the edge of the cliff.

Little Tommy Voeckler flies forward in pursuit of the breakaway. Kittel is falling behind.

Saturn’s Hyperion: A Moon with Odd Craters
Image Credit & Copyright: Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA

Explanation: What lies at the bottom of Hyperion’s strange craters? Nobody’s sure. To help find out, the robot Cassini spacecraft now orbiting Saturn swooped past the sponge-textured moon in 2005 and 2010 and took images of unprecedented detail. An image from the 2005 pass, shown above in false color, shows a remarkable world strewn with strange craters and a generally odd surface. The slight differences in color likely show differences in surface composition. At the bottom of most craters lies some type of unknown dark material. Inspection of the image shows bright features indicating that the dark material might be only tens of meters thick in some places. Hyperion is about 250 kilometers across, rotates chaotically, and has a density so low that it might house a vast system of caverns inside.

Nothing to see here, move along, move along…

Kingy said:

Saturn’s Hyperion: A Moon with Odd Craters
Image Credit & Copyright: Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA

Explanation: What lies at the bottom of Hyperion’s strange craters? Nobody’s sure. To help find out, the robot Cassini spacecraft now orbiting Saturn swooped past the sponge-textured moon in 2005 and 2010 and took images of unprecedented detail. An image from the 2005 pass, shown above in false color, shows a remarkable world strewn with strange craters and a generally odd surface. The slight differences in color likely show differences in surface composition. At the bottom of most craters lies some type of unknown dark material. Inspection of the image shows bright features indicating that the dark material might be only tens of meters thick in some places. Hyperion is about 250 kilometers across, rotates chaotically, and has a density so low that it might house a vast system of caverns inside.

I am pretty sure Le Tour in entirely in France this year..

Stealth said:

I am pretty sure Le Tour in entirely in France this year..

Yeah, well, one day we’ll be watching le giro de solar system. I’m just scoping out some new hills for the peleton to practice on.

nice looking island in the hills part of it.

well done that copper that grabbed the fool running alongside the peleton :)

In 2020 you will be able to compete on an exercise bike at your house when all the resistance gets factored in via sattelitr. a virtual tool. And to get the internet vest you will have to spend the same amount of time and I can see a ghost function on TV.

Just my prediction.

Skunkworks said:

In 2020 you will be able to compete on an exercise bike at your house when all the resistance gets factored in via sattelitr. a virtual tool. And to get the internet vest you will have to spend the same amount of time and I can see a ghost function on TV.

Just my prediction.

Well you can already download the Tour course to your mag-trainer and virtually race against friends or the Tour riders. The problem with choosing to race the Tour riders is you don’t see them after a few minutes.

http://www.sportplay.com.au/training-equipment/cycling/tacx.html

Skunkworks said:

In 2020 you will be able to compete on an exercise bike at your house when all the resistance gets factored in via sattelitr. a virtual tool. And to get the internet vest you will have to spend the same amount of time and I can see a ghost function on TV.

Just my prediction.

Sounds good if you’re into that sort of thing. I don’t think I’d get beyond 1 km at their pace without needing a break to apply Volatarin on my knee.

What I’d like would be to be able to select cameras alongside the broadcast TV pictures. Each bicycle would have a camera mounted in the handle bars weighing approx 10 grams, but all transmitting live pictures. You’d select the rider number you want to follow and have their camera live feed on your computer or tablet over the internet.

What I’d like would be to be able to select cameras alongside the broadcast TV pictures. Each bicycle would have a camera mounted in the handle bars weighing approx 10 grams, but all transmitting live pictures. You’d select the rider number you want to follow and have their camera live feed on your computer or tablet over the internet.
——————-
Just like F1, except I don’t thinkit is worth paying for and, moreso for bikes, weight is an issue. Sure the camera might weigh 10g, but the batteries for the camera and transmitter for 5hr races would weigh a bit, as would the transmitter itself.

Stealth said:

What I’d like would be to be able to select cameras alongside the broadcast TV pictures. Each bicycle would have a camera mounted in the handle bars weighing approx 10 grams, but all transmitting live pictures. You’d select the rider number you want to follow and have their camera live feed on your computer or tablet over the internet.
——————-
Just like F1, except I don’t thinkit is worth paying for and, moreso for bikes, weight is an issue. Sure the camera might weigh 10g, but the batteries for the camera and transmitter for 5hr races would weigh a bit, as would the transmitter itself.

I’m boldly predicting that by 2020 the whole kit will be down to 10 grams :)

If every rider must have one it’s no drama.

Stealth said:

What I’d like would be to be able to select cameras alongside the broadcast TV pictures. Each bicycle would have a camera mounted in the handle bars weighing approx 10 grams, but all transmitting live pictures. You’d select the rider number you want to follow and have their camera live feed on your computer or tablet over the internet.
——————-
Just like F1, except I don’t thinkit is worth paying for and, moreso for bikes, weight is an issue. Sure the camera might weigh 10g, but the batteries for the camera and transmitter for 5hr races would weigh a bit, as would the transmitter itself.

would vibration be a problem?

You might get sea-sick (bike-sick) from the rocking, due to pedal motion, and rolling, due to cornering.

I often record the Grand Prix and watch it as I do a long run on the treadmill on Monday,as a way to forget/ignore what a stupid thing I am doing. But when they go to in-car shots I have been known to run off the side of the treadmill.

morrie said:

would vibration be a problem?

a biggie.

Stealth said:

You might get sea-sick (bike-sick) from the rocking, due to pedal motion, and rolling, due to cornering.

I often record the Grand Prix and watch it as I do a long run on the treadmill on Monday,as a way to forget/ignore what a stupid thing I am doing. But when they go to in-car shots I have been known to run off the side of the treadmill.

I’ve never had a problem falling off my armchair :)

morrie said:

Stealth said:

What I’d like would be to be able to select cameras alongside the broadcast TV pictures. Each bicycle would have a camera mounted in the handle bars weighing approx 10 grams, but all transmitting live pictures. You’d select the rider number you want to follow and have their camera live feed on your computer or tablet over the internet.
——————-
Just like F1, except I don’t thinkit is worth paying for and, moreso for bikes, weight is an issue. Sure the camera might weigh 10g, but the batteries for the camera and transmitter for 5hr races would weigh a bit, as would the transmitter itself.

would vibration be a problem?

Modern digital algorythmns are pretty good at dealing with that.

Stealth said:

You might get sea-sick (bike-sick) from the rocking, due to pedal motion, and rolling, due to cornering.

I often record the Grand Prix and watch it as I do a long run on the treadmill on Monday,as a way to forget/ignore what a stupid thing I am doing. But when they go to in-car shots I have been known to run off the side of the treadmill.

My father told me.. look where you want to go and you’ll miss that big MAN truck.

Stealth said:

morrie said:

Stealth said:

What I’d like would be to be able to select cameras alongside the broadcast TV pictures. Each bicycle would have a camera mounted in the handle bars weighing approx 10 grams, but all transmitting live pictures. You’d select the rider number you want to follow and have their camera live feed on your computer or tablet over the internet.
——————-
Just like F1, except I don’t thinkit is worth paying for and, moreso for bikes, weight is an issue. Sure the camera might weigh 10g, but the batteries for the camera and transmitter for 5hr races would weigh a bit, as would the transmitter itself.

would vibration be a problem?

Modern digital algorythmns are pretty good at dealing with that.

probably worth a test then.. has anyone done it with a head mounted cam?

roughbarked said:

Stealth said:

morrie said:

would vibration be a problem?

Modern digital algorythmns are pretty good at dealing with that.

probably worth a test then.. has anyone done it with a head mounted cam?

Moto GP uses bike cams that make me sick, but not due to vibration.

Stealth said:

Moto GP uses bike cams that make me sick, but not due to vibration.

To get the best out of them you need to tilt your head the opposite direction.

party_pants said:

Stealth said:

Moto GP uses bike cams that make me sick, but not due to vibration.

To get the best out of them you need to tilt your head the opposite direction.

Yeah, I’ve watched a fair bit of that.. and though motorbikes ride smoother than bicycles there’s still a lot of vibration that goes on apart from the vertigo.

here we go….

good finish :)

Ha, a rare win for a hopeful breakaway rider.

