Rolling Commentary
The Tour de France commentary on yesterday's individual time trial up the Alpe D'Huez on CyclingNews.com was hilarious:
with the estimated four billion (give or take a few ibex) spectators on the climb today
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By the way, the four billion spectator estimate may be a little wide of the mark. CN's reporters Chris Henry and Tim Maloney, who are following Alessandro Bertolini up the mountain, did a quick head count and came up with 500,000 people.
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The earlier head count of spectators may have to be revised downwards a little, when some actual mathematics are applied. Given that the road is 15.5 km long and fans can stand on both sides, 100,000 people equals 3 people per meter. Given that the crowds are between one and five deep, we estimate that there are in fact 53 people on L'Alpe d'Huez today.
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In response to the readers asking about eliminated riders today. What happens if a rider misses the time cut? Simple. They are turned into Soylent Green.
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Most riders are not wearing helmets today, as the aerodynamic advantage would be offset by the weight and the extra heat. Some are using caps, others opt the bare headed approach. Danilo Hondo has so much gel in his hair that he probably does have an aerodynamic advantage!
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Hondo finishes in 45'36, hair intact. Third best time!
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Laurent Brochard (Ag2r) sets off, mullet flapping in the breeze. Surely that will slow him down a bit.
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Chris points out re: Brochard that a well-executed mullet should have the effect of streamlining airflow around the head. We'll see.
The Tour de France commentary on yesterday's individual time trial up the Alpe D'Huez on CyclingNews.com was hilarious:
with the estimated four billion (give or take a few ibex) spectators on the climb today
...
By the way, the four billion spectator estimate may be a little wide of the mark. CN's reporters Chris Henry and Tim Maloney, who are following Alessandro Bertolini up the mountain, did a quick head count and came up with 500,000 people.
...
The earlier head count of spectators may have to be revised downwards a little, when some actual mathematics are applied. Given that the road is 15.5 km long and fans can stand on both sides, 100,000 people equals 3 people per meter. Given that the crowds are between one and five deep, we estimate that there are in fact 53 people on L'Alpe d'Huez today.
...
In response to the readers asking about eliminated riders today. What happens if a rider misses the time cut? Simple. They are turned into Soylent Green.
...
Most riders are not wearing helmets today, as the aerodynamic advantage would be offset by the weight and the extra heat. Some are using caps, others opt the bare headed approach. Danilo Hondo has so much gel in his hair that he probably does have an aerodynamic advantage!
...
Hondo finishes in 45'36, hair intact. Third best time!
...
Laurent Brochard (Ag2r) sets off, mullet flapping in the breeze. Surely that will slow him down a bit.
...
Chris points out re: Brochard that a well-executed mullet should have the effect of streamlining airflow around the head. We'll see.
