you can have an exciting race with 39 starters.  watching a swarm of 110 guys go in circles ain't fun.  This race was great in the last 20 laps.  Morcotte jumping United Health before the last turn...the attacks before the last lap...that guy off solo for 10 laps....making United work for the last 5 laps and tiring them out = all pretty fun to watch

Years ago, when I was still in Chicago, the crit national championships, all of them, pros, elites, (and even a few years of inline skaters), were held in August, on a brilliant figure 8 course with some climbing and fast descending. Everyone showed up. Saturday there was even a pro/am race that was pretty awesome. Pretty awesome the year, I was in the race look over to my right and see Fast Freddie Rodriguez next to me. Spoiler alert, I did not win that race. Although I was one of two last surviving amateurs in the race. The other dude turned pro next year. I did not.

Wait a minute, speaking of Fast Freddie, was Jelly Belly even in the race?

agree, @twoyacks Soladay attack was fun, but then his teammate Zirbell closed the gap in a not even cat 4 move. Four left corners, small crowds, small fields. I watched it, so clearly I enjoyed it...

But man, it sure looks like the top elite level of cycling in the US has suffered greatly on the years I was not paying attention. That was not a championship level race. The debacle at CX nationals, this crap about the Panamerican games. WTF. USA Cycling has become a joke of an organization. 

Yes...I don't know why the field was so small.  I thought Zirbel's move was the right move he just didn't have the power to make it work.  Now I don't know if Marcotte made his move on his own or if Mike Creed told him what to do coming into the finale but man it was the perfect move and he had the power to make it work.  United Health did all that work in the closing laps and it left them wide open for a late burst of speed from behind.  

 i want these for next pair of shades , 

I'm personally big on the alien "jumper" sunglasses:

always loved this, marketing magic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUb--qAT7Aw

I still have my Stingers. They are disgusting with all the plastic parts in different stages of gooey disintegration. But I can't bring myself to throw them out.

1995 is calling.

(they were super-comfy for their day)

Also immortalized in the Studio Ghibli-esque Nasu: Summer in Andalusia movie:

Oh and who can forget the Oakley Over the Tops?

Over the tops were the absolute best of the worst!!!!  I remember pulling up next to a guy at a stop light in a convertible Saturn wearing those sunglasses.  I was aghast at both choices and reminded that you only get so many choices in life...choose wisely!!

This one gets a double post...

My daughter has that Cannondale...cept hers has a 6 speed cassette.  Those helmets didn't come in day glo orange?

Why the club cut?

Dig the matching orange undershirt, tights and socks. So pro. 

spring plans

Ooh..the carbon Neuvations are getting sunlight

This dude

http://youtu.be/Nb2yD166Ck4

I can't wait to watch the rest of the series.  Nice find Vlad.

Whoa, those playing cards are sweeeeeet.

I had hot feet yesterday.  Painfully hot feet.  I know I wasn't the only one.  the guy I finished with, Evan Cooper, poured water on his feet while we were riding in.  

In honor of cool dogs, I share this shot of Fignon from the 1984 Tour.  I believe it's from Graham Watson.  And found in this article.  http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/laurent-fignon-1960-2010-in-pictures-57971

Perrier , no less

Was at the start of today's stage in San Jose: 

Interesting notes about that pic ^

1)He's riding a Dura Ace crank.  I guess he eventually flipped his shit with FSA.
2)He's on a Tarmac, not a Venge.  Ah, to be a fatty sprinter on a climbing stage.  Gruppetto!

3. He's wearing Nike? Guess the Specialized "Cavendish" line didn't work out.