Its the end of an era in Cycling. Team T-Mobile is done; stick a folk in 'em its over. Too bad really, I've got fond memories of watching big german guys dressed up in pink riding rough shod over everybody else in the mid 90's. They came from almost no where. At the end of the 80's there no german cycling teams at all. By '95 not only was there a solid team, that team had chalked up a big pile of race wins including multiple green jerseys (courtesy of Eric Zabel) and the first of two tour de france yellow jerseys. Thank You Bjarne Riis and Jan Ullrich.
Ullrich had the unfortunate timing to run directly up against Lance Armstrong. Jan finished second to Lance 4 times, and second to Riis in '95. Quite possibly the most bittersweet palmere in the history of cycling.
Either way starting in 2005 and coming to a head in June '06 with the firing of Ullrich, T-Mobile was plagued by doping allegations dating back to the good ol' days. Most of the major players from that time have coped to doping and the German press has been quite happy to hammer away at them for it. Dont get me wrong DOPERS SUCK.
In 2006, after the firing of Ullrich and Godfroote (team director since 92) the now T-Mobile hired American Bill Stapleton as team director. Bill made significant changes. He fired the team doctors, who both later ended up being charged by the german authorities for distributing doping products. He hired a bunch of new young talent, and he did pretty well this year. Some good solid wins, inc. a mountain top finish at the tour thanks to the baby faced Linus Gerdemann.
But there were more doping convictions, Patrick Sinkewitz being the final straw. Even tho T-Mobile reaffirmed their support for the team in Aug. The new CEO Hamid Akhavan could continue to risk negative exposure and terminated T-Mobile's sponsorship effective immediately. Such is life
Bob Stapleton has promised that the team will continue without its title sponsor under the name of "Team High Road".
Thank You Bob Stapleton!! Good Luck Team High Road!!
I'll still be rooting for Slipstream this year.
Dopers Suck.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Good News, Bad News
First the good news; Trent Lott has added his name to the growing list of Rats abandoning the ship. Trent has set his date for leaving to be sometime in December, barely a year after winning re-election. Probably most recently remembered for his incredibly, stupid comments at Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday party a couple of years ago (something akin to " we wouldnt be having all these problems now if you had been elected" Thurmond ran on a segregationist platform). I can actually understand how the comment came to be made. It doesnt make it any less offensive or stupid tho. Lott has been a heavy hitter in the GOP since 1972. He retires as party whip, the second most powerful Senator in his party. Now all of this would probably have most people scratching their heads especially considering that Lott is only 66 and has denied any health problems whatsoever. Then there is the little detail of the new senate rules that take effect Jan 1st. The most interesting being the new rule that senators must wait 2 full years before taking jobs as lobbyists.
Maybe he just wants more time to spend with his family.
Now for the bad news;
Saul Raisin has given up his quest to return to the professional peloton after his terrifying accident almost 18 months ago. Saul was a great prospect for American Cycling and a great personality. Always smiling and never taking things too seriously, he remembered the joy of just riding a bike.
More here
Maybe he just wants more time to spend with his family.
Now for the bad news;
Saul Raisin has given up his quest to return to the professional peloton after his terrifying accident almost 18 months ago. Saul was a great prospect for American Cycling and a great personality. Always smiling and never taking things too seriously, he remembered the joy of just riding a bike.
More here
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
An Evening to Remember
So my wife and I celebrated the 10th anniversary of our meeting by going to Restaurant Eve in Alexandria VA. For those of you who dont know, the chef there is named Cathal Armstrong. A native born Irishman, he has been making news right and left here in DC. Restaurant Eve has a bistro, and "The Tasting Room". Probably needless to say; we had reservations for the tasting room.
Now, I am a firm believer the much "Haute" cuisine really relies as much on an air of exclusivity as anything else. There are precious few chefs who truly are doing something all the others aren't. Cathal Armstrong is definitely doing something different.
Starting with cocktails in the bar, (they have their own bar master in charge of developing their own drinks), the evening was just non-stop. One new thing after another. A gentle mix of good solid traditional technique with flair and style. Dont get me wrong there was a little "lets use the fancy name instead" going on, but this was truly a meal that was beyond the skill or imagination of 99.9% of the chefs out there.
