TMoney

Hey, @HiWire. Re: Forza, should I try it with a gamepad or my wheel/sim setup? Seems like it lends itself more to game pad?

I have an iPad Pro. Multitasking on it sucks. I don’t see how this makes it better. My understanding is that foldable devices up to this point have been sales flops. Maybe this turns the category around. Apple thought they could turn around VR and that doesn’t seem to have gone to plan so who knows.

Second big metric century is done and dusted! It is so hard to pace these things. Also, fueling remains a work in progress. It seems like however much your gut can tolerate in terms of food and drink is the amount you should be eating. Crushing gels gets old pretty quick. I skipped eating the last 10 miles or so and really felt it at the finish. We merged courses with the people doing the 30 mile ride in the last 1/4 of this and that meant it was time to put the power down and show the flat-bar riders the error of their ways! It is amazing how much of a confidence boost it is to overtake people. Kudos to all them for being out there though. Any ride is better than no ride (ahem, Brent). I do want more climbing than this going forward. There was really only one climb/descent (Chalk Hill). West Dry Creek Road is the stuff of riding dreams. Smooth country road, not wide enough for two cars to pass so the cars have to go ultra slow, curvy and lots of rollers. Can’t ask for better than that. Even on 32s I got so sick of road buzz on some of the Sonoma County cheese-grater roads that I threw the 40s back on after. The 40s are for sure slower, but my god do they smooth out the road and they are a joy to descend on. I’ll ride them for a bit until I feel ready to start doing group rides where the speed will matter. For training rides I’ll take comfort over speed any day and twice on Sunday.

We’ve been many times. In fact, I start one of my usual bike loops from the Hotel Winters parking lot. It is a little hidden gem for sure. Only about a 20 minute drive from where I live.

What a shame. First Jonas, now Tadej. Dangerous sport. https://youtu.be/aArF6UhvgZM?is=jJnzhxh4aak5D2xw

RIP to the King of Camp. Maybe now he can finish his sesame cake in peace. https://youtu.be/8fbGbPwKbQA?is=msZIpML46esPDHp-

Nice ride!

Always amusing to me that the guy in the band named “Beard” was the only member who didn’t have one. RIP

Marin Metric Century done and dusted! That was so much fun. Cool to ride with thousands of people. The stretch along Tomales Bay is A++ riding. Those of you who have been out to Marshall for Oysters know what I am talking about. I am soooo glad I trained for the climbing and held some back for the final hill. Next year we do the 100 miler!

Properly slammed, and with fresh bar tape. She is ready for the Marin Century tomorrow… hopefully I am too!

As the tour comes to a close, nice NYT piece on the business side of things. Shame the ASO is so conservative. I would love to see them work to grow the sport. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/business/tour-de-france-amaury-aso.html?unlocked_article_code=1.0VA.bUGg.jEXh-T33IBhx&smid=url-share

TdF

Did a final big shakedown ride before the Marin Metric Century in two weeks. I didn’t want to see the hardest climb (Wilson Hill) for the first time on Fondo day. It was indeed a bear, but I am ready for this. The training has paid off. Should be a fun century. West Marin is pretty damn good riding when you aren’t on the major through roads.

I think it might be time for NBC to retire Phil Liggett after this tour. Visma decision to race most of the "A" guys at the Giro looking catastrophic. Jonas gonna have to really battle for 2nd. His team is totally missing in action in these final GC bunches. I know Wout is missing, but the rest of the guys are not exactly helping their leader. Red Bull and Decathalon should be smelling blood right now.

RIP

The fun part about cycling is his rivals could form an uneasy alliance when he goes on these long range assaults, but they are too busy squabbling over the remaining two podium spots to work together to bring him back. Unless he just has an off day he is nearly impossible for the other GC guys to beat one-on-one. The only guy to get him this year was Wout.

Seeing Tadej annihilate on the Tourmalet is good motivation.

Well that was fun right up until it wasn't. New coach, same old dogshit USA team.

Nice article on Pogi and what he means for cycling to coincide with the start of TDF. Guy is hard not to cheer for. https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/49207337/tour-de-france-tadej-pogacar-greatest-all-lance-armstrong

Wondering the same as Ric. Simply hiding the graphics entirely would make the site a lot more usable on mobile. Thanks for your efforts!

Quite funny!

Finally made it to the top of the local climb without blowing up. Key change was grinding out the steepest pitches sub 60 rpm to keep my heart rate out of the red. I was worried I’d be going too slow to stay upright, but it was fine. Also helps that I’m also slowly but surely getting more fit. I feel a lot better about the climbing on the Marin metric century now that I’ve finally been able to get up and over this thing. Nate is right, 32mm is the sweet spot. Put some on and they felt amazing.

Yeah, think I'll end up there as well. The 28s feel amazing WHEN the pavement is smooth. As soon as the quality goes to shit, I miss the bigger tires. 32 should be the sweet spot and is as big as the Vittoria Corsa Pros go. Did some good long rides this weekend so I feel ready to do the metric centuries I've signed up for. If I can survive the climbs, I'll finish no problem. It really is amazing how easy it is to pace with a power meter.

Tried 40s now trying 28s. These feel faster for sure but not sure how they'll do on shittier roads and more challenging decents. Thinking the sweet spot for me might be 32s.

Happy birthday, BrOnt!