Turkey, Wookie and Barf

This Thanksgiving is like all others because we'll have family coming over, we'll have a big spread and we'll have the game playing in the back-ground...whats not to like eh? We do have a lot to be thankful for. We also have a lot to think about this year and can't just hide our collective heads in the sand, that would be disastrous to all our forthcoming Thanksgivings. But for now let us truly take more than a moment to be giving thanks that we do have a warm home, plenty of food and great family to share it with. If this is not your situation then I hope this for you, I hope that your fortune changes; I hope that by this time next year you will have found friends whom you can share this day with in joy and thanksgiving, yes like the Pilgrims.

I have a lot to be thankful for so this year I'm pledging that, as in years past but not recently, I will find a charity who serves thanksgiving dinner and help out even if it's just taking out the trash. I don't want to be the big cheese nor do I have to as a volunteer, I just want to do my part no matter how small. Next year I want to invite one or two people, who have no family in this city, to join us for dinner and enjoy their company, like we used to. This is something we must do in order to understand what Thanksgiving is all about and to be human, share the joy of the day and share the moment with those who might not have the opportunity otherwise. If I don't do this then this day, as it was first celebrated, is for naught.

I often wonder what happened between us and France that we are not as great of allies as we should be. France did so much for the US during the revolution and that should have blossomed into a filial relationship. I know that most of the reason behind the help of France was to kick King George's arsh but non the less the people of France were at one time pro-American. The proof is the colors of the flag, the statue of liberty and a lot of our customs that derive from France. If I haven't said it before let me say it now, I talk about the people of a given nation in whom we befriend, not the government. Also we don't have to be just like them to be good neighbors and friends, just look at our families...ok let's not. Any way in honor of our two countries on this day I want to share something that is both all American and all French...Chewbacca winning the Tour de France. Now that's something to give thanks about!

And lastly how about our overindulgence which leads to hang-overs and bathroom camping, not pretty but this to is a tradition for some, not me the other some. So in honor of this long standing annual event I present to you a Mog, that's man-dog who's name is Barf.  As the late-great John Candy said in the movie 'Space Balls'," ...I'm half man and half dog, I'm my own best friend!..." This year I'm going to be my own best friend and live a life of thanksgiving year round.

If I see you on the road this holiday stop at my house and share some Turkey. Peace to you, your loved ones and our Nation.

Last week, week 9

Last week was one of kneeling and calling on Ralph...alot. So needless to say no cycling was done and boy did it show at the TT spin workout tonight, I couldn't even get out of the saddle and my vo2 was completely out of sink, just in ONE WEEK! Whats up with that? The picture, at right, shows how I felt, a broken down tree wheeler in a road race world! That will only last a day or two until I regain my breath, leg and sanity...would you like cheese with that wine Mr Wus?
It's funny when I talk to others who are going in the same direction as me are as far as training for a big event and it's been a decade or more since they competed. These tough competitors are in the same place as I am, struggeling to get back to a high level of fitness and control in there sport. There is the planning for several subsets of training to get ready for minor races or a warm-up here or there just to gauge the base line progress. If that progress is to far ahead then the adjust meant to rane it in a bit in order not to over prep. Or there is just the opposite and you come away from a fast club ride or a warm-up race or century and think to yourself, ' I suck and there's no way I'll be ready,,,argh'! At that point have a Sam Adams and CHILL, rethink, plan your work and work you plan. If nothing else do speed drills so your Vo2 will be there if not your legs, the rest is your WILL.
I have five and a half months until D-day on the coast of Cali. But lets back up, I just said D-day. How interesting is that saying  in our vernacular and we relate to the complete and total release of destructive forces that hasn't been seen since WW2 and yet we don't have the will to destroy the EVIL that kills unarmed citizens on our own soil...now that is weird. We have evil men doing evil deeds that by their society is a just cause and we think they just need a hug or are misunderstood. Can anyone tell me which of our political idiots thought of that? I digress again and it won't be the last time.
 Any way I hope you  all will have a very warm and happy giving of thanks for the safety of your family, be thankful for our troops that keep us safe and keep their families in your thoughts this holy-day season.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peests, and share a little holiday cheer!

PS This just in, Radio shacks team rooster is finalized: http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/blog/team-radioshack-announces-its-2010-roster/  More to come on the races they will commit to this year.

