Snow on Independence Pass, CO

Lance training with Chris Horner, Levi Leipheimer, and friend Alfredo from Mexico.

by ddorsett on June 14, 2009 at 5:20 PM

I'd say Levi was ready to get outta there! Yeaaaaa! Chris the Redneck made it...nice roadtrip? The weather is freaky crazy, but here in Texas it is Hot and windy as always! Wow what a training ride!

by seriousboring on June 14, 2009 at 5:27 PM

pretty cool. pun intended from 90 degree VA. : )

by Plochman on June 14, 2009 at 5:31 PM

Good to see Chris back, you guys are going to be strong come the tour, keep up the hard work and dedication to the task at hand. 20 days.....

@plochman

by SteveMasiello on June 14, 2009 at 5:32 PM

Another great vid! Thanks guys. Keep those bikes shiny side up on the slick roads.

by slc_spindoc on June 14, 2009 at 5:38 PM

Way to work on the mental toughness! Simon looks like he hasn't acclimatized to CO weather yet. Being from down under, he might never.

by celiagmercer on June 14, 2009 at 5:49 PM

Only 102 degrees in Bastrop. Not sure which is worse. Great Video, thanks.

by campgoldeng on June 14, 2009 at 5:58 PM

Ha ha- "who are you?" that was awesome how Lance pulled that guy into the video.

by lhasadad on June 14, 2009 at 6:04 PM

You guys are hardcore.... sheesh

by cutette on June 14, 2009 at 6:11 PM

What a lucky guy that alfredo is. And what unlucky guys you are to have to put up with hail! In June!

by skipugh on June 14, 2009 at 6:26 PM

way tooooooooooo cold for me. time for a hot chocolate in front of a nice fire. So glad I am not a professional bike rider!

by atremblay40 on June 14, 2009 at 6:31 PM

Wow, that reminds me of back home New Hampshire, riding mountain bikes with studded Nokian tires on snowmobile trails in a blizzard. What a nice man Alfredo seemed to be, so happy to meet Lance and the group.

by G_Dinero on June 14, 2009 at 6:49 PM

DUDE! That looked COLD!!! Yikes. Just got through doing a Stage Race in Ocala, FL this weekend where it was 95+ degrees and 90%+ humidity each day and felt like 105 degrees. You guys could've used some of that heat up there. Good to see the Redneck back on the bike also.

by ipaqgps on June 14, 2009 at 6:49 PM

Hope someone told Alfredo how to find this on the net so he show his friends at home. This will be one of the highlights of his trip.

by OmniJeff on June 14, 2009 at 6:55 PM

Oh man, Levi was SO OUT. Great video today. Careful with Gerrans, though, fellas. You keep pulling stunts like rolling film when he's taking a "f-n piss" as if you dropped him like a bag of dirt, don't be surprised if at least one of you finds yourself in a world of pain at the Tour because of him. That creep can roll.

by vemmaverveguy on June 14, 2009 at 7:27 PM

wow- i am riding over that pass in 11 days with the Bicycle Tour of Colorado ride.. I hope it is a little warmer then!!

by anthonyzp on June 14, 2009 at 8:22 PM

good luck with le tour, lance - anthony from down under (sydney, au)

by frenchy1935 on June 14, 2009 at 9:13 PM

BONJOUR.LOVE ZE PASS AFTER 3 DAY OF BLUE SKY FOR THE SKI.TO DAY RACE THE ROAN CLIFF PLATEAU HILL CLIMB 2700 VERT FT IN 7 MILES . 7 TIMES,FASTER THEN 08-07 IN NICE SMOOTH DIRT ROAD GOOOD WEATER
NICE TO MEET MAX FRIDAY AND AND GIVE HIM MY FRIENDLY BISOU.
PLEASE CHECK:de beque-grand mesa-AUSTIN(colo)mc lure pass .5000 ft-1000ft in 20 miles(1st climb) WEE...........LIVESRONG
BONNE CHANCE EN FRANCE.........................jacques

by pviola on June 14, 2009 at 9:17 PM

So Psyched you are training here in Aspen! Lance is getting everyone out on their bikes. Hope to see you on the Government Trail next week!

by Sebc_TheCyclist on June 14, 2009 at 9:27 PM

It was a great surprise to see you as you and the group passed by, along with tagging along for a short distance a few feet back. Glad ya'll made it back safe too. May the work and training you have put in, pay off in the upcoming Tour's and one day race's you enter.

by leatherartist on June 14, 2009 at 10:43 PM

Done the rain thing but never hail!!! More power to ya'll

by barryedwards on June 14, 2009 at 11:40 PM

The harder you guys train, the fitter I get to watch you. Dedication or what? I'm impressed!

by Jonas2010 on June 14, 2009 at 11:41 PM

Hahahahaha this is hilarious!

by denisjouglard on June 15, 2009 at 12:28 AM

I had the same weather 10 days ago on the col de la croix de fer,going down was freaky and freezing. Keep on training!!

