Chechu Rubiera

I'm just about finished uploading all of my ATOC 2010 photos to my Flickr page. Today I posted a few photos of Chechu Rubiera, one of the nicest guys in the peloton. I had the privelege of meeting him when he was on the US Postal team way back in 2005. He'd been left behind by his team while out on a training ride. He was sick and had to pull into El Capitan State Beach campground to find a phone. I was not following the Tour at the time so I was not familiar with him, but I sure recognized his bike and US Postal kit. I remember asking him if he was on the team and he said "yes, the team with Lance Armstrong". I asked him his specialty and he said "climber". I feel like such a dope that I didn't know who he was!
He ended up walking back to our campsite with us to use our cell phone to call his trainers in Solvang. If this happened to me now I would have insisted on driving him back to his hotel myself. I wouldn't care if I got sick.
He gave me a Trek/US Postal water bottle and rode up to the main highway to wait for his ride. Bye Chechu!

Here's video of his most recent interview with Versus:

Amgen Tour of California Photos

Check out my scrumptious photos from the 2010 Amgen Tour of California here:

Flickr Photo Album

Dave Towle, I'm Not a Stalker

I had a great time at the 2010 Amgen Tour of California. And of course, the event just wouldn't be the same without announcer Dave Towle! I've got to give props to Jeff Roake as well. Great job of providing information and colorful commentary.



My new favorite DT quote (in regard to the Stage 5 breakaway):
"There was more cooperation in the final days of the Donner Party."

Bicycle Safety Tips

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I Need My Versus!!

If you are like me you are starting to sweat because the cycling season is under way and DirecTV still hasn't come to an agreement with Comcast regarding the Versus Channel. George Hincapie posted this link on Twitter today:

Tell Directv How You Feel!!

Be sure to go here and voice your opinion about the issue.

Federal Bicycle Commuter Tax

The Bicycle Commuter Benefits Act, signed into law October, 2008 by President George W. Bush, is an optional-benefits program allowing cyclists who bicycle to work to be reimbursed up to $20 a month for costs the rider incurs.

Effective January 1, 2009, bicyclists can benefit from this provision added to Internal Revenue Code, which previously covered only commuters who used mass transit and van pools.

Here is some great info about the Act on the League of American Cyclists website...

Bicycle Commuter Tax Provision

Gimme a Bike Box!!

A bike box is a colored area at a signalized intersection that allows bicyclists to pull in front of waiting traffic. Designed to be used only at red lights, the box is intended to reduce car-bike conflicts, increase cyclist visibility and provide bicyclists with a head start when the light turns green.

Great explanation of bike boxes here...

Vancouver's Bike Infastructure