Looking behind the curtian, Pro team finances

Good Monday to all, how are you this fine Monday? I do believe it's a fine Monday and all is right with the people of the world at least those who want to want to be alright and those who want their neighbor to be all right.
Now back to the Pro cyclists. So I have been really digging for info and I did find a few pieces albeit most are so common that hey are hardly worth repeating but for the sake of compilation I present here what I have found.
 RadioShack Partners With Seven-Time Tour de France Winner Lance Armstrong to Form New Cycling Team in 2010
 In reality, the partnership makes sense on several levels. The cost of sponsoring a team is surprisingly modest. The top team in this year's tour, Astana, is funded by companies in Kazakhstan that spent a reported $21 million. Armstrong reportedly sought to raise $20 million for his team, and some of that may come from the secondary sponsors eager to get their names on his jersey.
Information on the USPS pro team shows the down side of financing a great Pro team that has a excellent rooster: USPS-US Postal Service: http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/consumer/a/uspslance.htm
Check out this site on the Skoda team:. Skoda Car manufacturer in Czech Republic sponsorship of TDF and the reason behind this crazy venture:   http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/162806/skoda-extends-tour-de-france-partnership
This is a snapshot of  Money problems even the BIG TEAMS run into if the 3-p's are involved. For those of you who do not know who the 3-p's are it's 'piss poor planning'. Sometimes an investor or group of investors have a bunch of money and the dream of having their TEAMS name in the news is so euphoric that these guys throw out a bunch of money for the stsrt-up. Then reality hits them and the possibility that they could lose as much as they invest they swing back the outer way and withdraw the support for the season, thats after signing contracts and spending the UP-FRONT money...a big chunck of change right there.You can follow the thread if you want to but you get the idea.   Money problems@ Astana :http://www.velonews.com/article/92087/    also of interest: New riders at Astana: http://www.europeloton.com/2009/10/david-de-la-fuente-paolo-tiralongo-sign.html
LIFE as a cyclist : http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Peloton/TNT-corner/life-of-a-pro.html
For 2009, those salaries are fixed as follows: Confirmed riders: ProTour: 33.000€/annual gross salary; Professional Continental: 27.500€/annual gross salary. Neo professional riders: ProTour: 26.700€/annual gross salary; Professional Continental: 23.000€/annual gross salary.

07-30-09, 11:43 AM

I think BMC is the only UCI pro continental team in American. So teams like Jelly Belly don't have any minimum salaries

enforced by the UCI. I don't think that USA cycling has any minimum salary requirements so what these guys make is anyone's guess. My guess is that the better riders on a team like that make 20-30k dollars per year.
That's what I was thinking. I'm sorry, may it please the court, I found the UCI salary limits, but I was unsure of what the Teams in the US even are.
Big is question is are the majority of the teams in the Jelly-Belly category?
"20-30K isn't much of an increase from the 18-25K from almost 10 years ago.
Riders on U.S. domestic continental teams (formerly referred to as Division 3 pro teams) can make next to nothing. My former team went from being just a local amateur team to fielding a Division 3 pro team. The riders on that team got $500 a month during racing season, per diem for food on days they actually raced, and they could sleep in a house the team rented". This is obviously an account from a Pro rider
He goes on to say,"I would imagine that there a handful of guys on Continental teams making actual money, but the majority of them are pretty much living a subsistence existence".
Here was a little info on the continental team Kelly investment that did real well Managed from an office in downtown Minneapolis, KBS/Medifast operates on an annual budget of more than $1 million. Aaron and his 25 employees -- which include the racers, a team coach, mechanics and an office staff -- juggle a schedule that sees BS/Medifast rolling to the start line at more than 75 races a season, this year from California to the Pyrenees Mountains in France. Last update: June 30, 2008 - 11:59 AM star-tribune Minneapolis
Looking back on the history of the sport I see that nothing in the sport has changed as far as the guys and gals that ride with their hearts. Most aren't making much money but their link with past is an unbroken line from the beginning of the men who first thought, hey lets do something crazy like ride our bikes over some insanely high mountains for three weeks and who ever doesn't die ...WINS! Thanks to those brave souls who decided to start this great sport.
So for now and until more Teams Financial Reports are available I 'll let it rest, I really need your help though on this one.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
PS thanks for readiing!

     

FRANCAISE DES JEUX

Saleries of Pro Sports

I'm not really into sports per say let alone pro-sports. However  I do like the occasional get together over beer and pizza to shout for a team I think I like and ridicule someone elseses team. That for me is as enjoyable as it gets. But looking in depth at Pro-cycling, my passion and weakness, and it's finances I want to seek out other pro-sports salaries as one comparison to the wonderful world of our 'Tour' kings and princes.
OK, so we will start with the top 20 as reported online by "Free money finance"  in  August of 2006, three years ago and this is per Annam. This includes salaries, bonus, endorsements...the works:
In the US
1. Tiger Woods, Golf, $97,628,024
2. Phil Mickelson, Golf, $45,971,710
3. Shaquille O'Neal, Basketball, $34,000,000
4. Kobe Bryant, Basketball, $33,656,932
5. Carson Palmer, Football, $31,550,000
6. LeBron James, Basketball, $28,621,800
7. Derek Jeter, Baseball, $28,000,000
8. Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, $27,000,000
9. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Auto Racing, $25,761,830
10. Michael Vick, Football, $25,400,000
 In Europe

