Phonak SHUTS DOWN?!?!

Jesus. I doubt that I would have bought the Phonak team for 80 cents (ESPN story), not having the requisite 10 million bucks to run it next year, but it's hard to believe that the team is actually shutting down.

What happens here if, by some miracle, Floyd is proven innocent of the charges levied against him? I suppose Disco needs some help after the hip surgery, but what about all the other Phonak personnel? Such an unbelievably horrible end (?) to this saga.

Can you imagine if the San Francisco Giants had to disband because Barry was finally proven to be cheating? It just simply couldn't / won't happen.

This is really a sad day for professional cycling, the future of cycling in America, and across the world.

Shimano R700 Compact Crank

Okay, so it doesn't say Dura-Ace on it, but after a short 42 mile ride and 4500 feet of climbing (Three Bears from my house), I'm sold.

I'm running the 50/34 with a 12/27 in the rear, so I've got a lot of low end, but despite a head cold coming on (and hitting in full force today), I bested my previous round-trip time by two minutes.

More importantly, the climbs weren't a grind. I was working, but spinning. There's too big a jump from the 24 to the 27 in the rear, and I still think an 11/25 would be ideal for a compact front-end (I spun out at around 36 miles an hour), but I'm very happy with the setup. Better than spinning out at 26 mph last weekend when I lost the top 10 gears at the Century.

The only caveat, which I imagine applies to all compacts, is that one needs to shift the front from the 34 to the 50 a tad more patiently. Shifting is great. I'm glad I didn't spend the extra dough to go with the FSA, which has very mixed reviews.

I had to run my mountain pedals yesterday with my old Dominator 5 Sidis, and I really noticed the lack of float in the pedal (my cleat is not in alignment with my natural pedalling stroke). Nonetheless, a completely enjoyable ride. I'm looking forward to further climbing...

The Marin Century

Last weekend, I road the Marin Century. Good times and bad times. My goal was to beat 6 hours for 100 miles. The ride was 105 miles (according to the computer), and at the 100 mile mark I was at 5:57 of ride time. So, I hit my goal.

Don't those folks in the background look like they're hurting? This is ~mile 78. Brings a smile to my face. ;-)

I also managed to hit a barbed-wire fence. At 31.8 miles into the ride, I managed to find a huge pothole on the downhill side of the Marshall Wall and throw the bike off the road. Went straight over the handlebars and into the fence. My arm has seen better days.

Fortunately, not much damage to the bike -- I destroyed a Ksyrium. It was a 2005, so I managed to get a replacement from Excel Sports Boulder for $219. Can't say enough good things about these guys. Every purchase experience has been flawless (and competitvely priced).

I also managed to split my front derailleur cable, so for the last 75 miles, I only had my bottom 10 gears.

Learn to love high cadence.

In fact, I learned to love it so much that I got an early birthday gift in a compact crankset.

I've read so many bad things about people's experience with the FSA compacts (see here), that I decided to go with the Shimano R700. Two separate mechanics voted for it over the FSA.

First ride this weekend (with a 12/27 in the rear), so review forthcoming.

"FLandis" and the end of Pro Cycling

What interest is there, really, in watching doped athletes compete? I go out there and crank the pedals on nothing more than energy gels and Clif bars. I know it was perhaps Floyd’s last chance to make a name before the hip surgery and try to cement a future with Phonak (or elsewhere), but it’s just depressing.

Beer and Whiskey? At least he isn’t arguing that there’s a vanishing twin (yet). If this all goes the Tyler Hamilton way, I’ll find myself questioning whether I even want to watch professional cycling anymore. It’s such a shame, as I felt that professional cycling was just starting to catch on here in the States. The ride on Stage 17 was heroic, but if it was artificially-enhanced, it’s just a contrivance.

Now, perhaps there is some reason to explain it all away, but I’m pretty down on professional cycling as of now.

Still up on amateur (my own) cycling.