La Vuelta pictures!

[Elefantino]

Trying to distill the Vuelta down to just a few images is hard.

Below is some of what we shot. Not BBD quality, but fun.

Highlights: Meeting Pedro Delgado, being chauffeured by Agustin Pena (ex-pro), waving the Stars and Stripes on the Bola del Mundo, in the paddock area with Alberto for the Madrid podium, my wife and daughter digging the race as much as I did (well, almost) and lots and lots of bike porn.

[tiretrax]

Awesome pics. Glad you had a great trip. I hope your family enjoyed it as much as you. I am trying to rally enthusiasm for a similar trip to the TDF.

[Elefantino]

For those who don't want to click through:

The man's bike
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-1.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-2.jpg

Interestingly, Ultegra Di2 on a Cofidis Look
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-3.jpg

Andrew Talansky. Nice kid. Bright future.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-4.jpg

Anne chatting up one of the Andalucia guys.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-30.jpg

SRAM Red WiFli
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-5.jpg

52/36 crank for Saxo.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-6.jpg

With 1988 Tour winner Pedro Delgado
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-7.jpg

Menchov leads them out at the start, prophetically.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-8.jpg

Chris Froome, followed by Johan van Summeren.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-9.jpg

[Elefantino]

The top of the Navacerrada climb, just after a torrential rain. Many wet people.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-10.jpg

The Bola del Mundo climb, from the chair lift that took us to the top.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-11.jpg

Anne on the 23 percent part of the climb, before we moved up a bit to the 1K to go banner.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-12.jpg

At the 1K to go. Go Ducks! (And yes, that's my Serotta hat)
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-13.jpg

Philippe Gilbert, alone on the Bola.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-14.jpg

Earlier, the breakaway on the Navacerrada.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-15.jpg

Richie Porte leading Menchov with 1K to go. It wouldn't last.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-16.jpg

Christopher LeMevel screams as he rides by.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-17.jpg

The red jersey on the Bola. It was deafening.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-18.jpg

[Elefantino]

After the Bola stage ...
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-34.jpg

On the Paseo del Prado in Madrid. The moto guys are amazing.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-19.jpg

Our view of the finish, from 250 meters out.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-21.jpg

The peloton.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-20.jpg

The broadcast guy ruins my shot of Contador and Riis.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-22.jpg

Whew!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-23.jpg

THE shot of the vacation.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-24.jpg

Contador has the biggest piece of glass.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-25.jpg

Valverde. Contador and Rodriguez during the Spanish national anthem.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-26.jpg

"Purito" aka Joaquin Rodriguez. There was a large contingent of "Fan Club Purito" in Madrid.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/gmmtwo/Vuelta/file-27.jpg

[cfox]

wow. thank you. it looks like you had an awesome time! are you super tall or is Delgado like 5'5" (or kneeling)?

[soulspinner]

Great natural shots of the gods of bike racing. Thanks!:banana:

[slidey]

You sir, have witnessed the greatest grand tour of this year, of the past three years even...but hopefully not as good as future grand tours will be with Contador on form!

[Keith A]

Thanks for sharing!

[firerescuefin]

Great Pics :)

[katematt]

My wife and I met while camp counselors in La Granja San Indelfonso. The mention of the Navacerrada brings back memories.

While there I only had my rigid mountain bike with slicks and on days off I'd ride up to the top. One day while going up the Siete Vueltas section of the climb going the other way was Marino Lejarreta from Once. I have since never seen anyone descend like that.

Beautiful area and thanks for bringing it back and the race coverage it was a good one to follow.

[bobswire]

Yes , thanks for sharing,you caught some nice pics.
Cycling fans have to be the nuttiest fans of the bunch.Climbing or riding to secure a place to sit or stand on a mountain top, waiting hours on end just to get a glimpse of their favorite rider as he passes by while you are being jostled about by other frenzied fans and then once the caravan passes we trudge back down that mountain top taking another couple of hours. I wouldn't trade it for box seats to watch the World Series or Super Bowl. :banana:

Where else can you get this close to the athlete. From S.F. Grand Prix awhile back.

http://i50.tinypic.com/344z7tt.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/28st306.jpg

[gasman]

Great shots !!! Thank you for sharing, just as good as BBD only different.

Glad to see a Ducks jersey in Spain, hardly see them even in Eugene.

Looks like you and your wife had a wonderful trip and saw a fantastic race.

[svelocity]

Amazing photos of the Vuelta Elefantino!!

[maxdog]

Spain, the best tour in years and your there. Life can be sweet.

[eippo1]

Nice pics. That road looks hellish to climb: the grade, the condition of the road, and the people make it a huge mess. Awesome

[tiretrax]

Great pictures. The only thing that would have made it better is if Dominguez had won.

[oldpotatoe]

Pix remind me of some of the older videos I have, where the object of the race was the race, the racers, not gadgets and gizmos.

As long as it works, whogas what wheels, tires, group, frame, helmet....

Pedro(Delgado) is a little guy!!!

[AgilisMerlin]

very nice.

surprised by how teeny tiny Delgado is, also.

those mountain stage pics :banana:

[rwsaunders]

Great pics and story...thanks for sharing.