Okay, the first person who can correctly say why this photo is significant, on this day, wins a free book. Here is a hint, today is Bastille Day. Have fun!
••••POSTED LATER*****BUT YOU CAN STILL WIN. READ ON******
We have a winner. Joanna gets the Yellow Jersey, and a copy of A Million Miles.
The answer: In todays running of The Tour de France, cyclists were not allowed to wear radios. Race organizers did this to make the race more exciting. There will be two stages in which radios are not allowed. Most riders don’t think it’s a big deal, but in the absence of controversy, controversy is made up. This rider is “protesting” the ban.
If you aren’t paying attention to the tour, this is, perhaps, the most fascinating race in TDF history. Team Astana boasts three potential winners in Levi Leipheimer, Alberto Contador and, of course Lance Armstrong. I’m pulling for Lance, but it’s honestly hard not to pull for Levi, who is an awesome rider who has supported many other winners. The reason this is so exciting is a team will normally have one potential winner, and a supporting cast to get him through the race safe and without maximum effort (winners typically draft their own teammates to save energy) but with Astana, there is more than one potential winner, meaning they need each other to get them to a place where they can win, and who knows what will break out once the final Yellow Jersey is in sight. The last week of the Tour de France is going to be very exciting. And that last time trial, heavens, it will be a heart-pounder in more ways than one. Viva Lance. Viva Levi. Viva Alberto.
Now, anybody who comes up with the funniest (though not necessarily true) reason this cyclist is wearing an antenna, also wins a book! Joanna, the book is in the mail!
Best,
Don
It like a fuzz buster, but it’s for avoiding detection when he uses performance enhancing drugs.
“Houston, we have a problem…”
The rider is symbolically trying to take down the self-proclaimed king of the tour de Lance, I mean, France, by heading up the storming of Astana, and the King-de-facto, Lance Armstrong, as likened unto the storming of Bastille. Cheers from this man, and his cohorts have been heard. They claim the same ideals claimed then: “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity!”
Gazoo!
http://brendancalling.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/greatgazoo1.gif
You know you knew who Gazoo was Don!
In order to prevent nasty withdrawal symptoms, this rider has been outfitted with a satellite antenna to ensure uninterrupted access to his twitter and facebook account.
Sneak peak at the new Microsoft Zune phone.
I vote for #89 and #119. I know you didn’t ask, but, those are the two that made me LOL.
One Lucky Rider has to wear the Lightening Rod… keeping all other riders safe for the day.
Because this year, unicorns were allowed to race.
His mom told him that’s what all the cool kids were wearing.
Uhm, this one is obvious. He was trained at an early age by monks in the mountains of the Great Forest. Although he forewent his final step to full jujitsu status, he remains forever connected to them in spirit.
Oh yeah, he uses the radio to call his mom.
The Empire finally received a signal from their missing probe droid.
Judging by the helmet, bright colors and a large out-of-date antenna, I would say this is a photograph of the late Jacob A. Breitinger, the true founder of jazzercise.
He is hoping for an extra jolt of power. Now all he needs to do is swear, drink a beer, and proclaim he is a democrat. Here comes the lightning bolt!
he’s actually using it to steal wireless from places he passes so that he can consistently update his twitter and/or blog throughout the race
And now, your highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden rebel base…
To prevent tooth decay.
i am pretty sure he is wearing an antennae because of the distinct pleasure he receives from the piercing whistling noise that it SURELY makes slicing through the air.
How else would the signal from the remote control in his hand reach his TV at home?
Always gotta be in control of the TV…plus he’s gotta program his TiVo to record the end of the TDF when he realizes he’s going to win the race!
The antennae doesn’t really do anything, some leader just thought it was the change the race needed.
Is it because his father was too “thrifty” or “frugal” to buy into cable and sent his son out to find better reception for his television?
On days when there are thunderstorms in the forecast during the Tour de France, the last place rider becomes the sacrificial lamb and wears a lightning rod to protect the other riders.
Another sorry attempt by Fox to make sports easier to understand for women…
Pictured rider shows up as a giant flashing pink light on TV.
The rider is housing Wall-E in his helmet. Now that the storming of the Bastille has ended, Wall-E is free to exit the helmet and scan the day’s route for Eve (ee-vuh) and reporting any findings of potential whereabouts to the rider as well as opportunities to earn the yellow jersey.