Yes :)

Phil & Paul misidentified the rider :/

Love the watch towers – built for lighting a bonfire on the roof to alert the next tower..

Tonight’s stage is the last in Corsica but they’re saying it’ll be the most scenic of the Corsican rides.

party_pants said:

good finish :)

Yes, it was… just had a look at the highlights.

The winner holding his head.. was that because his head was exploding with delight or more – “I’ve got this tight close-up but I’m wearing this incredibly dorky and tragic looking bike helmet!”?

Anyway, for the hardcore televisual sportistas..

Bernie Tomic v Tomas Berdych, last up on court 1, at some late late early hour.

standing by…..

Beautiful ..

Stunning scenery

Have they made any mention of how the team buses get from Corsica to the mainland?

love a good musical interlude :)

Being chased by Slenderman. Lolz

Witty Rejoinder said:

Have they made any mention of how the team buses get from Corsica to the mainland?

By ferry, I imagine. This stage has been timed to enable everyone & everything to get to the mainland in time.

Witty Rejoinder said:

Have they made any mention of how the team buses get from Corsica to the mainland?

They drive onto the ferry and wait between 3 and 6 hours (depending on it being a cruise ferry or express) and then drive off again. The Orica Greenedge bus on the other hand have been banned from the ferry as a safety measure…

Calvi, where this stage finishes:

Witty Rejoinder said:

Have they made any mention of how the team buses get from Corsica to the mainland?

Overnight ferry I guess. Shortish stage today, tomorrow is a time trial mid afternoon.

If you fracture your pelvis on day 2, you quit..sheesh

Dropbear said:

If you fracture your pelvis on day 2, you quit..sheesh

You and I do Bear. But that’s why we are watching on TV.

party_pants said:

Dropbear said:

If you fracture your pelvis on day 2, you quit..sheesh

You and I do Bear. But that’s why we are watching on TV.

They won’t run out of bike races :)

Dropbear said:

If you fracture your pelvis on day 2, you quit..sheesh

Arrh, you’re soft.

Stealth said:

Dropbear said:

If you fracture your pelvis on day 2, you quit..sheesh

Arrh, you’re soft.

IKR?

Nice view of the Spunky Gorgeous there

party_pants said:

Nice view of the Spunky Gorgeous there

Thanks, now snapchat me back

Gorges de Spelunca which means: gorge of caves.

Bubblecar said:

Gorges de Spelunca which means: gorge of caves.

Even we non Corsicans got that :)

I reckon there would be some nice fishing and diving off those rocky headlands.

how much effort would have gone into building that road?

party_pants said:

how much effort would have gone into building that road?

84

party_pants said:

how much effort would have gone into building that road?

In typical French fashion, ‘not much’.

Witty Rejoinder said:

Have they made any mention of how the team buses get from Corsica to the mainland?

Yes. An armarda of four ferry boats to shift everything back to the mainland.

there will be an armada of 4 ferries/ships taking the whole travelling circus back to Nice. Some of the heavy vehicles will have to go to the naval base at Toulon.

the mystery is solved.

Witty Rejoinder said:

Have they made any mention of how the team buses get from Corsica to the mainland?

Four dedicated ferries to get the teams back to the mainland.

party_pants said:

the mystery is solved.

Cool.

sibeen said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

Have they made any mention of how the team buses get from Corsica to the mainland?

Four dedicated ferries to get the teams back to the mainland.

Dedicated ferries are those that just go back and forth come rain, hail or shine. As opposed to the Concordia, which just rolled on its side to have a little sleep when it couldn’t be bother with the ferrying business anymore.

So what’s the civl engineering technique to build these roads?

Blasting a section of rock cutting back into the slope, tip the spoil down the slope, and hope you’ve got a bit of a flat spot to lay the road?

Wow – how did they do those shots just now?

Almost like they had a boom mounted on the top of a van

party_pants said:

Wow – how did they do those shots just now?

Almost like they had a boom mounted on the top of a van

didn’t see it but cameras can be anywhere.

Simon Clarke takes off with Minard. Extended the breakaway lifespan for a while at least.

Green Edge obviously want some decent exposure.

Great ride so far.

Can Clarke make it 2km up the hill?

Rolland takes charge.

Bubblecar said:

Rolland takes charge.

that name sounds familiar.

Green Edge gets the win, and the kudos :)

Geraints!

Gerrans evan

Aussie Simon Gerrans of Orica GreenEDGE wins the stage.

Can I be bothered staying up for tonight’s stage? It’s only a time trial.

Tonight: TTTTT (Tourist Trap Team Time Trial). We’re in Nice and the race will be nearly all on flat main roads. But it should be enjoyable nonetheless.

Maybe I’ll stay up for the first couple of teams.

Bubblecar said:

But it should be enjoyable nonetheless.

Yes. It’ll be Nice.

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

But it should be enjoyable nonetheless.

Yes. It’ll be Nice.

If only I had some Nice biscuits.

party_pants said:

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

But it should be enjoyable nonetheless.

Yes. It’ll be Nice.

If only I had some Nice biscuits.

My neice has some.

captain_spalding said:

party_pants said:

captain_spalding said:

Yes. It’ll be Nice.

If only I had some Nice biscuits.

My neice has some.

Too late. It would take Toulon for me to get to her place before the race starts.

party_pants said:

captain_spalding said:

party_pants said:

If only I had some Nice biscuits.

My neice has some.

Too late. It would take Toulon for me to get to her place before the race starts.

You could try, what do you have Toulouse?

Stealth said:

party_pants said:

captain_spalding said:

My neice has some.

Too late. It would take Toulon for me to get to her place before the race starts.

You could try, what do you have Toulouse?

Yeah, what risk do you foresee? C’mon, make a clean Brest of it.

captain_spalding said:

Stealth said:

party_pants said:

Too late. It would take Toulon for me to get to her place before the race starts.

You could try, what do you have Toulouse?

Yeah, what risk do you foresee? C’mon, make a clean Brest of it.

I hope this fbad play on words doesn’t go on too Lyon.

Stealth said:

captain_spalding said:

Stealth said:

You could try, what do you have Toulouse?

Yeah, what risk do you foresee? C’mon, make a clean Brest of it.

I hope this fbad play on words doesn’t go on too Lyon.

So, Stealth says he’ll be Avignon of this rot!

this sudden flurry of puns Angers me,

party_pants said:

this sudden flurry of puns Angers me,

Oh, don’t be such a Nancy!

I Marseille goodnight soon too.

You can’t Alpe yourselves, can you?

Le Plagne for tonight is to catch up on paperwork with Le Tour playing in the background and the forum distracting me.

morrie said:

You can’t Alpe yourselves, can you?

it was stealth’s fault.

I Cannes think of any more silly puns.

party_pants said:

I Cannes think of any more silly puns.

Thank goodness for that. We were all getting Bordeaux them.

Anyway.. about to get underway for Stage 4.

get on with it ya bastards!

party_pants said:

get on with it ya bastards!

Thats it p_p, give ‘em Ypes.

party_pants said:

get on with it ya bastards!

Yeah, I am just getting hungry ATM.

Well, you know what I meant.

Lourdes knows how long we will have to wait to see the actual racing. A Futurescope could help. It is almost Bayonne a joke. It really does bring out the Angers in Le Mans.

I’m trying to pass the time by farting.

Wish our local vegetables were as good quality as those Nice market ones.

Hopefully there is some good scenery along the beach section.

Team Imperial Storm Troopers are off!

You’ll have to stay up late pp, ‘cos BMC & OGE won’t be on until well gone midnight.

party_pants said:

Hopefully there is some good scenery along the beach section.

I’m hoping for some quality asphalt.

Bubblecar said:

You’ll have to stay up late pp, ‘cos BMC & OGE won’t be on until well gone midnight.

Fortunately we are closer to Fance than you, so the signal gets here two hours earlier…

Wish they’d make up their mind who’s commentating.

Bubblecar said:

You’ll have to stay up late pp, ‘cos BMC & OGE won’t be on until well gone midnight.

Don’t think I’ll watch all of it, just the first few teams.

