Recently in Cycling Category

The next seven weeks, for me, are the most exciting of the year, and this particular convergence only happens every four years.

The World Cup started today, and lasts for a month, and the Tour de France begins July 3rd, and goes until July 25th.

What could possibly be better than that?!

Wow.

Yesterday, various cycling publications mentioned that today, Floyd Landis was going to go public with some big news. Those of us who follow the sport, sadly, knew what the news was going to be.

If you were a listener of my Podcast, you know that I defended Landis from the beginning. After doing a lot of research, and after having read this report (see page 11), written by an unbiased source, I concluded that I didn't know whether or not Landis had doped, because his testing was not conducted in a proper enough manner to determine it, either way. Because of this, and his devout Mennonite beliefs, I took him at his word, and gave him the benefit of the doubt. What can I say? I tend to believe in the inherent good in people, and would rather believe that people are telling the truth. Sadly, at the end of the day, he betrayed everyone, including his family.

In addition to admitting that he himself had doped, he also makes assorted accusations against former team mates Lance Armstrong, Levy Leipheimer, George Hincapie, Dave Zabriskie, and his former team manager, Johan Bruyneel.

At this point I don't know what to believe. He's obviously lost all credibility since he lied about his drug usage under oath. I have no idea what his motivations could possibly be, and I suspect we might never know the full truth about drugs in athletics.

When I think about a high profile athlete like Lance Armstrong, and how often he and his team mates are tested, one would think that if they were using PED's, that they would have to get caught, eventually. Even the best doping program seems like it would be eventually detected, if so many athletes are involved. Up until this month, I don't believe that any rider on any team that Lance had been a part of, had ever tested positive for any banned substances. Given that Landis just admitted that he was using while on the US Postal Service Cycling Team, that brings into question the accuracy of the testing methods, entirely.

I may not know exactly what to believe, but I do believe that not all athletes are doping. That gives me hope, but it is a murky hope.

Sometimes it sucks to be a fan.

I just got done listening to Lance Armstrong on Tony Kornhsiser's program, discussing the big brouhaha, from the other day.

Tony apologized, and Lance took him at his word. I just don't know, though. Wife beaters say they're sorry, the next day, too.

Maybe Tony was being genuine, and really did mean it from the heart, but in some ways, the damage is done, the seed has been planted.

Either way, hopefully it's over.

Social Media is a funny thing. Until Lance Armstrong tweeted about this today, I really hadn't even heard of Tony Kornheiser. I might have heard his name once or twice, and forgotten about him, but because I pay little attention to sports talk shows, and he is not in my media market, he was simply not on my radar screen, until today.

Last week, Mr. Kornheiser was on the air, criticizing the idea of adding bicycle lanes in Washington DC, when he said this:

"The last time I looked, the roads were made for automobiles...We're going to be dominated as if this was Beijing by hundreds of thousands of bicyclists...They all wear... my god... with the little water bottle in the back and the stupid hats and their shiny shorts. They are the same disgusting poseurs that in the middle of a snowstorm come out with cross-country skiing on your block. Run 'em down... let them use the right, I'm okay with that. I don't take my car and ride on the sidewalk because I understand that's not for my car... why do these people think that these roads were built for bicycles?  They dare you to run them down."

I listened to the entire segment, and the comment started out talking about the bicycle lane idea, and then quickly deteriorated into an anti-bicyclist rant. I would never suggest that Mr. Kornheiser doesn't have the right to free speech, but I would expect an on-the-air radio host to be a little more responsible.

It's particularly alarming now, when we've recently had few high-profile court cases involving enraged drivers, running over cyclists.

I then Googled Mr. Kornheisier and found dozens of articles about inappropriate things he had said in the past, some of which led to suspensions. So, apparently, Mr. Kornheisier is incapable of being a responsible on-air citizen.

Where I come from, people who show patterns of bad behavior in the workplace get fired. Why these celebrity-types are given chance-after-chance to screw up again, is beyond me.

