Napa Valley

Here are some selected shots from my time in Napa Valley. I took some from my bike, but most were from the warm and dry vantage point of through my car window. I've been to Napa in conditions not unlike these before, and I always marvel when looking back through pictures at how lush everything seems. The cold and the rain make the experience of actually being there more chilling and perhaps foreboding than the pictures I took can convey. It makes perfect sense, as this precious stretch of earth must recharge every winter to produce the bounty of another summer harvest, but I am still struck by that otherwise hidden promise discoverable in some of these photos.

Prologue scene

I wish that I had more footage of the crowds. I suppose it's always a balance between recording the event for later and trying to absorb it all in the moment. Here's a 360 of the prologue, right behind the launch gate. You can somewhat see how busy the environment was with the more dedicated fans packed into pre-scoped vantage points along the course, booths set up for vending, advertising, and entertaining, teams warming up behind minimal barriers (offering up close shots like in the previous posts), and all the racers taking off to a chorus of cheering. I also love how many people are drinking coffee. When was the last time you went to a sporting event and saw so many spectators drinking coffee?

Bringing the weather home

As a brief aside from my ToC updates, I felt compelled to make note of the fact that riding conditions this morning were almost identical to those in California during the Rapha Redwoods Ride. We left at 7:00, and the rain started at 7:30. Temps were in the low 40's. We even had a puncture, as if to complete the recreation. Someone said that we were Euro for riding in such conditions. My experience is that the Euro pros wanted as little to do with this weather as I did. 

The critical difference between rides like today and the usual Saturday club ride is not actually the experience during the ride, rather it is the feeling you get when you get off the bike. Your destination has never been more comfortable, and your favorite recovery meal never tastes so good. The heat of lasting embrocation feels nearly divine. When I hammer out winter miles in the cold and rain, I get a sense of pride that seems more justified. I feel like I accomplished more today. I even feel enlightened, in a peculiar way.

Crowds

The crowds on hand at the finish of each stage were impressive. I wonder how many more would (not that they could, in some cases) have been present if the weather had been nicer. Judging by what I overheard, the fan base ranged from non-cyclists to former pro racers. Some had a comprehensive knowledge of each rider on each team, while others just knew that Lance was supposed to come by them at some point in the day (and "would somebody please point that out so I don't miss it?"). The other spectrum that I noticed was the broad age range of attendants. Most images you see of American sporting venues (read: stadium/arena sports) are of adults, and mostly men at that. In contrast, the ToC doesn't really have an "average" spectator as far as I could tell. This was especially shocking to many locals, who seemed to have underestimated the impact this event would have on their community. 

It is interesting to me that our society has seemingly changed the very nature of sports from playing (i.e. pure and natural fun) and to a product (i.e. something to pay for and consume). There is no better example than American football. It is now quite expensive to go a professional level event, prohibitively so if you want to watch the best compete for a championship. And if you're relegated to the plebeian options like the rest of us, you're pretty much stuck between paying for satellite coverage or just reading scrolling text descriptions of the action online. You can't just enjoy the game, which, with all due respect to the amazing and dedicated athletes, is just a game. Football was not conceived as a vehicle for beer advertisements, and it ultimately bears no consequences (besides those with which it is artificially impregnated). Put another way, sports should be ends in themselves, not means to something else. 

Back to the race. It was deeply satisfying to see so many people present and taking part in the experience without having to pay a dime. The stage finish happens in the blink of an eye, but the experience extends several hours before and after. Before the race, you can walk or ride your bike around the city, talk with other fans, catch an update on the race radio, or just sip on an espresso in a cafe to warm up from the damp cold (which I recognize is not free, but well worth the small price). After the electrifying experience of a sprint finish, you can make your way behind the finish line and watch the riders catch their breath, scream out words of encouragement that have even a remote chance of making it to their ears, and then relive the finish on the big screens. For thousands of people the ToC is a chance to the very best in the world at the highest level of competition, all for the price of a free afternoon. 

Praying for the rain to stop ...

New Rapha kit

One of the perks of the Rapha Redwoods Ride was sneaking a glance at the new cycling gear set to be released this spring. There was nothing extraordinarily different or new (again, in the category of cycling gear - casual wear, on the other hand ...), but the colors schemes are significantly brighter. One obvious example is the new Netherlands country jersey. Same construction as the past few incarnations, but resplendent in Dutch national colors. The Scottish jersey is a new design, with more traditional collar and pockets. The fabric was also different from the usual sportswool, both thicker and softer wool. It is exquisite to hold, with a weight and significance that belies the legitimate functional quality of the piece. Like the rest of the lineup, Rapha expects you to ride in this jersey. The new cycling hats are clearly aimed at on and off the bike appeal with plaids and brighter colors. Also above is the new Italian knee warmer, based on the BKW white knee warmers from last fall/winter, which matches the new Italian national jersey. All said and done, the pièce de résistance was the new criterium gloves. They come in white this season, to perfectly complement my new white bar tape and saddle. Wouldn't you know that the pre-production sample fit me perfectly? 

Gustav Larsson warming up, fiercely

I love the subtle glance from Jens.