2012 Vuelta a España - Tour of Spain

Some pretty decent pics of insane stage 16 including Terpstra walking his bike over the line..

http://www.teamsky.com/gallery/0,27401,26885_8050104,00.html#photo=23

I saw Froome go to that red tent after he got to the top and was curious about it, obviously a temporary rest area. What I liked was the look of concern and shared suffering as other riders helped him off his bike and inside.

trying to unclip he looked very shaky

Shaky? He looked proper fucked.. Could hardly get off the bike.

It was a great stage to watch. I did feel guilty though, as I genuinely enjoyed watching them suffer while I drank beer on the couch.

Where do we go from here?

Maybe we can kill them and eat them at the top. That seems to be the logical conclusion to the addition of these outrageous climbs.

It does make for entertaining viewing.. I can only imagine the pain they went through and really felt for them.. When you see pro's crawling up climbs like that it hurts to watch.

I find it faintly ridiculous though.

Indeed. I'm quite sure that treating them like circus performers and expecting them to behave like ethical athletes are incompatible.

stage 14 tight rope between two peaks : to be ridden

I think you have to work hard to find the right balance in a GT. The Tour was a bit flat and safe with very few MTFs and so lacking drama, the Vuelta is the opposite. While I like a good climber's battle I also love the bunch sprint and a hilly, classic-style stage. To my taste there's a few too many MTFs in Vuelta this year, another one tomorrow already. The parcours means that practically the entire top tier of sprinters are missing.

But that is just an opinion. I know everyone loves the climbing duels, I just think there's been a bit too much of it.

I cycle up 24% gradients. They're fun even without drugs.

HTFU

Apparently Daniel Teklehaimanot was vomiting as he crossed the line. Can't find video though :(

So the question is, is the Cuitu Negru tougher than this bad boy:

Monte Zoncolan

Indeed. I'm quite sure that treating them like circus performers and expecting them to behave like ethical athletes are incompatible.

agreed

tour de holland ftw

I cycle up 24% gradients. They're fun even without drugs.

HTFU

I cycle up 24% as well.. They are quite fun.. But racing up them is no fun whatsoever. Actually racing up them is almost impossible.

tour de holland ftw

This.

I cycle up 24% as well..

24%...? I don't even walk up that shit, I find a way around.

Catford Hill climb 25%..

This.

24%...? I don't even walk up that shit, I find a way around.

or take a bus / ski lift

Catford Hill climb 25%..

Really? Another reason for me to avoid deepest SE London ;)

Does anyone know the % of Swains? That's my only reference for a steep hill in London.

Whitedown is 18% on one section I believe, and I've done that quite a few times, though only twice from the steep side.

I am truly in awe of anyone that can do a long, sustained climb like that. The short sharp ones are bad enough.

Catford is up yorks hill. It's not that bad. Lovely enclosed snaking road.

http://www.goinggoingbike.com/blog/the-great-road-climbs-of-london-swains-lane/

Does anyone know the % of Swains? That's my only reference for a steep hill in London.

pffft 18% max

Whitedown is pretty short though.

Barhatch lane still the most unpleasant hill in the southlands.

Short sharp are easy (that's a figure of speech). The long consistent climbs are utter bliss to ride.

I don't want to leave any spoiler here for those who'll be catching up tonight but... if you can get a stream running (steephill/the usuals) it's well worth it today. It's lively.

The Saxo Tinkoff car is currently sending bottles to an Astana rider.

:0

#pelotonpolitics