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Team Garmin: Hesjedal gains clout in the clouds, 4th on stage & 8th overall
Posted by: | CommentsTeam Garmin’s reputation for breakout performances at the Tour gained incredible momentum today when Canadian Ryder Hesjedal capped the Tour of his life with the climb of his life. With the legendary Col du Tourmalet shrouded in rain, clouds and fog, Versus’ crew lost track of Ryder in the final kilometers. With one motorcycle camera crew focused on the two leaders vying for the stage win and the overall classification, and the other moto filming the chasing group of contenders, pundits assumed that Ryder wasn’t able to keep up with the sport’s bigger names. But moments after the two winners and a lone chaser crossed the line, another blurry figure emerged from the clouds. Commentators couldn’t hide the surprise and admiration in their voice when they realized that rather than dropping off the back, Ryder had also attacked off the front of the chasing group and secured a fourth-place finish on the biggest stage of the sport’s biggest event. Those extra seconds – and in some case minutes – that he gained over his rivals propelled him into 8th place overall with three days remaining. Tomorrow should see a sprint finish, Saturday will be a thrilling time trial, and Sunday will be a celebration in Paris. Be sure to follow @JakesJournal on Twitter and stay tuned at the Team Garmin minisite for rider diaries, race recaps and Garmin Connect data straight from Edge 500 .
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Team Garmin: Hesjedal gains clout in the clouds, 4th on stage & 8th overall
Jake’s Journal: All in a day’s work at the Tour
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s a valid question, really, and everyone always asks it delicately. “So… what exactly do you do while you’re at the Tour?” Since it only makes sense to use the Tour’s rest day to talk about my workday, the easy way to answer is that I’m either providing content or gathering content. But that’s a boring way of saying that I get to talk to the best journalists in the sport about the best technology on bikes today. And when I’m not meeting with media, I’m snapping pictures for the Garmin blog or tweeting to fans of Team Garmin (or eating wonderfully unhealthy food ). For example, before the race began in Rotterdam, I spoke with Versus TV, BBC Sport, Reuters, ESPN, Sky News, The New York Times, London’s Sunday Times, and Cycling Weekly, VeloNews, ProCycling and Bicycling magazines. We talked about the Edge 500 and how it helps the pros of Team Garmin every step of the way, from training rides to post-workout analysis on Garmin Connect . During the prologue in Rotterdam, I had back-to-back-to-back chats at the team bus with tech editors from Road Bike Action, VeloNews and Cyclingnews.com. Just like last year, in which I ended up shooting in-car video for Joe from Bicycling , it always helps to be in the right place at the right time. The next morning, I ran into the cheery Aussie crew from Fox Sports, and we squeezed in an on-camera intro to the Edge 500. At our next stop in Brussels, Zap from Road Bike Action shot pics of the new Edge 500 color schemes against the cobbles while getting my thoughts on being an American at the Tour. Moments after we wrapped up, I bumped into Bruce from Active.com and James from Examiner.com, both of which are among the many journalists using a nüvi to navigate a month’s worth of tiny twisting roads with start/finish locations that we provided. And finally, just as the peloton was lining up for the start of Stage 2, Robbie from Versus grabbed me for this quick video about the Edge 500 as part of their Tour tech features. My on-camera opportunities continued in Maastricht, when Denmark TV pulled me aside to shoot a Garmin Connect feature , in which we highlighted Ryder Hesjedal’s data from that day . While I’d like to say that we knew that Ryder would have a breakthrough ride on the cobbles the very next day to set up a remarkable Tour, it was just another case of good luck and great timing – two things that make my job interesting every day wherever I happen to be.