I have a tired. Was a busy day at work today.

The commentator just said the elimination time is 25s after the winners time. . At that rate I would guess half the field is not starting tomorrow.

Stealth said:

The commentator just said the elimination time is 25s after the winners time. . At that rate I would guess half the field is not starting tomorrow.

Maybe that’s just for a lone rider that’s been dropped off the back. I can’t see that they’d drop a whole team.

We all have our r’s falling out at the moment.

party_pants said:

Stealth said:

The commentator just said the elimination time is 25s after the winners time. . At that rate I would guess half the field is not starting tomorrow.

Maybe that’s just for a lone rider that’s been dropped off the back. I can’t see that they’d drop a whole team.

Nah, the comentator just stuff it up, twice. It is 25%, not seconds, and it is for the team, not an individual (like he was talking about at the time).

Category 5 – team time trial •Fifth man crossing the line must be within 25 percent of winning team’s time

Stealth said:

party_pants said:

Stealth said:

The commentator just said the elimination time is 25s after the winners time. . At that rate I would guess half the field is not starting tomorrow.

Maybe that’s just for a lone rider that’s been dropped off the back. I can’t see that they’d drop a whole team.

Nah, the comentator just stuff it up, twice. It is 25%, not seconds, and it is for the team, not an individual (like he was talking about at the time).

Category 5 – team time trial •Fifth man crossing the line must be within 25 percent of winning team’s time

Thanks – that sounds much better.

they seem to be going past a an airport full of private jets

What the fuck is Malcolm Turnball doing advertising Dewars Scotch?

Reminds me, I’ll never forget the Nice international airport. Three security people with sub machine guns at the ready wandered through the baggage pickup. Makes you realise that it is a very different world there.

sibeen said:

What the fuck is Malcolm Turnball doing advertising Dewars Scotch?

Hey – I’d advertise it for a pallet of the stuff.

morrie said:

Reminds me, I’ll never forget the Nice international airport. Three security people with sub machine guns at the ready wandered through the baggage pickup. Makes you realise that it is a very different world there.

Shit, I hope you didn’t grab the wrong bag by mistake.

party_pants said:

morrie said:

Reminds me, I’ll never forget the Nice international airport. Three security people with sub machine guns at the ready wandered through the baggage pickup. Makes you realise that it is a very different world there.

Shit, I hope you didn’t grab the wrong bag by mistake.

Rome airport has about three different sorts wandering around. all heavily armed. Used to shit me in the days I had my pony tail. Could be guaranteed to get checked off by all of them.

Wow – I think I’ve just seen the first black rider

sibeen said:

Rome airport has about three different sorts wandering around. all heavily armed. Used to shit me in the days I had my pony tail. Could be guaranteed to get checked off by all of them.

It doesn’t surprise me that you had run-ins with the fashion police. Not one little bit.

I’ve sported a luxuriant ponytail for years now and have yet to be machine-gunned.

sibeen said:

party_pants said:

morrie said:

Reminds me, I’ll never forget the Nice international airport. Three security people with sub machine guns at the ready wandered through the baggage pickup. Makes you realise that it is a very different world there.

Shit, I hope you didn’t grab the wrong bag by mistake.

Rome airport has about three different sorts wandering around. all heavily armed. Used to shit me in the days I had my pony tail. Could be guaranteed to get checked off by all of them.

Maybe they can judge a book by the cover?

:)

My Dad did a trip to Europe recently. He got waved through without much fuss – “Anything to declare Sir?”. “no”. “Thanks – off you go then”

Bubblecar said:

I’ve sported a luxuriant ponytail for years now and have yet to be machine-gunned.

The police know to stay well clear of the Campbell-Town Carver.

OGE now taking off.

I wonder if you can buy belts with plastic buckles. It drives me nuts having to take my belt off every time I go through a security check.

Bubblecar said:

OGE now taking off.

I was just about to go to bed.

>Saxo-Tinkoff

Hard not to call them Axo-Stinkoff.

morrie said:

I wonder if you can buy belts with plastic buckles. It drives me nuts having to take my belt off every time I go through a security check.

I have a tool bely with plastic clip. It holds a couple of kilos – claw hammer, tape measure and half a dozen pockets for nails and stuff.

I have found some that look like normal ones. US based though, so postage is OTT.

BMC off.

morrie said:

I have found some that look like normal ones. US based though, so postage is OTT.

Strange. You’d think there would be a big market for such accessories for the FIFO market in WA>

Stinkoff end third.

OGE doing well.

Last team off.

Bubblecar said:

Last team off.

I guess I’m stuck here for another 25 minutes then.

party_pants said:

Bubblecar said:

Last team off.

I guess I’m stuck here for another 25 minutes then.

Cut yourself a plate of mixed cheeses.

party_pants said:

morrie said:

I have found some that look like normal ones. US based though, so postage is OTT.

Strange. You’d think there would be a big market for such accessories for the FIFO market in WA>

Not when the security screeners are sitting outside the airport with signs asking for more pay and less work.

Bubblecar said:

party_pants said:

Bubblecar said:

Last team off.

I guess I’m stuck here for another 25 minutes then.

Cut yourself a plate of mixed cheeses.

My inner bogan wins out again. I have only cheddar right now.

OGE go first!

OGE have done it!

Go the Aussies

Simon Gerrans will be wearing yellow.

fingers crossed for Gerrans….

Only Radioshack to go, BMC too slow.

Radioshack were 8s behind at half way…

Gerrans is pretty safe.

Go Gerrans ( in the way that someone no longer racing can go..)

Congrats OGE & Simon Gerrans.

That stuck bus was a good omen.

Good for Gerrans, but I would have liked Evans a bit closer, BMC lost about 20 seconds to SKY.

OGE look a little bit happy.

So of the main contenders

Froome in P7@+3s
Contador in P12@+9s
Evans in P28@+26s

piss
teeth-brushing
bed

AFAICT only one rider eliminated on time from the TTT, American Ted King from Canondale who was involved in the crash on day 1.

Tonight’s stage: Cagnes sur Mer – Marseille, 228.5km

sigh

here I am again.

Fresh out of refreshments so tomorrow I’ll be stocking up on TdeF wines and supper treats.

Fresh out of refreshments
—-

How ironic

dv said:

Fresh out of refreshments
—-

How ironic

I have plenty of restalements in the pantry. Namely lots of mini-packets of Twisties.

Simon Gerrans seems to have a bit of a paunch on him in those profile riding shots.

Gerrans’s yellow lycra top already had his team name and logo on the front. Do they have yellow tops with all the team names and logos already for use if any particular team wins a stage?

Witty Rejoinder said:

Gerrans’s yellow lycra top already had his team name and logo on the front. Do they have yellow tops with all the team names and logos already for use if any particular team wins a stage?

There’s only twenty two teams, so it’s not such a stretch.

Witty Rejoinder said:

Gerrans’s yellow lycra top already had his team name and logo on the front. Do they have yellow tops with all the team names and logos already for use if any particular team wins a stage?

Probably standard practice for each team to carry a blank yellow, green, white and polka dot around with them. The rider’s name and number can be applied quickly with a transfer.

sibeen said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

Gerrans’s yellow lycra top already had his team name and logo on the front. Do they have yellow tops with all the team names and logos already for use if any particular team wins a stage?

There’s only twenty two teams, so it’s not such a stretch.

Yeah I suppose the sponsors want their ads on the front of the jerseys too when someone wins all that media attention.

these ruined castles on hill tops… would they have known about lightning rods at the time? If not I wouldn’t want to be living in one on a stormy night.

party_pants said:

these ruined castles on hill tops… would they have known about lightning rods at the time? If not I wouldn’t want to be living in one on a stormy night.

No. Lightning rods are an 18th century invention.

the Inspector Gadget theme!

see – I know music :)

Witty Rejoinder said:

Gerrans’s yellow lycra top already had his team name and logo on the front. Do they have yellow tops with all the team names and logos already for use if any particular team wins a stage?

The Yellow Jersey given at the race presentation has the winners sponser strip sewn on the front (by a little man behind the scenes) between the race finish and the presentation itself. The Yellow Jerseys worn during the stages itself are supplied by the teams themselves.

party_pants said:

these ruined castles on hill tops… would they have known about lightning rods at the time? If not I wouldn’t want to be living in one on a stormy night.

