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Whitewater Horn

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Everything posted by Whitewater Horn

  1. It’s fine to be Christian, but those Christians who cloak themselves in their supposed faith to justify allegiance to MAGA politics need a good dose of sermons and talks by state representative James Talarico. Besides the fact of running and being elected as a Democrat, he’s very astute at making unimpeachable arguments against the present threat of Christian Nationalism in Texas. He may be one of the best examples of a true Christian who works as a public servant and fights to keep religion from being perverted by politics and the Constitution from being subverted by Christian Nationalism. I wish our fellow Horns embraced this type of Christianity instead of the MAGA interpretation of the teachings of Christ. I would wager that, like most of MAGA, it’s not actually a matter of “their faith.” Just a way to legitimize holding on to outdated ideas, to conceal sins of bigotry & greed, and to feel a sense of righteousness.
  2. “The SEC is undefeated against first year conference members who lost more than one running back to injury during practice leading up to the start of the season. Thinkin’ about that SEC grind scares ya to death.” - FUPM Thank goodness Sark is running things to handle shit like this without getting shook.
  3. Wow! Perfect strike and placement.
  4. Wow. Really milking this story.
  5. Silver was a badass result after flatting on the third or fourth lap. By the sixth lap, Haley had powered her way back up to a chasing group that would turn into the race for second spot on the podium. Nobody was gonna catch Pauline, so congrats to Haley for a great comeback for silver.
  6. I’ve read several articles and heard commentary from talking heads in cycling coverage taking about how Pogi isn’t winning friends or potential allies in the peloton with his “win everything and by the biggest margin” approach. I’m sure there’s some truth to that, but it’s also clear that he’s not racing to make friends or be liked. He’s not trying to be adored like a Barset or Pinot. He’s making a run at Cannibal Deux. He loves competing, and wants to break and set records. He doesn’t just want to beat his rivals, he delights in demoralizing them and ripping their legs off. It surely rubs some riders and fans the wrong way, but it’s electric to watch. I may be wrong about this part, but I think there’s also a sense of Tour revenge here. The whole world watched Jonas break him on Granon in 2022 and de la Loze in 2023. The cameras spent a lot of time showing and commenting on his sorry state and marveling at the relentless consistent efforts of Jonas. He didn’t want to eke out a small margin win versus Jonas, he wants to likewise break him. Today we got to see Jonas after the stage being comforted by his wife in damn near inconsolable exhaustion and defeat. Tadej will likely still be annoyed at any mention of Jonas not being on top form due to the injuries from the accident. After the stage where Jonas initiated and beat him to the line in a 2 up sprint, Tadej made it a point several times in interviews to point out, “see, just as we suspected, Jonas is in top form. It’s a fair fight.” I’m a fan and don’t want him to try to be anything he’s not. If he wants to be a ruthless killer trying to build a palmares to be in the Eddy conversation, I’m here for it. I’ll enjoy rooting both for and against him depending on the situation.
  7. The stage was a mere 2km too long for Matty. Pogi putting on a show of dominance.
  8. This sums it up for me pretty succinctly. I tried to be patient and not rush to hate it, but was pretty much disengaged before the end of first episode. Watched up through the next to last episode out of morbid curiosity. The descriptions of the final installment are enough to know I don’t need to see it. Surely this doesn’t warrant or receive an other season.
  9. For sure. After all of the promise, the horrific crash and related setbacks, winning the Vuelta in 2022 (?), more injuries. Cool to see him ride his own race and stay engaged. He can be relevant at this race for a long time. No Giro fatigue for Pogi. He’s on an insane level this year. Jonas is obviously diminished, but I don’t think he could hang with this version of Tadej. He’s truly in beast mode.
  10. That was a bummer to watch in real time and would be a cruel way to lose the green jersey. I hope he makes the start and can finish the race.
