Donner Lake, California

Flickr's Abdur took this shot at Donner Lake, California, while on a camping trip with friends. Just check out that Trek! No wonder it's in front! ;-)

Oceanside, California

These photos, taken in Oceanside, California in November 2009, are compliments of Snapshot_Fanatic of Flickr. (Click on the pics to view them in more detail.)

A little bit of attention and this will be good in no time!

What is this!?!

They say it's the creaky gate that lasts longest on its hinges...

(I noticed the old man's hat goes well with the bike!)

The distinctive shape of the bike! (Taken in Colorado.)

Osaka, Japan

The photos and description used in this post is from Flickr's Kaoni. Here's an excerpt from his experience in Kumatori and Osaka, Japan.

"...As I stepped outside the sun was rising, casting its golden light across the immaculately clean streets of Kumatori. I found the bike pictured above waiting for me. I gotta say, a leisurely ride through the neighborhood, which included a beautiful park, was an awesome experience.

The details, the people, the architecture, the smells and sounds, and the feel of the breeze…all of these are unique to riding through town instead of being walled off in a car or by the hull of a bullet train, and gave me a truly rewarding perspective that I’ll never forget."

Venice, Italy

Excellent photo taken by Josh in Flickr, October 2009, Venice, Italy. The make of bicycle is called "Happy Line".

El Cajon Race 2006

This photo was taken in El Cajon, California, April 2006 by Flickr's MS4Jah. He had come upon the race unexpectedly. Click the photo to see it in its original size, in excellent detail.

Shop Sign

I love this photograph! The bike with the flowers and sign, and the surroundings. Pretty! It was taken by VintageDesignSmith on Flickr. Here's her description:

"I took the photo in Cambria, California in front of one of the many

cute little shops. I thought it was very creative of them to use the

vintage bicycle as an "Open" sign, it certainly got my attention!"

Thanks for the permission to use it!

The Lanterne Rouge — Last, But Not Least

In the early days of railway trains, a specific carriage was attached to the rear of the train to provide the crew some shelter while carrying out inspections and from this last carriage a red lantern was hung. As long as the red lantern could be observed it meant that none of the cars had become detached from the train. In French, this was called the Lanterne Rouge.

Today, the Lanterne Rouge is the name given to the cyclist who places last in the Tour de France. And this isn't a dishonour! Not in the slightest!

From the very first Tour de France in 1903 the Lanterne Rouge was in effect. It was actually a distinction for a cyclist to attain this title as it reflected his determination, perseverance and endurance throughout the race. It was also better monetarily to place last than second-to-last. In addition to his salary, the Lanterne Rouge was paid appearance fees (reportedly sizeable) to ride in exhibition races held across Europe after the Tour de France was over, which races also included appearances by the winner and other riders who earned other titles.

Through the years cyclists actually competed for last place. They would hide at points along the route or feign injury just to clock the longest time it took to cover the course. However, there is a set time in which the course must be covered. A cyclist couldn’t be ridiculously slow in arriving at the finish and claim the title. If his time fell outside the limit, he'd be disqualified entirely from the race.

I couldn't quite determine if the Tour organizers still have regard for the Lanterne Rouge. Googling didn't turn up too much and most of what I've learned came from a sports journalist's blog about it. Whatever their view, the title still draws alot of admiration for the cyclist who claims it, as was a Dutch cyclist's experience this year when he had the title until he crashed and a Belarus rider won it in the end. Nevertheless, he was still a hero in his homeland.

It is interesting that a last-placed cyclist is not a poor rider. Neither is he someone who's usually good but happened to have a bad ride during the Tour. The reality is that that very rider may have won one of the 21 stages, which is a very good achievement. Also, since cycling is a team sport, he would have worked hard for the sake of a team member for most days of the race.

And it is after doing all of that, and coming in last of all, that he's very much admired in his home country for becoming the Lanterne Rouge.

Jimmy Casper (France) was the Lanterne Rouge of 2004

Performance-Enhancing Apparel

Here's a really entertaining video from cycling clothing manufacturer Pearl Izumi.

An official is at a press conference announcing the discovery of performance-enhancing apparel which makes cyclists go faster and keep them comfortable on the bike through hot or cold weather. It's so professionally done with the presenters seeming so serious, it makes it really funny! Take a look.

(It's also here on YouTube.)

:-D

Comebacks

To see the entire photo, close the bar by clicking the white arrow at right.

Alberto Contador, 27 years old, born in Spain, turned professional in 2003. The following year he rode the Vuelta a Asturias, customarily held in Spain in early May. Early in the race, he began feeling unwell, fell down and went into convulsions. He was diagnosed with a disorder of the central nervous system and had to have brain surgery. There remains a scar that runs from one ear over the top of his head to the other ear. After recovery, he won stages in major races and twice won the Tour de France, in 2007 and this year, 2009.

Greg Lemond is a retired American professional cyclist. At the age of 18 he won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Junior World Championships in Argentina. In 1984 he placed third in the Tour de France, second in 1985 and won the race in 1986. In April the following year, he was out hunting with his brother-in-law, who accidentally discharged his shotgun, hitting Lemond and riddling his body with pellets, with two of the bullets lodging in the lining of his heart. After surgery came two years of recovery. He entered the Tour de France in 1989 and won, and then for a third time in 1990.

Joop Zoetemelk was born in Holland in 1946. He turned professional in 1970, riding for a Belgium team. That year he placed second in the Tour de France. In 1974 he crashed into a car at the finish line of a race in France, cracking his skull and coming close to death. Afterward he contracted meningitis. In 1975 he entered the Tour de France and placed fourth. He went on to place second in the Tour de France six times, and won it in 1980.

Ottavia Bottechia was an Italian, born in 1894. He was one of nine children and attended school for one year. He owned his first bike after joining the Austrian army during the first World War. He was taken prisoner but escaped.

At the end of the war, he obtained his own bicycle and began to enter and win races. In 1922 he was invited to join a professional team. It was then that he was taught to read. He won the Tour de France in 1924.