TDF 2013 Stage 12 ***Spoilers*** Fougeres - Tours

No_Ta_Doctor

ThomThom wrote:

Hi.

Was wondering if someone could tell me what echelons are about?

Echelons are a mythical beast, invented to offer the potential of some excitement on flat stages. Mention of echelons is made as soon as the gentlest breeze begins to blow, sending tremors of excitement down the spines of crypto-cycologists.

Despite the many word of mouth stories of their existence, genuine documentary evidence of the monster-of-the-coast is scarce indeed. Many of the photographs and videos that purport to show this paranormal phenomenon have been clearly debunked as fakes, staged by over-enthusiatic Dutch and Belgian amateurs.

goonz

dang100 wrote:

ThomThom wrote:

Hi.

Was wondering if someone could tell me what echelons are about?

I know! I know! I know this one!

I would, but I'm all echeloned out.

Lightning

No tA Doctor wrote:

Echelons are a mythical beast, invented to offer the potential of some excitement on flat stages. Mention of echelons is made as soon as the gentlest breeze begins to blow, sending tremors of excitement down the spines of crypto-cycologists.

Despite the many word of mouth stories of their existence, genuine documentary evidence of the monster-of-the-coast is scarce indeed. Many of the photographs and videos that purport to show this paranormal phenomenon have been clearly debunked as fakes, staged by over-enthusiatic Dutch and Belgian amateurs.

I like this definition

Macaloon

No tA Doctor wrote:

ThomThom wrote:

Hi.

Was wondering if someone could tell me what echelons are about?

Echelons are a mythical beast, invented to offer the potential of some excitement on flat stages. Mention of echelons is made as soon as the gentlest breeze begins to blow, sending tremors of excitement down the spines of crypto-cycologists.

Despite the many word of mouth stories of their existence, genuine documentary evidence of the monster-of-the-coast is scarce indeed. Many of the photographs and videos that purport to show this paranormal phenomenon have been clearly debunked as fakes, staged by over-enthusiatic Dutch and Belgian amateurs.

All fine, except in cycling it's called Echolon.

above_the_cows

No tA Doctor wrote:

ThomThom wrote:

Hi.

Was wondering if someone could tell me what echelons are about?

Echelons are a mythical beast, invented to offer the potential of some excitement on flat stages. Mention of echelons is made as soon as the gentlest breeze begins to blow, sending tremors of excitement down the spines of crypto-cycologists.

Despite the many word of mouth stories of their existence, genuine documentary evidence of the monster-of-the-coast is scarce indeed. Many of the photographs and videos that purport to show this paranormal phenomenon have been clearly debunked as fakes, staged by over-enthusiatic Dutch and Belgian amateurs.

Tosh! I joined an impromptu echelon party on the Ringvaart between Haarlem and Amsterdam yesterday evening. OK we were all amateurs and apart from me everyone seemed to be Dutch, but it happened. It really happened and it was EPIC. .

TMR

I'm in shock! Cav won an Intermediate! :shock:

FoldingJoe

Did Cav win the intermediate?

^^^^ Edit: Answers on a postcard above!!

Lichtblick

Sagan just got crushed up against the barrier on intermediary sprint. Blocked Out they called it.
Is that legal?

adr82

goonz wrote:

adr82 wrote:

goonz wrote:

Emma Pooley wants a female TdF running alongside the mens.

"alongside" as in what? Same course earlier in the day?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/23271761

For anyone who can't be bothered to read that, it is basically what she wants, but:
" Cycling's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale, currently has rules in place that limit the distance woman can ride in a single stage to much less than men.

It means a female Tour alongside the current event would not be possible unless they started or finished stages in different places. "

ddraver

Well again the cricket has been way more exciting and impressive than the cricket!!

Holy Moley DG!!

above_the_cows

The Mad Rapper wrote:

I'm in shock! Cav won an Intermediate! :shock:

You mean there's some racing going on? I'm listening about Weegate on the Humans Invent podcast while filling in dissertation grade sheets.

As for Cav, he must be HUNGRY! :twisted:

smithy21

Looked like a slightly odd 3/4 paced sprint to me.

salsiccia1

ddraver wrote:

Well again the cricket has been way more exciting and impressive than the cricket!!

Holy Moley DG!!

