Tour de Marin Photo

Photographer’s Note

Saturday was a great event for American cyclists, with Lance Armstrong winning the time trial at the Tour de France, a day before winning his seventh consecutive victory in that grand sporting event. Americans inspired by his story have increasingly turned to bicycles for their exercise.

I was seated downtown San Rafael with camera in hand waiting for a friend who was shopping when these two gentleman came to rest at the stop light next to where I sat. It was a very hot day in Marin with temperatures close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the warmer areas. I looked at the round belly of the man closest to me, proudly on display in his form-fitting bicycle garb and knew he was dying in the saddle. His friend peered over at me as I took this photo. I asked afterward whether they were going to stop across the street at Starbucks for an iced coffee and he said, "Absolutely! We're dying out here..."

I think I'll leave bicycle riding to other, more adventuresome folks. A hike in the woods is about the best I can do... two and a half miles today. It was great!

Thanks Lance for all the fine memories.

Rinie_Hoff, pamastro has marked this note useful

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Furachan (0) 2005-07-26 4:44

Excellent capture, Curtis. You were there, and you did not WILT in the heat! This is no Lance here, that's for sure. This merry banker, or whatever he is is flirting with a coronary, I kid you not! Noice composition from that low vantage point moving up toward the GUT, and an added bonus from that bearded guy who is smiling at you. WOnderful feeling I'm getting from this. All the best, Francis

Rinie_Hoff (9332) 2005-07-26 9:02

Of course, I can't let this one go by, bikers in the picture!
So, apparently the round-bellied guy is combining a few good things, things that I like in any case.
He loves to ride the bicycle, and apparently loves a good meal and /or a good glass. I'm no different! But I sure am glad that I do not have such a belly, mine isn't exactly a six pack, but I don't understand how people can live wtih that, you can't even fasten your shoelaces without spreading your legs.
There's another thing that I don't understand, I talked about that with my friend when we were biking, all those guys spend a lot of money on shirts with commercials all over it, I don't understand, they should get paid, but on the contrary, they are happy to offer a lot of money to ride around being a living advertisement.
I have no idea whether he did the two-day 508 miles Furnace Creek race, but I can hardly imagine;-) He will have dreamed about it probably.

I love the duotone, it's a great catch, and I'm very glad that you kept part of the rear wheel in the picture. Of course, you had no other choice, otherwise you would have cropped the guy's hand, but nevertheless, I like the detail.
The laughing guy could make a portrait all by himself.

I always felt a bit sorry for all the talented guys in the tour, being on their top, while Lance Armstrong was around, so I'm very curious what it will be next year, a bit more tension, I expect.

pamastro (7213) 2005-07-28 14:53

Well I don't think he'll be winning any of the classics anytime soon. :) It's another good people shot from your neck of the woods. They appear positively jovial. Exhausted but jovial. They seem to be making the best of the day despite the hot temperatures.

I haven't really been much of an Armstrong fan because of how he has won the tour. His team does not get the credit they deserve for their part. And, unlike others, he focuses only on the Tour, avoiding things like the Giro, unlike second place Ivan Basso, and the classics. It still is a great feat he has accomplished and what he has done for cycling in this country is a good thing. He has helped raise its profile a bit. Especially if it was Lance that inspired these two to take to cycling!