  11. Stone Hedge! Where the Brackens dwell…🎶
  12. Those numbers for Tadej and Jonas are just stupid. Yes, amazing advancements in sport science, nutrition & recovery, bicycle tech, etc have been made in the 25+ years since those climbing records were set by Pantani, but pushing that many watts for so long is….it’s something. That’s the main tragedy of the whole shit show. I’m sure the vast majority of these riders, especially the high talent, high confidence, big ego type guys like Tadej, Remco, MVdP, Wout, etc, want to beat their opponents straight up if they had their druthers. Smashing your rivals under your own power without the assist of a syringe or blood bag is real macho shit. When sponsorships and big money are involved, so will be the agendas of team owners, trainers, and DSs. I obviously cannot speak from experience, but I’m guessing the shady methods for fueling up and recovering isn’t usually happening at the behest of the athletes. And yeah, Tadej is so damn likable. I hope those bastards haven’t ruined him.
  13. Exactly. By this time, we know all the players. If you choose to continue to follow and support the sport, then you shouldn’t expect that all of the tigers have changed their stripes. It’s still Saunier-Duval vs Rabobank, as well as others. The other problem at the ASO, UCI, WADA levels is that they had to take the blow back of Operacion Puerto and the “reasoned decision” to disqualify wins from the biggest winners and fan favorites in the sport. After trying to rebuild the image of cycling, it’s doubtful they want another scandal of that magnitude. Maybe I’m way off, but it feel like these organizations are much more aligned and make small, but public busts on lesser named riders. With the likability, popularity, and exposure of riders like Pogi, Remco, MVdP, Jonas, etc, you have to wonder how much of an organized effort is being made to not look l too closely at these incredible results and open Pandora’s box again.
  14. Good. Today I saw one fan on the side of the road try to kick the shit out of a jackass trying to run up the road between a rider and a moto.
  15. It’s pretty hard to know exactly what “on the up and up” is at this level of world tour cycling these days, and a rabbit hole of questions and doubt that can drive you crazy. A lot of these great performances certainly deserve examination and comparison to the filthiest era of the sport. Knowing that this sport, as well as all other athletic competitions with high stakes, are always looking for competitive advantages, both within and beyond the rules, I just can’t stop watching. I’m sure all manner of methods are employed, but watching these dudes go to battle like we’ve seen in this Tour so far messes with my “give a shit.” I promise to stop watching the sport if irrefutable evidence is revealed of pro cycling being actively involved in human trafficking or kicking puppies.
  16. Another perfectly timed attack from Pogi. He waited for Jonas to get back in the saddle to settle and went. Jonas is cooked.
  17. Questions answered. If Jonas can’t answer in kind tomorrow, or at least stay with Tadej, he’s gonna need one of those days where he gains minutes on a single stage. Perfectly executed by UAE and Pogi.
  18. Man, that is some truth. The start of Pla d’Adet is demoralizing. And I did it in my 20s when I still lived over there. My son graduates next year and I promised to take him to Europe to ride some famous climbs and scenic routes. The “Circle of Death” area is cycling Heaven and at the top of his wish list. That ought to be a different experiment this time at my age. I’ve been thinking about Stage 14, and here’s some questions hopefully we’ll see answered: Will the team strength of UAE contribute to any measurable damage to Remco or Jonas? Will Remco stay with Pogi and Jonas in the Pyrenees? Can Pogi gap Jonas on the climbs to gain time on the descents and make it stick? Will Jonas take back some time or pass and put time on Remco and Pogi? (The finish favors Tadej if it’s close) What an incredible route for today and tomorrow!
  19. What a great race so far, but poor Roglic really is the Battered Bastard of Bora.
  20. Man, fuck thieves. Teams are going have to start hiring security or stand security watches on these big races since the organizers don’t seem to be helping with this.
  21. Let those nuts hang, JV. We’re watching a cycling version of the tortoise and hare tale. Pogi keeps needlessly burning matches with that racing on instinct in the moment trying to be something akin to The Cannibal or The Badger. High risk, high reward, but also potential for high consequence. Jonas racing with intent and measured effort, with consideration that’s it’s a three week race with a hard third week. Gangster level confidence.
  22. I felt that. Real shit. I can’t imagine the crazy scope of emotions from injuries like that to clawing Pogi back and eventually starting that sprint and gutting it out for a stage win. That has to be huge for the confidence of Jonas. He still has a bit of a team problem, though.
  23. And Jonas initiated the sprint. So much for no balls and a supposed fear of Pogi.
  24. Holy shit. What a stage!
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