The Alex Anderson Story : Feb 19th, 2007 – Amgen Tour of California (Stage 4 of 8)
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bobh |
Posted on 16-04-2008 23:20
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Under 23
Posts: 59
Joined: 31-07-2007
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Reviews:
“Simply Genius – this story will captivate you from day one. You won’t want to put it down,” raves Jerry Henderson from the Californian Book Society.
“Captivating” says Florence Dicer from the Journal of American Cycling.
“I can’t wait to finish it.” Reports Bob Hazen from PCM.daily. “It never ends! No I’m serious, I pick it up everyday and it just never ends. It’s kind of like a bad horror movie, someone please help me….<whimper, whimper> ”
Coming Soon – The Alex Anderson Story
Edited by bobh on 20-06-2008 19:12
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Addy291 |
Posted on 16-04-2008 23:22
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Grand Tour Champion
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A review of a story not yet started That's interesting
Good luck
YORKSHIRE BORN, YORKSHIRE BRED...
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bobh |
Posted on 17-04-2008 15:52
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Under 23
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Preface
First and foremost I have not ‘thought’ up this type of story. I basically copied the premise of the Allen Smiley story found here on the boards. That concept intrigued me so much I started writing the outline for this story sometime late last year. (Yes, for anyone who wants to comment please remember that much you are reading was written almost three to four weeks earlier from my post date, sometimes months prior.). I’m creating this lag period to let me have some time to react to something that wasn’t foreseen (like vacation/holiday time with my family). Hopefully this will create a smooth flowing story that you can read a little everyday.
Second, I’m a cycling nut found in the United States yeah it’s an oxymoron. Still I’ve never done a story here basically because of my lack of knowledge regarding the sport. If you find anything unbelievable please be kind with your comments. And yes I do welcome comments.
Third – Yes I’m American but that doesn’t mean my English translates very well down onto paper. And yes without spell check my typing would be unreadable. So please I would rather not see comments regarding grammar or spelling. But once again I would like to see comments, and thoughts regarding my story. (I think it will give me an extra incentive to continue writing.)
Finally for all the questions: I’m using version 1.0.3.1, on normal level and the SpainPCM2007v1.0 data base. Please don’t write in telling me that a rider’s stat is over inflated or wrong. I’m not changing ANYTHING in regards to player’s stats. THEY ARE WHAT THEY ARE. Also, my tactics may or may not be conventional, some things are just tips and/or tricks I’ve picked up here at this site. I’m not going to debate if it life-like or not. I’m just using what the game gives me. It’s not my fault if the AI is kinda screwy, hopefully this doesn’t detract from the overall story.
Please enjoy.
bob |
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Crommy |
Posted on 17-04-2008 16:42
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
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This looks promising - in fact, you're doing pretty much everything I did with the Smile story, so good luck, and have fun
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Karl_rab |
Posted on 17-04-2008 16:45
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Sprinter
Posts: 1888
Joined: 09-06-2007
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Wow i remember the Allen Smiley story, wow that was awesome, it was the reason that made me join up to the site, arnt you glad you made it now crommy
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wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 17-04-2008 17:10
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
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interesting
looking good |
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alex153 |
Posted on 17-04-2008 19:53
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1396
Joined: 31-10-2006
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Very promising startB)
Will definetly read this |
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bobh |
Posted on 18-04-2008 18:03
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Under 23
Posts: 59
Joined: 31-07-2007
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Nov 1, 2006
[img-l]https://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk310/bobhazen/pic1.jpg[/img-l]
Hi, I am Alex Anderson – age 34 a former professional cyclist. Not being blessed with any actual ability and living in the United States, my career went nowhere. This log or ‘story’ tells about my life after cycling. Boring right? Well that what I thought also……
As I moved through my 20’s I realized I had a knack, a gift if you will, in enabling younger riders to reach goals they never thought they could reach. Somehow I was able to put together a riding career of over a decade and a half – looking back I’m really not sure how I did it, but through the grace of God and my family I was able to support them and do the one thing I loved – riding. With my hips giving out on me, and the ever increasing pressure to use ‘enhancers’ I can recall the day I decided I didn’t want to ride anymore. It was a cold morning during a solo training ride in the local mountains here in Southern California where I live, and I just sat up and stopped as the summit. With the sun rising and the mist hanging on the mountainside I could see the valley below stretched out before me with all the warm oranges …… My breath visible in the cool air, and the sweat steaming off my training bib.
