Perewitz Team Leaves for Sturgis

The 66th Annual Black Hills Motorcycle Rally, best known simply as "Sturgis" will kick off August 7 and run through August 13. This week attendees will start packing up and hitting the road on their way to the biggest rally of the year.

However, if you are Dave Perewitz and his team you are packing up and hitting the road a little early this year. Dave was chosen to build a custom motorcycle for Discovery Channel's Biker Build Off Series again this year. As part of the show he will meet up with the Discovery film crew and the competing builder in Iowa and then ride the rest of the way to Sturgis. Filming all the while. Each builder will have 5-10 people riding with him, followed by the caravan of trucks, trailers and film crew. What a sight it will be rolling down the highways.

So, while the Discovery bike has been kept under wraps for the last few weeks since it has been completed, it will be unveiled to some lucky folks along the way next week starting in Iowa.

But, what goes into getting the bike out there? I stopped by today and saw some of what goes on to load 23 motorcyles into trucks and trailers. It's more of a process than you'd think, especially when there is a new trailer involved. There is plating (for lack of the proper word) to install so the tie-downs have somewhere to attach to. And there are tie-downs all over the place there today. When you are transporting these motorcycles you don't want one little scratch on them so there is a lot of care and effort that goes into the loading and securing of the bikes.

Then there fitting all of the motorcycles they need to take into the trucks and trailers. One motorcycle might be slated for the back of a truck, but be too long and need to go to a trailer. Maybe it is too wide to fit next to the bike it was slated to go next to and need to be moved. Like any event, it is more time consuming than you'd think. And then there is all of the extra things that need to go - like t-shirts, hats etc and, oh yea, the people and their gear for 2 weeks on the road! Some expert packing is going on right now, that's for sure.

The new trailer is sweet! Dave had it wrapped with some cool graphics. So...I took a look around it hoping to see the Discovery bike....

Here's the front of the trailer. What great advertising, huh? Master Builder is Dave's series done for iTunes about how to build your own custom bike. I'm not sure if it is available on iTunes yet, but I hear that the series will be released on DVD in mid-August. I've seen the first couple of episodes and they are very good. I'll keep you posted as to when it hits stores.

But that doesn't show me the Discovery bike....so around to the back I went....

Wow! I really like the rear door of the trailer! Dave, larger than life with a very cool product. Ok, I'm a little biased, but it is a great door and, like the front, a great promotional spot! Think of how many people are going to see this going down the highway in the next couple of years.

Well, this still didn't give me a glimpse of the Discovery bike....so I asked Dave's son, Jesse, to open the door for me. And he did...

Where is the Discovery Bike?! Still under wraps until it's time to load it. I couldn't hang around for that so I'll have to settle for the tease on Dave's site. I have no doubt that it is a really cool bike with a fantastic paint job worthy of the win.

Voting will take place on Monday, August 7 and we'll know that night who wins when Dave's daughter, Jody, gives me a ring. I'll make sure to post the results here for those of you who can't make it out there (myself included...bummer!). If you are going get to the voting on the 7th!

The caravan of trucks and trailers will be leaving Perewitz' tomorrow morning, headed for Iowa. If you live between Massachusetts and there you never know...you might just see them rolling down the highway. Would be fun to know if you do.

Just a little tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Masiguy's Opinion

After reading my post last night Tim said, "...I feel a post coming on." Boy did he ever! His take on the current Floyd Landis situation is well worth the read right down to the firehose.

Just a tiny tidbit this morning. Thanks for stopping by.

News on Floyd Landis

Well, today was surprising in one way and in another completely not so. I was surprised that there is something 'off' about Floyd Landis' A-sample test from last week. What I am not surprised about is the way the media is handling it - proclaiming him guilty of doping in headlines all over the globe before his B-sample is tested. I shouldn't be surprised. Controversy sells.

I don't know Floyd personally. I don't know what he may or may not have done. However, I do know that he deserves a fair shake so here's a link to Floyd's side of the story from Floyd himself and from his mother, who has now had to leave her home due to the media pressure.

Here's a link to a reporter that I admire very, very much, Bicycling's Joe Lindsey in his Boulder Report. It's very fair and extremely detailed, as always. It is well worth the few minutes to read it.

