Hans and Rob here with our Tour de France predictions, and we both pick Alberto Contador--sorry for being unoriginal!--with Andy Schleck and Lance Armstrong* filling out the podium. 

*(Unless Lance massively chokes and dutifully decides to play super-domestique instead of playing Bernard Hinault that the press--and he himself somewhat--have been making him out to be doing.)

Hans has been watching a lot more cycling on TV this year than I have, which gives him the clear advantage in crystal ball polishing.  I've been making due on a meager diet of YouTube race/stages finishes, and when I'm fortunate enough, live feed (links courtesy of Steephill.tv).

We discuss the other jersey competitions (Green, Polka-dot and White), look at the race route, discuss several key stages, and create a virtual dream team of non-starters (see some of the tag names below, if you need any reminders).

Posted by Rob.

Tags:  NFTOS, Bicicleteiros, Tour de France, preview, fantasy, cycling, league, prologue, time trial, stage 1, Thomas Dekker, Chris Horner, Simon Gerrans, Andre Greipel, Tom Boonen, Alejandro Valverde, Tadej Valjavec, Alexander Vinokourov, Astana, Johan Bruyneel, Monaco, Versus, Quick Step, Patrick Sinkewicz, Kim Kirchen, Steephill.tv

Subscribe to Bicicleteiros on iTunes

A bunch of brand new songs up on Jonny Heartbreaker's band's MySpace page.  Here's the link for now:

http://www.myspace.com/conservativemusic

If you're in London (or anywhere within a day's journey) you won't want to miss these gigs:


Photo:  Greg and John Morrissey (from their facebook fan club).

Posted by Rob.

Tags:  NFTOS, London, England, rock, rock n'roll, live music, songs, new, events, Greg Morrissey, Jonny Heartbreaker, John Morrissey, John Brammer, Anthony Hoarau, 229 Club, Cross Kings, The Comedy Club

Subscribe to NFTOS Events on iTunes

Images, links and more info coming soon!  (I'm sure you've heard that before)

Posted by Rob.

Tags:  NFTOS, Criston, Altgate, Cona, Bistro D'Arbre, Sangenjaya, Shibuya, Nonbei Yokocho, Tokyo, Japan

Message from the song's creator:

The song is named after the surfing documentary from the 60s and translated into Spanish. I was watching it last summer and experimenting with latin flavors in Garageband. Subsequently, I was inspired by the lifestyle and quit my job to create an endless summer of my own with my boys. I hope it expresses the the emotion of summer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Endless_Summer


Random text by the editor:

Brazil has its samba, but what does America have to animate its team and fans alike at next year's World Cup?

It's called GRINGOTÓN!

That's right, you can file this new track by Quest (a.k.a. Hayden) under gringotón, the sound all the young people have been dancing to lately!  The title means 'summer without end' or 'endless summer'.

This summer promises to be long and hot, so make sure you have plenty of beverages on hand, and it would be nice if you were near a beach, right?

Well, wherever you are, you can enjoy America's new favorite sport--all you need is a round ball, a somewhat flat surface and some big speakers for your tunes (don't forget to add some Quest to your iPod before you leave the house).

Last night, the USA put on a good show against Brazil (didn't they?!), after having just barely advanced to the second round of the Confederations Cup on goal differential, only to surprise Spain in the semis:  http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/index.html

The summer stretches out ahead of us, and only 246 days remain until the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa!

As always, stay tuned to NFTOS for football updates and more new music...

Image:  Endless by Quest.

Posted by Rob.

Tags: NFTOS, Endless Summer, infinity, surf, surfing logo, Quest, music, song, Latin, electronic, soccer, football, Lincoln, Nebraska

Subscribe to NFTOS Music on iTunes

Join Hans and I in our (HUGE WASTE of TIME) fantasy cycling league appropriately named 'Bicicleteiros' on http://versus.com

It's free to join, but you'll need a US address and phone number (Canada will probably do) since Versus is a US-based service. Hans entered last year and says you can win stuff!

The way it works is you get to pick 15 riders, of whom you can rotate in and out of the race for different stages.  So, you are the coach, and just like hockey or NFL football you get to bench people (which is really helpful in the event of a crash or a doping positive).  You also have a budget (salary cap).

Hans is ready to coach us and give advice as he learned a lot of the tricks of how to play the game last year through trial and error.

You can start adding riders from Monday, and of course the Tour itself begins on the 4th of July.  I will be coaching team 'NFTOS' while Hans is in charge of Team Accentor (named after the alpine accentor, a bird species that lives in the high mountains).

Come race the Tour with us!

LET'S ROLL!!

Photo:  Villard de Lans 2004.

Links:  (coming soon)

Posted by Rob.

Tags:  NFTOS, Bicicleteiros, Versus, versus.com, fantasy cycling, Tour de France, alpine accentor,

Subscribe to Bicicleteiros on iTunes

Always one to rest on my laurels, watching the Trenchparrots climb the ReverbNation local charts for Lincoln, Nebraska, and their 'Pop' charts, has inspired me to see what can be done for The ALT Rap, which has been on the back burner for quite some time now.

Besides the 'Global' charts, The ALT Rap will also be eligible for 'Hip Hop' charts both 'Global' and 'Local' (Osaka, Japan).

TunePak: http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1586473

Posted by Rob.

Tags:  NFTOS, Roberto El Gringo, John Sanders, Alex Brooke, Quest, DJ Kung-fu Grip, Charles Billard, Jerry Gordon, Anarchy Larynx Tattoo, Osaka-shi, Japan

Subscribe to NFTOS Music on iTunes

This is our second show, and it's quite a departure from our first show which was spent mostly catching up, telling tales and continent hopping.

In an attempt to find some kind of focus, we've decided to use 'memes' as our official vehicle.

Posted by Rob

Tags: NFTOS

Subscribe to NFTOS Talk Shows

"If you are in Tokyo between this sunday, june 21st and wed., july 1st, please feel free to stop by my exhibition at SPIN Gallery in the Jimbocho area, or / and invite friends to do so, especially for the opening party this sunday from 6 to 9pm...

I shall be present at the gallery everyday ( 1-8pm ) to receive you, except june 25th ( closed ) and 26th ( just absent ). Please find all information necessary attached here, or on my website in construction: http://www.tieryle.net ...

Merci beaucoup !
Yoroshiku,

Tiery"

Posted by Rob

Subscribe to NFTOS Events on iTunes

You Tube video playlist:  35 videos, with at least one from each stage of the Giro d'Italia.

In this podcast:  Hans and Rob wrap up the Giro d'Italia and make predictions for the Tour de Suisee and La Vuelta (but not the Tour de France just yet).

Links, details and other stuff coming soon.

Posted by Rob.

Tags: NFTOS, Giro d'Italia, Dauphine Libere, Tour de Suisse, Tour de France, Roman Kreuziger, Taylor Phinney, Scott, Plasma

Subscribe to Bicicleteiros on iTunes

Looking forward to Tiery's show which kicks off this weekend!

Links, details and more info coming soon!

Posted by Rob.

Tags:  NFTOS, NetworkedBlogs, twitter, etsy, makikomo products, Tiery Le, art, show, Tour de Suisse, cycling, bicycle race, racing, Tokyo, Japan

Subscribe to Tokyo Panic Living on iTunes