Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Jan Ullrich & Me

Starbucks, PCH, Newport Beach
Halfway through my ride yesterday, I stopped by a Starbucks on PCH in Newport Beach for a little caffeine boost.  While in line, a woman (who, guessing by her accent, was German) struck up a conversation with me centered on the typical questions:



- Do I live around here?
- Is there good cycling around here?
- How far was I going?

She then told me I looked a bit like Jan Ullrich.  This comment caught me both completely by surprise and confirmed my suspicion that she was, in fact, German.

Under normal circumstances, I would have no idea how to respond to this.  And standing in a crowded Starbucks added additional tactical problems to the equation.  Consider the two other cyclists in the corner, for example.  Had they heard what the fraulein had just said, they would have started snickering.  I know this to be true because had the roles been reversed, I would have snickered without delay and with extreme prejudice.

With this much pressure, the best I could muster was "Oh, really?".  Clearly I was not on my game.  Thankfully a short espresso saved me by arriving at the counter a few seconds later.

I'll admit I didn't know too much about Jan Ullrich other than he was the bridesmaid for a bunch of Lance Armstrong's Tour de France wins.  I also knew that he has a full head of hair.  As you may know, I don't.  And when my internal facial recognition software kicks in, it's not trying to match bald people with people sporting a full head of hair no matter how similar the nose or eyes might be.  I've certainly never said "Wow man, you look just like a bald Fabio!" or "Oh my gosh dude, you are Kojak with a Caesar!".  As a result, I was confused as to how she was making the connection.  But then again, I did have a helmet on.


Obviously, her comment piqued my curiosity.  So when I got home I Googled "Jan Ullrich Images".  The picture above was one of the first to came up.

It's a stretch to see any resemblance.  True, we both have our mouths open.  We both have white rimmed sunglasses.  And we both look like we have our mind in the game.  But I don't think that's enough for someone to make the random "look alike" call in a coffee shop.  Because while riding a bike, it's not a stretch by any means to assume that many people ride their bikes in white rimmed sunglasses while concentrating with their mouths open.

All that said, my research did reveal one physical trait we do have in common - we've both been known to be a little chubby coming into the season.

Do you think?

18 comments:

chris mcpeake said...

Getting hit on at starbucks ... thats always nice

Jennifer said...

It must have been the spandex...

BabyWeightMyFatAss said...

Were you wearing hot pink?

Tri-James said...

To the vast majority, you both ride bikes. He is your twin.

Unknown said...

doppelgänger

misszippy said...

I've always thought Jan was adorable, so if you bear any resemblance, you're doing all right in my book! ; )

And by the way, he was an awesome cyclist. The duels between him and Lance were classic and also classy.

Christi said...

He is your long lost twin!

Tri4Success said...

You're clearly the same person. Did you really think shaving your head as a disguise would fool anyone?

KovasP said...

As long as you don't start doing coke...

I prefer to think of you as Eddy "The Cannibal" Merckx.

Johann said...

Certainly no shame in being compared to him. She must have had some reason to compliment you…

Jill said...

If you wear a hot pink racing top, you could be twins!!

Allison said...

Maybe the diaper butt cycling shorts or the hot pink gloves struck the resemblence.... who knows... she wanted you and your latte

Caratunk Girl said...

I think she was hitting on you. ha

She probably saw you riding and meant that you ride like him. That would be even more cool.

Wait. You wore your helmet into Starbucks?

Emz said...

I know I was for sure going way too fast for you to capture a photo of my car. How'd you do it?

The Green Girl said...

I agree with Caratunk Girl, I think it was a come on.

Barbie said...

Someone fancied you Patrick ;)I would have walked out of Starbucks smiling.

TRI714 said...

Jan, are you riding tomorrow the 26th ?

Glenn Jones said...

Maybe she was looking for a boy toy?It happens in that part of this city....

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