Arc-et-Senans to Besançon (ITT) 41.5km
Playlist for Bradley Wiggins From Tenspeed Hero
Before we get to Stage Nine we must propose an ITT + Team Bus Playlist for Bradley Marc Wiggins. Not that his warm-up playlist is not brilliant. It obviously is motivating, relaxing, and soul searching but after Sunday and Monday’s triumph and in the spirit of this fine illustration by Becca Goesling we are sending him a playlist to continue his success. In the numbered order we suggest: 1) Down In Bermuda – Jonathan Richman 2) Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs 3) Femme Fatale – Velvet Underground4) Comfy In Nautica – Panda Bear 5) Some Enchanted Evening – South Pacific Soundtrack 6) Set Em’ Free – Akron/Family 7) Let’s Move To The Country – Smog 8)True Affections – The Blow 9) Nowhere Near – Yo La Tengo 10) Whale – Yellow Ostrich 11) Headlights Look Like Diamonds – Arcade Fire 12) So Far Away – Carole King 13) The Roller Coaster Ride – Belle & Sebastian 14) Ceremony – Galaxie 500 15) Wait. Wait. Wait. – Hanni el Khatib 16) Hall Of Mirrors – Kraftwerk 17) Dancehall Queen – Robyn 18) 3 Rounds And A Sound – Blind Pilot 19) Stand By Me – Ben E. King 20) Our Deal – Best Coast
We live and die By Great acts Born of loss
Since Sunday started roughly for Great Britain at Wimbledon we thought we’d share a story. Chicago sports fans (Heroes) suffered a couple hard blows this year. The city launched itself into a state of panic at the sight of Blackhawk’s dear Marian Hossa carried out on a stretched after being knocked unconscious by the brutal Raffi Torres. Basketball fans everywhere watched in terror as Watson dislocated his elbow in early January, then as Rose tore his ACL in late April, then as Noah sprained his ankle in the beginning of May, and finally as Deng declared he would need surgery on his wrist the following season. And then there are the Cubs. To say the least, we have struggled, cried and screamed all year long for near win after near win (OK, sometimes they were far from near but we can still hope).
However on one shining day in the spring of 2012 Chicago experienced unmatched beauty in the world of sports. Our beloved Cubs, Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks and the Fire all won on the same day. City rivalries were momentarily forgotten and all hugged and cheered for this grand city of dreams. It is rare that a single city can boast such success.
Great Britain’s Loss and Triumph
Not one city but a Country made of Many Countries, Great Britain, had one of those comebacks where glory is regained from a fathomless spasm. As we mentioned the dark road emerged with Andy Murray’s match with a resurgent Roger Federer in the Wimbledon Final. This was Murray’s chance! On Grass! In Whites! On Centre Court! But some rare bounces, a closed roof, sprinkled with rain and Roger’s right hand stopped Murray in his tracks.
On Monday, however, the news was fantastic! Wiggo and Froome expanded on their stage 7 fortunes. The Heroes are not trying to get ahead of ourselves but Bradley Wiggins had an incredible day at the Tour de France. Storming! Astounding! Flabbergasted! The Press Corp’s Chewed On Such Words As They Filed their Coverage! Wiggo put a solid 1:43 seconds into his rival Cadel Evans and put Nibali further back at 2:07. Maybe Cadel is not worried? A rough day in the Individual Time Trial is no reason to panic right? If this were the case we’d nod with Cadel and reassure the all powerful BMC boss, Andy Rhis but we Heroes are honest men and women! Any man named Wiggo who can take 57 seconds from Fabian Cancellara, is on the form of his life. Such a day for the British and lets not even get into some local snooker scores!
And Finally A Hero Mother’s Take on Wiggin’s Victory
“Any boy that cusses like that to the world better win! His poor Family!”