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Jake’s Journal: All in a day’s work at the Tour
Jake’s Journal: Behind the scenes with Versus’ Bob Roll, Tyler Farrar
Posted by: | CommentsEveryone I know – from my Garmin colleagues to my 92-year-old grandmother – is hooked on the happenings over in France, with all eyes glued to Versus’ cycling coverage on TV and the Tour Tracker from morning (live race footage) to night (recap and highlights). Paul, Phil, Robbie, Frankie and Craig provide the lifeline for American cycling fans to follow their sport’s biggest event, but when I get home from the race I’m always asked if I was able to meet Bobke. This year, I was able to cross that off my bucket list. Bob Roll, the former pro turned commentator, balances humor and insight while breaking down each day’s stage. So it seemed only natural that when I met him in Rotterdam in the days before the Grand Depart, he was grinning and cracking jokes with Team Garmin founder and fellow ex-pro Jonathan Vaughters. And he was exactly the same person minutes later when the cameras were ready to tape a chat with American sprinting star Tyler Farrar. Bob and Tyler talked shop for a few minutes while the crew set up, and then things got rolling … literally. Saddled up on a pair of Felt bikes with an Edge 500 on each, Bob and Tyler headed out on the streets for a candid interview on the go . Granted, there was no way anyone could have known then that Tyler would have suffered a broken wrist, endured 10 stages and the Alps and still pulled off some impressive sprints before heading home to heal properly. Of course, we also couldn’t have guessed that teammate Ryder Hesjedal would be in the Top 10 of the overall classification with less than a week left of racing. Here are some pics from the day with Bob Roll, and the footage that aired a couple days later on Versus . And be sure to follow @JakesJournal on Twitter and stay tuned at the Team Garmin minisite for rider diaries, race recaps and Garmin Connect data straight from Edge 500 .
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Jake’s Journal: Behind the scenes with Versus’ Bob Roll, Tyler Farrar
Team Garmin: Injuries force Farrar out, but Hesjedal stays in the hunt
Posted by: | CommentsThe bittersweet days at the Tour continue for Team Garmin , whose foray through France has been filled with bad fortune. On Thursday, stellar leadout man Robbie Hunter had to abandon the race with a cracked elbow , yet Julian Dean and Tyler Farrar still found a way to be in the mix for a stage win, ultimately taking third in a rough-and-tumble finish. But the bad news kept coming when Tyler had to bow out of the Tour today after riding the past 10 stages with a broken wrist . But as they’ve been doing all month, the argyle armada refused to hang their heads. Canadian star Ryder “Weight of a Nation” Hesjedal first made his way into the day’s main breakaway, then was an aggressor when an attack splintered the group into a lead group of four. At one point, when Ryder and the three others had a gap of nearly four minutes on the peloton (where the GC leaders took shelter), the television commentators noted that this ultimate role player was flirting with a podium finish in Paris. And since Team Garmin has provided the biggest breakout performance the past two summers, we wouldn’t be surprised if Ryder not only impresses a nation, but also the rest of the cycling world. Continue reading for the official update from the team, and be sure to follow @JakesJournal on Twitter and check out the Team Garmin minisite for rider diaries ( including Ryder’s thoughts on today’s stage ), race recaps and Garmin Connect data straight from Edge 500 . Race report: Farrar forced to abandon – Tour de France, stage 12 Tyler Farrar, who suffered a broken left wrist and sprained left elbow after a crash on stage 2, was forced to abandon the race on stage 12. “I am devastated to leave the Tour and my teammates,” said Farrar. “You never want to leave any race but especially the Tour. It’s the event we work for all year. I’ve been suffering since my crash on Stage 2 and today, the pain was just too much. I couldn’t push through. I wanted to get to Paris more than anything. Instead, I’ll be watching my teammates from home. That’s not where I want to be. But I know they’ll continue to make us proud, and I’ll be cheering louder than anyone. I want to thank them again now for everything they’ve done for me.” “Sprints are easier for Tyler to get through because the adrenaline in that situation helps mask the pain,” said Director Sportif Matt White. “Today was the hardest day of the race yet and the kind of climbing and descending these guys did is incredibly painful for an injury like Tyler’s. Having to break on the descents is probably the most painful thing to do with a broken wrist.” “We’re obviously sad to see him go but at the end of the day, his health comes first. Tyler won’t be able to heal until he goes home and rests and that’s what he’ll do from here. To make it all the way to Stage 12 with the injuries he’s had is something special. We’re proud of him for his effort and everything he has accomplished here.” “We’ve had four guys with broken bones at this Tour,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO and Director Sportif. “With Tyler’s departure from the race, we now have three at home. Sure, we’ve had bad luck, but look at what these guys have gone through to get this far into the race. Even with a broken wrist and sprained elbow, Tyler has run second and third in sprints. He rode stage three –- kilometer after kilometer of cobbles –- almost entirely with one hand! He has persevered to get to this stage of the race. That shows his own strength and the strength of this team.” “Ryder Hesjedal has been having the ride of his life here, with another incredible day today. We may not have luck on our side at the moment, but we have a team of great, tough riders who will continue to be competitive here.”