But would a stone castle be in as much need of a lightning rod as more modern building that have iron or steel reinforcment?

It was the pointy churches that were often hit by lightning in the Middle Ages.

Stealth said:

party_pants said:

these ruined castles on hill tops… would they have known about lightning rods at the time? If not I wouldn’t want to be living in one on a stormy night.

But would a stone castle be in as much need of a lightning rod as more modern building that have iron or steel reinforcment?

Most probably not.

Bubblecar said:

It was the pointy churches that were often hit by lightning in the Middle Ages.

u meen the steephills?

Stealth said:

party_pants said:

these ruined castles on hill tops… would they have known about lightning rods at the time? If not I wouldn’t want to be living in one on a stormy night.

But would a stone castle be in as much need of a lightning rod as more modern building that have iron or steel reinforcment?

It would have lots of flammable stuff like timber floors and roof structure.

party_pants said:

Stealth said:

party_pants said:

these ruined castles on hill tops… would they have known about lightning rods at the time? If not I wouldn’t want to be living in one on a stormy night.

But would a stone castle be in as much need of a lightning rod as more modern building that have iron or steel reinforcment?

It would have lots of flammable stuff like timber floors and roof structure.

but lightning hits stone?

party_pants said:

Stealth said:

party_pants said:

these ruined castles on hill tops… would they have known about lightning rods at the time? If not I wouldn’t want to be living in one on a stormy night.

But would a stone castle be in as much need of a lightning rod as more modern building that have iron or steel reinforcment?

It would have lots of flammable stuff like timber floors and roof structure.

Yeah, but are they a good conductor to earth and therefopre likely to be struck by lightning? Old church steeples would have had a lot of iron reinforcement and modern buildings have a lot of steel rebar to help the conductivity.

I’ve experienced a lighting strike nearby. The house went black the roof lifted with a bang and the wife came flying across the room on a bright blue ladder. It was my neighbours TV antenna that was hanging at half mast the next day. All the electronics in his house were totaled.. The huge yellow box in my front yard probably funneled some of the discharge.

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

Stealth said:

But would a stone castle be in as much need of a lightning rod as more modern building that have iron or steel reinforcment?

It would have lots of flammable stuff like timber floors and roof structure.

but lightning hits stone?

Yes, amazingly quite a lot. Doesn’t do it much damage though, and I suspect that an old stone castle was quite able to withstand a bolt or two.

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

Stealth said:

But would a stone castle be in as much need of a lightning rod as more modern building that have iron or steel reinforcment?

It would have lots of flammable stuff like timber floors and roof structure.

but lightning hits stone?

The wooden bits could still catch alight, like a shingle roof, or timbers.

Besides – if the stone was wet and just a little bit porous it could blow apart as the trapped water turns into steam with the sudden spike in heat. I’ve seen a wet concrete driveway explode small chunks when someone (my housemate) used a gas axe to cut steel over a wet driveway.

sibeen said:

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

It would have lots of flammable stuff like timber floors and roof structure.

but lightning hits stone?

Yes, amazingly quite a lot. Doesn’t do it much damage though, and I suspect that an old stone castle was quite able to withstand a bolt or two.

stone containing iron more often than not? Yes. I do think stone doesn’t notice much.

>All the electronics in his house were totaled.

Aye, I’ll grant you, the medieval’s ideas on surge suppression weren’t really up to current IEC standards.

:)

party_pants said:

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

It would have lots of flammable stuff like timber floors and roof structure.

but lightning hits stone?

The wooden bits could still catch alight, like a shingle roof, or timbers.

Besides – if the stone was wet and just a little bit porous it could blow apart as the trapped water turns into steam with the sudden spike in heat. I’ve seen a wet concrete driveway explode small chunks when someone (my housemate) used a gas axe to cut steel over a wet driveway.

doesn’t need to be wet concrete.. I get chips of my carport floor in my face all the time when waving the oxy across it.

sibeen said:

>All the electronics in his house were totaled.

Aye, I’ll grant you, the medieval’s ideas on surge suppression weren’t really up to current IEC standards.

:)

My village is a sleepy old place but it is far from medieval.. though the services were probably installed way back then.

So far, in these early stages of the TdF, I’ve been pacing myself well. I’ve yet to open a bottle of red, and the blue cheese still lies waiting in the fridge.

Mind you, I’ve drunk a fair amount of stout takes a sip, and scoffed quite a few assorted nuts, but I’ve been able to look SWMBO straight in the eyes in the morn and proclaim my utter goodness.

Next week, I suspect not so much.

WTF are all beautiful chalets, ruined forts, wineries, convents, flying nuns..?

WELL?

sibeen said:

So far, in these early stages of the TdF, I’ve been pacing myself well. I’ve yet to open a bottle of red, and the blue cheese still lies waiting in the fridge.

Mind you, I’ve drunk a fair amount of stout takes a sip, and scoffed quite a few assorted nuts, but I’ve been able to look SWMBO straight in the eyes in the morn and proclaim my utter goodness.

Next week, I suspect not so much.

Soft. Do the whole three weeks properly or go home…

I’ve gone through a modest amount of mixed cheeses and crackers, but no vino yet. I’ll be stocking up tomorrow.

>I’ll be stocking up tomorrow.

As well as getting more cheeses, olives, nuts etc. And ingredients for some hot supper dishes.

Alcohol is a downer.

You need stimulants if you’re going to do this weekend properly, maaan.

No, wine is the ticket for a pleasant and relaxing tour.

Ian said:

Alcohol is a downer.

You need stimulants if you’re going to do this weekend properly, maaan.

MeloDraMAtic?

Ian said:

Alcohol is a downer.

You need stimulants if you’re going to do this weekend properly, maaan.

I would have been quite alcohol effected at least a thousand times in my life, and that’s probably fairly conservative. In all I doubt that I could have stated that alcohol acted as a depressant on more than two occasions. If it’s a downer, it’s a fairly fucking poor one :)

Breakaway still 3 minutes adrift at 26km to go.

Bubblecar said:

No, wine is the ticket for a pleasant and relaxing tour.

Nothing wrong with beer.

the numbers have it that a lot of peeps are drinking beer.

Bubblecar said:

Breakaway still 3 minutes adrift at 26km to go.

The breakaway is stuffed. They may still think they have a chance, but nah…

Ohhhhhh, look at that cove.

Stealth said:

Bubblecar said:

Breakaway still 3 minutes adrift at 26km to go.

The breakaway is stuffed. They may still think they have a chance, but nah…

can’t win them all

Stealth said:

Ohhhhhh, look at that cove.

Probably hit by lightning to cause that look.

Stealth said:

Bubblecar said:

Breakaway still 3 minutes adrift at 26km to go.

The breakaway is stuffed. They may still think they have a chance, but nah…

+1

Stealth said:

Ohhhhhh, look at that cove.

you mean the bloke or the beach?

Getting seasick (motorbikecam sick)

Stealth said:

Bubblecar said:

Breakaway still 3 minutes adrift at 26km to go.

The breakaway is stuffed. They may still think they have a chance, but nah…

Well that’s normally the case on a stage like this.

Bubblecar said:

No, wine is the ticket for a pleasant and relaxing tour.

Well, le tooour is ok for a bit of comic relief between matches.

Ian said:

Bubblecar said:

No, wine is the ticket for a pleasant and relaxing tour.

Well, le tooour is ok for a bit of comic relief between matches.

What matches?

Bang on the 6s per km catch rate.

Goss falling behind.

CRASH crumple

1:20 at 15km.

Bubblecar said:

1:20 at 15km.

= gone.

What’s Green Edge doing setting the pace for if Goss has gone?

Under a minute. Here they come.

sibeen said:

What’s Green Edge doing setting the pace for if Goss has gone?

Maybe they’re just enjoying the race.

They’re going nearly as fast as I do on my shopping bike when I spin down Bridge St.

Bubblecar said:

They’re going nearly as fast as I do on my shopping bike when I spin down Bridge St.

But they are wearing helmets… ;)

I nearly always wear a helmet.