Never wanted an Aussie to get a ton before. What a pity.

Outsider art by Loan

ThomThom wrote:

I want pictures as well.

Thus given, through the miracle of google:



The fun part is that when the road runs out everyone rides single-file (which affords less shelter, and makes the riding less procession-like, even though the ground's flat) or rides like this:

No_Ta_Doctor

Above The Cows wrote:

No tA Doctor wrote:

ThomThom wrote:

Hi.

Was wondering if someone could tell me what echelons are about?

Echelons are a mythical beast, invented to offer the potential of some excitement on flat stages. Mention of echelons is made as soon as the gentlest breeze begins to blow, sending tremors of excitement down the spines of crypto-cycologists.

Despite the many word of mouth stories of their existence, genuine documentary evidence of the monster-of-the-coast is scarce indeed. Many of the photographs and videos that purport to show this paranormal phenomenon have been clearly debunked as fakes, staged by over-enthusiatic Dutch and Belgian amateurs.

Tosh! I joined an impromptu echelon party on the Ringvaart between Haarlem and Amsterdam yesterday evening. OK we were all amateurs and apart from me everyone seemed to be Dutch, but it happened. It really happened and it was EPIC. .

Oh everyone's had a go at pretending they're in an echelon. It's like small children playing cowboys and indians. It doesn't mean the guns are real or the gap between the sofa and the coffee table really IS the Grand Canyon.

fleshtuxedo

Lichtblick wrote:

Sagan just got crushed up against the barrier on intermediary sprint. Blocked Out they called it.
Is that legal?

No! Throw him off the race, pelt him with p1ss and withdraw all invitations to subsequent minor events!

No_Ta_Doctor

Outsider art by Loan wrote:

ThomThom wrote:

I want pictures as well.

Thus given, through the miracle of google:



The fun part is that when the road runs out everyone rides single-file (which affords less shelter, and makes the riding less procession-like, even though the ground's flat) or rides like this:

Pah!

TMR

Lichtblick wrote:

Sagan just got crushed up against the barrier on intermediary sprint. Blocked Out they called it.
Is that legal?

When Cav did that to Hushovd in the 2009 TdF he was spanked severely, so I'd say no.

hammerite

adr82 wrote:

goonz wrote:

adr82 wrote:

goonz wrote:

Emma Pooley wants a female TdF running alongside the mens.

"alongside" as in what? Same course earlier in the day?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/23271761

For anyone who can't be bothered to read that, it is basically what she wants, but:
" Cycling's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale, currently has rules in place that limit the distance woman can ride in a single stage to much less than men.

It means a female Tour alongside the current event would not be possible unless they started or finished stages in different places. "

this doesn't sound too difficult. Stages start at the same time following the same course, just the ladies start 100km up the road. Two opportunities for ASO to sell places on a publicity caravan preceeding both races. Makes a lot of sense really, apart from the logistics of finding places to stay for all the riders, team support and hangers on.

goonz

ddraver wrote:

Well again the cricket has been way more exciting and impressive than the cricket!!

Holy Moley DG!!

Of course! Anythings more interesting than cricket!

disgruntledgoat

I'm of the opinion that if 99% of amateur riders ever found themselves in an echelon there'd be a whole load of crashes and about 20 pelotons of 5 riders or less within 5 minutes. The sheer nastiness of the fighting for position and difficulty in maintaining them would see to that.

I include myself in this.

Crankbrother

The Mad Rapper wrote:

I'm in shock! Cav won an Intermediate! :shock:

Apart from the 4 guys up the road ...

above_the_cows

No tA Doctor wrote:

Above The Cows wrote:

No tA Doctor wrote:

ThomThom wrote:

Hi.

Was wondering if someone could tell me what echelons are about?

Echelons are a mythical beast, invented to offer the potential of some excitement on flat stages. Mention of echelons is made as soon as the gentlest breeze begins to blow, sending tremors of excitement down the spines of crypto-cycologists.

Despite the many word of mouth stories of their existence, genuine documentary evidence of the monster-of-the-coast is scarce indeed. Many of the photographs and videos that purport to show this paranormal phenomenon have been clearly debunked as fakes, staged by over-enthusiatic Dutch and Belgian amateurs.