Me and my Daughter
“This is it”’ I said to myself – I glided home and told my wife. As you can guess, my wife and I knew that this day would come but we really didn’t plan for it.
The very next day I went and told my Toyota teammates of my decision, it was quite humiliating they put together an impromptu media day and only one paper came to report on it, but word of mouth of my retiring seemed to spread through the industry. Within a few hours I had been called by several teams asking for my assistance and use of my natural ‘nurturing’ talents. [img-r]https://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk310/bobhazen/Sunrise-1.jpg[/img-r]
My friends at Toyota were the first to approach me just after the media conference – they were looking for a scout to review the Western United States – interesting but I declined on the spot. Mostly I thought the offer was them just being nice, but little did I know more offers were being left on my cell phone voice mail that I’d left at home that day…….
BMC, Healthnet, DFL and Barloworld all wanted to see me. My wife couldn’t contain her excitement and continued to push me into talking with them. Barloworld wanted a trainer for their team but if I was going to do something, I wanted full control of a team so I politely declined their offer even though it was quite a bit of cash. DFL was the first to offer me a managing job for their team. As talks continued I was contacted by the Healthnet board, they were also looking for a manager, but I had too many friends on that team which would have caused a problem trying to coach them. After about three weeks of hammering out a deal with DFL I took the offer home to my wife for discussion. The team was a good fit, maybe a little larger than I’d want for my first ‘job’ and I’d have to pack up the family from Southern California but then the pay was good and the mix of guys seem like there were on the right track. But as I picked up the phone to call them I heard the TV in the other room - Versus was on covering the cycling scene and the announcer was indicating that DFL has signed a new manager – Scott Townsend! Now for you guys that don’t know, Scott and I go way back (preschool in fact) He was always one step in front of me. Walking, potty training, grades, first girlfriend, first cycling win, better team, etc. Everything to him was a competition, and it seemed to me that he lavished in beating me…….
My wife came up behind me and just gave me a hug. “Why don’t you give them a call?” she whispered in my ear. “Maybe they got the information wrong.”
“I seriously doubt that the source is incorrect.” I said staring at the receiver in my hand. The drum of the TV in the background buzzing in my ear, the room slowly began to spin. “Oh great, thirty years of cycling and I’ve never passed out.” I thought “and now I’m going to pass out standing in my living room?”
But there he was – Scott as big as life, grinning from ear-to-ear giving a sit down interview! I couldn’t believe it! It’s just a Continental Team! He’s acting like he was just given the reigns of the Astana Team…….. That’s when it hit me – Taking a job like this IS that important. This wasn’t a ‘stepping stone’ in my career like Scott was actually saying. I needed a team who’d put their soul behind me. Instantly my thoughts went to BMC. With only 14 riders on their squad I could mold this team into something special. They already had a good core of support personnel that I could work with. The only problem was I didn’t give them the time of day when they first called me and left a message. Picking up the phone which had slid out of my hand and onto the floor I looked at my wife “Where did we put that number for Taylor the scout at BMC?” My wife broke out in a huge smile………… |
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rjc_43 |
Posted on 18-04-2008 18:12
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Team Leader
Posts: 6716
Joined: 13-10-2007
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I'm liking this it's actually a story, not just a "tell everyone about your PCM team and races". Be good to see more of it.