This is such a scary part of the race. I have been in this situation (but not quite at these speeds (and certainly not at Mr Car’s shopping bike speeds)) and everything happens so fast and you are just about dying anyway,

Bubblecar said:

I nearly always wear a helmet.

When visible.

who was that masked bandit?

Stealth said:

This is such a scary part of the race. I have been in this situation (but not quite at these speeds (and certainly not at Mr Car’s shopping bike speeds)) and everything happens so fast and you are just about dying anyway,

Just imagine the velocity Bubbles would achieve if he took that shopping basket off the front…scary.

Stealth said:

This is such a scary part of the race. I have been in this situation (but not quite at these speeds (and certainly not at Mr Car’s shopping bike speeds)) and everything happens so fast and you are just about dying anyway,

Still not gunna make me wear a helmet.

Gerrans keeps the yellow.

Cavendish wins but behind them: CRASH crumple

sibeen said:

Gerrans keeps the yellow.

Does he? Where did his team mates finish?

Bubblecar said:

Cavendish wins but behind them: CRASH crumple

Carbon fibre tends to crack or explode rather than crumple.

Stealth said:

sibeen said:

Gerrans keeps the yellow.

Does he? Where did his team mates finish?

I saw him just behind the sprint, so I perhaps may be wrong, but I suspect he wasn’t out by a second.

Gerrans still in yellow according to the table.

Big finish..

Verdasco 1 – 0

sibeen said:

Stealth said:

sibeen said:

Gerrans keeps the yellow.

Does he? Where did his team mates finish?

I saw him just behind the sprint, so I perhaps may be wrong, but I suspect he wasn’t out by a second.

It is not the second at stake. Finish position is used as a count back, so his two team mates on the same time could gain either gain yellow if they finished far enough in front.

We can confirm that Gerrans will ride another day in the yellow jersey. The Australian was 15th in the stage, the rider in second overall – Daryl Impey – was 13th.
———
So Impey needed more places to take Yellow.

The dour scott has come back..

to serve for the match

The sour faced Scott wins.

Has he got a bag full of lemons next to his racquets there?

Bubblecar said:

party_pants said:

these ruined castles on hill tops… would they have known about lightning rods at the time? If not I wouldn’t want to be living in one on a stormy night.

No. Lightning rods are an 18th century invention.

The cupola on top of the dome of the cathedral in Florence was destroyed by lightning shortly after completion.

I’m not sure how they stopped it happening again before the 18th century. Just prayed hard I suppose.

Tonight’s is a long flat ride that could get windy and overly warm:

Tour de France 2013 stage six
Thursday, July 4
From Aix-en-Provence
To Montpellier
Distance 176.5km
Stage type Flat

Bubblecar said:

Tonight’s is a long flat ride that could get windy and overly warm:

Tour de France 2013 stage six
Thursday, July 4
From Aix-en-Provence
To Montpellier
Distance 176.5km
Stage type Flat

One for the sprinters.

Hopefully I can stay awake tonight. I went to bed last night with the intention of watching the last hour or so, but I fell asleep after only 10 minutes.

Solution: don’t watch it in bed.

Bubblecar said:

Solution: don’t watch it in bed.

That would involve falling asleep in the armchair, which is less comfy.

Is SBS dropping out for others?

It is quite windy here and that sometimes stuffs up reception, so try to find out whether it is at my end or the satelitte to SBS.

sibeen said:

Is SBS dropping out for others?

It is quite windy here and that sometimes stuffs up reception, so try to find out whether it is at my end or the satelitte to SBS.

Just checked with NASA, and it is not windy at the satelitte, must be your end.

Been ok here.. Other than the normal break up from the road bikes

His end is always windy

I had a look but it needs spikes or something to add interest. Maybe motors on the bikes….

dv said:

His end is always windy

It’s the dog, I’ve told you that before, it is always the dog.

My sound was cutting out quite a bit until I moved the aerial.

the wind is really going to be a problem

Love these spectacularly sited hilltop castles and houses, but I suppose it’s not surprising that most of them were abandoned. Some serious accessibility challenges in the days before motor transport.

Bubblecar said:

Love these spectacularly sited hilltop castles and houses, but I suppose it’s not surprising that most of them were abandoned. Some serious accessibility challenges in the days before motor transport.

They look like what they were built for.. Last ditch defence.

Bubblecar said:

Love these spectacularly sited hilltop castles and houses, but I suppose it’s not surprising that most of them were abandoned. Some serious accessibility challenges in the days before motor transport.

I’d love one with all the modern conveniences. If I was rich as Bill Gates of course. I’d drill/dig a huge vertical shaft for a lift, with a hollowed-out cavern at the bottom of the hill to park my cars.

roughbarked said:

Bubblecar said:

Love these spectacularly sited hilltop castles and houses, but I suppose it’s not surprising that most of them were abandoned. Some serious accessibility challenges in the days before motor transport.

They look like what they were built for.. Last ditch defence.

More fundamentally, symbols of powerful local lordship. While many such places would have been in the wars, they were actually designed to make such conflict less likely.

party_pants said:

Bubblecar said:

Love these spectacularly sited hilltop castles and houses, but I suppose it’s not surprising that most of them were abandoned. Some serious accessibility challenges in the days before motor transport.

I’d love one with all the modern conveniences. If I was rich as Bill Gates of course. I’d drill/dig a huge vertical shaft for a lift, with a hollowed-out cavern at the bottom of the hill to park my cars.

Yeah, of course there would be some benefit to having gold or opals or something to speed the digging.

Bubblecar said:

Love these spectacularly sited hilltop castles and houses, but I suppose it’s not surprising that most of them were abandoned. Some serious accessibility challenges in the days before motor transport.

PJ O’Rourke once opined that you could tell a countries history by its buildings and compared Croatia to Switzerland. Very similar topographically, but he noted that the swiss had nice bighouses in the green valleys. In Croatia all the nice big houses were at the top of hills or on defensible positions.

Which sounds about right.

Bubblecar said:

roughbarked said:

Bubblecar said:

Love these spectacularly sited hilltop castles and houses, but I suppose it’s not surprising that most of them were abandoned. Some serious accessibility challenges in the days before motor transport.

They look like what they were built for.. Last ditch defence.

More fundamentally, symbols of powerful local lordship. While many such places would have been in the wars, they were actually designed to make such conflict less likely.

As in here’s my atom bomb?

Skunkworks said:

Bubblecar said:

Love these spectacularly sited hilltop castles and houses, but I suppose it’s not surprising that most of them were abandoned. Some serious accessibility challenges in the days before motor transport.

PJ O’Rourke once opined that you could tell a countries history by its buildings and compared Croatia to Switzerland. Very similar topographically, but he noted that the swiss had nice bighouses in the green valleys. In Croatia all the nice big houses were at the top of hills or on defensible positions.

Which sounds about right.

There appears a symmetry.

roughbarked said:

Skunkworks said:

Bubblecar said:

Love these spectacularly sited hilltop castles and houses, but I suppose it’s not surprising that most of them were abandoned. Some serious accessibility challenges in the days before motor transport.

PJ O’Rourke once opined that you could tell a countries history by its buildings and compared Croatia to Switzerland. Very similar topographically, but he noted that the swiss had nice bighouses in the green valleys. In Croatia all the nice big houses were at the top of hills or on defensible positions.

Which sounds about right.

There appears a symmetry.

Amazing to think that in the day tiny Switzerland was a world power and is still richer than weathergirls.

Skunkworks said:

roughbarked said:

Skunkworks said:

PJ O’Rourke once opined that you could tell a countries history by its buildings and compared Croatia to Switzerland. Very similar topographically, but he noted that the swiss had nice bighouses in the green valleys. In Croatia all the nice big houses were at the top of hills or on defensible positions.

Which sounds about right.

There appears a symmetry.

Amazing to think that in the day tiny Switzerland was a world power and is still richer than weathergirls.

They didn’t spend money on waging war?

That’s something you don’t often see Down Under (or at least not in Tas) – imported French olives. Spanish and Italian are very common but the French must eat most of their own olives themselves. (Currently scoffing some delicious local black olives + Sicilian green olives, with local brie, feta and cheddar + Koonunga Hill red)

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

Bubblecar said:

Love these spectacularly sited hilltop castles and houses, but I suppose it’s not surprising that most of them were abandoned. Some serious accessibility challenges in the days before motor transport.

