I went to the TdG yesterday, and watched the start and finish of the race. I applied for and received press credentials, and was able to get a little closer to the action than I otherwise would have. I stood inside the riders’ sign in area, which afforded me the opportunity to take a good look at the riders’ bikes. I took a couple of photos of some of the more interesting bikes, in addition to the riders as they worked autograph alley. After the start, I headed to the top of Brasstown Bald, and found a spot just inside the barricades about 75 meters from the finish. I’m going to post some of the bike pictures first, then throughout the day I’ll post more pictures as I get the chance. I will say that it was bone-chillingly cold throughout the day. It was 50 with a nasty wind at the start, which wasn’t too bad. But at the top of Brasstown Bald, the temperature with the wind chill was in the mid-20’s with snow falling. I left South Georgia about 5:45 Saturday morning in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. Luckily, I packed a bag with warmer clothes and was able to change in Gainesville. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to stand the cold. I also had to walk 5 miles up to the summit of Brasstown Bald (I took a wrong turn en route to BB and missed the shuttle service). After walking up that mountain, I have a newfound respect for the riders and what they do. BB is one mean, nasty, steep climb. I’m as sore today from walking up and down that mountain as I am after a 20 mile run.
Here are a few of the more interesting pictures I took of some of the bikes, with comments to follow.
These are the Mavic support bikes – Scott CR-1 carbon frames, Campy Centaur 10 speed, Arione saddles, Ritchey handlebars/stems/seatposts and Kyserium SL/Elite and Cosmic Carbone wheels. The tires are Michelin Pro Race clinchers. As of Saturday morning, one mechanic said they had only given out one bike during the race. After the stages, if they have time, the mechanics take down the bikes and go for a ride. None of the bikes had pedals.
This was one of the more interesting bikes in the peloton. I’ve never heard of this brand, but that doesn’t mean much – I’m certainly not well versed in all the different bikes there are out there. This is branded as a Guerciotti Comete. Note the interesting shape of the top tube. I can’t remember which team used these bikes, but the rider to which this bike belonged was Napolitano.
Bobby Julich’s O,Symetric chain rings have been discussed ad nauseam on this forum, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen them up close. Besides, what good is an internet forum if you can’t discuss the same things over and over again? Interesting set-up nonetheless.
Who says triples are for wimps? This is Nathan O’Neill’s Campy Record triple chainring that adorned his Colnago C-50 for Saturday’s stage. That’s also a Campy Bora wheel in the photo. All of the Navigators’ riders used Bora wheels. Many of the CSC riders ran 404’s, except for Julich. If I remember correctly, had 202’s on his Soloist.
Other thoughts: The TIAA team rode Javelins with Oval stems and seatposts. Also, not everybody used carbon cranks. You can see that O’Neill doesn’t have carbon cranks on his bike, and neither did many other riders. One bike was outfitted with Chorus while the bikes of that rider’s teammates had Record (can’t remember which team/bike had this set-up). Ekimov’s Trek had an Ultegra seatpost and his fork had an aluminum steerer.
I have a couple of more photos of some bikes that I’ll post shortly.
RP