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Team Garmin: Injuries force Farrar out, but Hesjedal stays in the hunt
Now shipping: GPSMAP 62 series featured in new videos, minisite
Posted by: | CommentsToday’s a big day for fans of Garmin outdoor handhelds. The GPSMAP 62 series – the much anticipated update to the extremely popular GPSMAP 60 products – is hitting shelves as we speak. Hunters, hikers and geocachers alike will appreciate the ease of use, the sleek, rugged design, and the variety of mapping options compatible with the GPSMAP 62 series . And to celebrate the release of these new handhelds, we’re also unveiling new tutorial videos and a minisite that’s as interactive as it is informative. Spend some time learning about the GPSMAP 62 series , and you’ll find the one perfect for your outdoor activities. To help each user maximize the mapping potential of Garmin handhelds , each model in the GPSMAP 62 series is compatible with Garmin’s subscription-based BirdsEye Satellite Imagery , the free online community at Garmin Connect as well as Garmin’s free Custom Maps utility for transferring paper or digital maps onto a compatible handheld. To learn more about each product, visit the GPSMAP 62 minisite , or you can see the flagship GPSMAP 62st come to life in the feature-specific tutorials in Garmin’s online learning center . Boasting a 2.6” sunlight-readable color display, up to 20 hours of battery life and a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and quad helix antenna for unparalleled reception, the GPSMAP 62 series features three distinct waterproof models to suit various activities and interests. The basic GPSMAP 62 includes a built-in worldwide basemap with shaded relief. The GPSMAP 62s adds a 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass and wireless connectivity for sharing routes, tracks, waypoints and geocaches between other compatible Garmin handhelds. GPSMAP 62s also includes a barometric altimeter that tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. Users can also plot barometric pressure over time, which can help keep an eye on changing weather conditions. In addition to these key features, GPSMAP 62st includes preloaded 100K topographic maps for the entire United States (or preloaded 50K topographic mapping of Canada for the Canadian version). Geocachers can help the environment and be more efficient by going paperless with the GPSMAP 62 series , quickly downloading cache information directly to the device. Each model stores and displays key information such as location, terrain, difficulty, hints and description, so that you don’t have to tote printouts with you. Learn more about geocaching, getting started and going paperless at www.garmin.com/geocaching . Subscribers to BirdsEye Satellite Imagery can use BaseCamp software to quickly transfer high-resolution satellite images to any Garmin GPSMAP 62 device and seamlessly integrate those images into the handheld’s maps to get a true representation of the surroundings. More details can be found at www.garmin.com/birdseyesatimagery . Customizing maps for your Garmin outdoor handheld has never been easier. Through a few simple steps, Garmin’s Custom Maps can bring the details, labels and landmarks of your existing paper or electronic map to a product in the GPSMAP 62 series, or a compatible Garmin Oregon, Dakota or Colorado. Compatible with both PC and Mac, this free utility complements the myriad of mapping products already offered for Garmin devices, including City Navigator, NT for turn-by-turn directions on city streets, Blue Chart g2, for marine charting, and TOPO U.S. 24K and 100K map software for incredible terrain detail (each sold separately). To walk through the steps, to find and share maps and to join discussions about Garmin Custom Maps, visit www.garmin.com/CustomMaps . Experiences will live on long after the activity has ended, thanks to Garmin Connect ( http://garminconnect.com ), the free-to-join online community of more than 20 million activities for sharing, storing, analyzing and enjoying at garminconnect.com . Outdoor and fitness enthusiasts alike can share activities on Facebook and Twitter, export to Google Earth or relive the activity in table view, calendar view or on a variety of maps including our new embedded Google Earth view.