There was pureed salted cod quinelles, yellow tail snapper tartar (yeah I know, not that special, but I like it), fresh water eel, skate wing with ox tongue and bone marrow, butter poached lobster (med. rare), blue foot mushrooms and grass fed steak, partridge with duck confit. It just went on and on. All of it beautifully prepared (partridge was a little dry, but hey life is hard). Taken separately the components of each dish were very good, but eaten together; it was a whole different experience. At one point my wife was laughing at me, apparently I had lost the ability to speak coherently.
Throughout the meal everything was at its appearance simple and straight forward, but the execution, the combinations and subtle flavor accent was truly masterful and unique. Most chefs charge ahead with big bold flavors, which is not a bad thing. I like big bold flavors. But in big and bold there is a whole other level that is simple to miss. Balance and subtly is often overlooked or forgotten. Last night was all about detail and subtly. It takes a light hand and immense patience to balance flavors like they did last night. Armstrong reminds us of why European and more specifically French cuisine is regarded as the mother cuisine.
It was an evening I wont soon forget. It was everything I expected and even more.
Thank You Mrs Culimerc, I love you.
Now, I am a firm believer the much "Haute" cuisine really relies as much on an air of exclusivity as anything else. There are precious few chefs who truly are doing something all the others aren't. Cathal Armstrong is definitely doing something different.
Starting with cocktails in the bar, (they have their own bar master in charge of developing their own drinks), the evening was just non-stop. One new thing after another. A gentle mix of good solid traditional technique with flair and style. Dont get me wrong there was a little "lets use the fancy name instead" going on, but this was truly a meal that was beyond the skill or imagination of 99.9% of the chefs out there.
There was pureed salted cod quinelles, yellow tail snapper tartar (yeah I know, not that special, but I like it), fresh water eel, skate wing with ox tongue and bone marrow, butter poached lobster (med. rare), blue foot mushrooms and grass fed steak, partridge with duck confit. It just went on and on. All of it beautifully prepared (partridge was a little dry, but hey life is hard). Taken separately the components of each dish were very good, but eaten together; it was a whole different experience. At one point my wife was laughing at me, apparently I had lost the ability to speak coherently.
Throughout the meal everything was at its appearance simple and straight forward, but the execution, the combinations and subtle flavor accent was truly masterful and unique. Most chefs charge ahead with big bold flavors, which is not a bad thing. I like big bold flavors. But in big and bold there is a whole other level that is simple to miss. Balance and subtly is often overlooked or forgotten. Last night was all about detail and subtly. It takes a light hand and immense patience to balance flavors like they did last night. Armstrong reminds us of why European and more specifically French cuisine is regarded as the mother cuisine.
It was an evening I wont soon forget. It was everything I expected and even more.
Thank You Mrs Culimerc, I love you.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Fall Riding
So I went out for a ride on my usual "hilly" loop. It's not all that long, but its never really flat either, so you get a good bang for your buck, training wise.
When I started it was in the hi 40's and the wind was blowing around. I was sitting on the couch watchin tube, knowing I should go out. Knowin' that it wasnt *that* cold. Why is always so hard to get rolling once the weather changes?? All I want to do is sit on the couch, drink beer, eat something hot and starchy, and watch movies I've already seen a dozen times. I had a good time once I got warmed up. And I considered stretching it out a bit. Another 5-10 miles or so. Oh well. Beer is good.
In other news;
Chris Horner, Chechu Rubiera and Vladimir Gusev have all signed with Astana for next year. Rumor is that they'll be riding Treks. Ahhh, the new look Disco boys. Will they actually have *any* Kazakh riders on this team or what. In a solid move to improve the image of both Bruyneel and Astana, they have hired the Doctor (Rasmus Damsgaard) that ran CSC's drug testing program last year. Last year 28 CSC riders subjected themselves to over 600 doping tests. Lets see any major league team of any sport live up to that. Good luck Astana; you've got a HUGE hole to dig yourself out of, but at least your trying.
GO Slipstream!!
F U Barry Bonds.
When I started it was in the hi 40's and the wind was blowing around. I was sitting on the couch watchin tube, knowing I should go out. Knowin' that it wasnt *that* cold. Why is always so hard to get rolling once the weather changes?? All I want to do is sit on the couch, drink beer, eat something hot and starchy, and watch movies I've already seen a dozen times. I had a good time once I got warmed up. And I considered stretching it out a bit. Another 5-10 miles or so. Oh well. Beer is good.
