Althouse: "I’m sure there are some residents that are like, 'Wait a minute, why is my road closed down?'" said Lance Armstrong.

August 30, 2010

"I’m sure there are some residents that are like, 'Wait a minute, why is my road closed down?'" said Lance Armstrong.

In Madison, yesterday.

13 comments:

Dan from Madison said...: It was a very cool event. I got there around 3pm to very little fanfare. All the bands were done, Lance was gone and a lot of the tents were being packed up. I think the best part was riding in the tunnel under the convention center. Too bad Lance left so early, he missed his big chance to meet me!; 8/30/10, 11:15 AM
MadisonMan said...: I was going to eat/shop on the East Side but decided not to. Last time the traffic was horrific. Apologies to the merchants who might have wanted my cash.

If the Mayor really thought this gimmick was a good idea, he'd have it happen during the week.; 8/30/10, 11:25 AM
kjbe said...: Yeah, I guess - residents that don't pay attention might say that. There was plenty of fair warning about this event.

We went to it early, biked in on the SW bike path, made one loop and headed home. It was a lot of fun - lots of kids and families involved. What the city got wrong was doing it on a UW (dorm) move in day. Though even with that students had been moving into the dorms since Wednesday - it wasn't like 6,500 were moving in on one day. It really wasn't any more disruptive than a football Saturday.; 8/30/10, 11:27 AM
Meade said...: Rats! We were on the road.

Darn! I coulda met Dan.

(And k*thy. Cripes!); 8/30/10, 11:32 AM
AllenS said...: Quit bitching. Wait until Obama shows up.; 8/30/10, 11:32 AM
Dan from Madison said...: k*thy - I agree with you, football Saturdays are by far the most disruptive events for the downtown area.; 8/30/10, 11:33 AM
roesch-voltaire said...: Did you notice that dork Lance wore a helmet, I did.; 8/30/10, 12:19 PM
bearing said...: Maybe they'd have less negative response if they didn't bill it as an anti-car-commuter event, which "Ride the Drive" sort of implies.

Here in the twin cities, we have two similar events each September -- the Saint Paul Classic and the Minneapolis Bike Tour. They are also held on Sundays, involve large road closures, and attract thousands of cyclists. While they're obviously pro-biking, the promotions aren't quite so blatantly anti-driving. It's not "ride the drive" (i.e. substitute bikes for cars.) There's hardly any reference to "the drive" or commuting at all. It's more a weekend leisure, family type of event. At least that's how I see it.; 8/30/10, 12:31 PM
Hoosier Daddy said...: Did you notice that dork Lance wore a helmet, I did.

Indeed. I also noticed a distinct lack of people of color as well. Obviously this was a racist event.; 8/30/10, 12:47 PM
traditionalguy said...: Hoosier Daddy...The bikes were all colored. What do you expect to see in the home of the Republican Party?; 8/30/10, 1:18 PM
Calypso Facto said...: bearing: I think you're reading too much into it. It's called "Ride the Drive" cuz it takes place on John Nolen Drive.

Good for you Dan/k*thy! I can imagine it would be neat to ride under the convention center. Alluding to an earlier thread, I can attest that it certainly is fun to do so on my motorcycle and rev the engine in that echo chamber.

Rather than biking and sweating on one of the hottest days of the summer, I took the kids tubing in cool waters up north. (Without helmets!); 8/30/10, 1:48 PM
kjbe said...: Calypso - that's how I took the 'Drive' in Ride the Drive, too. Anyway...yes, the music in the tunnel was very cool and though hot, everyone seemed in good spirits.; 8/30/10, 2:21 PM
bearing said...: OK, obviously I'm not a local. I made the assumption after I read the slant in the article. Thanks for the info.; 8/30/10, 3:50 PM