As I said, I don't know Floyd, but I am more than willing to wait and see what the B-sample, and possibly subsequent tests, say.

Just a tidbit for today. Thanks for reading.

OLN viewership & Last Tour Tidbits

So, where's Bob? Where's Al? Where are Phil and Paul? I keep flipping channels thinking I have the wrong one, but they don't seem to be there any more. Is anyone else having Tour Day France withdrawal?!

There certainly isn't any shortage of cycling news, though. It's like silly season in NASCAR when all the teams play musical chairs.

From Team Discovery: Levi Leipheimer is going to join the team next year and Viatchslav "Eki" Ekimov is going to retire and become part of the team management. Can't comment on the Levi deal, but I have to say that I wondered if Eki was retiring when the peloton let him go ahead for a few minutes in Paris on Sunday and he, uncharacteristically, waved to the crowd. He's been an absolute force through a great cycling career, which included 15 Tours de France. Wow.

Rumor has it that the guy who was fired from T-Mobile by fax (that's bad...), Jan Ullrich, may be in talks with Discovery, too. Although, he was in Bonn talking with his current/former team today. Stay tuned on that one...

It's also been rumored that Discovery would like to re-sign the 2006 Tour de France Champion, Floyd Landis. Although, I think I saw somewhere that iShares (Phonak) may have scooped him up for another year.

And a few Tour DAY France tidbits in wrap-up:

Thor Hushovd won bookend stages in Le Tour. That's just cool. Congrats to him.

Classiest moment of the race? Oscar Pereiro giving Floyd Landis a hug after the last time trial, knowing he was giving over the yellow jersey to the man who would win the race. You don't see that in sports too often.

And then there is "Our boy Floyd", as Reva dubbed him the first week of the Tour. I'm still in awe at what he accomplished and how he did it - all with a bum hip. A lot has been said about Floyd's family, where they live and how he grew up this last week but no matter what religion, these are some proud parents, as well they should be. It looks like their son might be rubbing off on them just a little bit, too.

Floyd did a lot for OLN's ratings, too. Viewership jumped 77% on the night Floyd won in the mountains. Um...Wow!

As for Floyd's looming hip surgery and the questions about whether or not he will be able to come back to racing. Here's what Floyd has to say about that:

"I'm looking at this as just another challenge," he said.

"Just like the bad day I had in the mountains.

I see this the same way. If it affects people's

judgment of whether I'll be as valuable later,

they'll have to wait and see. A lot of people

predicted a lot of bad things when I had

the bad day. I would take a lesson

from that if I were them."

After what he accomplished during the last mountain stage, does anyone want to doubt him? No? I didn't think so.

Again, Bravo Floyd. You made the Tour amazing. Thank you.

Lastly, welcome back to Tim and Cubbie. Tim was at his national sales meeting for the end of the Tour and we all missed his comments and insight. He reports that the meeting went well and he's now back. Congrats, Tim. I know you put a lot of work into your presentations. Glad you are back.

Miss Cubbie has returned from France and is sorting through all her photos, getting ready to post them on bobroll.com. I'll let you know when they are up and ready for viewing, but in the mean time she shared her favorite today. Thanks for all the 'inside scoop' texts and photos! Good to have you back, too, Cubbie.

Just some cycling tidbits for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers, Floyd!

(Photo credit FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

Bravo, Floyd. Bravo!

The Tour DAY France Arrives in Paris

Who ever would have thought that the Tour Day France would have been so exciting this year?! Everyone wondered if the race would still capture the US cycling fans' attention without Lance. Well, I think Floyd Landis has answered that query very well. I can't imagine that cycling fans everywhere haven't been fascinated with, at least, the last week of le Tour. What Floyd Landis did during this tour was nothing short of amazing. I have to think that the Floyd Landis shirts are flying off the shelves at this point.

It's been a little exta fun for me this year hearing a little bit of the inside scoop from Cubbie reporter and Bob Roll through her. It's her last day in France where she will watch le Tour finish and then, I'm sure, party with the Americans in Paris and then head home to her kids. But, before then, she has one last post from France.

