The Wobbling Sprocket

Paolo and Fede came on the last Tour d’Indochine.   They were a blessing.    Good sports, great attitudes and game for whatever came their direction.  On Indochine, it can be a lot.

On top of that, they were from Italy.  We love it when Far and Away Cycling not only means cycling in places Far and Away, but also being with people who live Far and Away.   In our view, it doesn’t get any better.

Anyway, on Indochine it soon became apparent  Mr. Paolo could probably give Lance a run for his money.  Paolo is a fitness instructor and could ride like the wind.   He spoke less English than Fede, but he kept mentioning “Mongolian Challenge,  “Mongolian Challenge”.  We soon learned that he was using Indochine to further his training for the big test, The Mongolian Bike Challenge.

Well the Mongolian Challenge is on right now!   And Mr. Paolo is in the thick of the action.  And I mean really thick.   It seems today’s stage was canceled due to a sandstorm.

Mr Paolo is Number 35.  There is a tour tracker so people can follow along.  I haven’t seen pics of Paolo yet, but I’m looking and I am sure I will find some before this thing is over.

The Mongolian Challenge looks ridiculously hard.  120- 140 k per day with 200o or more meters of climbing in a race environment with time eliminations while camping.   Mr Paolo is probably missing the wonderful amenities of Kiu Kacham, Laos about now!!

At this moment, Mr. Paolo is in 23rd place out of 94 entrants and about 80 minutes behind the leader.

Here are some pics of Paolo (and Fede).

I am 100% sure that Paolo would love to hear from people.  Write a comment,  a Bravissimo!, a “go Paolo”, anything.  He is all the way on the other side of the world, but you can bet damn sure that I will make sure that he hears it.

Some pics from The Mongolian Challenge Website:

The start of the MBC. Mr. Paolo is here somewhere!

Wow, this looks pretty barren!

From Indochine:

Fede and Paolo at Tram Ton Pass

R to L: Paolo, Fede and Gwyn

Compared to MBC, Indochine probably is "child's play" for Paolo!

WHOO- HOOO, go Mr. Paolo!  You Rock!

In all the drama and hubbub of this year’s Tour de France, it is easy overlook an incredible result from the oldest rider in the race.  The 39 year old Frenchman, Christophe Moreau, came in second in the King of the Mountains points competition.  That is no small accomplishment.  Climbing mountains on a bike is a young man’s game, if there ever was one.

This is it for Moreau.  He says that watching Lance Armstrong struggle through the race convinced him more than ever that it is the right time for him to retire also.

My hat is off to him.   And it’s off to Armstrong and Horner as well, both of whom are only one year younger.  Frankly, I think just finishing is a huge accomplishment.  And doing it while remaining competitive with people nearly half your age is pretty darn amazing.

Here is Moreau at the gala route announcement event for the 2010 tour route:

He looked relaxed enough to be retired, but he wasn't done yet!

We also can’t forget Italian Alessandro Petacchi who, at age 36, took the Green Sprinter’s jersey.   That is pretty special given that the guy you beat out for it is the 25 year old Manx Missile, Mark Cavendish.  Here is Pettachi:

Petacchi dodged a missile

Personally, one of the things I like about cycling is that competitors can remain world class into their late 30′s.  The oldest winner was Firmin Lambot, aged 36 in 1922.  Next oldest were Henri Pélissier (1923) and Gino Bartali (1948), both 34.  Gino Bartali holds the longest time span between titles, having earned his first and last Tour victories 10 years apart (in 1938 and 1948).

Plus, as far as recreational riding, you can pretty much do it until you “fall off the perch”, as Graeme W. would put it.

I’ve got all sorts of old patched tubes.   I don’t like throwing out punctured tubes.   It seems a waste even if I know they are toast as far as biking goes.

If I were in India, Laos or Vietnam I would give them away and they all would be used for something.  An old bike tube is the bungee cord of choice in Vietnam and Laos.  In India I have seen old tubes converted into wheel liners.     In Burma, a lady patiently waited in the sun for 20 minutes for an old tube she knew that I would toss.

You could make them into something.  I bought a cool case for my iPhone made out of old tubes.  And I know Julie S told me she used an old tube as weatherstripping for her chicken coop.   However, I don’t have the talent or inclination to make anything very cool and I don’t have any chickens.  The only thing I have used the tubes for is to cut them into rubber bands.  For that purpose though, one tube might last you a lifetime.

I have the solution now though:   recycle them.   Apparently you will soon be able to drop your old tubes and tires off at some designated Performance Bike stores and they will be recycled into rubberized asphalt or something similar by Liberty Tire Recycling.  That’s good by me.

None of the designated stores is very convenient, but I’m going to find a way.
I hope you do too.

Here is the info:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liberty-tire-recycling-and-performance-bicycle-sponsor-bike-tube-blow-out-event-to-encourage-cyclists-to-recycle-96479639.html

And, while I am at it, here are some cool ideas for re-use.

How about a bike tire belt?

A tube could make decent suspenders too!

How about a bike tire chair:

Make sure all thorns removed!

If you have a sewing machine, you could also make yourself a wallet:

http://www.instructables.com/id/bike-innertube-wallet/

Too bad Guchi (sic) doesn't make tubes....