What The Hell Do I Know?!

After proclaiming yesterday that El Bandito had essentially wrapped up Paris-Nice, though there were two stages left, it turns out I may have spoken too soon.

Spanish cycling star on the rise and burgeoning rapper, L.L. Cool 'Chez, "puts his hands in the air like he just don't care", wins Stage 7, and leads Paris-Nice by over a minute. Contador is now in fourth. He has to pass Fleck and Sylvania, and then make up almost two minutes on Sanchez in the final stage if he hopes to win.

Let's see what happens...I'm not betting against him.

Okay...Now It's Over

The Bandito wins Stage 6 (Li'l Ventoux) and takes control of the race with only two stages remaining.

I Don't Think So Frenchy

After finishing dead last two stages ago, Jeremy Roy (Francaise de Jeux) wins Stage 5 in a three man breakaway.

Oh...it also happens to be his first professional win since he turned Pro in 2003.

Now he beats a world class field two days after his last place debacle?!

DOPING ALERT! DOPING ALERT! DOPING ALERT!

That's My Boy

VDV wins Stage 4 of Paris-Nice like a man...in a solo breakaway!

He's still the best American cyclist in the world...Yeah, even better than him.

U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

If Only They Didn't Ride Cervelos

Heinrich Haussler is only four fingers away from what could have been a very awkward moment for the young German.

There Is No Pain You Are Receding

The inaugural 23/2300 Hammerfest (Miles/Feet Climbed) was a lot of fun. Though Mongo was near the back on all climbs, I rode fairly aggressively all day and did my share up front...I feel pretty good about where I'm at right now.

Mongo is motivated by personal improvement. The reality is that I ride with some super-strong dudes who demonstrate a great deal more self discipline in their training than I do. I punish my body with counterproductive substances and hope for a zero sum with all my riding. If I eliminated the anchors, who knows what might happen? This is my own personal cycling Albatross.

My point is this...I tried the product pictured above for the first time today...and the sh*t works! Check it out at your local bike shop.

A Lead Role In A Cage

"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them."

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Hammerfest Haiku

Fast out on Sunday

I start believing my hype

Monday...not so much

Aw, C'mon...Really?!

Get used to it boys...the Bandito ain't messin' around this year. I assure you, Mellow Johnny wants no part of this action.

BTW...For you VDV haters out there, the reason he finished 142nd is because he crashed. Mongo's team, Garmin-Slipstream, continues to be a strong force in every race they enter.

Possibly The Greatest Jersey Ever

The winner of Paris-Nice will be one of these guys.

1. Wheelsucker

2. Vandownbytheriver

3. Frito Bandito

4. Sideburns McSpain

5. Roman Candle

6. Sylvainia

7. Fleck

Mongo's Ride For '09

FRAME...Specialized Allez Sport Aluminum (58cm)

FORK...Easton EC70 (Carbon fiber)

SEATPOST...Specialized Pave (Carbon fiber)

HANDLEBAR...Specialized S-Works (Carbon fiber)

SADDLE...Specialized Phenom Pro

SHIFTERS...Shimano Ultegra (9 speed)

BRAKES...Shimano 105

F. DERAILLEUR...Shimano Ultegra

R. DERAILLEUR...Shimano Ultegra

CRANKS...Shimano 105 Triple (52/42/30)

CASSETTE...Shimano Ultegra (12-25)

CHAIN...SRAM PC991

WHEELS...Mavic Ksyrium Equipe

TIRES...Specialized S-Works

PEDALS...Look Keo Carbon

TOTAL WEIGHT...19.4lbs w/pedals

(I have a two to three pound disadvantage with everyone I ride with that has a carbon fiber frame)

Diver Down

This coming weekend and the following Monday represents the official and unofficial beginning of the 2009 cycling season for Mongo and the UCI Pro Tour. For the pros, they have Paris-Nice starting on Sunday...and for Mongo, Monday marks the first Smyrna Bicycles Front Derailleur Covered Bridge Twelve Gap Hammerfest of the season...and I am most certainly not ready for it.

All one has to do is look at the above Biorhythm chart to see that Mongo is doomed. It's my "actual" chart for 03/09/09...the day of the Hammerfest. My readings are bottoming out faster than a Madoff ponzi scheme. Though I'm not much of a conspiracy theorist, there are three things in which I firmly believe. They are, in no particular order, the Chupacabra...Ghost ships...and Biorhythms.

To The Place Where Blind Men See