OK, I admit I was wrong

Generali

Thrugelmir wrote: »

I fell in love with Le Tour some years ago when I went skiing at Alpes D'Huez. Couldn't believe that someone could climb the hill in around 25 minutes (after already cycling for 4 hours at racing speed). The final stretch into the village is around 1 in 4 for about 200 metres. So steep its difficult to walk up.

Last year drove up Mount Ventoux when I visited Provence. So looking forward to Saturdays stage.

I cycled up both.

The record for Alpe D'Huez is about 42 minutes. I did it on a sit-up-and-beg in 1hr30mins or thereabouts. It was only when I got back down that I discovered the record was set at the end of a 200km+ stage!

Ventoux was the first big Alp I tried and I made a mess of it. Ate too much food too late because I was afraid I'd bonk and had to stop to digest after the first part of the climb (perhaps 3 or 4km up the road). Still it's a really tough climb mentally as well as physically. There's something about Tommy Simpson's memorial being just before the top that messes with your mind. That and the bleakness and high winds on the last km or 2 of climbing.

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Cavendish needs to improve his overall cycling. Without the Columbia train he'd be struggling in the sprints.

I reckon Cavendish is certainly the best British sprinter I've seen and would be up with the best of all time. When he got disqualified in the sprint a couple of days back he reminded me of that Russian(?) guy Abdujaparov(sp?) who'd sprint with his elbows hanging out and taking out anyone who tried to go past, sometimes at his own expense. Sprinting is agressive and La Cav has a great sprinter's mix of agression, legs and brains IMO. He's 24 and he'll win a lot more in the next 7-8 years.

Thrugelmir

Generali wrote: »

I cycled up both.

The record for Alpe D'Huez is about 42 minutes. I did it on a sit-up-and-beg in 1hr30mins or thereabouts. It was only when I got back down that I discovered the record was set at the end of a 200km+ stage!

Ventoux was the first big Alp I tried and I made a mess of it. Ate too much food too late because I was afraid I'd bonk and had to stop to digest after the first part of the climb (perhaps 3 or 4km up the road). Still it's a really tough climb mentally as well as physically. There's something about Tommy Simpson's memorial being just before the top that messes with your mind. That and the bleakness and high winds on the last km or 2 of climbing.



I reckon Cavendish is certainly the best British sprinter I've seen and would be up with the best of all time. When he got disqualified in the sprint a couple of days back he reminded me of that Russian(?) guy Abdujaparov(sp?) who'd sprint with his elbows hanging out and taking out anyone who tried to go past, sometimes at his own expense. Sprinting is agressive and La Cav has a great sprinter's mix of agression, legs and brains IMO. He's 24 and he'll win a lot more in the next 7-8 years.

Firstly can I stand up and salute you. :T

For the record books.

Alpes D'Huez Record time: 37' 35"by Pantani 1995 (Armstrong 38' 01" in 2001, 39'41'' in 2004)

Though Pantani may have benifited from some form of boost.

Cavendish is the best sprinter, but the assembled team around him has been built for the lead out. To win the Green jersey he needs to build up his staminia and get out in a break away to gain intermediate sprint points. Something he's not clearly up to as he dropped out of a breakaway the other day.

System

Still, downhill afterwards must be fun!

Jonbvn

!!!!!!, I leave the thread for a few hours and you manage to get from the Ashes to Le Tour!

Thrugelmir

Jonbvn wrote: »

!!!!!!, I leave the thread for a few hours and you manage to get from the Ashes to Le Tour!

Anythings more interesting than house prices :rolleyes:

mewbie_2

No time to read all of thread, or check links I'm afraid. But I admire julieq for admitting she fell for the VI tissue of lies that pervades the media, and sadly much of this forum. Another bull turns bear as the cold hard light of reality pierces the comfortable numbness of stupidity.

Well done julieq, and I should probably take back some of the unfair stuff I have written about you previously.

bluey890

mewbie wrote: »

No time to read all of thread, or check links I'm afraid. But I admire julieq for admitting she fell for the VI tissue of lies that pervades the media, and sadly much of this forum. Another bull turns bear as the cold hard light of reality pierces the comfortable numbness of stupidity.

Well done julieq, and I should probably take back some of the unfair stuff I have written about you previously.

Ask yourself this, who's got more 'wealth' the bulls (btl investors) or the bears (people who give money to btl investors).. That's my definition of them anyway.

mewbie_2

bluey890 wrote: »

Ask yourself this, who's got more 'wealth' the bulls (btl investors) or the bears (people who give money to btl investors).. That's my definition of them anyway.

But not all bears are renters, just people who think property has further to fall. And I suspect not all bulls are BTL investors. Some of them are simply insane.

Dan:_4

mewbie wrote: »

But not all bears are renters, just people who think property has further to fall. And I suspect not all bulls are BTL investors. Some of them are simply insane.

I think your find that most, if not all, the bulls expect prices to fall further before the real recovery is seen.

To be a MSE Bear your expecting prices to fall by at least another 20% - that is insane.

bluey890

mewbie wrote: »

But not all bears are renters, just people who think property has further to fall. And I suspect not all bulls are BTL investors. Some of them are simply insane.

Any bears out there that don't (a) rent or (b) pay directly/indirectly for someone else to rent?
Any bulls with a official document saying they're sane?
(don't anyone tell fibs now )