What Taylor Phinney Is Thinking After His Second Paris-Roubaix U23 Victory

"You...Yes you...third row...six from the left...blonde hair. I'll see you back at the bus."

(Photo:CyclingNews)

Heyyy!!!

Though traditionally a Classics racer, the enigmatic and swishy, Stijn Devolder, wins the Tour of Belgium and has to decide whether or not he wants to abandon the Tour de France again this year.

(Photo:CyclingNews)

Giro Predictions: How Did I Do?

Mongo went 1 for 3 (.333) on his podium predictions...with an exact third place for Vincenzo Nibali.

The results for the five riders I chose (Two bonus picks) were...Evans(1st)-Finshed 5th...Sastre(2nd)-Finished 8th...Nibali(3rd)-Finished 3rd...Karpets-Finished 14th...Garzelli-DNF

(Photo:Bettini/CyclingNews)

Shut The Hell Up

It seems like the latest trend in Pro cycling is for the under-achieving contenders to claim that their results were hampered by some sort of injury or illness. Though not revealed during the race, only when observers question their performance, these riders manage to turn an excuse into some sort of "gritty" or "heroic" effort..."I'm talkin' to you, C & C Music Factory."

(Photos:CyclingNews)

Memorial Day '10: The Remembering

A Terrible Loss

With its magnificent monuments and rolling green sea of headstones, Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most awe-inspiring landmarks in the United States. Annually, tens of thousands of visitors tour the grounds viewing the resting places of the famous, and not so famous, American veterans. On this particular Friday afternoon in March though, there would be no tour buses. Today...Lt. Bruce would be buried a hero.

Lt. Bruce, along with two hundred and forty seven other members of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army, died in a plane crash in Gander, Newfoundland. They were on their way home from a peace-keeping mission in the Middle East. There were no survivors. Lt. Bruce's body was the last to be identified, and today, the last to be buried.

The Honor Guard, in their dress blues, marched with such synchronization it was as if they were marching as one. Behind them, two impeccable white stallions drew the cart containing the flag-draped coffin of Lt. Bruce. The procession of family and friends followed closely behind as stone-faced soldiers led the way down the winding road toward their final destination. If there was ever beauty in death, it was evident on this day.

When the procession reached the grave-site, the coffin was removed from the cart and placed on a stand next to the family. What followed was a touching and powerful eulogy. The flag on the coffin was then folded with razor-sharp precision on the cadence of the officer in charge. In its customary triangular shape, the flag was respectfully given to the mother of Lt. Bruce and the service closed with the traditional, yet moving, twenty-one-gun salute.

A teary-eyed friend in attendance who had known Lt. Bruce for nearly twenty years silently wished he could speak to him just one more time...But then, that was impossible.

You Down With LPE?(Yeah You Know Me) Two Smackdowns And A One Inch Staple: The Saturday Ride

Mongo is finally about 99% healthy and ready to get serious about getting serious. I have decided that another hunger strike on the Ben & Jerry's for the month of June is necessary to jumpstart the process. My imported Italian "B-Hammocks" have been fitting a little tight lately.

Along with the anarchy in my diet, Mongo is committed to more mileage. I used to do many more long rides than I do these days. Though the intensity and difficulty of my rides are more frequent now, my foundation has a few cracks in it. Today Mongo planned a strong 50 on LPE.

I stopped by the shop on my way out to chat with "Shady" and "MC-Lean", who is recovering from his peloton-clearing crash at the "Alley Cat" Criterium on Thursday night, and then headed down the Silver Comet Trail. It wasn't long before I was forced to lay down the smack.

Two guys on Treks with super-gay Primal Wear jerseys cruised past me like they were pretending to be serious. I knew of course that they weren't...based solely on the jerseys. The only trouble was that there were two of them and one of me...and they were working together like a couple of Kazakhs on the dope. It took me a while, but I was finally able to drop them. Thank goodness...I could never have looked myself in the mirror if I had lost to the Trek bike/Nashbar short/Primal Wear jersey combo.

