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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2672
Location: New Jersey | Subject: Vellta Espana-NSR
I'm a big fan of bicycle racing and am presently watching a 3 week race in Spain. Yesterday's race, included a race ending climb to the top of a mountain. The percent of incline was between 17 and 20% steep. I can't even walk up something that steep, imagine riding a bike. It was amazing to watch. Most of these riders are in their early 20's with a few in their late 30's. An age when the impossible is possible!
A formidable accomplishment for sure...
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Plankowner
Posts: 9164
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
I was up on the roof yesterday fixing a few things before winter and my knees were killing me. Kudos to these guys. |
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Admin
Posts: 2297
Location: Renton, WA | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
At your advanced age you shouldn't be up on a bottom step much less a roof! <<<ping>>> |
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 3667
Location: Kansas City Missouri | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTRR2n24m3Q
 (bycycle fan.jpg)
Attachments
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 bycycle fan.jpg (183KB - 590 downloads)
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1602
| Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
I use to follow the big races, but the Lance Armstrong fiasco, and the similar scandals made me lose interest. I guess the possible hidden motors on these bicycles is now another issue.
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Plankowner
Posts: 9164
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
If you're lucky you might live this long <<>> |
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Admin
Posts: 2297
Location: Renton, WA | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
Agreed Gil,
Armstrong is the guy that got me interested and I was a "bike race junkie" for a time. But after he finally fessed up, I felt like a freakin' stooge and haven't watched a single race since. Don't get me started on Tiger Woods.....  |
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Admin
Posts: 2297
Location: Renton, WA | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
Ric - my dad and older brother both passed at 75. For now, that's my marker although I hope to surpass it. Now where did I put my cigar.....??? |
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Plankowner
Posts: 9164
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
My dad died at 46, (his brother at 46), my Mom at 48. Her dad at 75. My brother just turned 81. I'm sneaking up on 73. I wanna do like my brother! |
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2672
Location: New Jersey | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
I've been a racing fan since Greg Lamond was a two time winner. All the while that Armstrong was winning Lamond kept telling whoever would listen that Armstrong was cheating...No one listened. I was a big Armstrong fan. Come on, he beat testicular cancer how can he cheat after beating the Big C. When Floyd Landis turned on him and ratted him out, I couldn't believe it, especially when it became true.
I'm still a fan of the big tours...California, Giro, France and the Veulta. I do admire the fact that these guys can peddle their asses off for 120k to 180k. A race of stamina for sure...
As a runner, who participated in half marathons and 10k's many years ago, I know the value of pacing ones self. Something I tried to do but usually failed and know what it's like to hit the proverbial wall...Just like some of these bike racers.
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Plankowner
Posts: 9164
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
I was a Cross Country runner in High School. I understand "hitting the wall" we practiced 6 days a week and ran 75 miles each week. Lettered Varsity all 3 years and we were the All City Champs my Sr year. Now my knees are paying for it. |
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Admin
Posts: 2297
Location: Renton, WA | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
I'm still a runner... going out for a run now... gonna run down to the liquor store... |
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Senior Crew
Posts: 217
| Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
So, Ric, were you dubbed the "Flying Finn"? |
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Plankowner
Posts: 9164
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
The nickname was first used of Hannes Kolehmainen, also known as "Smiling Hannes", as he took home three gold medals and broke two world records during the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm. As Finnish runners started to dominate long-distance running, the nickname was passed on to all successful Finns in the sport, including multi-Olympic gold medalists Paavo Nurmi and Ville Ritola. Nurmi won three gold medals at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Belgium and five at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, where he was partnered with Ritola, who ran to four gold medals. Volmari Iso-Hollo, the winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics, was one of the best-known Finnish runners in the 1930s and also nicknamed the Flying Finn. During his tour of the United States in 1940, Taisto Mäki—who held five world records—was regularly referred to as a Flying Finn. The last Flying Finn in running was Lasse Virén, who won the 5000 m and 10,000 m events at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics.
I was good enough to run varsity and place close to the front but can't claim the title.
Here is our City champ letter.
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Senior Crew
Posts: 217
| Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
Ric, having married a Finn, I am well aware of the Finnish runners. Over the years, my wife has instructed me on their prowess, among many other things. She emigrated when she was five, but she still has strong feelings about her homeland. For example, when the Soviet Union was falling apart, she said, “Good, maybe now we can get our land back!” I think she was referring to Karelia, although there were two other hunks ripped out of Finland during the Winter War. Her father fought that war on skis. He is long gone, but toward the end of his life he opened up about what he experienced. What he saw never left him. |
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Plankowner
Posts: 9164
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
In 1975 I went to Finland and traveled with my cousin Ingmar and his wife to Suomussalmi I've been up to the border at Raate and seen the bunkers in woods and the mass graves of the "Russians" from that winter war. Russia used "shock troops" ie; Karelians (Finns). My cousin Einer was wounded in that war. He took a Russian bullet head on while laying on the ground. It entered his cheek just below his eye and exited from his armpit. He no longer looked like his twin brother. I've seen the boulders in the lake and the war memorial there.
Proud to be a Finn!!! |
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Senior Crew
Posts: 217
| Subject: RE: Vellta Espana-NSR
"Proud to be a Finn!!!"
And, rightfully so, Ric.
Scrivener |
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Vellta Espana-NSR