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Now shipping: GPSMAP 62 series featured in new videos, minisite
Jake’s Journal du jour: Resilient Team Garmin surprises in sprints
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s fitting that Transitions , our fellow sponsor for Team Garmin’s pro cycling team , specializes in adaptive lenses. After all, the team has specialized in adapting to surprises and new situations throughout the first week of this year’s Tour. When it looked like the wheels were falling off and our team was getting derailed – or in the case of Stage 1, other people’s wheels were literally getting tangled in our derailleurs – the argyle armada not only copes but comes out fighting. When team leader and podium contender Christian Vande Velde was forced from the race with broken ribs, Ryder Hesjedal restored hope by conquering the cobblestones and jumping into fourth place in the overall standings. When sprinting sensation Tyler Farrar took a tumble and cracked his wrist, fellow fastmen Robbie Hunter and Julian Dean stormed into the top 5 on the next sprint finish . And when everyone else assumed Tyler needed more time to heal, he lined up behind our leadout train and showed fans and media alike just how tough our team can be with a top 10 finish in Thursday’s stage and second place today . This weekend, the Tour heads into the mountains, the perfect backdrop for dramatic storylines and heroic efforts. Be sure to follow along on Twitter – where I’ve created lists of my favorite cycling media and the Team Garmin cyclists themselves – and read the recaps from the team and check out their data at Garmin Connect .
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Jake’s Journal du jour: Resilient Team Garmin surprises in sprints
Jake’s Journal du jour: Most Courageous Ryder cruises through cobbles
Posted by: | CommentsThis will be quick. While the team’s resurgent performance on the Tour’s toughest stage today has everyone’s spirits energized, I can’t say the same for any of my batteries. Unlike the previous 24 hours, there’s plenty of good news today. Ryder Hesjedal, on his third Tour with Team Garmin, was honored with the Most Courageous award in Stage 3 for leading an early breakaway and then attacking on his own when the peloton closed the gap. After rolling through the controversial cobblestones that baffled some of the best in cycling, Ryder held out on his own until being caught in the final kilometers. Even then he had enough power and stamina to stick with the leaders and sprint for the win. In the end, he finished fourth on the stage and jumped up the general classification to fourth overall. And while it doesn’t erase the disappointment of seeing Christian head back home to rest and recover from numerous injuries, it does display the determination and drive that defines Team Garmin. For more news, pictures and insight, follow @JakesJournal on Twitter and check out the Team Garmin minisite for rider diaries, race recaps and Garmin Connect data – including Ryder’s Stage 2 stats that served as a warmup for today’s breakout.
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Jake’s Journal du jour: Most Courageous Ryder cruises through cobbles
Jake’s Journal du jour: Team Garmin turns heads early in Tour
Posted by: | CommentsWe were sooo close to celebrating an American holiday in France when Tyler Farrar sat in perfect position in the first road stage of cycling’s biggest event. Having left the kickoff site in Rotterdam and traveled into Wenatchee, Washington, native Farrar’s new adopted homeland of Belgium, the stage was set for fireworks. But the always astounding uncertainties of bike racing intervened (such as a bystander’s dog penetrating the peloton and causing Garmin’s David Millar and others to crash). But I should start at the beginning, one day earlier at the prologue in the Netherlands. Three days of unseasonably warm weather finally gave way to summer afternoon rains, just about the time that the first Team Garmin cyclists were set to take the course. But after GC contenders Christian Vande Velde and Dave Zabriskie survived wet and winding streets, Tyler took the team lead in the opening 8.9km prologue. Holding on to his podium place through much of the afternoon, he finally gave way when the time trial specialists hit the slightly dried streets. But Team Garmin kept a place on the main stage when the veteran Millar stormed to third place and the chance to wear the green jersey for the sprint points lead, 10 years to the week since his eye-opening stage win as a 23-year-old Tour rookie. And that’s how, in Sunday’s 223.5 km stage through cycling’s classic battlegrounds (while my friends and family grilled back home), we had a rare opportunity to see a Garmin road captain in the green sprinter’s jersey actually drive the lead-out train for Garmin’s best sprinter. However, the storyline proved too good to be true when another cyclist ran into Tyler, ending this tale a bit too soon. “His front wheel was hung up in my rear derailleur,” Farrar told VeloNews . “After that I was dragging his bike down the road. I’m lucky I didn’t crash.” Lucky for us, there’s still nearly a month of racing around France, and we’ll be bringing you all of the highlights, including everything I talk about on Twitter – such as my recent morning shooting Versus video with Bob Roll and the ridealong I did with Garmin’s Johan van Summeren in Saturday’s prologue. We’re just getting started.