Well, Cubbie's reign is coming to an end. It is the last day and Ihave had a very good time and learned quite a bit.
1. Many of the toilettes (that's French for toilets) have 2 flushoptions. The regular flush and the super flush for those big jobs.
2. Most Belgian beer is good.
3. There are a lot of Americans living in Paris, but not in France.Do the math on that one.
4. TV work is not as glamorous as you think.
5. It's difficult to travel with my husband. We have different travelroutines.
6. I am a little allergic to France. I've had this snatchy littlecough the whole time I was here.
7. George Hincapie is cuter in real life.
8. Floyd is human. A really cool human with super powers.
Thanks for tuning in . . .you guys are the greatest fans ever. Staytuned to bobroll.com for super updates. . .. .xoxoxoxxoCubbie

I'm just watching Floyd lead the peloton on his yellow bike as the race officially starts. It's a great, great day, isn't it?! Will it be his last Tour Day France? We'll have to see. Somehow, I think if anyone can do it, Floyd may be the one to do it. But, today, it's all about getting to the finish line without incident and then celebrating! He has certainly earned one of the biggest celebrations ever!

Just a Parisian tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Cubbie "meets" Our Boy Floyd Landis

Very early this morning I got a phone call that said I had to get to my email and post Cubbie's latest report from France. Since I always listen to Reva, I've posted it below since we know Tim has national sales meetings this week and hasn't been able to post as often as he'd like. This note from Cubbie was just too good not to get up.

FLOYD TALKED TO ME! I'm sitting here answering my 4000 emails on Liggett's computer and I saw a Phonak car with Coachy Coach in it and and and and and and FLOYD IS RIGHT BEHIND HIM ON THE F'ING BIKE and I yell, CONGRATS FLOYD! and he stops and says how cute I look today and how he's heard so much about me and he's glad that I could make it to the Tour this year. . . .ok. Kidding.

He waved and yelled THANKS! We tried to get a picture, but I didn't. My friend Bobby Armstrong (no relation) got one >and PROMISES to send them to me. He's on some world tour and won't be home until August. I'll definately put that out when it comes it. Sweet ass. Wish it were mine.

Life here is good. Lots of traveling. I'm excited for the time trial today. It's going to be a tight squeeze with the time of our train leaving at 6:46 and the Floyd finishing. Donna - call me when we know what Floyd did, will you? Yesterday was hot and we stayed with Righteous Rod in the hottest room in France. It was REALLY uncomfortable, but temporary.

Today it looks as if we are going to see some rain. Not ideal. It won't hurt Floyd, though. He just finished riding the course and loved it so GAME ON.

Hope Tim is ok. I've noticed he hasn't posted. He's having a tough week. Does his company NOT realize this is history in the making? Cubbie's signing off! cr

Thanks for all the great info, Cubbie. I think I can safely say that both Reva and I wish we were with you so we could give Floyd a triple dose of 'congrats' and 'good luck'. However, I think he'll be just fine on his own today.

Allez, Allez Floyd!!!!

Just a little Floyd tidbit from France today. Thanks for stopping by.

Harley Rides

Photo: Galligan Creative

As I mentioned, when you attend a Perewitz Bike Night you never know who is going to show up. Last night, Harley road in. No, not a Harley Davidson - there were many of them. No, Harley, as in the English Bulldog. She road in with her owner lounging on the tank.

Apparently, she's been riding since she was 8 weeks old and 15 pounds; starting in parking lots. She's now 7 1/2 and rides all over the place. She was mellow and great fun to have around and watch ride in with her helmet and goggles. We all hope she comes back for the August Bike Night.

Just a doggie tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Bobke Quote of the Day

Watching today's incredible Tour DAY France stage on OLN. Epic. Simply Epic. Floyd Landis is the MAN. But, I think we all know that by now and won't forget it any time soon, right?

With all the great quotes today, a quote from Bobke jumped out at me that isn't necessarily cycling related - it's life related. It stuck out and made me smile while nodding my head.

"A women's intuition is nearly flawless."

Very true, my friend. Very true.

Update: Did y'all catch on tonight's coverage that OLN left the live feed on when Al announced a commercial? There were some funny, funny bits going on there with Al & Bob.

Just a little tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

True Grit

Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Congratulations Floyd Landis!!!!

Floyd looking for a turn around

Cubbie just called in from France. She is sitting next to Robbie Ventura and they are watching the live feed of today's stage. Floyd and a small group have gone out on their own and, currently, have a minute and twenty seconds on the peloton.