[url=cleavercycling.co.uk] [/url]
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Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-12-2024 16:16
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Bot Agent
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Crommy |
Posted on 18-04-2008 18:23
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World Champion
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Joined: 29-11-2006
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Now this looks very promising - can't wait for more (well, actually I can, but you get the idea)
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Silence |
Posted on 18-04-2008 18:41
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Stagiare
Posts: 203
Joined: 18-08-2007
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Really, seriously great
Very alternative and personally I fancy mixing some "privacy" into the story, thoughts, feelings, etc. - So that's just even better
Goodie, goodie, goodie - We'll look forward to the next part('s)
Edited by Silence on 18-04-2008 18:42
Le'Sheep: If life's a bitch use a knife to get over it.
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Waghlon |
Posted on 18-04-2008 18:44
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7694
Joined: 18-08-2007
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This is pretty good.
THE THOMAS VOECKLER PROPHET OF PCM DAILY
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wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 18-04-2008 19:05
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
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this is v. interesting
whats pro cycling like? |
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dave92 |
Posted on 18-04-2008 20:04
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2946
Joined: 21-04-2007
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great start
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matt493 |
Posted on 18-04-2008 20:35
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3549
Joined: 01-10-2007
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Very good.
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matt493 |
Posted on 18-04-2008 21:37
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3549
Joined: 01-10-2007
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It's funny that you started this since about a week ago I started a story like this too. But since you have started this story already then I don't want to compete with you at the same time.
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p3druh |
Posted on 18-04-2008 22:24
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2667
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Great start... You really got people pumped up for this...
Oh, and btw:
matt493 wrote:
It's funny that you started this since about a week ago I started a story like this too. But since you have started this story already then I don't want to compete with you at the same time.
You start a story every week so I don't really think you can call this a coincidence
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matt493 |
Posted on 18-04-2008 22:29
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3549
Joined: 01-10-2007
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p3druh wrote:
Great start... You really got people pumped up for this...
Oh, and btw:
matt493 wrote:
It's funny that you started this since about a week ago I started a story like this too. But since you have started this story already then I don't want to compete with you at the same time.
You start a story every week so I don't really think you can call this a coincidence
That's not true. In the last month I've only started two stories and they are still going. an it is a coincidence since that there are very few of these type of stories.
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bobh |
Posted on 18-04-2008 22:36
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Under 23
Posts: 59
Joined: 31-07-2007
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Thanks to all on your comments so far, but this is just scratching the surface of the story.
Just so everyone knows - I don't plan to update this over weekends (I'm using that time to play) The next update will be Monday.
I am currently writing in the April time frame - the writing takes much longer than playing, so when I do catch up you may see some 'breaks' in the action. Sorry I'll try to avoid these lag periods.
My outline extends for three seasons (game time) hopefully the game won't be so outdated by the time I finish. Also I'm in the process of purchasing a new laptop (Better graphics and speed) I may need help with copying save games so I can transfer between systems - if I'm not mistaken I think there is a guide on this I'll have to look it up. (Plus I'd like to have a backup for my work.)
Thanks again for your interest - hopefully I will bring justice to Crommy's original formatt (I'm just taking it a little bit further.)
Matt - I'm not trying to compete - please continue your story. What I've learned is from reading other people's I enjoy doing this.
Have a good weekend everyone - I'll see you all on Monday.
Keep Racin'
bob
Edited by bobh on 18-04-2008 22:39
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matt493 |
Posted on 19-04-2008 23:32
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3549
Joined: 01-10-2007
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There is an easy way to copy your savegame. I don't know if this is the only way but it works real well for me.
1. Go to www.mediafire.com and upload your savegame.
2. Copy the link and either email it to yourself or find some other way to do it.
3. Use the link and download it.
4. Move the savegame file to
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\Pro Cycling Manager 2007\Database\Solo\OfficialRelease
5. Enjoy
Make sure you have the same database installed so that nothing can go wrong.
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