Come on ESPN management, do the right thing.

I actually meant to mention this connection in my last post about this, but somehow, forgot.

As some of you know, I have been writing a lot about FatCyclist, Elden Nelson, and how all sorts of amazing things are happening to him, just because he is a generous, selfless fellow.

If any of you have read his story, it involves putting up a blog called fatcyclist.com, to be used as a motivating force, to help him lose weight through cycling. On the blog he intended to tell his story through stories and photos. Then one day, his wife was diagnosed with cancer, and they both decided that he would use his blog to tell that story, also, no matter how trying.

Well, that story did have a tragic ending. On August 5th, 2009, Elden's wife Susan, lost her battle with cancer.

From the moment Susan was diagnosed with cancer, Elden made it his mission to help raise funds to kick cancer's ass. In the process, his fund-raising team, Team Fatty, has raised more money for Livestrong, than any other team on the planet. Bravo.

This recent fund-raising effort between Elden, Johan Bruyneel, Livestrong, World Bicycle Relief, Trek Travel, and Gary Fisher Bikes is just another example of how being selfless seems to be rewarded in droves. Elden has never sought fame, fortune, or material gain through his efforts to fight cancer, yet because of his selflessness, so many cool and amazing things have happened to him.

Call it what you will: positive mental attitude, good Karma, the Law Of Attraction, whatever... it seems to work, and it should not be underestimated.

Another installment of the Elden Nelson Goes To Team Radio Shack's Winter Training Camp, reality show, is out now.

In this video installment, Johan explains to the team how Fatty came to be there, and two very large checks are presented to the two charities.

On his blog, Fatty tells a bit more about the actual ride with the team.

--
12/18/2009

Johan's video of Elden actually riding with the team has finally been posted.


12/21/2009

 The final segment of Johan's video footage has been posted.  We look forward to the footage that Elden shot with his helmet cam!

If you followed any of the Fat Cyclist saga that I posted about last week, then you already probably know that he met all of the goals that Johan Bruyneel put before him, and had the opportunity to go ride with the pros at Team Radio Shack's winter training camp,in Arizona.

If you don't follow Fatty's blog regularly, here is his first installment after returning from camp, and here is his second installment (even though the video says part 1),

I look forward to seeing more cool photos, and every bit of video that that was shot!

If you read my previous post about this, and read the links, then you know what's going on. If you have not, then I am going to tell you.

Last Thursday, cyclist/blogger/cancer-fighting-fundraiser, Elden Nelson (Fatty from fatcyclist.com) wrote a tongue-in-cheek open cover-letter to Johan Bruyneel, stating his qualifications to be a member of the new Team Radio Shack cycling team. The post was typical Fatty, and very funny. Well, in no time at all, Johan heard about Fatty's letter, and replied (you might have to check the Archives). Johan's reply was very generous. If Fatty was able to raise $20K for two charities ($10K for World Bicycle Relief, and $10K for Livestrong) he would be able to attend Team Radio Shack's December training camp, and if he were able to raise $50K (25+25) he would be given a SRAM Red Equipped Trek Madone bike.

In his typically generous fashion, Fatty offered the Trek as a prize, to be randomly drawn from the people donating to these two fine causes. And, if that weren't enough, Fatty was able to get Gary Fisher bikes to donate one of their top-shelf, Superfly mountain bikes to be given away, also.

Once Johan saw how quickly Team Fatty had reached the $20K mark, and how quickly they were approaching the $50K mark, Johan contacted the fine people over at Trek Travel, and got them to donate a trip to the Tour de France, if Team Fatty is able to achieve the $100K mark (50+50). As of this writing, Team Fatty is well on their way to shattering that goal, as well. Poor Johan just had no idea with whom he was dealing. When it comes to raising money to stamp out cancer, Fatty and his dedicated team are not to be trifled with.