We all know that isn't a lot. However, I think it shows that Floyd recovered somewhat last night and is determined to do whatever he can to recover the time lost yesterday. Makes me think of Bob's quote from the other day:

"Sacrifices have to be made to win the Tour. If it means making your men ride on the front until they pass out, well, that is one of the things you have to do. If you aren't unwilling to do that, you don't deserve the yellow jersey."

I don't know if the rest of the team has that mentality because none of them are with him in this little pack, but Floyd certainly does. He's not taking yesterday's setback laying down. He's fighting back. Only time will tell if this will work for a podium finish in France, but I, for one, will be cheering him on this morning!

Allez Floyd!

Just a Tour tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

Ride To Work Day

Today is the 15th Annual Ride to Work Day where all motorcyclists are encouraged to ride to work. This year probably takes on an added significence with the high gas prices.

I don't know if they planned it this way or not, but custom motorcycle fabricator Dave Perewitz is having a Bike Night tonight at his place in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. What a perfect way to celebrate Ride to Work Day.

When you visit Dave's you never know who you might run into. Last month's Bike Night saw NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield hanging out for a little bit while the Discovery Channel was filming for their Biker Build Off series. The bike is done and will be on its way to Sturgis with Dave soon.

Watch for motorcycles. They are everywhere, especially today.

Just a little two-wheel tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

Cubbie, Bobke, George & the Alps

Cub reporter is back to normal daily posts of le Tour DAY France over on Tim's site. Good to see! In between her posts to Tim she's been texting me all kinds of fun things like this morning's text

"I was just 5ft from GH. Blog that, baby" (GH -George Hincapie)

While she was stalking George, Bob was making good use of his off time in the booth while they weren't filming.

Yes, I asked first before blogging this photo

Just got a call from Cubbie as she was careening down a mountain with Bob at the wheel. There was honking involved. I didn't ask.... She sounds tired but like she is having a blast. Except the fact that she is sad over Floyd's day today. I haven't seen the coverage and don't really think I want to see the bonk happen. It's a part of racing, I know, but it's sad. I'll be watching tonight.

Just a little Tour tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

10 seconds....

Someone looks like the cat that swallowed the canary......

Photo credit: AFP/Franck Fife

.....Literally!

Photo credit: AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski

Congratulations to Floyd Landis on taking back the yellow jersey after today's stage at Alpe d'Huez!!!!

Looking forward to watching the coverage tonight.

Just a mid-day tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

Bob Roll Climbs Alpe d'Huez!

Rest Day is behind us and today is a big, big day in the Tour DAY France. Alpe d'Huez. Wow. This is a stage I enjoy so much. The paint on the roads. The rabid fans. The sheer determination of the riders. It is amazing to watch it all. I can't wait for this evening's coverage!

If you missed it, Cubbie checked in very early this morning and left a comment. Apparently, she was able to get some time on Phil Ligget's computer and give us a few nuggets from their studio on top of Alpe d'Huez. Yup, I'm still slightly jealous.....

I found this to be quite a tidbit and didn't want you all to miss it:

Bob did it yesterday in

one hour forty five minutes.

Apparently he hasn't ridden it

since he was actually IN the tour.

Yes, "it" would be Alpe d'Huez. So, although the photo Cubbie sent seemed like the day was full of lounging, that wasn't the case. Bob actually road up the famous mountain. Way to go Bobke! Tim, I'd say they earned those empty bottles...at least Bob did.

And, I must say, Allez Floyd!

Just a little Alpe tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Bobke & Al's Rest Day

Cubbie is doing her "job" even without Internet access. Here's a camera phone photo she sent this afternoon. It's a little grainy, but you can see that Bob and Al are having a relaxing evening on the Tour DAY France rest day.

Just a tiny tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Tour DAY France Rest Day?

Yes, the riders have a much deserved rest day before they come back to attack the Alps. However, it isn't a rest day for our Cubbie who hit the ground running yesterday in search of all the latest news and behind the scenes scoop. She just texted me this message:

On my way up to Alp d'huez - tears in my eyes. I'll have Internet tomorrow

Wow. I'm sure she'll have quite the blog post for us over at Masiguy when she gets to the internet tomorrow.

