Okay, I follow this sport and the riders pretty closely but I can't spend any more mental energy on trying to figure out who Tony Montana is.

Is it Zabriskie?  A reference to the mustache?

I doubt that I'm alone here.  Please - for the good of the community - list as many riders (past and present) and their various nicknames.  These can be both commonly accepted or cafe created.  Feel free to make up some new ones.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite!

[editor's note, by Mr Van P] promoted from Diary.

Well, I now have a month of riding on my SRAM Force equipped CAAD 9 and I thought I'd offer a review for any of those who might be thinking of making the switch.  I have been a diehard Campy fan for my entire cycling life so it was a tough decision for me to depart from my beloved Ergopower.  So far, I'm glad I made the switch.  The Doubletap levers are definitely a step up over both STI and Ergo and the group as a whole is a very nice first attempt for SRAM.  Rather than go piece by piece, I'll rate the whole group based on mechanics, performance, and aesthetics.

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I generally try to ignore the west coast (I've had nightmares ever since I accidentally caught an episode of 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' on Bravo) but after watching the ToC and spending a long winter on my trainer, I think I may need to schedule a vacation.

Here is my question?  I'm assuming that many of the roads featured in the ToC should not be ridden without the benefit of a closed course.  Does anyone have suggestions for rides or roads to check out?  Websites? Group rides? Other resources?  I enjoy climbing so no need to avoid hills.

I never thought I'd say this but I wish cycling were more like NASCAR.  On Sunday, Michael Waltrip's Toyota tested positive for fuel doping.  

Five days later: Waltrip is appropriately punished, people responsible are fired, and the "sport" can start its signature event with little harm done.  

No denials
No arbitration
No conspiracy theories

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=2&id=2765503