Hampsten remembers

"Ilan Vardi" <[email hidden]>a écrit dans le message de :
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hampsten wrote:

what most of us could muster. LeMond could instead follow the
cycling world's
expectations for past champions and sit around "a fumer le pipe"
('chilling' in
cycling slang) in silence, but, his legitimate concern for the

I believe that the expression, if it exists, is "fumer la pipe". Seems
to me
that his knowledge is a little shaky.

-ilan

Is being a professional pedant tiring, Ilan ?
--
Bonne route,

Sandy
Paris FR

"SMMB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"Ilan Vardi" <[email hidden]>a écrit dans le message de :
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hampsten wrote:

what most of us could muster. LeMond could instead follow the
cycling world's
expectations for past champions and sit around "a fumer le pipe"
('chilling' in
cycling slang) in silence, but, his legitimate concern for the

I believe that the expression, if it exists, is "fumer la pipe". Seems
to me
that his knowledge is a little shaky.

-ilan

Is being a professional pedant tiring, Ilan ?

I believe that any investigation or call for investigation should
put accuracy and facts as the top priorities. In any case,
as far as I know, there is not such idiomatic expression in French,
even with the correct article. Maybe "faire le pipeau", which would
mean that Hampsten's recollections are even more tainted.

-ilan

"SMMB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"Ilan Vardi" <[email hidden]>a écrit dans le message de :

Is being a professional pedant tiring, Ilan ?

He may be referring to "jouer du pipeau" as opposed to the incorrect
"faire le pipeau" in my other post.

-ilan

Ilan Vardi said:

"SMMB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"Ilan Vardi" <[email hidden]>a écrit dans le message de :

Is being a professional pedant tiring, Ilan ?

He may be referring to "jouer du pipeau" as opposed to the incorrect
"faire le pipeau" in my other post.

now there was I thinking he was giving s.o. a blow job... maybe I'm
talking pipeau?

Did you get to the finish today? We decided to watch it on TV (better
coffee chez nous compared to *bucks) but listened to the commentator out
of the appartment window which kind of gave a nice atmosphere.

David Off <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Did you get to the finish today? We decided to watch it on TV (better
coffee chez nous compared to *bucks) but listened to the commentator out
of the appartment window which kind of gave a nice atmosphere.

I stopped by the rue de Rivoli at Palais Royal, where there were thousands
of people lined up, none of whom knew anything about cycling. Interestingly,
on the building opposite where I was standing, there were two Texas flags
hanging. Now, I don't know where you would go to buy a Texas flag...

After the finish, I was rolling around Paris, and there were many American
fans, noticeable either by their US Postal jerseys, or with their shorts
and shaved legs (it looks like Americans cycling fans, unlike many Europeans,
actually do ride a lot). There were still some hanging around this morning,
and I pointed them to the Starbucks, but no, they wanted to
go to the "Deux Magots".

-ilan

P.S. From the small sample of Americans fans I ran into in Paris,
not one of them knew the song "Lance is King".

(Ilan Vardi) said:

David Off <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Did you get to the finish today? We decided to watch it on TV (better
coffee chez nous compared to *bucks) but listened to the commentator out
of the appartment window which kind of gave a nice atmosphere.

I stopped by the rue de Rivoli at Palais Royal, where there were thousands
of people lined up, none of whom knew anything about cycling. Interestingly,
on the building opposite where I was standing, there were two Texas flags
hanging. Now, I don't know where you would go to buy a Texas flag...

After the finish, I was rolling around Paris, and there were many American
fans, noticeable either by their US Postal jerseys, or with their shorts
and shaved legs (it looks like Americans cycling fans, unlike many Europeans,
actually do ride a lot).

I'd say nearly all American cycling fans are riders, or were, or have at least
dabbled at it. The sport has enough history in Europe that a non-rider will have
learned enough to understand the dynamics of the game - but in America it's
almost incomprehensible to those who haven't ridden. Too few to explain little
things like "it's the guy in second place who's got the advantage in the sprint
over the guy in front."

Ron

On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 17:00:24 GMT, RonSonic <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'd say nearly all American cycling fans are riders, or were, or have at least
dabbled at it.

In the US there are cancer survivors and their families that Armstrong
has brought into the fan thing.

And interestingly I got a call from a friend whose sister was in town
visiting about what channel the Tour of France was on. I believe both
are American. The sister had moved to Geneva a year or two ago and had
gotten somewhat into it as a spectator. Maybe not a real fanatic, but
she likes to watch. And on the phone she said "Today's the final TT"
to which I said "Yes, it's started already" and she replied "Yes, but
Lance goes last so he hasn't started yet." That's a fair amount of
knowledge for a non-cyclist.

JT

RonSonic <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

(Ilan Vardi) said:

After the finish, I was rolling around Paris, and there were many American
fans, noticeable either by their US Postal jerseys, or with their shorts
and shaved legs (it looks like Americans cycling fans, unlike many Europeans,
actually do ride a lot).

I'd say nearly all American cycling fans are riders, or were, or have at least
dabbled at it. The sport has enough history in Europe that a non-rider will have
learned enough to understand the dynamics of the game - but in America it's
almost incomprehensible to those who haven't ridden. Too few to explain little
things like "it's the guy in second place who's got the advantage in the sprint
over the guy in front."

