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AAAC 76C

Large Member
Location
LIVING THE DREAM
From where I was watching, Froome had nothing to do with where Nibali or Zakarin finished, and hence did not affect Contador's classification. He didn't tow either of them, in fact breaking away from them probably made it harder for them. They raced as fast as they could without his help, Nibali to keep his second place and Zakarin to gain enough time on Kelderman to move to third.

And Froome was happy to trundle in behind Pouls, even though it could conceivably cost him the green jersey, as he could of got a few more points by finishing second, if he had asked Pouls to finish behind him. I guess he thought Pouls deserved the higher finish, he was focused on the GC and had got what the team all came to win.

It is a race after all, but I expect in the end he was happy to take the GC and leave Berty the stage win!

Knowing that Froome followed team orders in the 2011 Vuelta and 2012 TdF and worked for Wiggins, coming second in both when he could have gone quicker in both if he had not agreed to stick with Wiggins as long as he did. Everyone talks about how well Pouls and Nieve did as domestiques to Froome, but Froome finished second in the 2012 TdF, behind the man he towed up the hills! I don't see how anyone can doubt he is a team player, as much as any out and out racer can be!

Even though he led from stage 3, the 2017 Vuelta was very entertaining and much more interesting than the TdF!

And the Tour of Britain has been woeful, 5 almost identical bunch sprints and a short TT, separated by a few seconds. Could they not find some kind of hill to separate them?

The tours are over, the weather is rubbish and the long sleeved jersey is out again, how short is summer? :thumbsdown:

Geoff

As I commented later it appears he was after the Stage win but could not catch Contador.
However for much of his effort he was providing a carrot for both Zakerin and Keldermen the latter of whom had already made his effort and as a result had sealed his fate to be leapfrogged by Contador.
That only left Zakerin between Contador and the podium and as a race Froome only needed to follow Zakerin and not lead him.
Having someone sucking your wheel can disturb your rythmn and resolve which could have given Contador the 20 seconds he needed.
At the end of the day it's a race and no favours were owed and who knows Froome could crash today and be happy he did what he did yesterday.
 

Marino.g

Veteran
Location
Taunton
It was quite windy, but to be honest I found them fine - not really much different to what I am used to. Bit of a swooshy noise to make me feel like I was going fast!

The ride was super-smooth compared to my aluminium bike. But the biggest revelation was the disc brakes - so glad I went for them!

I was also a bit worried about whether the fit would be ok for me having bought online and the geometry being different - plus the integrated handlebar /stem meaning there's no option to change stem length, but it felt perfect for me and really comfortable - phew!
Bridgy I did a few hills around your area Yesterday and wondered if you've done them all?

Ebbor gorge was very steep and a killer for me.

Burrington Combe my favourite climb of the day was really enjoyable as it kept a steady gradient and it's very picturesque and looks like a mini cheddar gorge.

No doubt you have climbed Cheddar Gorge which of course is the most famous and there is one tricky steep corner along the way but then a nice steady gradient all the way to the top.
 
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bridgy

Legendary Member
Location
Cheddar
Bridgy I did a few hills around your area Yesterday and wondered if you've done them all?

Ebbor gorge was very steep and a killer for me.

Burrington Combe my favourite climb of the day was really enjoyable as it kept a steady gradient and it's very picturesque and looks like a mini cheddar gorge.

No doubt you have climbed Cheddar Gorge which of course is the most famous and there is one tricky steep corner along the way but then a nice steady gradient all the way to the top.
Ah yes - was that the Wiggle Mendips Sportive you did? I saw lots of riders out on my way back from my son's football in the morning. I went out for a ride myself in the afternoon (in the opposite direction to avoid the crowds!) but got caught in the most extreme rainstorm I've ever ridden in and had to turn back, so I hope you didn't get too wet yourself?!

