Month: August 2011

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USA Pro Cycling Challenge 2011 in Colorado

A great week of professional bike racing. Gorgeous scenery to rival any race anywhere. We headed south to meet the racers on Monday for the 5 mile Time Trial that started in Garden of the Gods. Just a great day for hanging out with some world class competitors.

Let the Racing begin HERE!

We spent a lot of time at the Team Paddocks…

Australian Cadel Evans, winner of 2011 Tour de France
Detail of Cadel's bike...look at all that carbon!
BMC team member warming up for the Time Trial on their trainers
This was interesting to see the team boards of the day schedule - here is BMC's
The Team Radio Shack rider on the left is wearing an ice vest to keep his body cool.
Ivan Basso (winner of the 2010 Giro de Italia) of Liquigas-Cannondale reviewing with his mechanics an issue with his bike
Skil-Shimano rider heading to the starting block
Levi Leipheimer starting his time trial race
George Hincapie's first pulls of the TT
Ivan Basso takes to the course
Cadel Evans, at #1, is the last to start the TT race.

But the Time Trial ends with Patrick Gretsch taking the yellow jersey at the finish line.

For the second Time Trial, our neighbors Motor in the Mini with us on Thursday to Vail. The tour has been going on for two days: First day from Salida to Mt. Crested Butte then on to Aspen over both Cottonwood and Independence passes for the second day.

Analyzing the bikes of Team Type 1 (and the VIEW up to Vail Pass)
The beauty is in the details - what a racing machine!
Racing against the clock through the streets of Vail, Co
Racing against the clock through the streets of Vail, Co
Toughing it up the hill on the way out of Vail, CO
Toughing it up the hill on the way out of Vail, CO
Team Radio Shack rider takes an uphill corner
Jelly Belly Cycling Team rider heading up to Vail Pass
A redheaded fan (with a new BMC cap) watching the riders at one minute intervals

The day in Vail finishes with German beer at Sonnenalp and toasting Levi, who has not only regained the yellow jersey but set a new record for the course.

Howdy Folks, welcome to the final day of racing
Howdy Folks, welcome to the final day of racing

Two more days of racing later: Avon to Steamboat Springs and then Steamboat to Breckenridge, we come to the end of the week, Stage 6, and literally the race to the finish line. 73 miles from Golden to Denver, with a detour up and over Lookout Mountain, the last King of the Mountain stage. We  arrive at the start line at 7:30 to get a good viewing point (as well as parking spot).

11-08-28 USA Pro Cycling Golden-Denver
Great day for a race
A great day to celebrate
Tom Danielson training his son to give high-5 and signatures
Andy and Frank stratergizing their ride to Denver. The Schleck brothers finished two and three for podium finishes at the Tour de France 2011
Paul Mach #126 signing in with Pam
Ready to ride in Golden (Henry's panorama shot)
Ready to ride in Golden (Henry's panorama shot)
Pedaling up 19th Street in Golden: Lookout Mountain climb is over with the final stretch into downtown Denver ahead
Using some Skil and Shimano on the final turn of the race
Thanks to all the riders for a great week of racing!

 Hope to see you all at the start line in 2012 😉

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Official Website

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Mini in The Mountains 2011 returns to Winter Park

Ready for some High Altitude Adrenalin Fun with the MINI Cooper as we wind our way up Berthoud Pass to Winter Park with our bikes on the roof…We joined up with over 200 MINIs  bringing over 300 participants to this FUN Raising EVENT.

Twists

The MINI gets washed and waxed at the special Car Wash set up by sponsor Prima Care, who also lets you demo different products for an awesome shine.

The MINI parade on Thursday evening to downtown Hideaway Park. There is Henry waving while driving in at #86 in the lineup.  All the cars looked beautiful until that dark cloud came our way…sigh. The shower was brief and didn’t interrupt the good concert by Slopeside. We brought a nice picnic dinner complete with a bottle of red wine to enjoy while the sunset over the mountains.

105 MINIs got to park on Main Street…that is Highway 40 with one lane closed just for the Coopers, Clubmans, and Countrymans. Seriously, no two MINIs are alike.

Everyone smile for the group photo…Friday after another little rain cloud wet the pavement.

!NUF car show in the Village on Saturday…the 30 cars attracted quite a lot of attention.There was even a classic MINI this year with the Union Jack roof.

The final brunch Sunday was at Sunspot with the scenic ride up the lift. Great food and company…

A really nice week with time to hike and bike. To walk and talk and have picnics in the park. And to meet people from all over the USA with their MINIs. We are glad all made the effort to be in Colorado and to enjoy the beauty of the mountains.