I still think that the scenery was very scenic, but not exactly pretty - rather too many loooong looong
Towards the end of the race, there was less coverage, which I suppose is only to be expected, as they were focusing on likely winners.
Still, Our Andy came in 31st overall, which is where he was sitting for most of the race. So in real terms, he was never going to win it, and he maintained his position right to the end of the race.
Points of note from the race, apart from the scenery? Well, Cannondale appeared in their new kit, a rather less green, more black sort of affair, but still sporting the chipmunk stripes on the back. Peter "more fun than a jammy dodger" Sagan appeared on the podium at one point with whiskers, so the team must have heard me referring to them as chipmunks.
Some of the USA fans exhibited what - with due respect to all American Schlecklanders - I would call the typical American over-exuberance, but mostly it occurred in wacky costumes, which is fine. It's the fans who run alongside that make me cross.
I'm now wishing that I'd made notes as the race was progressing, as I have forgotten all the funny little incidents that caught my eye at the time... but I must say a big word of praise for the Tour Tracker, which was generally excellent, and I wish more races would have something similar.
The only improvement would be if all riders had properly enabled GPS transmitters, so that we could choose our top three (or so) riders, and be able to see whereabouts they are on the road at all times. LLB always says that he'd like to be able to check wattage etc of his chosen riders, but I'd be happy just to know exactly where they were.
One thing which was massively memorable about the Pro Challenge was the placenames - Steamboat Springs, for a start, you just couldn't make up a name like that, could you?
Bachelor's Gulch made me laugh as well, but they seemed to be riding uphill to it: surely a gulch would be lower than everything around, wouldn't it?
And finally there was Beaver Creek, just south of Hanging Jugs....
Oy!...don't make too much fun of names...all are historical and have history - this is the early path of the "old West"....towns named for people and events since only a handful of people were usually there when named. Much of it (history) is really interesting and sometimes quite funny as well as sometimes tragic. Getting up past 9000 ft can be fairly dull scenic wise - but at that point, you aren't looking at views - you are trying to breathe! Incredibly hard and challenging race. It was an honor to experience it.
ReplyDeleteInfo Piece - Steamboat (just 1 example)
ReplyDeleteHistory of Steamboat Springs
Origins Town
Photo by: Denver Public Library
The Yampa Valley was the summer hunting grounds of the Ute Indians for hundreds of years. The Yampatika Ute and Arapaho tribes also visited the area for its mineral or “medicine” springs considered sacred places of physical and spiritual healing.
The name of Steamboat Springs is thought to have originated around the early 1800s when French trappers thought they heard the chugging sound of a steamboat’s steam engine. The sound turned out to be a natural mineral spring, to be named the Steamboat Spring.
First Residents
In 1874, James Crawford ventured into the Yampa Valley seeking a homestead site. Impressed by the region’s mineral waters, he built a cabin near present day Iron Spring and a log shelter over the nearby hot springs. Crawford spent a few of his winters in Boulder, Colorado where he persuaded several prominent businessmen to join him in organizing the Steamboat Springs Townsite Company in 1884.
By 1885, five other families had settled in the area including a newspaperman, James Hoyle, who brought his printing press and publication of the Steamboat Pilot began that same year. The area began to develop slowly, but increased slightly when a sawmill was established in 1883.
Becoming a Town
In 1900, the town was incorporated with James Crawford as the first mayor. By 1902, the town had 3 hotels, 3 livery stables, 3 banks, 4 general stores, 2 meat markets, and other businesses including the Steamboat Springs Service Company. This company was the community’s first electric utility company.
Railroad Jumper
Photo by: Denver Public Library
In 1909, the railroad arrived, which sparked a boom for the commercial industry in Steamboat Springs. Ranching was the primary industry of the valley and the cattle ranchers turned the new railroad depot into one of the largest cattle shipping centers of the West. Consequently, the construction of the railroad silenced the Steamboat Spring’s chugging noise forever.
Numerous passengers began arriving on the railroad to visit the scenic area and the natural mineral springs. In the early 1910s, Norwegian Carl Howelsen arrived and brought ski jumping to the area and established skiing as a sport. Tourists now also began to visit the area for skiing and a few avid skiers began to look for broader areas of terrain.
Recreational Destination
In the 1960s, Storm Mountain was developed as a resort ski mountain led by James Temple. The mountain was later named Mt. Werner in memory of local skier and Olympian Buddy Werner who was tragically killed in an avalanche.
Celebrating its western heritage and ranching traditions, Steamboat Springs thrives as a world-class skiing, biking, and year-round recreational destination.
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(we are a relatively new country....)