The Players

Reliable information on the Play-uhs is hard to come by and many of us have never met. Based on the email exchanges, we have the following list of characters with a short scouting report* for each. The group breaks down into West Coast and East Coast, with the trash-talking a draw so far. It’s likely that our allegiances will re-form in Switzerland once we get comfortable in the breakaway, the peloton, or the autobus.

West Coast Play-uhs

Howie – Body fat less than .01%. Eats bugs in Costa Rica for vitamin content. He actually weighs less than Todd’s bike does. Climbs really well in tail wind and big jersey. Head wind can be a problem.

Bill – Sleep high (Park City), Train Low (Salt Lake). This is basically cheating and demonstrates why oxygen tents are now forbidden for TDF riders. Makes up for bum knee with extra enthusiasm. Bill is the only one tough enough to have a wife who has completed the Death Ride.

Todd P. – All muscle, no fat. Did the Ironman in Coeur d’Ilene just to make the rest of us feel like pikers. Would be favored rider except for heavy steel bike that may slow him down.

Todd R. – Seriously strong. Completed West Coast training camp. Can he climb?

Rick - West Coast guys are keeping him under wraps. Trains in secret at Tahoe. Rumor is he might be a former pro cyclist. Promises to do each day’s route twice.

Chris – Another stealth West Coast rider. Rides Zipps and keeps a low profile. Rode this year's Etape du Tour as well. Is HE the former pro???

Steve – Steve? Steve?

East Coast Play-uhs:

Charles – Moves to Aspen in the summer. Trains constantly at altitude above 10,000 ft. Races and beats the older guys to feed his ego. Sneaky fast. Scratch that, just put down fast.

Jim – Was big shot in NYC but quit his job to train full time. Will be training constantly on 14% grades in Wyoming this summer. Traded large house in Connecticut for new carbon bike. Rode Etape du Tour this year, ending at top of Mt. Ventoux.

Rich – Ride Commissioner. Considering several new ride rules, depending on his cycling form. Several days in the hospital and became very friendly with the pharmacy staff. Riding really strong now just days after release by doctor. Will be as ready for this ride as Floyd Landis. Rides crits as domestique for his 16 yr. old son.

Markham – Trail Boss looking to transfer his skills to the road. Never saw a ball, cyclist or mountaintop that he didn’t want to chase. Great closing burst. It's "Markham, don't forget the 'ham', Serrano preferred!"

Jack – Old, skinny and too busy blogging to be a serious cyclist. Trained hard and went backwards. Are there reclining seats in the sag wagon?

*scouting reports courtesy of Ride Commissioner and various email posts