The year at the Tour de France: To make it more interesting, the leaders decided to intigrate the race with bumper cars.
AT&T: Now expanding our service world wide with our new Cell Phone Towers On The Go. 100% Eco-friendly.
His wife thinks he’s cheating on her. So, she planted a GPS device on him. He actually doesn’t know the antennae is on his helmet.
Back at the lodge, Tour de France rider Grischa Niermann had a heart to heart with Lance Armstrong. Armstrong told Niermann his brave story of survival, and after the giving of a yellow livestrong bracelet, a tearful hug, and an extremely awkward showing of Armstrong’s scar, Niermann summoned the courage to finally have his own cancerous appendage removed.
Transmitting at brain washing frequencies… “you’re getting VERY sleepy”.
When asked about his helmet’s unique ornament the cyclist, calling himself Bernard Hinault, responded, “Well, if the Doc timed this right I should 88 miles per hour at the exact right moment and end up winning the 1985 Tour de France.”
This is Ford Prefect trying to pass himself off as a safe sports fanatic wearing a bike helmet and a hockey jersey. After this photo was taken, he figured out that he can’t wear his communication antenna out in the open.
Um,…I was gonna say…
Rebel forces defeated Imperial stormtroopers in a remote start system? Long, long, ago?
His mom made him wear it.
It’s for the sequal to Contact, that’s really Jody Foster.
In case he doesn’t end up first in the race, this man’s goal is to be the first man to be struck by lightning and electrocuted while competing in the Tour de France. Either way, he makes history.
I wish I could think of something funny. I’m afraid I’ll have to order my book from Amazon like everyone else.
After the crackdown on performance enhancing drugs, cyclists are having to resort to cyborg technology to give them an edge in the race.
This is the new and improved
‘Cerebral Receiver of Amplified Prayer(CRAP)Helmet’
You can purchase one today from my website:
http://www.crap-prayer-hat.com
for only 7 easy payments of $49.95
Included is my new book: “7 steps to unlock the previously unknown secrets to making your entire life comprehensively ’shalom-ed’ in every way”
Thats what she said
I don’t get it. What’s the Tour de France?
The current world-wide economic woes have forced cycling teams to revert to older technology. Though the helmet CB seemed like a stupid idea in 1985, when you were formerly sponsored by AIG, every little bit helps!
The cyclist is broadcasting a field that makes his competitors weaken, thereby allowing him to overtake the other cyclists in the race. It also detects the nearest restroom, because you never know when you might have to go.
Don, when will you be sending out the Million Miles to those of us who were promised it for signing on to the Mentoring project. Just checking in man, I know it has been awhile, since I asked about it.
Need not participate in this contest, because he’s listening to “A Million Miles” on an audiobook
Breaker 1-9, Breaker 1-9…… This is Phantom Juicer. We got a Smokey Report. There is a “No Dope Zone” at Mile Marker 20……
I thought it had to be some new-fangled Twitter appliance– tweet de France right on the bike.
the 42″ plasma screen was giving him neck cramps
a snapshot from the lesser known (but far nerdier) bicycle race, the Twitter de France.
Alien communication device, asking him, “What’s the point of competing? Why do you need to prove you’re better than anyone else?” Enlightenment ensues…pretty soon he’ll be naked and unashamed, as it was meant to be…but rethinking the bike ride — ouch!
This is the song that popped into my head when I saw the picture:
Sister Christian
Oh the time has come
And you know that you’re the only one
To say O.K.
Where you going
What you looking for
You know those boys
Don’t want to play no more with you
It’s true
You’re motoring
What’s your price for flight
In finding mister right
You’ll be alright tonight
Babe you know
You’re growing up so fast
And mama’s worrying
That you won’t last
To say let’s play
Sister Christian
There’s so much in life Don’t you give it up
Before your time is due
It’s true
It’s true yeah
Motoring
What’s your price for flight
You’ve got him in your sight
And driving thru the night
Motoring
What’s your price for flight
In finding mister right
You’ll be alright tonight
Motoring
What’s your price for flight
In finding mister right
You’ll be alright tonight
(repeat)
Sister Christian
Oh the time has come
And you know that you’re the only one
To say O.K.
But you’re motoring
You’re motoring