I used to bicycle every day. Every summer since I got married (5 years ago) I tell myself I'm going to get back into it. *sigh*

So I'll just live vicariously through the TDF.

I'm rooting for George Hincapie.

I used to bicycle every day. Every summer since I got married (5 years ago) I tell myself I'm going to get back into it. *sigh*

So I'll just live vicariously through the TDF.

I'm rooting for George Hincapie.


Discordian.

In Spain cycling is a National Sport. Do you know "La vuelta a España?.

Regards.

This is my weakest cycling year in the past 10. I'm on pace to pedal around 5000 miles this year. Two years ago I topped 10,000 miles. Guess I'm getting lazy in my older years.

I find the TDF boring this year. Not sure if its due to LA's retirement or the doping scandal that hit the tour before it even started. A few more stages like today might get my attention. There are some serious climbs going on today, and repeating one after another. I thought it was pretty early in the tour to break out this challenging of a stage.

Either way, I'd like to see Hincapie do well. Unfortunately, I'm afraid he doesnt have the team he needs to pull him through the mountains.

Discordian.

In Spain cycling is a National Sport. Do you know "La vuelta a España?.

Regards.

Yes - I have heard of it, but it gets virtually no media attention in the USA.
Neither does Giro d'Italia :(

GO GEORGE AND DISCOVERY TEAM:cool:

I used to bicycle every day.I still do. I use a Scott MTB (Going cross country to avoid getting mauled by the lorrys) to get myself to work all year round.

And yes, I follow the Tour, Giro d'Italia & the Vuelta as much as time permits.

/Claes

I've done the Highland Cross (biathlon across Scotland) for the last 13 years - 20 miles run, 30 on the bike. See http://www.highlandcross.co.uk.

Unfortunately the Tour gets no coverage on terrestial TV in the UK (a far better sport to watch than the football World Cup!)

I also use a Scott MTB!
About the Tour, we all miss Lance's performances...

I just cannot get into it. I'm American, and female, so no one realistically expects me to be a fan, but I try.

My husband follows it (same guy that likes watching Curling during the Olympics) but I find it all boring. Too much strategy, not enough action.

The only broadcast I paid attention to was when the announcers detailed the nutrition schemes of the participants...I thought I heard wrong when they stated how many carbohydrates these guys eat while they're training - unbelievable to me what the human body can process!

Way to go Landis!

Three Aussies did really well.

Cadell Evens came fifth,
Rogers came tenth, and
The Green Jersey went to Robbie McEwan (he has won it three times now)

Go Aussies :D

well - It would have been nice to see Hincapie come out from Armstrong's shadow, but it looks like his support was lacking.

Still it was an exciting last few days and I was glad to see Floyd make up that awful day.

Landis is an example of what epitomizes a Champion. I copied the attached from Fox Sports. Maybe one day we can send a "healthy" champion to France and really show folks how bikes should be ridden.

American Floyd Landis, the winner of the Tour de France, is clearly not an ancient Greek, but he does have a busted right hip in need of replacement pronto. During the Tour's first rest day, Landis let the world know that for the past two years he has suffered from a condition known as osteonecrosis. The degenerative condition has crumbled the ball of his hip joint so that it no longer fits neatly into the socket, and if that weren't bad enough, arthritis has set in.

The bum hip must be replaced, but Landis has elected to continue racing because there is no medical precedent for a Tour-caliber cyclist returning to racing and staying competitive following hip replacement. The 2006 Tour may well be his last ride and in the event that it is, he's headed for retirement flat out like Thelma and Louise flooring it toward the canyon.

The condition virtually cripples Landis off the bike, but since cycling is not a weight-bearing activity and doesn't place as much strain on his hip as, say, walking or getting in and out of a car, he claims he's able to manage the pain while on the bike. The fact that he is able to ride at all is utterly remarkable. That he is able to compete at the highest level of his sport with a dodgy hip approaches the miraculous.

The 30-year-old Landis broke the hip and severed its blood supply in a fall on gravel during a steep downhill training ride near his California home three years ago.

"I guess I knew at the time that something was really wrong because it was probably the most painful thing that I have ever experienced, but I didn't want to believe that it was as bad as it was," Landis said at a news conference Monday.

For the past two years, the hip has put Landis in pain so severe that it would leave the average world class athlete crying on the couch and pounding Cheetos like Britney and K-Fed while he watched the Tour on TV. But like his old boss, Lance Armstrong, Landis has a seemingly superhuman ability to do the Greek pathos-mathos thing and transform physical and emotional pain into forward momentum on a bike for three weeks in July.

Who needs a hip? :applause:

Eight straight for the American riders. I'd be interested in hearing from a Cover from France on what the French are saying about the recent American dominance.

Landis is an example of what epitomizes a Champion. I copied the attached from Fox Sports. Maybe one day we can send a "healthy" champion to France and really show folks how bikes should be ridden.

American Floyd Landis, the winner of the Tour de France, is clearly not an ancient Greek, but he does have a busted right hip in need of replacement pronto. During the Tour's first rest day, Landis let the world know that for the past two years he has suffered from a condition known as osteonecrosis. The degenerative condition has crumbled the ball of his hip joint so that it no longer fits neatly into the socket, and if that weren't bad enough, arthritis has set in.