Hey Ron, anyone who pays attention to NASCAR knows about drafting.
Some examples from Mark Martin (the Viagra sponsored driver)in
2000..."
*Martin led 65 laps at the Daytona 500 and was in second-place with 13
laps to go. He then attempted to pass Johnny Benson with the promise
of
drafting help from Dale Jarrett, but was left out of the draft and
finished the race fifth.

*Martin led 98 laps at Talladega in April and was in command of the
race
when the caution flew with 11 laps to go. On the restart, Jeff Gordon
and
Mike Skinner lined up between Martin and Jeff Burton, so Martin lost
his
drafting partner. He held off the two Chevrolets until the final four
laps, but their run to front sent him back to a sixth place finish. "

With the TdF over, will some of us catch you over in a.g.a. again?

(Dan Barch) said:

RonSonic <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

(Ilan Vardi) said:

After the finish, I was rolling around Paris, and there were many American
fans, noticeable either by their US Postal jerseys, or with their shorts
and shaved legs (it looks like Americans cycling fans, unlike many Europeans,
actually do ride a lot).

I'd say nearly all American cycling fans are riders, or were, or have at least
dabbled at it. The sport has enough history in Europe that a non-rider will have
learned enough to understand the dynamics of the game - but in America it's
almost incomprehensible to those who haven't ridden. Too few to explain little
things like "it's the guy in second place who's got the advantage in the sprint
over the guy in front."

Hey Ron, anyone who pays attention to NASCAR knows about drafting.
Some examples from Mark Martin (the Viagra sponsored driver)in
2000..."
*Martin led 65 laps at the Daytona 500 and was in second-place with 13
laps to go. He then attempted to pass Johnny Benson with the promise
of
drafting help from Dale Jarrett, but was left out of the draft and
finished the race fifth.

*Martin led 98 laps at Talladega in April and was in command of the
race
when the caution flew with 11 laps to go. On the restart, Jeff Gordon
and
Mike Skinner lined up between Martin and Jeff Burton, so Martin lost
his
drafting partner. He held off the two Chevrolets until the final four
laps, but their run to front sent him back to a sixth place finish. "

True, the draft is common to both sports and easy enough to grasp. But the sport
as a whole is a participant thing here, more than for spectators. Everyone's got
their own angle on the sport. In Japan they have parimutuel track racing - go
figure.

Quoted message said:

With the TdF over, will some of us catch you over in a.g.a. again?

Ha, I knew there had to be others following this also. I am so fed up with the
disgusting level of discourse at alt.guitar.amps I don't know when I might be
back. Half of it's my fault for replying to so much of that garbage, but I don't
really know. I'll do some lurking and see what it looks like these days. It
really isn't hard to turn your back on a group filled with that sort of venom
and fascination with bodily byproducts. Perhaps with vigorous filtering it'll be
okay. We'll see.

Hey, play on.

Ron

John Forrest Tomlinson <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

In the US there are cancer survivors and their families that Armstrong
has brought into the fan thing.

I met one on Sunday here in Paris. He said that he hadn't followed cycling
at all until he got the same cancer as Lance. Now he's doing triathlons
and followed the Tour de France with his wife, starting from Nimes.

Personally, I feel that this more than makes up for Amrstrong's obvious
faults.

-ilan

Ilan Vardi said:

John Forrest Tomlinson <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

In the US there are cancer survivors and their families that Armstrong
has brought into the fan thing.

I met one on Sunday here in Paris. He said that he hadn't followed cycling
at all until he got the same cancer as Lance. Now he's doing triathlons
and followed the Tour de France with his wife, starting from Nimes.

Personally, I feel that this more than makes up for Amrstrong's obvious
faults.

Ah, yes, the obvious ones. Ummm.... so I guess there are no questions.

gwhite <[email protected]>...

Quoted message said:

RonSonic said:

I'd say nearly all American cycling fans are riders, or were, or have at least
dabbled at it. The sport has enough history in Europe that a non-rider will have
learned enough to understand the dynamics of the game - but in America it's
almost incomprehensible to those who haven't ridden. Too few to explain little
things like "it's the guy in second place who's got the advantage in the sprint
over the guy in front."

Their eyes will glaze over.

On that topic, I vote for (american) football as the ultimate [censored] sport. It amounts to nothing
more then running around in a field and tackling someone. If you happen to be born big, you're in.
Not that it isn't fun. I hope the extreme dodge-ball ratings climb.

Half the football players are just big, strong fat brutes that get in
each others' way. They are overweight but stronger than hell.

However there are several highly skilled postions, such as cornerback,
wide receiver, tailback, and quarterback where exceptional atheletics
and fitness are required. Don't knock it -- you are being silly
though so .... ;-)

Cycling has pack sprinters, pure climbers, roulers and TT specialists.
To win the Tour you have to be nearly the best at all of those EXCEPT
a pack sprinter. You MUST be a skilled athlete who can make split
second movements and require an endurance fitness level nearly unheard
of in the world.

To win the Giro or Vuelta you only have to be exceptional at two of
the four.

-Ken