As I sit here, on my sofa, with my Dell Mini 9 on my lap, and my cat over my shoulder, I am amazed and inspired by this fun effort that is going on, from all of the parties involved. Not-for-profits usually do not attempt to raise funds in December, for obvious reasons, yet Team Fatty is kicking ass and taking names (literally, for the prize drawings), in a month when it is exceedingly difficult to raise funds, and when the economy is the worst that it's been in seventy years.

Bravo.

And just when you thought I couldn't possibly put any more links in a single blog post, I give you the links to donate to these two fine charities:

    Donate to World Bicycle Relief on behalf of Team Fatty

    Donate to Livestrong on behalf of Team Fatty


Heck, why not just give to both!

An ongoing feud between Lance Armstrong and Ben Stiller heated up today when Ben Stiller announced his STILLERSTRONG charity, which benefits schools in Haiti. The tensions began last July in France, when Ben Stiller abused the access that his celebrity status afforded him, by jumping on one of Lance's Trek Time Trial bikes before a critical stage in the 2009 Tour de France, ultimate damaging the bike, and nearly ending Lance Armstrong's race, prematurely. Things remained at an uneasy-peace until Mr. Stiller's recent galling announcement.

If the look and feel of the STILLERSTRONG web site look a bit familiar to you, it might be because he blatantly, and unabashedly ripped off the LIVESTRONG Foundation's vibe with both the look of the site, and the means by which they are raising funds. Most of you by now have seen the yellow LIVESTRONG Bracelets which so many people, including myself, are wearing. Mr. Stiller has chosen to make the 'STILLERSTRONG' yellow headband his signature item.

Lance Armstrong returned fire, today, after an emergency board meeting, with this video announcement. Apparently, litigation is inevitable.

I will keep you apprised of the situation, as things develop.

One of my favorite humorous cycling bloggers, Fatty, from fatcyclist.com, wrote a recent entry to Team Radio Shack's Sports Director, Johan Bruyneel. submitting his qualifications for a position on the squad. This was a classic blog entry from Fatty, and it was very funny. I wrote about Fatty a few months back when he tragically lost his wife to cancer. Over the last few years Fatty has been using his blog, and his writing to raise awareness about cancer, and to just get it all out. I know a little about what that's like. Because I no longer have my podcast, were I not able to express myself on my blog, I'd go crazy.

Fatty has become fairly famous in and out of cycling circles for his blog, and for his fund-raising efforts on behalf of the Lance Armstrong Livestrong Foundation. So famous, that people pretty high up in the cycling food chain read his blog, and tell their friends about it.

Today, Johan Bruyneel heard about Fatty's post, considered it, and threw down the gauntlet with a counter-offer.

I won't detail everything. Go to the above links on their respective blogs to see all of the specifics. I will keep you updated as this virtual conversation between Fatty, and Johan, evolves. I love this kinda stuff!

Let's help Fatty win a trip to Team Radio Shack's training camp by donating HERE, and HERE.

I have been sad for a few days now, and here's why:

I have been following @lancearmstrong on Twitter from the day I signed up for my Twitter account.  Lance is always Tweeting about things in his life, and showing his followers cool photos, and more.  Well one day a few weeks ago, he Tweeted about a guy with a blog that he thought others might like to read.  The blog is called fatcyclist.com.

From what I've read on his site, fatcyclist.com was originally put up by a guy named Elden Nelson to blog about cycling, and his efforts using cycling to lose weight.  At some point, his wife Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the mission of the blog then became telling his, and his wife's cancer story, and helping to raise money for Susan's medical expenses, and for Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation.  He told their story with great passion, stoicism, and yes.... humour.  Occasionally he even found time to go for a bike ride, and talk about that, as well.

By the time I had discovered the site, Susan's cancer was very advanced, and on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009, Susan died.  I didn't know these people at all, but because I have a great passion for cycling as well, and through reading many of Elden's blog posts, I feel like I have come to know them a little.  I can also relate because a few people near and dear to me have had to fight cancer.  I'm sure that's something we can ALL relate to.

