Laid Back

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One of the races at the Tour de Grove was for recumbent cycles, three-wheeled, hand cranked machines. They are often used by people with injuries or diseases that affect the legs.. These competitors take their racing as seriously as the bicycle riders.

I'm rather amazed at the riders who are almost fully reclined. Notice that they have no support for the head and neck. How do they take that for an half hour or more?

On The Sidelines

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Some quick pix of life at the side of the race course. Above, a competitor meets that special someone. First below, a team sponsored by a local health insurance company. They were all speaking German. Bottom, the line outside Sweetie Pie's next to the race course in late afternoon. The place is said to have the best soul food in St. Louis. I've eaten there a couple of times and it sure is yummy. Since they got their own reality show on the Oprah network it takes forever to get a table. By 5:45, the queue on the sidewalk was easily 50 people.

Sorry (again) about the lack of comments. I've been getting home from work about two hours before bedtime. Say hello to the Mrs., have dinner, help clean up, put up a post and then zzzzz. Repeat cycle in the morning.

And Now Some Y Chromosomes

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A few scenes from the pro-level men's race at the Tour de Grove. Above, the leaders jockey back and forth for top position. First below, the pack whizzes by me while I sit on the curb with a wide angle lens. I took yesterday's portraits moments before.

Ridiculously long work day on Monday. I'll come visit everyone as soon as I can.

Women Can Fly

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At the Tour de Grove on Saturday, I watched races for men, women and handicapped competitors on three-wheel recumbent cycles. Everyone was impressive. The last time I tried to ride a bike I needed a cortisone shot in my knee. Really. The action I photographed was far beyond me.

Toward the end I was sitting on the curb, shooting the men with a wide angle lens as they zoomed by. The woman above, who was among the leaders throughout the race (as in the next picture) stopped beside me to chat with a race official. She looked like a Valkyrie on wheels. Check out those muscles. I'd stay out of the way.    

Tour de Grove

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Big time bicycle racing comes to St. Louis each May. It's time for the Tour de Grove, which is, um, nothing like the Tour de France and similar races. There is a 1.7 mile / 2.7 km course laid out in the streets of The Grove neighborhood. Lots of good snaps. Should keep me occupied for days.  

Don't Drink And Bike

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There was a place to find consolation for riders who finished at the back of the pack in the Tour de Grove . They could head to the Premium Lounge with their disappointed friends, ride right in the door and coast up to the bar. Green or black olive in your martini?

Downtown St. Louis 365 provides directions for those who can't find a 630 foot steel monument or the largest river in North America.

Tour de Grove

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Bicycle racing isn't as popular in the US as Europe but it's around. Particularly on weekends, it is common to see packs of cyclists zooming by on the streets clad in brightly colored spandex. (I wouldn't wear spandex unless it made me invisible.) The Tour de Grove took place in the eponymous neighborhood a week ago in cold rain. Tough guys.

The modern equivalent of a wandering tinker on Downtown St. Louis 365.