Tosh! I joined an impromptu echelon party on the Ringvaart between Haarlem and Amsterdam yesterday evening. OK we were all amateurs and apart from me everyone seemed to be Dutch, but it happened. It really happened and it was EPIC. .

Oh everyone's had a go at pretending they're in an echelon. It's like small children playing cowboys and indians. It doesn't mean the guns are real or the gap between the sofa and the coffee table really IS the Grand Canyon.

But, but, but I was the only woman playing with a load of big Dutch beasts of men. Don't ruin my party.

smithy21

Make them play two sets of tennis first then head out after the men.

disgruntledgoat

goonz wrote:

ddraver wrote:

Well again the cricket has been way more exciting and impressive than the cricket!!

Holy Moley DG!!

Of course! Anythings more interesting than cricket!

It's all a cunning Aussie ploy. That kid has been batting at 5 in the club league he was playing in up to last month.

mike6

Above The Cows wrote:

No tA Doctor wrote:

Above The Cows wrote:

No tA Doctor wrote:

ThomThom wrote:

Hi.

Was wondering if someone could tell me what echelons are about?

Echelons are a mythical beast, invented to offer the potential of some excitement on flat stages. Mention of echelons is made as soon as the gentlest breeze begins to blow, sending tremors of excitement down the spines of crypto-cycologists.

Despite the many word of mouth stories of their existence, genuine documentary evidence of the monster-of-the-coast is scarce indeed. Many of the photographs and videos that purport to show this paranormal phenomenon have been clearly debunked as fakes, staged by over-enthusiatic Dutch and Belgian amateurs.

Tosh! I joined an impromptu echelon party on the Ringvaart between Haarlem and Amsterdam yesterday evening. OK we were all amateurs and apart from me everyone seemed to be Dutch, but it happened. It really happened and it was EPIC. .

Oh everyone's had a go at pretending they're in an echelon. It's like small children playing cowboys and indians. It doesn't mean the guns are real or the gap between the sofa and the coffee table really IS the Grand Canyon.

But, but, but I was the only woman playing with a load of big Dutch beasts of men. Don't ruin my party.

Never mind ATC, there is always someone who got out of bed the wrong side and wants to put us down.

above_the_cows

mike6 wrote:

Above The Cows wrote:

No tA Doctor wrote:

Above The Cows wrote:

No tA Doctor wrote:

ThomThom wrote:

Hi.

Was wondering if someone could tell me what echelons are about?

Echelons are a mythical beast, invented to offer the potential of some excitement on flat stages. Mention of echelons is made as soon as the gentlest breeze begins to blow, sending tremors of excitement down the spines of crypto-cycologists.

Despite the many word of mouth stories of their existence, genuine documentary evidence of the monster-of-the-coast is scarce indeed. Many of the photographs and videos that purport to show this paranormal phenomenon have been clearly debunked as fakes, staged by over-enthusiatic Dutch and Belgian amateurs.

Tosh! I joined an impromptu echelon party on the Ringvaart between Haarlem and Amsterdam yesterday evening. OK we were all amateurs and apart from me everyone seemed to be Dutch, but it happened. It really happened and it was EPIC. .

Oh everyone's had a go at pretending they're in an echelon. It's like small children playing cowboys and indians. It doesn't mean the guns are real or the gap between the sofa and the coffee table really IS the Grand Canyon.

But, but, but I was the only woman playing with a load of big Dutch beasts of men. Don't ruin my party.

Never mind ATC, there is always someone who got out of bed the wrong side and wants to put us down.

To be fair I think No tA Doctor was being silly.

No_Ta_Doctor

Above The Cows wrote:

To be fair I think No tA Doctor was being silly.

I'm never silly.

Trust me, I'm Not a Doctor.

Lichtblick

The Mad Rapper wrote:

Lichtblick wrote:

Sagan just got crushed up against the barrier on intermediary sprint. Blocked Out they called it.
Is that legal?

When Cav did that to Hushovd in the 2009 TdF he was spanked severely, so I'd say no.

So why did no-one bat an eyelid?

ddraver

I appreciate this might have been somewhat unserious but there is a big difference between riding in echelons and racing in echelons. The former is a group of clubmates helping each other out and the other is people doing their best to screw others over.

The hardest thing about them is getting the "apparent wind" direction right...