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Jake’s Journal du jour: Team Garmin turns heads early in Tour
Team Garmin unveils roster for 2010 Tour, new minisite for fans
Posted by: | CommentsTeam Garmin-Transitions just announced its squad for the July jaunt around and across France, and this versatile veteran lineup will be a contender for stage wins, breakaways and the overall classification. Americans Christian Vande Velde (top 8 in France the past two years), Tyler Farrar (two Giro stage wins this spring) and Dave Zabriskie (2009 Tour of Missouri champ, two-time Tour of California runner-up) are the big names that U.S. cycling fans will be cheering, but supporters of the argyle armada know to keep an eye on Tour veterans David Millar (Great Britain), Julian Dean (New Zealand), Ryder Hesjedal (Canada) and Martijn Maaskant (Netherlands, where the Tour kicks off on July 3). Rounding out the roster are two newcomers to Team Garmin, though they’re well known around the cycling world. Twice a top-8 finisher in Paris-Roubaix and top sprinter at the 2006 Tour of Britain, Johan Van Summeren will roll through his home country in the second stage of the Tour. And South Africa’s Robbie Hunter will be a crucial part of Tyler’s leadout train after picking up two early stage wins for Garmin-Transitions this season at Tour of Murcia. The Tour roster isn’t the only thing we’re excited to roll out. We’ve also made some great updates to the minisite for all things argyle at Garmin.com/TeamGarmin . Here, you can learn more about the GPS-enabled Edge devices that the team counts on in training and competition. You can also get to know all of the guys on the team and even read their own candid raceday recaps . For those of you wanting a little more argyle style in your life, you can look for authentic gear and gifts at the Shop Argyle store , and you can download the Garmin Garage’s free Team Garmin vehicle/voice bundle to your nuvi. Finally, you can get inside the ride by analyzing the team’s actual Edge data . See how far, how fast and where your favorite pros have gone by checking out their rides on Garmin Connect , where you can also store and share your own fitness and outdoor recreation data. So browse around the Team Garmin minisite , visit Garmin Fitness on Facebook and follow @JakesJournal on Twitter . Once July 3 rolls around, w’ll be ready for a wild ride.
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Team Garmin unveils roster for 2010 Tour, new minisite for fans
Team Garmin: Getting ready to roll in Rotterdam
Posted by: | CommentsHard to believe, but we’re 10 days away from the biggest event on Team Garmin’s professional cycling calendar. The best in the sport will gather in Rotterdam before cruising through Belgium as a preface to a month of touring France with an eye on the podium in Paris. In anticipation of an exciting month, the team is sponsoring a contest in which lucky winners will have a shot at great prizes such as a Team Garmin Felt , argyle Edge 500 or other amazing products for accurately predicting the team’s Tour roster. Visit Team Garmin’s Facebook page for details . While you’re there, be sure to check out the recent string of impressive results . For the third year in a row, the argyle armada came out on top at the Delta Tour of Zeeland as Tyler Farrar repeated as champion in his tuneup for the Tour. And just this week, Aussie phenom Jack Bobridge won the Ruddervoorde race in Belgium! While they’re racing, Team Garmin turns to Edge 500 for real-time data and post-ride analysis. But what specifically do they focus on when using the Edge in training and competition? Garmin blogger Jake ( @JakesJournal on Twitter ) hooked up with Bicycling Magazine recently and sat down with Tom Danielson for a pro’s perspective on this popular GPS device that’s popping up on handlebars around the peloton.
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Team Garmin: Getting ready to roll in Rotterdam