How far would you ride for a beer ?

The Tour of Flanders takes place in the Flanders region of Belgium each year. The Tour of Flanders is to Belgium, like if the Super bowl, World Series, and March Madness were all crammed into a single one day event. The schloogs go nuts for this race. Though the route changes from year to year, it is always at least 250km (160 miles long) and is known for its short, but very steep cobbled climbs. It puts a huge toll on the riders’ bodies and is emotionally just as difficult as it is physically and the weather usually sucks.

On the day before the pro race Joe public can ride the entire 255 km of the course. That is what Team Redlands rider Scott Manning will be doing this Saturday. He will be riding the entire course from Brugge to Meerbeke as the pros will do the day after.

Good Luck to Scott this weekend, he has promised to bring us all back some cobbles and Belgium mud.

Chip off the old block

Local Coffee House Stells continued the Team Redlands celebration one more day. Little JT has until midnight tonight to claim his free hot chocolate for winning the public race.

Congratulations to Little JT from Team Redlands. Now go pull my trash cans up my driveway !

A classic day

Norm & Scott Shown here after the Pro 1/2 , Norman made a four man break while some riders were still in the Porta potty. The break lapped the field and Norm took 3rd place. He is seen here after the race with Scott to keep the groupies back.



Another podium for Team Redlands , CT here in the Blue jersey for winning the Master 35. Craig said afterward he might get into cycling seriously , lay off the golf and check out this P90X stuff.



Apparently Scott was unable to keep the women back. Norm is seen here holding a baby a woman from the crowd asked him to bless.

Team Redlands was very well represented today in all the races from Cat 5 through the 1/2 , look for a complete results update when the race results become official.

Floyd On Sunset

Floyd Landis on Sunset , during today's Prologue. Floyd said he was 50/50 to come by Sunday morning for bacon.

Floyd finished in 20th place , 34 seconds behind Benjamin Day of Fly V Australia.

Local Boy in the classic

Local Gnomie to ride the classic. All Citizens of the greater Redlands area are encouraged to get out and support Brain.

Brian McCulloch will be riding for Team PossAbilities. He gets the classic going this afternoon. His start time is 12:15 , The local schools are releasing the kids early to line the course and give Brian that extra push up the grueling 3.1 mile Prologue.

Good Luck Brain , you can do it !

Update: Here is a picture of Brian taken this morning. he slept with his helmet on last night and woke up surrounded by empty Power Gel wrappers.

Welcome to Redlands

The Redlands Bike classic week has begun. Some of the deeper pocket teams have already arrived in town. I was driving home on Sunset when I saw a rider relieving himself.

Here are a few reminders to all riders while your in our town:

1. Public urination will not be tolerated on the south side of Redlands. Feel free while riding the Beaumont stage.

2. ESRI is the biggest employer in our town. I have never met anyone who knows what that stands for.

3. Leave our women alone.

4. No need to lock your car doors or even take your bikes off your racks at night.

5. If you are gonna win a stage Don't even think about peeling a orange while powering up Citrus avenue , JT tried it once and got pulp in his eye.

Where in the world in Chopper

My Doctor said I had to wait 7 days to ride this week. apparently he does not understand the high end world of club cycling.

Hey what the hell. don't you know its daylight savings and its like 80 degrees and the sun is shining. I need to be outside.

Yes, I know you want to be outside riding in the sun. The chance for my kids going to a nice college is depending on that.

This has been another public service announcement to wear sunscreen even under your kit.

Weekend at Bernies

The badger shown here without a helmet wanted to clarify the statment about the french and time trial finishes.

Let the record show that Bernie won 5 Tour de France, 28 stage victories and 13 individual time trials.

For the record If my hair looked that sweet I would not wear a helmet , especially the Lebeau. No argument. The french have great hair.

100th Blog Post

In honor of Team Redlands 100th Unofficial Blog post , Giro has launched the new Le Beau cycling helmet.

Yes be one of the first to ride around town in the new Le Beau.

In addition to the sweet European styling the helmet has many features not found on other models.

An easy GPS tracking system so your loved ones will always know your location.

Aerodynamic properties only the french have ever utilized. Now you know why they are so good at the TT.

Finally , the lady's love it. And not just the chicks who cycle. I am talking regular folk driving past you on the way to the market. I guarantee you will see an increase in honks and digits and maybe even more friends for your Face book.

What would Eddy do ?

Two Weeks Notice !

Pay water bill , file extension on tax return , have State Farm rep run a what if for earthquake insurance, get Timmy ready for the public race at this years classic. Check !

Seriously , last year I watched some of your kids race and I am gonna tell you I expected more from the off spring of such specimens. Hey, If you want your kid to make friends and have a good time then sign them up for Soccer.

This is cycling , a sport that mocks you for weight gain and gages your self worth by the size of your saddle bag. So this is your two week warning to get Timmy out on the street and do some hill repeats and maybe less supper. Just a thought.

Tuesday Night Smack Down

Are you ready for next weeks Tuesday night Smack down , That's right change your clocks and change your tires. Because it's a looser leave town winner take all Daylight savings Tuesday night world championship Smack down.

See The flying Lanza brothers attempt to control the front , JT Superfly Snooka take on the field. Captain Lou Miller. Craig the Body Turner. The bushwhacker's. Abel the snake Rendon ,Scott the Giant ,Matt the undertaker , Zack attack , Ortho Boy and Rowdy Roddy Lohman.

The Lady's card will feature such Riders as Joy Dirka Dirka Duerksen , Trish the Dish , Little Fuji and the battling red heads.

Note the event coordinator is free to substitute other riders , so bring a coke can bring a seven up can. we will sell you the whole seat but remember you will only use the front half for this Tuesday night smack down.

If you are unable to attend this event just remember this bloody thing happens every Tuesday night for the next 7 months.

El Presedente is Numero Uno

El Presedente wins last weekends Pro 1/2 Criterium in Ontario. Photo courtesy of http://dmunsonphoto.com/

Team Redlands Winter training program has brought early season success to many team members. The perfect climate , multiple sushi bars and easy access to Hangar 24 beer have all been credited for our success.

Sure Arkansas has some really good boiled peanut stands but the variety of riding terrain here has really helped me out, stated one team member.

Yes , Redlands is to cycling what Silicon Valley is to technology. Next week the Unofficial Blog will take an up close look into this phenomenon by exploring the lives of the Team Redlands riders from Palm Springs area.

Sunday Sunday Sunday

Sunday was the first Ontario of the season. I figured I needed to make up for lost racing. I helped paid for somebodies kid to attend college at Pacific Velo. In return they let me ride in all the races with the words cat 1-4 in them.

Here is what you forget about riding in a crit race after a 2 year layoff.

1. Crit is NASCAR in spandex.

2. I have no clue what PSI a zipp 404 should be properly inflated to.

3. JT and Scott and Craig were racing , I was riding in circles.

4. No matter the weather at home its always 10 degrees warmer in Ontario.

5. The claim jumper has really large portions.

6. Over 100 man field for 45 + , is everyone getting older.

7. Not one person mentioned the score of the hockey game yesterday. once again proving my point that dudes who ride really need other hobbies.