Anyway, I just wanted to point out Elden's blog, and encourage you to read some of his posts, and if so moved, to consider donating to his children's education fund, and to his Livestrong Fund Raising Team.

I've been trying to write at least once a week, and even though it's been more than a week since my last entry, I think my average is OK if you measure it from the day I posted the message saying that I would post at least once a week.   :-)

I have not been inspired to write anything at all, because I've been a little down of late.  The summer on the whole has been a bit of a bummer since it has rained so much, and I have not been able to get on the bike as often as I would have liked.

Looks like we might have a few days in a row of decent weather, so I'll have to take advantage of that.

Still looking for (meaningful) work.   :-)

I am not really a fan of these "weekly update" type posts, but I have some thoughts on a few things, that I don't think quite require their own posts.

Everyone that I know who is a Mets fan is still screaming for them to make a deal to get a bat.  At this point, I think it is too late.  I would rather that they not mortgage the future to get a bat that probably won't help them this season, anyway.  As I said in a previous post, they need three bats, not just one.

This year's Tour de France was an amazing event, because it gave us the return of Lance Armstrong.  As I write this, I am sitting in my easy chair watching the Peloton cruise into Paris, and barring anything catastrophic, Lance will come in 3rd, putting him on the podium.  This is an incredible achievement considering that he took four years off from cycling, and in his comeback this year, suffered a crash and broke his collarbone.  This took three to four weeks out of his training schedule, so his form probably wasn't quite as good as it could have been.

The big announcement at this year's Tour was that Lance Armstrong has partnered with Radio Shack to form Team Radio Shack, a new cycling team.  Lance will be racing for them, and has promised to sign a world class cadre of riders so that they can go to next year's Tour and be competitive.  Additional sponsors will include Nike and Trek Bikes which should come as no surprise to anyone.

The relationship between Radio Shack and the Livestrong Foundation will be reciprocal wherein they cross promote for one another.  Don't be surprised if when you walk into a Radio Shack in the future to buy a cell phone, you see Livestrong paraphernalia.

I was excited when I learned of this partnership because as a child, I was an electronic hobbyist who used to build little electronics projects, and kits that the various magazines published.  At that time you could go into your local radio shack and buy components to build projects such as these, and I have many fond memories of being in their stores and buying components like the 555 Timer (electronics hobbyists will be able to relate).  In addition to the bits and pieces that you could buy there, Radio Shack also had one of the early Microcomputers called the TRS-80 Model One, and I spent many an hour there playing with it.

Next year should be another exciting year in cycling, particularly for U.S. cycling since Team Radio Shack will be America's 3rd team, along with Team Garmin and Team Columbia.

Can't wait!

OK, two things... sorta.

I got a text message the other day asking me why the Mets don't trade for a bat, and I'm of the belief that it won't help.  Right now with Delgado, Reyes, and Beltran still on the DL, the Mets need THREE BATS.  It seems to me that one bat won't help that much, and to trade away our best prospects to get a guy who may or may not help until the Cavalry returns, seems reckless.  Maybe it means that 2009 is done for the Mets... who knows.

The other thing that was a big topic of discussion (in MY circles, anyway) was the decision by the people who run the Tour de France to not allow radios in two stages this year.  In case you don't know, all of the riders wear small two-way radios so that they can talk to their team director, riding behind them in the team car.  To me this seems silly.  Sure, the race went off without a hitch for eighty years without radios, but why get rid of them now?  It seems to me that there are other areas of technology that have affected bike racing far more profoundly than radios.  Once upon a time bikes were made of steel.  Now if you can find a METAL bike frame in the Tour, you're doing well.  Most Tour bikes are carbon fiber with components that are made from other cool materials like aluminum, titanium, and ceramic.  Why not go back to steel bikes as long as we're reversing this technology trend??

And while we're on the topic of devolving technology trends, has anyone seen how stupid the F1 cars look this season???

Not that I'm a technology apologist, but let's move FORWARD.

** Update, 7/16/09

The Tour de France organizers have canceled the second scheduled day of riding with no radios.