In other news;
Chris Horner, Chechu Rubiera and Vladimir Gusev have all signed with Astana for next year. Rumor is that they'll be riding Treks. Ahhh, the new look Disco boys. Will they actually have *any* Kazakh riders on this team or what. In a solid move to improve the image of both Bruyneel and Astana, they have hired the Doctor (Rasmus Damsgaard) that ran CSC's drug testing program last year. Last year 28 CSC riders subjected themselves to over 600 doping tests. Lets see any major league team of any sport live up to that. Good luck Astana; you've got a HUGE hole to dig yourself out of, but at least your trying.
GO Slipstream!!
F U Barry Bonds.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Solving the problem, not the symptom
So why is it that when people get all wound up about immigration, its always about what to do with people once they are here?? Pretty much can chalk that one up to "closing the door after the horse has bolted" isn't it?? A better question is why are people leaving their homes and families to travel thousands of miles, submit themselves to days and months of sun, storms and the like. Thieves, gangs, coyotes (both 4 and 2 legged) only to go somewhere thats cold as shit, you dont speak the language, you going to live below the American poverty level, and you risk arrest just by showing up.
Cause there's nothing better at home thats why.
Most of the people that show up here undocumented, are here cause there aint shit at home. Most live in the kind of poverty that only the homeless can even begin to fathom.
Wanna solve the immigration "problem"?? Give'm a reason to stay at home. A way to make a living. Ditch NAFTA. Rewrite it to insure that all companies that leave our soil to make things South of the Border, or anywhere else for that matter, are adhering to American employment standards there, or risk tariffs and penalties. 40 hr work weeks. Reasonable wages. Etc. I'm not saying that an employer should being people American wages, but for gods sake pay them equitable wage that would allow an auto worker in Honduras live in the same standard as an American one. By creating A) a family sustaining income, suddenly people get to stay home with their loved ones. B) You also create jobs for people supporting those who now have the means to feed their families.
This is simple demand side economics people, it's not that hard a concept.
The jobs I'm talking about here are the ones that have already left, or will anyway. A farm worker in Mexico should make something that would allow them to own a house, feed themselves and goto the hospital just the same as an American worker. If they are hurt on the job, they shouldn't fear getting fired. They should know that their hospital bills will be paid for, like workers comp does here. Any "free trade" agreement should always demand these standards. Otherwise how equal is the trade?? Maybe rather than a "free trade" agreement, we should concentrate on a Fair Trade agreement.
Do you honestly think that a wall is going to keep anyone out?? Round up 12-15 million people?? How much would that cost?? $500.00 ea?? Do the math on that one. Throw employers in jail?? Without these workers the hospitality industry, agriculture and construction industry would collapse tomorrow. Who do you think is slinging that meat puck at McDonald's, changing the sheets in your hotel room, pouring the cement at that office building going up or picking the oranges for your kid's OJ??
It's time to stop all the racism and hate. It's time to talk about real solutions. Long term solutions. Pragmatism folks, its not just for breakfast anymore.
Cause there's nothing better at home thats why.
Most of the people that show up here undocumented, are here cause there aint shit at home. Most live in the kind of poverty that only the homeless can even begin to fathom.
Wanna solve the immigration "problem"?? Give'm a reason to stay at home. A way to make a living. Ditch NAFTA. Rewrite it to insure that all companies that leave our soil to make things South of the Border, or anywhere else for that matter, are adhering to American employment standards there, or risk tariffs and penalties. 40 hr work weeks. Reasonable wages. Etc. I'm not saying that an employer should being people American wages, but for gods sake pay them equitable wage that would allow an auto worker in Honduras live in the same standard as an American one. By creating A) a family sustaining income, suddenly people get to stay home with their loved ones. B) You also create jobs for people supporting those who now have the means to feed their families.
This is simple demand side economics people, it's not that hard a concept.