Just a tiny tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

BK/Cub Reporter is in France and Reporting!

Photo credit: PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images

What Cubbie and Hubby might be seeing this week.

Yesterday afternoon I got a call from everyone's favorite Tour reporter, Cub Reporter (also known here as BK). She was just checking in one last time, from the airport, before her plane left for France.

She and her trusty traveling companion, her husband Bill, was with her and they were ready for all of their travel. Literally Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Plane to France, train to destination town and cab to hotel.

I'm happy to report that Cubbie and hubby (just came up with that and it is too cute...) are in France watching the Tour DAY France on French television. Although she gathered up a few reports before she left and sent them to Tim, she's fast and furiously writing another one right now as they watch le Tour. The indication I get from the text is that it will be classic Cubbie. You'll want to watch for it over on Tim's blog.

Cubbie will meet up with Bob Roll this evening and I'm sure hijinx will commence. She has told him about all of the questions and, apparently, dares that were forwarded to her courtesy of this blog and their own site. I think Bob is a little in awe and maybe, just maybe, a little fearful since we know that Cubbie is fearless and we may just see her on the mountains painting or on top of one of those straw structures along the side of the road. Mostly, she wants to get something bobroll.com related on television. She will be lobbying for a shirt or a hat or something on Bob during coverage. Do any of us doubt that she will make that happen? Keep watching.

Just got another text from Cubbie as I type. "We're in the hotel sitting room watching let tour in French. Charming. I'm gonna go get a shower SOON. France is sticky". Ok...she's got travel fatigue and needs a shower after traveling for hours and hours. But, it's 'charming'. I'm slightly jealous. Ok, maybe more than 'slightly'.

I asked if the French coverage has a Phil - you know the excitable kind of announcer. She says "Yeah. He gets all excited. It's great. They have an Al, too. Sounds just like Al's voice in French."

As for le Tour itself. I was disappointed to see Floyd out of the yellow after yesterday. Tim thinks that Phonak was smart.

"However, given the circumstances,

I think Floyd was imminently smarter

than most people assume; the pressure

to defend is now shifted to another team,

leaving Phonak with a few days to simply rest

until arriving at the really hard stages in the Alps."

Bob thinks that Floyd is strong but that his team doesn't have what it takes to get him in yellow again for Paris.

"Sacrifices have to be made to win the Tour.

If it means making your men

ride on the front until they pass out, well,

that is one of the things you have to do.

If you aren't unwilling to do that,

you don't deserve the yellow jersey."

I disagree with both of them. Eek! Did I say that out loud?

I don't think Phonak was smart letting those guys get such a lead on them so that they lost the yellow jersey. Who am I, right? But couldn't they have worked a little harder to keep the 8 second lead? I'm not talking chase them down like dogs and put in all that effort since they have a long way to go before Paris, but I don't think I'd want to give up the yellow jersey, even with the pressures that come with it. Who knows if you can ever get it back? Stuff happens. We've all seen it happen. Flats. Bonking. Crashes. All take time away from you. Giving someone over a minute. I just wouldn't want that to happen. But, that's just me and I'm not sweating my butt off over there either. Nor do I have mountains to climb in a couple of days.

I think that both Floyd and his team are strong and, if they put their collective efforts together they will be just fine and all riding yellow bikes in Paris. Floyd is, obviously, the toughest one on that team. But, I think his guys will rise to tho ccasionon. Hopefully, there won't be any bad 'stuff' to happen and they will rock in the Alps. After all, we all know Floyd kicks in the mountains - but he will need his team to lead him up for part of it so he can really shine.

I'm still confident in Team Phonak with Floyd at the helm. No worries.

Just Tour DAY France tidbits for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Brand New Shiny Yellow Bike

Photo credit: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Look who got a much deserved new yellow bike! Our boy Floyd looks good in yellow, don't cha think?

Photo credit: AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati

Just a colorful tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

A Man and His Lion

CONGRATULATIONS FLOYD!

Photo credit: AFP

Destroyed hip, no pain meds and he's in the yellow jersey? Robin Williams had no idea how right he was when he dubbed Floyd Landis the MoFo of the Mountains. Wow. I can't wait to watch the coverage tonight.

Enjoy that lion, Mr. Landis. You have earned it.

A great American tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.