I'd agree with your assessment of those three hills! Ebbor Gorge is indeed a killer - we did it as a chaingang league ride once actually, when we had a theme of using real-life rides of members of the league. We're quite lucky here as we have several good climbs up the Mendips in one direction, and the Somerset levels if we're feeling a bit lazier in the other - best of both worlds!

Looks a good route - includes many of the roads I ride regularly - I might copy it and do that one day when I have enough time!

How did you find the ride?
 

Marino.g

Veteran
Location
Taunton
Ah yes - was that the Wiggle Mendips Sportive you did? I saw lots of riders out on my way back from my son's football in the morning. I went out for a ride myself in the afternoon (in the opposite direction to avoid the crowds!) but got caught in the most extreme rainstorm I've ever ridden in and had to turn back, so I hope you didn't get too wet yourself?!

I'd agree with your assessment of those three hills! Ebbor Gorge is indeed a killer - we did it as a chaingang league ride once actually, when we had a theme of using real-life rides of members of the league. We're quite lucky here as we have several good climbs up the Mendips in one direction, and the Somerset levels if we're feeling a bit lazier in the other - best of both worlds!

Looks a good route - includes many of the roads I ride regularly - I might copy it and do that one day when I have enough time!

How did you find the ride?
I got caught in one massive downpour in the afternoon which was very dangerous due to visibility and it made you very cold.
The air ambulance was called out for one unlucky cyclist on a downhill route towards Shipham where I noticed some gravel on a nasty bend so I hope he is Ok as it looked a really nasty accident.
Overall it was a nice ride and the first sportive I've done.
I can see the attraction but I think as a group you could plan your own route and stop at a few cafes along the way and save yourself some money.
The next organised sportive for Me would be in Cardiff Wales where they close all the roads for motorists and that would be an attraction.
 
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JLaw

Veteran
Sounds similar to what we have. We bought this place 2 years ago because of the wildlife. Small lake at bottom of garden has loads of ducks, a pair of moorhen, frogs, newts, often a heron or two and last weekend 2 kingfishers although no idea why they are there as no fish in there since the heron arrived lol. Green woodpeckers always around, taking ants out the lawn. At least 4 adult roe deer too, and they had 2 fawns this year which was beautiful. Don't see any hedgehogs though, or fix, but then there is still s hunt around these parts so poor foxes don't stand a chance. Very jealous that you have fish eagles :okay:
Bats, wild turkeys, deer, moose, bobcats and & coyotes. THere's one damn coyote that kept waking me up last weekend at the vacation house. He had to have been real close. We don't let the pets run outside alone...

Haven't heard of any bears on our side of the mountain recently, but get over the peak to the other side and there have been some unfortunate incidents with campers..
 

JLaw

Veteran
We've lost quite a few good guys over the past year. @Monte and @Insomina cam be added to the list of riders we miss. Shame @JLaw went across to the darkside too :sad:
Monte popped into the Zwift world recently. Sounds like he had a bit of a rough summer out in the real world.

I'm definitely sold on the dark side. I think I fired up bkool once over the summer. But I'm on zwift 2-4 days a week racing.
 

Marino.g

Veteran
Location
Taunton
Monte popped into the Zwift world recently. Sounds like he had a bit of a rough summer out in the real world.

I'm definitely sold on the dark side. I think I fired up bkool once over the summer. But I'm on zwift 2-4 days a week racing.
What trainer do you use for Zwift.
 

Marino.g

Veteran
Location
Taunton
Bats, wild turkeys, deer, moose, bobcats and & coyotes. THere's one damn coyote that kept waking me up last weekend at the vacation house. He had to have been real close. We don't let the pets run outside alone...

Haven't heard of any bears on our side of the mountain recently, but get over the peak to the other side and there have been some unfortunate incidents with campers..
What part of the world are you from Jlaw as I hear about your surroundings but can't recall where your from?
 

<Tommy>

Illegitimi non carborundum
Location
Camden, London
i am not gonna start calling tt a bear - a whole lot of trouble goes along that route !

According to this I'm more of an otter...

IMG_1580.JPG
 
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