I have been holding back from you and I have the browser favorites to prove it.  Here goes.....

Kenda p/b Geargrinder offers a chance to win a 2011 pro contract
This is pretty cool I believe.  I have raced against these guys quite a bit summer, and it's a safe bet I should not be applying for this contract.  Unless if they are looking for someone who can hang on and provide moral support only!

Olheiser gets goose bumps from elite title defense
Yeah and we all get goose-bump chills after destroying ourselves following and chasing you around the roads here in the South too!  Congratulations Mike, very very impressive man.

2010 Tour de France - Fabian Cancellara Reacts to Stage 3
This is a good video of Cancellera giving an interview after the stage across the cobbles.  His calm is remarkable, but it goes to show he's been there before.  Without a doubt he does not lack inner confidence, which I'm certain is greatly reassuring for his teammates.  "Now I'm back in yellow and I'm happy."

Saying No the the SAG Wagon
Jens Voigt - hands down the toughest, the strongest, the most respected and well liked professional cyclist on the planet.  Chuck Norris could never match Jens Voigt pound-for-pound.  We all knew this prior to his crash in Stage 16 of the Tour, but I guess he wanted to prove it to us one more time. 

Brent Bookwalter: Tour de France diary for BMC
By now I'm sure you know Brent is about to finish his second grand tour within a three month time span.  Let that sink in for a minute; what an accomplishment!  With Jens Voigt soon to retire will it be possible for Brent to pick up the mantel where Jens left off?  Brent is very early into his career, but by all accounts he's got the toughness to get there.  I will provide an interview with Brent after the Tour is over.  He and I swapped emails a few days before the start of the race about doing one, but I waited because I knew there would be more to ask once he finished.

iamTedKing: State of the (cycling) union
If you've ever wondered what a top professional cyclist thinks about when they return home to do a local/regional race here in America, well here you go!  It's also worth noting that Ted and Brent are both former collegiate racers.

Tour Coach: To Wait Or Press On?
The big Tour question has been about whether or not Contador should have slowed and waited for Schleck on Stage 15 due to Schleck's mechanical.  Read what Chris Carmichael has to say as he argues from both sides of the issue.  I could write another huge opinion piece on the matter, but why waste an entire day when after all is said and done we'll both still have our own unchangeable take.

Contador and Schleck make up on French TV
This is an interaction worth noting.  If these two can get over it then we all should too.  I'm certain this will fuel their rivalry, but they're both young enough to still have countless future battles between one another. 

Schleck & Contador embrace after riding to a stalemate at Tourmalet
If this photo doesn't put it all to rest then nothing will.  People will continue to criticize Contador, but he should receive praise for not contesting Schleck atop the Tourmalet.  Schleck earned the victory and was deserving to cross the line first.  I do not see it as a gift either, but rather a human gesture that was supposed to happen.  Schleck will win the Tour someday, and it will happen sooner rather than later.

Tour tech: Fancy footwear at the Tour de France
I have developed a cycling footwear fetish ever since I received my new pair of shiny white & blue Sidi for 2010.  If you're like me you'll drool over these pictures.  Listen, if you have put off buying a nice pair of cycling shoes, step up and invest in order to take care of your feet!  The fact that you look fly is a wonderful by-product, but the main thing is comfort on those long rides or intense races.

These De Rosa bikes await the Carmiooro-NGC team
Speaking of drooling.  It is of my opinion that De Rosa makes the most beautiful looking bikes in the world.

Nashville will launch bicycle sharing program
If you build it, they will come.  I know this program is going to receive a lot of criticism, but if it can get off the ground and be given time to develop this will end up in our favor.  I truly believe we will see a cultural mobility shift in the Nashville community over the next 20 years. (The Tennessean is notorious for deleting links after a period of time, so hit this one quick!)

Major Push from Advocates Wins Bike Facilities in Memphis
From worst to first?  Let's hope so!

Phase Two Of Greensboro Greenway Getting Closer to Reality
Good for the folks there in Greensboro, NC.  It sounds as if they are severely lacking in Greenways, but this is a wonderful first step to change the city's landscape.  If they want to attract healthier and more affluent citizens then it would behoove them to build more Greenways!

Armstrong keeps passing tests
This is from Rick Reilly of ESPN at the start of the Tour.  One theme that keeps popping up that I believe is taking root, and that is this "proof not stories" story line.  If enough teammates and others close to Lance tell their side of the story will that not become proof or are they to possess physical evidence too?  If you witness someone commit murder do you also have to have it on video?  I don't think so. 

Lance's comments differ from testimony
This is definitely a grey area to give Lance the benefit of the doubt.  I'm quite sure he knows whether or not he's got a vested stake in a business, but after a few years pass it's fair to say any of us would not remember the exact timing.  Bill Clinton may have normalized the "I cannot recall" answer to a grand jury, but in the end that simply will not fly when people are searching for the truth.  This is one situation where a paper trail should definitely exist, and even if Lance misspoke he should be given a pass (for now).  However, the issue is relevant to the overall scope of the Novitzky investigation.

Million Dollar Challenge
This was passed on to me by a teammate of mine.  Please help support Christopher Self to reach his goal of raising $20,000 for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.  The CAF has raised over $19 million since it began in 1994.  Check out the photo of Christopher and you'll see he's one fit looking dude, but then notice the prosthetic.  I'm thinking he's a total BA!

Bike Polo Regulars Gather in the Pitt
I am thinking of adding this to the criterium race series; what do you think?  "Just show up and play!"

Exercise: Bicycling to Keep Off Extra Pounds
Highly suggestive if you're woman and you bicycle that it is beneficial?  Really?  Really?!

The 'Decision' dilemma
The ombudsman of ESPN takes his company to task over their charade of a show that was dedicated to LeBron James' announcement about leaving Cleveland for Miami.  This is a lengthy analysis about the show and how he believes it has compromised the integrity of ESPN as an objective sports news organization.  I'm sure we all watch that station and see the on-air talent thinking every single one of them are "in the tank" for ESPN, but it's obvious from Ohlmeyer's opinion there is not a united voice over such matters.  If anything else you should read this to learn the intricacies of journalistic integrity.

Wow, I just accomplished the unthinkable.  My browsers favorites have been cleaned completely, deletions done with saved links in appropriate folders.  I haven't seen such a clean slate in six months!  I hope you enjoy the above and find some interesting things to read and share with your friends.  When they ask you where you found it be sure and send them back to me here at NashvilleCyclist.com!