by Victoriamm on June 15, 2009 at 12:54 AM

Great motivation! If that doesn't get some of these soft Sydney cyclists out training on a Winters morning I don't know what will. Love to hang on the back sometime - in the snow!

by steveh3 on June 15, 2009 at 4:35 AM

12000 feet, that's 3657 meters !!, that's what I call training ... keep it up and I'm sure you will have a nice story to tell little Max, ... you know son dad won the TdF for the 8th time in 2009, the year you were born. Would make another great chapter in the Bio. Make it happen man ... you need to train hard now to over take the other guys who blasted past you in the Giro. Take care -- train hard -- live strong !!

by cgreen24 on June 15, 2009 at 4:36 AM

we got snowed on up there yesterday during our hike too! gotta love colorado. on bahalf of the state, sorry for the weather. they say we might see some sun by july...oh and sorry for gawking at you during your tt in carbondale. it was just such a treat to see you after a long day at work! it made my day! hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in the valley! oh and congrats on the beautiful baby boy! what a peach!

by jeffbeard on June 15, 2009 at 7:08 AM

Too much fun! And I thought the weather in East TN was crazy...that's nuts. Keep training hard, but having fun...the TdF will be easy after all of this!

by bikedoctor on June 15, 2009 at 7:46 AM

We want more of the Mexican Dude in future videos! Awesome! Go Team Alfredo!

by ste960 on June 15, 2009 at 7:49 AM

GI'S !!!!!!!

by amberlina333 on June 15, 2009 at 8:05 AM

that was pretty sweet to catch a few shots of everyone...the astana jersey gave it away...and the mellow johnny shorts...and the fact that 5 guys were flying up the west side of the pass.
when we saw the cervelo kit we were excited...and then confused...and then when everyone passed us at twin lakes we realized it was Simon...and that was sweet!
The coolest part though was following lance (solo at this point) for about 2 miles until he caught back up to the group.

by Rosie2mey on June 15, 2009 at 10:09 AM

Hardcore!

by sarasotasun on June 15, 2009 at 12:54 PM

Great spontaneity with fab Alfredo ... surely made his day meeting the greatest athlete ever. Way to go, Lance. You're awesome.

by Cora007xyz on June 15, 2009 at 2:45 PM

Thanks yor sharing. Oh my poor snowhare, Iceshoehare Lance:) Best wishes from cologne. That must be the real passion, dedication for cycling you have to train on free will even in that shit weather. We have here 15 to 20 degrees at days and mixed weather, sun, rain, wind, clouds. I have had yesterday a nice day visiting the horseracing and betting a bit just very little money only for fun. Love from Cologne your still greatest Fan Cora :)

by Cora007xyz on June 15, 2009 at 2:55 PM

I am so fed up with all the Doping Discussions and verbal injuries on Eurosportforums that I just won´t use them anymore and let them think that I don´t like your sports anymore because of Valverde and so on. It is like war. Flexible Response. It is always good when you are able to react in a nonforeseable way and surprise the enemy:)I loved it when you bluffed the opponents sometimes during the mountainstages playing the exhausted bunny...and Ullrich attacked and wasted his power to early and than you went and won in the end and I laughed so loud. Hope you bring us also so much fun and joy and suspense this year in the Tour. When Hinault has said you can´t win again it should make you so angry that you win only to show him. But at first staqy healthy now in the snow and dont catch a cold my nice, white snowbunny.
´

by Cora007xyz on June 15, 2009 at 3:07 PM

I found it a bit a pity, sad in one way that Contador in the Dauphine always helped only Valverde so that the poor, brave, really strong and good and seemingly honest, steady attacking Cadel Evans got no chance to win. Cadel would have deserved it to win in one way, but also Valverde was very strong.(hope that he was also honest and will not be taken away the victory afterwards) It was full of suspense, but the best races are those with you. I will watch them all. Did you also watch that stage in which two riders spoke with each other at the end of mountainstage? That looked strange as if planned who should win and looked not correct? Than after talk one lets the other win the stage in the end and the other one got the yellow. mmh?

by Cora007xyz on June 16, 2009 at 12:04 PM

Was it a teamorder of Bruyneel that Contador had to support Valverde in the Dauphine? and fight against Cadel? I hope that you Lance will race and win in the Tour and hope that you are strong enought to rule and lead your team, to win, attack yourself whenever you want without other teamorders.

by Cora007xyz on June 15, 2009 at 3:11 PM

Such a thing also happend yesterday in the horseracing and was annoying to me cause I had bet on that horse that was a favourite and than seemingly, obviously rode slower in the end because the jockey seemed to hold it back and than other 3 horses became the first 3. I dont like those kind of betraying if it was a betraying, but ok I only bet 2 Euros on that horse and have won in other races.

