Tour Starts

Well the Tour started yesterday and the dust seems to have settled a little bit now. Armstrong dismissed those who had been questioning his form this season with an impressive power display to put big time differences into his main rivals. It’s early days, but I think in this years Tour Lance is going to be looking to take time at every opportunity. Who knows we might even see him in some small breakaways like Big Mig did when he was going for his later Tour victories.

As for the David Millar affair, I can’t help but think about Millar’s comments on the cover of the rather crap Tim Moore book, French Revolutions. Millar said something along the lines of: ‘me and my team-makes thought it was hilarious, especially the pharmacy scene’. For those who haven’t read the book, it refers to a point where Moore attempts to buy some ephedrine for the Alp d’Huez climb. Anyway there’s a few tour links over on the right that’ll be there for the duration, it’s looking like it’s going to be a good one.

There’s some rather nice kit out on show at the moment such as some new road bikes from Specialized. The new Tarmac looks fantastic and a big improvement over last years bike – and how cool are the new Cosmic full carbon wheels? I wouldn’t want to be a dealer who still has an old Tarmac in stock now those have been unveiled. The Transition TT bike looks fairly purposeful too, although I’m guessing the big difference is in the efficiency of the frame rather than the barely different frame design.

One thing I have to ask is what the hell is going on with the new aero helmets? I know that there are new regulations that they have to meet in terms of offering protection, but they still look like something out of that Star Wars spoof Spaceballs. Anyway take a look at the evidence in these photos.

Anyway enough road stuff here is some important news: Allegations of slackness cannot be relied upon – The Telly Savalas Players Club have been busy doing good things for you, the result being the announcement of the European Singlespeed Championships to be held at Aviemore, Scotland. 10th & 11th September 2004. More news on the Nae Gears website.

There is a Shockwave based mountain bike game here. It’s written in a language I don’t understand, but that’s not so important as the fact it is clearly impossible to get beyond level two. Start Krasheun here.

The Red Bull Divide and Conquer event looks fairly tricky. Colorado anyone for a bit of riding, extreme canoeing and fell running? Did I forget the paragliding? Check this. Oh and the Base Jumping from Mars is now over. I guess I missed that one.

Finally here’s some thoughts from my old friend Katie from Guernsey. I think she’s getting all philosophical now that she’s married and settled down.

From: Katie
Subject: Life

As I mature I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in.

I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people are just assholes.

I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.

I’ve learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’d better have a big willy or huge boobs.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t compare yourself to others – they are more screwed up than you think.

I’ve learned that you can keep vomiting long after you think you’re finished.

I’ve learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.

I’ve learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades, and there had better be a lot of money to take its place!

I’ve learned that 99% of the time when something isn’t working in your house, one of your kids did it

I’ve learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away.