Tour de France - the extra stage?

Something Cyclocross This Way Comes

Lately the temperature and humidity in Birmingham have both hovering in the mid 90s and making the afternoon rides downright unpleasant. Granted that hasn't stopped most of us from riding as hard as we can as often as we can, but it just seems to take some of the pleasure out of it.

All of the heat and humidity are making me really look forward to the arrival of cyclocross season. The schedule for the 2008 season has been released and BBC is sponsoring the opening race of the season on October 5th. The venue will be the same as last year's Homewood race.

Last year's race was an epic event with several carbon components left for dead on the course. There is little reason to doubt this year's course will be any easier on the super lightweight stuff.

Take some inspiration from the guys pictured here- the picture dates from the days before Tullio invented the quick release skewer. Steel and wool ruled the day.

BIG E'S OPTIMUS TI 29ER!!!!

Check out Eric's new ride, a Vassago Optimus Ti 29er single speed. The frame is built in the USA using 3/2.5 Ti and Paragon Slider dropouts for chain tension. It features Vassago's Wet Cat geometry, making the bike climb the nastiest technical sections like a wet cat climbs the drapes a grandma's house. Parts include Avid BB7 brakes, Truvativ Sylo crankset, Fox 29 fork and Thomson stem and post. Look for this sweet ride on your next dirt ride.

Google Maps TdF

Check it: Google Maps TdF

That's all.

Tour de France - Rabbid Style

Riccò sinks his fangs into the Col d'Aspin.

Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Scott) may very well have uncorked this year's Tour de France highlight with an emphatic win in Stage 9. The Italian climbing specialist was comfortably in the main group with four kilometres remaining to the summit when he unleashed a scorching attack that arguably evoked recollections of Lance Armstrong and the late Marco Pantani. Riccò didn't let up much after that initial surge, either: he made quick work of the small chase group ahead of him and then continued to rocket ahead, erasing a near-four-minute gap to lone breakaway leader Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner) in just three kilometes (1.86mi).
By the time he crested the summit, 'the Cobra' had given himself 30s on Lang plus another minute on the peloton. Fortunately for Riccò, there wasn't much of a reaction from the main bunch so he managed to hold nearly all of that lead over them through the remaining 26km-long (16.2mi) descent and crossed the line as the day's undeniable hero. Time will tell if the general classification contenders' decision to let him go will come back to 'bite' them in the end: although Ricco professes to only seeking stage wins, it shouldn't go unnoticed that only 2'35 now separates him from the leader's jersey and there's still plenty of climbing to be done.
Riccò's weapon of choice for his assault on the Aspin was his usual Scott Addict Limited, only in this case Scott provided the 25-year-old with a bold custom finish just in time for the Tour. Menacing-looking cobras adorn the head tube, fork, integrated seat mast and seat tube in honor of Riccò's nickname and team sponsor fi'zi:k even got in the game with a custom Arione saddle. Read more...

We got WiFi...and so can you.

In addition to the box lunches that we are offering through Dishin' It Out for $7.00 during the Tour de France, we also offer Wi-Fi internet access to all our customers that want to hang out at the shop. So you can stay in touch the the wired world, eat some great healthy food and watch the Tour. What more could you ask for?

Lunch and Le Tour together...?!

Lunch with BBC & Dish'n It Out All During the Tour de France

You don't have to miss out on watching the Tour during the week! Starting on Tuesday July 8th your invited to come hang out at Birmingham Bicycle Company for lunch and to watch a stage of one of the most famous road races in the world. Delicous made-to-order box lunchs from the fine folks at Dish'n It Out will be available every week day for $7.00! Verus' will show that day's stage re-broadcast starting at 11:00am. You will need to order from the menu below by 10:30 am and... 1. Stop in the shop and ask for your pre-ordered gourmet meal. 2. Sit and relax with friends while you watch the Tour and eat some delicious food!

Dish'n It out Le Tour Menu

www.dishnitout.com phone: 871-5444 1111 Dunston Avenue Crestline Park 35213 Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 2pm Tour de France LUNCH SPECIALS $7.00 July 8 - 21 *we suggest pre-ordering by 10:30am SALAD TRIO: Tarragon Chicken Salad with dried cranberries, Fresh Fruit, & Tortellini Pasta Primavera with Crackers & Pita Chips ~ South Western Grilled Steak Salad with corn, black beans…, Tortilla Chips, & Loaded Baked Potato Salad ~ Gazpacho, Spicy Pimiento Cheese with walnuts Sandwich or Veggie Wrap, & Potato Chips ~ ...bottled water & sodas will be available.

For more information visit our website at http://www.bhambicycle.com/ 1105 Dunston Avenue • 205.870.8330 Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 9:00AM- 6:00PM; Wed. 9:00AM- 7:00PM; Sat. 9:00AM- 5:00PM

Tour de France - Flashback 1989

Tour de France - Flashback 2003

Armstrong attacks Ullrich after fall