I’d love one with all the modern conveniences. If I was rich as Bill Gates of course. I’d drill/dig a huge vertical shaft for a lift, with a hollowed-out cavern at the bottom of the hill to park my cars.

Yeah, of course there would be some benefit to having gold or opals or something to speed the digging.

Nah, just a standard contract to bore holes through plain old rock. Any discovery of useful minerals or metals would hinder my use of the place as a mansion.

Skunkworks said:

Amazing to think that in the day tiny Switzerland was a world power and is still richer than weathergirls.

Switzerland has never been a world power AFAICR. Strong and independent yes, but world power no.

roughbarked said:

Skunkworks said:

roughbarked said:

There appears a symmetry.

Amazing to think that in the day tiny Switzerland was a world power and is still richer than weathergirls.

They didn’t spend money on waging war?

What prompted you to ask that?

Witty Rejoinder said:

Skunkworks said:

Amazing to think that in the day tiny Switzerland was a world power and is still richer than weathergirls.

Switzerland has never been a world power AFAICR. Strong and independent yes, but world power no.

Would you believe powerful enough to influence world events then?.

But yeah, I plead guilty, for much of the conversation I just realised I was talking about Sweden. Richer than weathergirls still counts, ummm martial prowess, maybe not so much.

And apologies for ?.

Skunkworks said:

Would you believe powerful enough to influence world events then?.

But yeah, I plead guilty, for much of the conversation I just realised I was talking about Sweden. Richer than weathergirls still counts, ummm martial prowess, maybe not so much.

I get them mixed up too.

party_pants said:

Skunkworks said:

Would you believe powerful enough to influence world events then?.

But yeah, I plead guilty, for much of the conversation I just realised I was talking about Sweden. Richer than weathergirls still counts, ummm martial prowess, maybe not so much.

I get them mixed up too.

They both start off in Sw

Bouhanni abandons.

Bubblecar said:

That’s something you don’t often see Down Under (or at least not in Tas) – imported French olives. Spanish and Italian are very common but the French must eat most of their own olives themselves. (Currently scoffing some delicious local black olives + Sicilian green olives, with local brie, feta and cheddar + Koonunga Hill red)

You bought green olives from Sicily when there are delicious local black olives available?

>You bought green olives from Sicily when there are delicious local black olives available?

?

Why can’t I buy more than one kind of olive from more than one place?

party_pants said:

Skunkworks said:

Would you believe powerful enough to influence world events then?.

But yeah, I plead guilty, for much of the conversation I just realised I was talking about Sweden. Richer than weathergirls still counts, ummm martial prowess, maybe not so much.

I get them mixed up too.

Took Witty to remind me, I was just about to take him to task till I realised I had cocked up. Essence of what I stated remains and is correct, but however, totally discredited.

Bubblecar said:

>You bought green olives from Sicily when there are delicious local black olives available?

?

Why can’t I buy more than one kind of olive from more than one place?

Didn’t say you couldn’t. It was just that if local black olives are available then local green olives would be as well. To my simple palate it isn’t the region where the olives are grown as much as the people managing the growing and processing.

I do usually buy local green olives (which are particularly rich and buttery) but there were none available in the village today. These Sicilian olives are not as delectable but are still good quality olives.

Skunkworks said:

party_pants said:

Skunkworks said:

Would you believe powerful enough to influence world events then?.

But yeah, I plead guilty, for much of the conversation I just realised I was talking about Sweden. Richer than weathergirls still counts, ummm martial prowess, maybe not so much.

I get them mixed up too.

Took Witty to remind me, I was just about to take him to task till I realised I had cocked up. Essence of what I stated remains and is correct, but however, totally discredited.

Sweden isn’t as neutral as Switzerland. Not a lot of other differences apart from terrain.

I’m not sure that this forum can quite handle an apology.

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

Skunkworks said:

Would you believe powerful enough to influence world events then?.

But yeah, I plead guilty, for much of the conversation I just realised I was talking about Sweden. Richer than weathergirls still counts, ummm martial prowess, maybe not so much.

I get them mixed up too.

They both start off in Sw

Yeah, Sweden, Swaziland and Switzerland, everyone one is constanly getting them confused.

Bubblecar said:

I do usually buy local green olives (which are particularly rich and buttery) but there were none available in the village today. These Sicilian olives are not as delectable but are still good quality olives.

Yes. When an olive is required, one is. Anyway it isn’t a difficult thing to do, collect your own. Olive trees are roadside weeds in a lot of southern Australia.

sibeen said:

I’m not sure that this forum can quite handle an apology.

Would that be shifting the goal posts too far?

sibeen said:

I’m not sure that this forum can quite handle an apology.

Sure it can. It’s not Big Footy. (Spent half a n hour over there reading the threads about the Essendon drug saga, man, those supporters make de Nile look like an insignificant trickle).

Stealth said:

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

I get them mixed up too.

They both start off in Sw

Yeah, Sweden, Swaziland and Switzerland, everyone one is constanly getting them confused.

Swaziland isn’t next door, like.

It never added to my confusion. Though Sweden never really confused me with Switzerland either, even though it is right next door, sorta.

sibeen said:

I’m not sure that this forum can quite handle an apology.

I could have made a case I was correct all along. But that would be as transparent as other idiots who attempt it. When you eff up admit it, payback is much less of a bitch.

But I do enjoy the idiots who try the I was right all along bit. Makes them seem even more special. Not so much here but noted on some other forums.

time for a packet of Twisties.

>But I do enjoy the idiots who try the I was right all along bit.

Yeah, I miss Paul H as well :)

Though Sweden never really confused me with Switzerland either, even though it is right next door, sorta.
———————-
Sorta… except for two countries and two seas…

Stealth said:

Though Sweden never really confused me with Switzerland either, even though it is right next door, sorta.
———————-
Sorta… except for two countries and two seas…

That’s still sorta closer than Swaziland though.

Skunkworks said:

sibeen said:

I’m not sure that this forum can quite handle an apology.

I could have made a case I was correct all along. But that would be as transparent as other idiots who attempt it. When you eff up admit it, payback is much less of a bitch.

But I do enjoy the idiots who try the I was right all along bit. Makes them seem even more special. Not so much here but noted on some other forums.

You’ll never make an Essendon supporter :)

Skunkworks said:

sibeen said:

I’m not sure that this forum can quite handle an apology.

I could have made a case I was correct all along. But that would be as transparent as other idiots who attempt it. When you eff up admit it, payback is much less of a bitch.

But I do enjoy the idiots who try the I was right all along bit. Makes them seem even more special. Not so much here but noted on some other forums.

You’ll never make an Essendon supporter :)

hehehehe, Roughy looks like a duck, calm on the surface but swimming like a mad thing beneath the surface.

Skunkworks said:

hehehehe, Roughy looks like a duck, calm on the surface but swimming like a mad thing beneath the surface.

battlers make up the world.

Skunkworks said:

hehehehe, Roughy looks like a duck, calm on the surface but swimming like a mad thing beneath the surface.

More like this actually..

time for the swamp country. .. not good for building castles.

They’re nervous. Just thought I would mention it.

I think it’s the wind, Morrie. Can’t be sure, mind, but that would be my best guess.

sibeen said:

I think it’s the wind, Morrie. Can’t be sure, mind, but that would be my best guess.

the wind is cross… or something.

party_pants said:

sibeen said:

I think it’s the wind, Morrie. Can’t be sure, mind, but that would be my best guess.

the wind is cross… or something.

Her name is Maria

party_pants said:

sibeen said:

I think it’s the wind, Morrie. Can’t be sure, mind, but that would be my best guess.

the wind is cross… or something.

cross that the elastic band will soon break.

Just in case you aren’t getting news flashes on the TDF, Nelson Mandela remains critical after dour weeks.

roughbarked said:

Just in case you aren’t getting news flashes on the TDF, Nelson Mandela remains critical after dour weeks.