by Cora007xyz on June 15, 2009 at 3:22 PM

That was really cool how you took that man Alfredo into your Video. I wished I also was there only to see you although I hate the coldness. I have 2 times seen you life, in Bochum and in Karlsruhe but always to far away from you and in Bochum you had quitted the race to early and I didnt know it and was waiting in the rain wet like a cat at the finish, cause I had come down from the hill by feet where I was with your Texasflag at first, but it was nevertheless a great day there and many nice cycling-Fans have been in Bochum like a family, nicer than in Karlsruhe, where the Fans had been a bit more snobby, arrogant. I wished I could also come to the Tour but that will cost so much and I dont know one in France.

by Cora007xyz on June 15, 2009 at 3:33 PM

But is that normal that there is snow now in June or do you think this is also a sign, a proof for the climatechange? Here in cologne and around cologne we have unnormal winds and slight, small tornados, windtrousers which we really never have had before in this area and that is making me afraid. you must also do something against climatechange when you are President of the US in 10 years:)and something against wearing furs of animals. The furs belong only to the animals and they should not be killed to take their furs except special rights may have only the origin Eskimos who must have special rights cause of their tradition.

by cabledonut on June 15, 2009 at 3:59 PM

Cora007xyz, wanna lend to me some of that spare time you got??!

by vanmanjumps on June 15, 2009 at 8:05 PM

Way cool....loving the videos. Great comedy too! You guys would be great on some Saturday Night Live skits - could have some real fun with UCI, WADA, France, Le Tour, etc...lol. Best of luck training and safe travels to the Tour!

by thatguygio on June 15, 2009 at 9:23 PM

Levi is hilarious!

by fzacarias on June 16, 2009 at 9:39 AM

Lance, increible que hayas sido tan espontaneo con Alfredo!

We miss you in Mexico!!

by David_Rosa on June 17, 2009 at 2:05 AM

These videos are so hilarious, keep them coming. And keep up with the good work. By the way, Simon Gerrans could use a Polar jacket

by David_Rosa on June 17, 2009 at 2:06 AM

These videos are so hilarious, keep them coming!

by CWoj on June 17, 2009 at 2:48 PM

So, about "The Giving Tree", when you are a cancer patient you have to be a "taker". It takes alot of time and other stuff to get back to being a "giver". I watched you win the 2002 TDF from my hospital bed after my first cancer surgery. I still have my Tour of Hope Jersey from Washington (where I caught a glimpse of you), and wish that it was still happening because I've gotten better! I just finished my first 100-mile ride (for NCMEC-National Center for Missing and Exploited Children),and when it gets difficult, I think of where you've been and where you are now. Thanks for the lead.

by radfahre on June 17, 2009 at 9:17 PM

does that guy even realize who he was standing next to in the video..?!
why can't i just come across that kind of an amazing group of men?!

these videos make my day....i think you should just do them forever. cycling or not.

by faceplantrun on June 19, 2009 at 10:51 AM

Lance i was at the cancer center (in texas) with my dad. As i sat in the waiting room for him to get his chemo done i noticed your magazine. Your face was everywhere. I was so excited because you are one of my heroe's. I read about how your going to tour de france again. I hope you kick some butt. I know you can do it. I have alot of faith in you. with love, Ariel L. (God Bless!)

psst: when im running and want to give up, i think about how you just keep coming back. and that is what gives me the strength to keep going. thanks, keep it up your a strong person :)

by faceplantrun on June 19, 2009 at 10:55 AM

alfredo pasta!! :D

by fanjosi on June 22, 2009 at 11:21 AM

Hey, greetings to Alfredo!!!^^
Very good Vid.Awesome.

Sure that a Texas-Guy don´t know snow in June.hahahhha

PS: I have never seen snow in June,too. :)

by Sirtony on June 24, 2009 at 3:41 AM

Hello Mr. Lance Armstrong...I just found the site and joined...I watched a bunch of your videos...and was happy to see you leave some of your soul as just who you are...for the world to see...I just want you to know...I always find a way to inspire people about their lives withe your life...in all of mankind's great stories of heroic achievement your's is one I never stop sharing...

We may never meet...but at least I can leave a few kind words to thank you...keep up the great achievements...your legacy is one that shines from now until the end of time...All the Best
Sirtony
Award Winning Filmmaker
just BING Sirtony it's better then Google...enjoy...

by quinnLutra on June 30, 2009 at 3:54 PM

Hey Lance if you remember I was the kid in the red car about 15 miles down from independence pass and 15 miles out from Buena Vista. You were headed up the pass and this was when you were at the top I guess. I yelled at you and i think you waved. I couldn't believe it so we passed like 3 times, I know it is probably annoying having people shout on the streets to you but just know that I and nearly every biker I know think that what you are doing is noble and great! After the giro d'italia performance(which was awesome!) I have no doubt that you will get a podium position even while working for Contador. Lance your the man and please keep my friend Jason with Brain Cancer in your prayers.