The effort took a little more out of me than I had planned, so I turned around at 20 miles rather than 25. I wasn't looking for any more action, but as you know by now, Mongo never backs away from from a "Douchedown".

About six miles from the end, I got passed by "another" Trek. This time it was a TT rig... and it was piloted by an older dude, a lot like Mongo, who I could tell was serious. The reason I could tell was because he looked at me with the same disregard and lack of concern that Mongo uses when I pass people. In his mind, I posed no threat...and that really pissed me off. Nothin' like a taste of your own medicine every once in a while to use as motivation.

I should give myself a little break when I'm on LPE. I should be satisfied that I can handle pretty much any road bike or TT bike on the trail with a seven speed mountain bike, and if I was on the Sub-18 these contests wouldn't be a contest...but I never am.

I had to use every trick in the book to keep up with the TT guy. He had a great aero position on the bike and never let up. I had to maintain 24+ for several miles. I finally got him with some stoplight shenanigans. I faded behind him as we approached an intersection. He slowed down and unclipped as the light was red at the time, but I knew it was about to change so I accelerated.

I timed it perfectly! Mongo hit the intersection at full speed just as the light changed. TT guy didn't know what hit him. I went all out for four miles down in the Speed Bars and never looked back. Good thing...at the very end he was only about 100 yards behind me. You don't always have to be the fastest to win.

On the way home, feeling good about myself, I got a flat tire. It turned out to be a big-ass metal staple...and I didn't really recall riding through a construction site. Since I was under a mile from my house and the tire was cut, I decided not to change the tube and just walk the bike home. And guess what happened? Someone actually stopped to see if I wanted a ride. Of the hundred or so cars that passed me, one guy took it upon himself to offer help without being asked.

Of course, Mongo turned down the ride. I was almost home and the guy looked like a child molester...but at least he offered.

"I Shouldn't Have Done That": The MC-Lean Story...In Theatres Soon

Safety Third...Styles Gets A Bike

As a cyclist and a skateboarder, Mongo is always excited to see other people stoked on the things that mean a lot to me. It is a bond of shared appreciation. Skateboarding is about self-expression and individualism, while cycling, which has many facets and layers, is mostly about freedom. When you combine the two activities and lifestyles together, chances are that you'll be a healthy, adventurous, creative, and all around well put together person...and smoke weed!

There's An Angel In Your Tree

When you think about the names of other people's games

And the way that scores are kept

Look into the eyes of the essence of the prize

And question the source of duress

Tour Of California Haiku

Mick is the winner

DZ and Levi after

Garmin is best team

(Photo:CaseyGibson/Velonews)

A Cold Hard Look: The Monday Ride

As I was pedaling along on the cool-down portion of the 23/2300 Hammerfest, chatting with "Lieutenant" Dan, I came to the realization that I've been sucking lately. Though I have been battling some sort of cold/flu for a couple of weeks, and my overall strength has been down, tonight's effort on the 'Fest was poor because of my lack of focus on training.

Mongo made great strides over the Winter and Spring with my commitment to a reasonable diet and of course, my very successful "Cat 5 Domination Training Method"...but I have lost my intensity as the season has gone along.

In a different world, Mongo could get away with just doing base miles, minimal hard training, and then just show up on race day and be competitive. Unfortunately, the crew I roll with is fast and strong...and getting better all the time.

I think some more specific climbing and Criterium training is just what the doctor ordered.

Stanley's Cup

"The intellectual man requires a fine bait; the sots are easily amused. But everybody is drugged with his own frenzy, and the pageant marches at all hours, with music and banner and badge."

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Where's The Feed Zone?

Mongo took part in his first "Alley Cat" Criterium this past Thursday...and it didn't go too well from a results point of view. The reason for my poor performance was twofold. 1...Mongo was new to the "Alley Cat" Crit series. 2...Everyone else was faster than me.

Mongo did have a lot of fun...and I'm looking forward to improving on last week's results.