Well they would be dour wouldn’t they?

why does the kermit-green coloured team have ‘bull’, ‘snake’ or someother name on their lycra bib bottoms?

these geezers

https://www.facebook.com/CannondaleProCycling

neomyrtus_ said:

why does the kermit-green coloured team have ‘bull’, ‘snake’ or someother name on their lycra bib bottoms?

Probably advertising something.

Mr Snake – what is that all about?

I’ve just been for a piss. Did I miss anything?

party_pants said:

I’ve just been for a piss. Did I miss anything?

We’ve been shaking the snake.

You’ve probably noticed the “cheeky” phrases the Cannondale Pro cycling team is sporting across their bib shorts. “I’m a bull,” “I’m a snake,” and “I’m a chameleon” are great hooks for Fi’zi:k’s Spine Concept saddles. If you’re wondering what the heck these phrases mean, well you’re not alone in wondering.

Fi’zi:k has had the Spine Concept ideas in place for a while now, and they’re essentially trying to help you choose a saddle based on the flexibility of your spine. The 2013 Tour de France Cannondale team is helping to spread the word about the fitting system by . . . well, spreading the word just above their saddles, but also through images printed on each team member’s saddle that reflects their individual flexibility type.

How Does it Work?: With the three basic animals (er . . . reptiles)–Snake, Chameleon, and Bull–representing the classifications of flexibility, Fi’zi:k claims to help you choose a saddle based on how much you can bend your spine, land on your sit bones, or require padding along soft tissue.

•Snake: The most flexible of riders who can move to any point on their saddle and remain seated on their sit bones. If you’re a snake, you won’t need to worry about soft tissue compression because you’re always supporting your weight on your sit bones. According to Fi’zi:k, snakes should ride an Arione (which, incidentally, I ride myself–and I love the saddle).
•Chameleon: These less flexible riders can adapt more to saddle shape, so they should ride the Antares
•Bull: These riders are the least flexible, and therefore need more cushion for soft tissue area as they roll forward on the saddle. Fi’zi:k recommends the Aliante
•For basically the same information as I’ve just laid out here, check out Fi’zi:k’s website

http://www.slocyclist.com/whats-up-with-bulls-snakes-and-chameleons-fiziks-curve-saddles-at-the-2013-tour-de-france/

Thanks for that Bubbles. Now we know.

party_pants said:

I’ve just been for a piss. Did I miss anything?

Well there is a very cross wind making the echa long enough to snap the elastic band that the black bulls use for somersaults.

Stealth said:

roughbarked said:

Just in case you aren’t getting news flashes on the TDF, Nelson Mandela remains critical after dour weeks.

Well they would be dour wouldn’t they?

indeed.

•Snake: The most flexible of riders who can move to any point on their saddle and remain seated on their sit bones. If you’re a snake, you won’t need to worry about soft tissue compression because you’re always supporting your weight on your sit bones. According to Fi’zi:k, snakes should ride an Arione (which, incidentally, I ride myself–and I love the saddle).
————————-
I ride an Arione and I am not very flexible at all.

Notice all the roundabouts. Very much a feature of rural French roads.

- bull, snake and camel toe

my eyes!

Cavendish involved in a crash and has fallen behind.

Cavendish should be disqualified. Slips treaming a car like that…tsk, tsk.

Bubblecar said:

Cavendish involved in a crash and has fallen behind.

thanks – back on topic….

My question was entirely TdF related.

neomyrtus_ said:

My question was entirely TdF related.

No one said it wasn’t?

>camel toe

Very narrow saddles, those racing bikes.

the elastic in my underpants seems to have snapped.

party_pants said:

the elastic in my underpants seems to have snapped.

Was there a cross wind?

party_pants said:

the elastic in my underpants seems to have snapped.

Probably cause by wind.

Stealth said:

party_pants said:

the elastic in my underpants seems to have snapped.

Was there a cross wind?

Well he did go outside and stretch the elastic.

Stealth said:

party_pants said:

the elastic in my underpants seems to have snapped.

Was there a cross wind?

Accidental echelon formation as I was trying to get comfortable… just snapped it

party_pants said:

Stealth said:

party_pants said:

the elastic in my underpants seems to have snapped.

Was there a cross wind?

Accidental echelon formation as I was trying to get comfortable… just snapped it

You in a TdF simulator?

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

Stealth said:

Was there a cross wind?

Accidental echelon formation as I was trying to get comfortable… just snapped it

You in a TdF simulator?

No just an armchair, a footstool, and a sore knee – doesn’t seem comfy in any posture.

It’s why I went to bed last night, but onl;y lasted 10 minutes before I fell asleep.

CRASH crumple

that doesn’t look good – crashed rider sitting in the middle of the road like a Sunday picnic.

Greipel wins the stage.

Nice to see a proper tall man win a sprint.

so – who takes yellow??

Bubblecar said:

Greipel wins the stage.

Jeas, spolier alerts would nice…

party_pants said:

so – who takes yellow??

One of the top three…

Stealth said:

Bubblecar said:

Greipel wins the stage.

Jeas, spolier alerts would nice…

Aren’t you getting it live?

Bubblecar said:

Stealth said:

Bubblecar said:

Greipel wins the stage.

Jeas, spolier alerts would nice…

Aren’t you getting it live?

Yeah, just pulling your chain ;)

Impey in yellow

Impey

Ah, I thought it might be some WA thing involving tardy satellites.

Well it’s still OGE.

Impey seems to have a time gap of 3s to second, and Gerrans dropped to thirdn @ 5s???

First time for a South African to wear yellow.

Evans lost another 5 seconds…

Stealth said:

Evans lost another 5 seconds…

He’s not looking very convincing so far.

Stealth said:

Evans lost another 5 seconds…

Looks like the wind was really cross.

Bubblecar said:

Stealth said:

Evans lost another 5 seconds…

He’s not looking very convincing so far.

No, but I never think he does. The year he won felt a bit like a Bradbury.

He’s a squeaky-voiced battler who wins by non-heroic means, when he wins at all.

“It’s 2:45 in the morning”

No. it’s 1:45.

The year he won, Evans:
- won a stage
- looked every part the winner in the TT
- lost only seconds on any of the mountain stages, except the Col D’Galibier where he has left to chase Schleck single handedly, and would have succeeded if any of the other contenders had been able to offer any help.

Evans may not have been as commanding as Armstrong in his pomp, but he looked strong all the way through.

All the contenders ‘lost’ 5 sec last night – the final sprint just opened up a slight gap between the serious sprinters and the rest of the leading bunch in the last 100m. It’s inconsequential.

Apart from the poor TTT, Evans has been riding near the front of the race and has personally matched every move by a rival. I think he’s looked fine, although the tests haven’t really come yet.

Just watched the sprint again, and I think Evans starts to chase the sprinters but then realises that Froome is on his wheel, so eases off since there wasn’t any point.

Actually, that’s another indication that Evans is looking ok – Froome wasn’t marking Contador or Schleck – he was marking Evans.

Some moderate climbing involved in tonight’s stage, heading inland through rolling countryside on a stretch not seen since 2007 when it was dominated by drug cheats Alexandre Vinokourov of Astana and Michael Rasmussen of Rabobank.

Tour de France 2013 stage seven
Friday, July 5
From Montpellier
To Albi
Distance 205.5km
Stage type Medium mountains

MartinB said:

Just watched the sprint again, and I think Evans starts to chase the sprinters but then realises that Froome is on his wheel, so eases off since there wasn’t any point.

Actually, that’s another indication that Evans is looking ok – Froome wasn’t marking Contador or Schleck – he was marking Evans.

He might well be quietly doing well, but he’s probably due to be falling slightly ahead instead of falling slightly behind.

Bubblecar said:

Some moderate climbing involved in tonight’s stage, heading inland through rolling countryside on a stretch not seen since 2007 when it was dominated by drug cheats Alexandre Vinokourov of Astana and Michael Rasmussen of Rabobank.

Tour de France 2013 stage seven
Friday, July 5
From Montpellier
To Albi
Distance 205.5km
Stage type Medium mountains

I’ve done that route. Albi is home to the Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, which is well worth a visit. It is situated next to, and built from the same small red bricks, as the Albi cathedral, the largest brick cathedral in the world and a testament to ornamental excess. I think that someone here rather unkindly spoke of cashed up bogans when I posted a picture of it. I am sure that the helicopters will be showing it in their aerial views.