The jobs I'm talking about here are the ones that have already left, or will anyway. A farm worker in Mexico should make something that would allow them to own a house, feed themselves and goto the hospital just the same as an American worker. If they are hurt on the job, they shouldn't fear getting fired. They should know that their hospital bills will be paid for, like workers comp does here. Any "free trade" agreement should always demand these standards. Otherwise how equal is the trade?? Maybe rather than a "free trade" agreement, we should concentrate on a Fair Trade agreement.
Do you honestly think that a wall is going to keep anyone out?? Round up 12-15 million people?? How much would that cost?? $500.00 ea?? Do the math on that one. Throw employers in jail?? Without these workers the hospitality industry, agriculture and construction industry would collapse tomorrow. Who do you think is slinging that meat puck at McDonald's, changing the sheets in your hotel room, pouring the cement at that office building going up or picking the oranges for your kid's OJ??
It's time to stop all the racism and hate. It's time to talk about real solutions. Long term solutions. Pragmatism folks, its not just for breakfast anymore.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
In the Beginning.........
So here it is the obligatory mental masturbation that is anonymous blogging. The question at this point is really three fold.
1) Will anything I say or think make sense and if it does will anyone give a rats ass.
2) Will I update this thing on any kind of regular basis, or will it become what most blogs do; a timeless electronic billboard of misplaced ambition and neglect.
3)Will I end up on some FBI/Homeland Security watch list or hunted by fanatical right wing conservative jihadists.
So let's set some basic expectations down. First, I am a cyclist. I'm not completely around the bend about it, I actually own and use a car everyday. I don't race but I like to spend time outside riding my bike around in circles. I've been at it since college. I've never really understood riding indoors, but then I didnt understand road riding earlier when I was a mountain biker earlier either.
I spent a good deal of my professional life in kitchens as a line cook and sous chef. I've worked in some really nice places and some really bad places. I like food. I like to cook food. I absolutely dont understand those who spend so much of their life never learning to one of the most basic aspects of our lives at least enjoyable. I do occasionally eat fast food, I'm not saying that you've got to eat only haute cuisine or your crap. I love a good chili dog as much as the next guy, just use good chili and a good dog. 7/11 doesnt have either.
And I'm a life long democrat. LIBERAL! The only reason I still vote democrat is that there isnt a viable more liberal party available. I'm an atheist. Just because I dont believe in God doesnt mean that you shouldnt, just please respect my religion or lack thereof. Government should provide services to its people and protect them from injury from others. It should work hardest for the poorest, because they have the least ability to protect themselves from others taking advantage of them. It should not dictate morality. It should provide education all the way thru college. It should provide roads. It should provide police. It should provide a standing army to protect us from foreign aggression. And Yes, it should also provide some sort of basic health care to EVERYONE, just like, literally, every other civilized country in the world.
1) Will anything I say or think make sense and if it does will anyone give a rats ass.
2) Will I update this thing on any kind of regular basis, or will it become what most blogs do; a timeless electronic billboard of misplaced ambition and neglect.
3)Will I end up on some FBI/Homeland Security watch list or hunted by fanatical right wing conservative jihadists.
So let's set some basic expectations down. First, I am a cyclist. I'm not completely around the bend about it, I actually own and use a car everyday. I don't race but I like to spend time outside riding my bike around in circles. I've been at it since college. I've never really understood riding indoors, but then I didnt understand road riding earlier when I was a mountain biker earlier either.
I spent a good deal of my professional life in kitchens as a line cook and sous chef. I've worked in some really nice places and some really bad places. I like food. I like to cook food. I absolutely dont understand those who spend so much of their life never learning to one of the most basic aspects of our lives at least enjoyable. I do occasionally eat fast food, I'm not saying that you've got to eat only haute cuisine or your crap. I love a good chili dog as much as the next guy, just use good chili and a good dog. 7/11 doesnt have either.
And I'm a life long democrat. LIBERAL! The only reason I still vote democrat is that there isnt a viable more liberal party available. I'm an atheist. Just because I dont believe in God doesnt mean that you shouldnt, just please respect my religion or lack thereof. Government should provide services to its people and protect them from injury from others. It should work hardest for the poorest, because they have the least ability to protect themselves from others taking advantage of them. It should not dictate morality. It should provide education all the way thru college. It should provide roads. It should provide police. It should provide a standing army to protect us from foreign aggression. And Yes, it should also provide some sort of basic health care to EVERYONE, just like, literally, every other civilized country in the world.
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