Tour de France Autographs
When Tour de France cyclists rolled through California the past two years, my kids and I were there to watch, snapping photos and grabbing autographs from international cycling greats. We caught a couple stage finishes in San Luis Obispo (one in the rain) and a time trial in Solvang. And this year in Palo Alto, I actually rode with Team CSC’s Big Jens Voigt. (Okay, so he was on a training ride and I happened to be there, and barely kept pace with him for 200 yards. Whatever – I rode with him!)
As for the autographs – the cyclists were dining en masse in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn. My son hovered near the dining room entrance and scored signatures from the argyle armada Team Slipstream riders Danny Pate and Steven Cozza. Then a woman involved with the race asked if he wanted to meet other cyclists. “Yeah,” he said. She led him into the dining room. We can almost make out all the names.
If anyone can figure out some of those autographs, feel free to chime in. Possible candidates: Ivan Basso, Tommy Danielson, Allan Davis, Jason McCartney, Brian Vandborg, Johan Bruyneel
First, my son met Team Discovery, the former US Postal Team that supported Lance Armstrong through 7 Tour de France wins. There was Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie, Ivan Basso, and the rest eating dinner together. (Team Discovery has since disbanded, and the cyclists ride for teams like Team Astana, Team High Road (now Team Columbia), and the Argyle Armada – the former Team Slipstream, now Garmin-Chipotle.)
My son told them about his BMX trick bike with pegs. They asked if he had a road bike like ones they road, and he told them, “No, but my dad does.”
When a table full of international cyclists give their nods of approval, definitely Dad points scored.
“Does your dad race?” they asked.
“Nah,” my son said. “I think he’s pretty slow.”
Ouch.
He went on to meet members of Team CSC, including Jens Voigt (my aforementioned riding partner), Stuart O’Grady, and Christian Van de Velde. Everyone was super nice to my son, not only signing autographs but chatting him up in the process.
The great thing for cycling fans at Tour events is sitting right on the edge of the road. Here are photos from the 2007 Amgen Tour of California Solvang time trial.
Rabobank’s Mauricio Alberto Ardila Cano
Team Slipstream cyclist Danny Pate riding for the Argyle Armada
Hey, it’s Nacho Libre!
Team CSC cyclist Big Jens Voigt
Fast Freddie Rodriguez
Love the winged helmet and huge American flag
Stuart O’Grady from Team CSC
Levi Leipheimer en route to winning the Tour of California. (Sadly, Levi and Team Astana aren’t allowed to ride in this year’s Tour de France, through no fault of his own)
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Comment by The Exception
| July 6th, 2008
Every time I have visited France, I have wanted to be one of those people lining the race route cheering the riders on. I have yet to do it, but… someday! Perhaps your son will be one of the riders one day.
Tucson does a Tour de Tucson – have you done it?
Comment by pajama momma
| July 6th, 2008
Your son is freaking adorable!
“Nah,” my son said. “I think he’s pretty slow.”
bwaha hahaha hahahaha
Comment by Nette @ Smiling Mom
| July 6th, 2008
Your son is such a cutie!t
Comment by mama llama
| July 6th, 2008
The humor and fun in the costumes is delightful. Nice to see those who take their sport so seriously let loose, have fun and hopefully instill some of that interest in young people they meet.
As for us, I have one to get off the training wheels yet. They are slowing him down! Baby steps…
Nice photos. Your son is cute and looks like a really nice kid.
Hope you’ve had a nice weekend. Be well.
Comment by Cara
| July 6th, 2008
Nice pics Dadshouse.
You know what I wonder about these cyclists…? I wonder if they feel back pain when they eventually get off their bicycles and try to stand up straight.
Comment by la dolce vita
| July 6th, 2008
Your son is so cute! He looks alot like his dad! ;)
Comment by Tonya
| July 7th, 2008
That is KICK ASS!! I love cycling and I’m totally into the tour. What great photos. And hey, I’m slow on my bike too! :)
Still there’s nothing like being on a bike. Love it..
Comment by dadshouse
| July 7th, 2008
If you ever go watch a bike race, a circuit route is the most fun. We watched the San Francisco Grand Prix, and the riders (and all those support vehicles with bikes stacked on top) came buzzing by 5 or 6 times. In between, we hung out, drank coffee, met other specators.
Time trials are great, too. Every minute a new rider comes by. It’s FUN being right there on the edge of the road.
As for riding long distances – my back doesn’t get too sore. You build up core muscles over time. What hurts is my “seat”. Saddle sore isn’t just a horseback riding term!