Albi cathedral:

Righteo, fuck off Gabriel.

I like Gabriel so everyone can safely ignore the last post.

Everyone minus one, at the least.

Limestone and rock, eh :)

sibeen said:

Righteo, fuck off Gabriel.

+ eleventy billion. I’ve switched back to a poor game of footy.

sibeen said:

Limestone and rock, eh :)

It’s a dynamic combination.

there’s rock and there is hard rock.

Apparently Cavendish went ballistic in the team bus after yesterday’s stage, but no-one could understand what he was screaming.

Probably just as well.

There ya go, Admiral, you’re on.

sibeen said:

There ya go, Admiral, you’re on.

Yeah, footy just finished too :)

• Apparently Cavendish went ballistic in the team bus after yesterday’s stage, but no-one could understand what he was screaming.

“Who nicked me bloom in’ peptides, in it?”

Perfect gold course country just now.

Wasted on farming.

time for a packet of Twisties…

beautifuk green countryside. Such deep greens in the fields.

uncomfortable for those two people climbed up on the road sign..

party_pants said:

uncomfortable for those two people climbed up on the road sign..

Hope they don’t overload it.

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

uncomfortable for those two people climbed up on the road sign..

Hope they don’t overload it.

Seemed to be still intact as the camera motorbikes went past. Don’t know what happened after that :)

party_pants said:

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

uncomfortable for those two people climbed up on the road sign..

Hope they don’t overload it.

Seemed to be still intact as the camera motorbikes went past. Don’t know what happened after that :)

That archway that fell down in Manji yesterday got hit by an excavator being towed on a trailer, apparently. They hadn’t tied the arm down and it inched itself up during transport.

morrie said:

That archway that fell down in Manji yesterday got hit by an excavator being towed on a trailer, apparently. They hadn’t tied the arm down and it inched itself up during transport.

oh bummer. I guess their insurance company will be asking some hard questions.

Just switching between the normal SBS and High Definition SBS channel. Makes quite a difference – HD is beautiful.

Countryside in this region looking very English/ northern Tasmanian.

party_pants said:

Just switching between the normal SBS and High Definition SBS channel. Makes quite a difference – HD is beautiful.

Whenever I get around to needing a new TV maybe. I simply delete channels that are of little use. makes flicking through easier.

Bubblecar said:

Countryside in this region looking very English/ northern Tasmanian.

sub-mediterranean is so named for a reason.

roughbarked said:

Bubblecar said:

Countryside in this region looking very English/ northern Tasmanian.

sub-mediterranean is so named for a reason.

It is why so many Italians live in my area.

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

Just switching between the normal SBS and High Definition SBS channel. Makes quite a difference – HD is beautiful.

Whenever I get around to needing a new TV maybe. I simply delete channels that are of little use. makes flicking through easier.

Benefits of capital city living I guess, we get the ful range of options.

Bubblecar said:

Countryside in this region looking very English/ northern Tasmanian.

Compared to here – everything is either light green or yellow. The deep greens impress me. Maybe evolution has hard-wired our brains to appreciate this type of country as more productive of food we like.

party_pants said:

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

Just switching between the normal SBS and High Definition SBS channel. Makes quite a difference – HD is beautiful.

Whenever I get around to needing a new TV maybe. I simply delete channels that are of little use. makes flicking through easier.

Benefits of capital city living I guess, we get the ful range of options.

Oh I don’t know.. You don’t get to set the rabbit traps and milk the cows.

“sprinters, sprinters, sprinters, sprinters”

They never win the tour, so why so much dramatic attention from the commentators? Sprinters are a sideshow.

Bubblecar said:

“sprinters, sprinters, sprinters, sprinters”

They never win the tour, so why so much dramatic attention from the commentators? Sprinters are a sideshow.

They could, if the organisers stopped routing the tour through the bullshit steep mountains :)

Meh, it’s a tour, not a sprint. I don’t know why Phil & Paul are so impressed by them.

which group is Cadel in?

party_pants said:

which group is Cadel in?

?

BMC

party_pants said:

which group is Cadel in?

Cadel is normally ten to twenty off the lead, normally off on the left hand side.

Bubblecar said:

party_pants said:

which group is Cadel in?

?

BMC

Is he in the yellow jersey group that are still chasing, or the sprinters group that has just stopped chasing?

Don’t know where he currently is, but he’d better get a move on.

party_pants said:

Bubblecar said:

party_pants said:

which group is Cadel in?

?

BMC

Is he in the yellow jersey group that are still chasing, or the sprinters group that has just stopped chasing?

Up the front with the yellow.

Bubblecar said:

Don’t know where he currently is, but he’d better get a move on.

This relates to my earlier (mild) complaint about the commentary. As far as the tour itself is concerned, we don’t get enough attention paid to the main contenders as the race unfolds, compared with stage contenders.

sibeen said:

Up the front with the yellow.

thankee

But that’s enough moaning out of me :)

Bubblecar said:

Bubblecar said:

Don’t know where he currently is, but he’d better get a move on.

This relates to my earlier (mild) complaint about the commentary. As far as the tour itself is concerned, we don’t get enough attention paid to the main contenders as the race unfolds, compared with stage contenders.

They showed Andy S about half an hour ago. First time I’ve seen him all race,. I don’t think I’ve seen Contadour at all.

This will all change on the morrow.

sibeen said:

Bubblecar said:

Bubblecar said:

Don’t know where he currently is, but he’d better get a move on.

This relates to my earlier (mild) complaint about the commentary. As far as the tour itself is concerned, we don’t get enough attention paid to the main contenders as the race unfolds, compared with stage contenders.

They showed Andy S about half an hour ago. First time I’ve seen him all race,. I don’t think I’ve seen Contadour at all.

This will all change on the morrow.

Daily, the sprinters are what it is all about. A GC contender can finish day after day in 100th place and still win a grand tour. There is not much interest in watching people who just want to finish ANYWHERE in the front pack. The sprinters spice up the daily races that don’t include moiuntains.

To put it another way, on stages that have a hard enough climb to eliminate all the sprinters, but have a long flat run in to the finish, no-one important is going to put in a big effort. Some no0name will try to steal a stage. GC riders only feature on summit finsh stages and time trials.

>Some no0name will try to steal a stage

That’s how I tend to interpret the sprinters.

Bubblecar said:

>Some no0name will try to steal a stage

That’s how I tend to interpret the sprinters.

Except that most people can name three or four sprinters.

Imagine a flat stage without sprinters. five hours of casual cruising and a single pack finish.

These blokes are going to be well caught.

>Except that most people can name three or four sprinters.

Not surprising when they get so much attention from the commentary.

sibeen said:

These blokes are going to be well caught.

Not by the sprinters (except Sagan)

Big finish coming up -

Djoker 2 – 1

here we go – 1 km…

party_pants said:

here we go – 1 km…

Come on Cav, only 8km to go…

Bugger me, that’s an ugly looking cathedral.

sibeen said:

Bugger me, that’s an ugly looking cathedral.

It is pretty impressive close up and the inside has to be seen to be believed. The carvings are incredibly ornate.

morrie said:

sibeen said:

Bugger me, that’s an ugly looking cathedral.

It is pretty impressive as a brick structure close up and the inside has to be seen to be believed. The carvings are incredibly ornate.

looking up

Morrie, I grant that it looks impressive from the front, but from the side, or rear, it looks like a beached whale.

OK, I have perspective that the original architect probably wasn’t envisaging :)

sibeen said:

Morrie, I grant that it looks impressive from the front, but from the side, or rear, it looks like a beached whale.

OK, I have perspective that the original architect probably wasn’t envisaging :)

You’re beach bro, beached az…

sibeen said:

Morrie, I grant that it looks impressive from the front, but from the side, or rear, it looks like a beached whale.

OK, I have perspective that the original architect probably wasn’t envisaging :)

It took 200 years to build, and I think it had a few waves of design input. IIRC it got stretched skyward in a few places.

This carved screen impressed me.