Day 107, The Depart, Santa Clarita, Stage 7 2008 Tour of California

IMG_7776.jpg, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

So the depart for the last stage of the Tour of California is a giant photo op, but not for me. You can't quite see it, but there are about 40 pro photographers in front of the "World Champions". The current and former WC's were up for a pic at the start. I got to see and meet, George Hincapie, a really nice guy, Levi, Chris Horner, Mario Cipollini, Chechu Rubiera, Jonathan Vaughters and many more. Here are the last of the pics that I will force on you from the Tour of California. If you are out on the west coast next year when the tour happens, you can't go wrong with a depart. There are plenty of chances to interact with the riders. If you speak a language other then English, you will be better received. I had a nice chat with Chechu just because I spoke spanish. The last pic was of Astana rider Brajkovic and was taken right after the I took the pic of the WCs, he just wanted to get going and he had to sit tight in the middle of the start pack while all of the photo ops happened.

Mario Cipollini, out of retirement.

Levi

Chris Horner

Chechu Rubiera

George Hincapie

Thanks for looking.

EXIF Data.

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Day 106, Bikes From The 2008 Tour of California

IMG_7737.jpg, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

Here are some shots from Sunday in the AM. It is really cool that you can tour the "pit" area before the start and interact maybe with some of the riders. Here are the bikes from Astana (Trek), CSC (Cerevelo), Rock Racing (De Rosa) and the Mavic support vehicle. It is a thing of beauty to see these machines. I have been in love with bikes ever since my parents gave me my first one, a little red Schwinn with a banana seat. That bike got passed down through all of my siblings (there were 6 of us) and my parents still have it. I want to restore it and I do know someone who does that.

My daughters are growing up with a similar love of Bicycles. They see me obsess about my Cannondale Synapse and they are riding Electras. I have a red Electra 3 and my wife has a pink Electra 3 that we ride with them. I just picked up a white 16" Electra for my youngest. It has red roses on it and she will go nuts when she gets it for her birthday.

Thanks for looking.

EXIF Data,

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Day 105, Levi Leipheimer is in the Leader Jersey

IMG_7709.jpg, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

Here are the some shots from the Podium for Stage 6. Go Levi! There is also the stage winners and a shot of Paolo Bettini, the World Champ and 3rd place on the stage. When you see the size of these guys live, it becomes real obvious that the Clydesdale class that I will always ride in will never, and I mean never, be fast like these guys. They have the legs of a thoroughbred and the arms of a chess champ. I have to spot some of these guys at least 80 lbs. I guess it is easy to see why climbing kicks my butt.

Thanks for looking.

EXIF Data,

Camera:	Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
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Day 104, Tour Of California, Santa Clarita, My View At The Finish Line

Tour Of California, Santa Clarita, My View At The Finish Line, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

Here we are at the finish line of the Tour of California on the penultimate day of racing. Bob Roll is interviewing Levi Lephiemer who is the overall leader. If you know anything about cycling, then this is really a great thing to go see. The finish line was amazing. My wifes' Aunt Kathy scored me access to the VIP tent, and this was my view. I hope you will forgive me, but this will take a few days to get through. I took these over The end of the Saturday race and the depart on Sunday morning, Thanks Aunt Kathy, again from the VIP tent.

Todays post will be the Finish Line. There is Bob Roll, who wouldn't say hi, and then the VS camera man, who blocked my prized position. He was there to get the finish. I found this harder then I thought. I had on the fastest glass in my bag, a 1.4 50mm lens. I got a lot of fuzzy pics. The worst were some other pics of Bob interviewing the stage winner, who was later penalized 20 seconds for using the team motor car to rejoin the race after he had flatted on the circuit.  

Bob who wouldn't say "Hi".

The VS camera man that sniped my spot.

The crowd was huge! There were so many people at the event that it was amazing!

The Mayor of Santa Clarita, Bob Keller, Aunt Kathys' good friend.  Thanks for a great event!

Let me just say, these guys were fast!  This was the finish, too bad there was the penalty.

Thanks for looking.
EXIF Data,

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