1. Michael Schumacher, Auto Racing, $80,000,000
2. Valentino Rossi, Motorcycle Racing, $30,000,000
3. Ronaldinho, Soccer, $29,100,000
4. Maria Sharapova, Tennis, $25,421,283
5. David Beckham, Soccer, $23,000,000
6. Ichiro Suzuki, Baseball, $22,500,000
7. Roger Federer, Tennis, $22,137,018
8. Ronaldo, Soccer, $21,600,000
9. Hideki Matsui, Baseball, $21,000,0009
10. Christian Vieri, Soccer, $20,000,000
So why is it so impossible to think that a pro-cyclist is worth at least 10 million a year given that in 2006 these guys were making this kind of money? Mind you I am not advocating that all the TOP DOGS get more than their share but that's all hinged on what they attract to a Tour, what they attract  watch to watch on Tv/internet and what they can sell, in other words it's all based on YOU!
Finding anything on the pro-cycling teams finances and the individual salaries has proved to be quite difficult. However in light of the other sports salaries I don't think I would be as shocked at our cycle heroes salaries given that the income quoted above is almost four years ago!  Also in light of the amount of work produced and finesse/strategy by the individuals and their teams at the Pro-cycling level I think a 'good living' is due each one including the DOMESTICS
I guess bottom line is with out finding raw numbers, but lots of speculation in the blogs, I would have to side with the Pro teams to be paid in the realm of the other sports stars. But why is it such a mystery anyway? Although looking at the supposed salary cap on American executives and in some cases skilled workers here, why are the sportsmen getting the lions share of $$$ for playing a game and we foot the bill? Convoluted to say the least. More on Monday and then the whole dreary thing will be over with...maybe.

Remember if I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

In the shop for repairs

Working on a new view, see you later?

closed today for mental repair

be back after my bannana break...peace

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtian

I worked a lot of years for corporations in order to put dollars to the bottom line for share holders, partnerships and owners. No matter the ideal or dogma they all had one mantra. 'plan your work and work your plan'. It's not like you haven't heard it before and it sounds easy right? But in average guy lingo that means have a goal and work towards that goal with out to many distractions and you'll make it, kinda like buying a house...but let's not open that can of worms!
So as I am reading the cycle mags and watching all the 'Tours' I can on the internet and also reading the Pro-cycle news and blogs, and there is a lot of 'em, my corporate mind took over. All I began to see is $ $ $ $'s flying around and of course I began to think about the Plan. You know the plan, the big picture the whole enchilada, the Business Plan of a Pro cycling team. So with a ton of research on Google,which didn't yield much, I did manage find the Pro team Application and general outline of how UCI, the pro governing body, wants to keep all the ducks in a row...http://www.wiwi.uni-hannover.de/Forschung/Diskussionspapiere/dp-345.pdf
The Meat really begins on page 5 of this 32 page treatise on ' what a governing body has to do in order to get some respect' piece. Hey these athletes are the hardiest working of any sport with an average of 25,000, yes that's thousand, miles a year on a pro's legs. And yes cycling did fall on it's face with all the doping and illicit behavior that goes along with any sport back before Eddy Merckx. So it is understandable that in order to be world class you have to look, feel, smell and present yourself to be, dare I say it...World Class. All cynicism aside I love this sport and I  for one want it to be for families not thugs and bookies. No disrespect to any soccer teams or their regional events it may or may not resemble.
Here is just  a little exert from pg 5 of the application so you get a glimmer of what I'm talking about:
The teams must apply for a Pro Tour License, which is limited to 20 Teams and runs 4 years,
costing EUR 100.000 (UCI 2006). Additional fees are to be paid for each race. Each Pro Tour
Team has to participate in all Pro Tour races and has to employ 25 riders. Also race organizers
have to apply for a Pro Tour license, with a maximum of 30 events being licensed per
year. The UCI system comprehends either two lower categories, the Continental Pro Teams,
which can be invited to Pro Tour races, and Continental UCI-Teams. No promotions and relegation's
are allowed for. That's $149,649 American just for the License, makes me have second thoughts about owning my own team. Oh and that's in 2006 dollars!
Reading this I know I'm just scratching the surface and an investigative journalist I'm not. I  want to understand how these organizations  function and in that way you can understand the shear magnitude of planning and money it takes before our favorite teams and heroes even get to the starting line for the first race of the season. The plan also calculates having cash reserves for the care of  the whole team all season in paychecks and accident care should someone break a collar bone or wrist or something. No one ever plans one, they just happen...Cheers to an accident free year.
More tommorow and I hope your still right there with me. Untill then if I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.