The bum hip must be replaced, but Landis has elected to continue racing because there is no medical precedent for a Tour-caliber cyclist returning to racing and staying competitive following hip replacement. The 2006 Tour may well be his last ride and in the event that it is, he's headed for retirement flat out like Thelma and Louise flooring it toward the canyon.

The condition virtually cripples Landis off the bike, but since cycling is not a weight-bearing activity and doesn't place as much strain on his hip as, say, walking or getting in and out of a car, he claims he's able to manage the pain while on the bike. The fact that he is able to ride at all is utterly remarkable. That he is able to compete at the highest level of his sport with a dodgy hip approaches the miraculous.

The 30-year-old Landis broke the hip and severed its blood supply in a fall on gravel during a steep downhill training ride near his California home three years ago.

"I guess I knew at the time that something was really wrong because it was probably the most painful thing that I have ever experienced, but I didn't want to believe that it was as bad as it was," Landis said at a news conference Monday.

For the past two years, the hip has put Landis in pain so severe that it would leave the average world class athlete crying on the couch and pounding Cheetos like Britney and K-Fed while he watched the Tour on TV. But like his old boss, Lance Armstrong, Landis has a seemingly superhuman ability to do the Greek pathos-mathos thing and transform physical and emotional pain into forward momentum on a bike for three weeks in July.

I don't think Americans can do too well in the tdf without some kind of adversity.
LeMond won two of his three with shotgun pellets in his body.

Can you imagine how well the US Team could do if everyone was healthy?

Can you imagine how well the US Team could do if everyone was healthy?
The sad part is the US team "Team Discovery" did very poor. All the top Americans raced for teams based from other countries. That's the one thing that dissappoints me regarding American cycling. US Postal or Team Discovery would be much stronger is fewer American cyclists didnt leave to ride with other teams because they didnt want to be a domestique. American cycling is all about individualism.

I don't see multi-seat bikes and team trophies. Only 1 dude gets the yellow shirt.

Train as a team.

Chear each other on as a team.

Peddle up the hills by yourself.

The sad part is the US team "Team Discovery" did very poor. All the top Americans raced for teams based from other countries. That's the one thing that dissappoints me regarding American cycling. US Postal or Team Discovery would be much stronger is fewer American cyclists didnt leave to ride with other teams because they didnt want to be a domestique. American cycling is all about individualism.

I'm with Randy on this...Cycling is a singular sport!!! and the comment about an all American team would be the same for all countries. If Australia had an all Australian team we would probably do OK as we came 1st in the Green Jersey and 5th and 10th in the Yellow but our riders are sprerad across a lot of teams. It is a professional team event not a national team event...but it would be nice to see a similar thing with national teams.

The team way to do it would be to have the strongest guys in a bike phase do that specific phase and base the winner on the total team points.

Just saw on the internet that the Tour de France winner failed his drug test for high levels of testosterone.

Huh? Can someone explain to this girl WHY it is illegal for a man to have high levels of that word I can't spell - thought all men had that - why would having more than normal help you bicycle??? I don't get it!

Unbelievable!!! Landis needs to be banned from cycling forever. So do any other cyclists that test positive for a banned substance.

The high levels are an indicator that the individual has recently taken a performance enhancing drug. The increased levels of testosterone are kind of a side effect, if you will.

Maybe I am naive but how can you live your self every day knowing that the only reason you won was because you CHEATED:blowup:


How could he have thought he was going to get away it?

Maybe its not just the chemical change that shortens athletes who take performance enhancing drugs lives, maybe its guilt.

I would guess because cheating is an accepted form of competing within cycling. Look at the last few champions of several races. Last Olympic cycling champ, banned for drug use. Last years champ in the Vuelta tested positive. Winner of this years Giro banned from the TDF for drugs. Now the TDF champ tests positive in his first sample.

Surely not! I've been flying so the news is "new" to me. If this is true then the "DUH" factor wins again along with Darwin.

The link where I read this is:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060727/ap_on_sp_ot/cyc_floyd_landis

I suppose we'll have to see if sample B confirms the results of sample A.

and then wait for the appeals and further testing, etc.

Then we'll hear the accusations that the French labs have it in for the American riders.

Then Lance Armstrong will un-retire for next year's tour to prove them all wrong and tick off Greg LeMond some more.

Anyone notice the advertisements on the top of forums. One of them in this thread is for a performance enhancer. Two week free sample. 3% performance gain. Maybe I can ride the TDF next season

Maybe I am naive but how can you live your self every day knowing that the only reason you won was because you CHEATEDEvidently, many athletes can: I once heard about a rather surreal survey (Has anyone else heard about it? It may be an urban myth). A number of top level athletes were given this question:

Assume that we could provide you with something that would enable you to win an olympic gold medal in your sport. Something that could not be detected in anyway, but with the slight drawback that it would kill you a couple of years later.... Would you take it? The way I heard it, over 50% said yes.

As I said, I do not know if this tale is true, but it may well be. I was once asked to compete in power lifting, and declined because I knew that I would have gotten absolutely nowhere without using the drugs I saw so many others use....

Any news on the B sample?

/Claes

Evidently, many athletes can: I once heard about a rather surreal survey (Has anyone else heard about it? It may be an urban myth). A number of top level athletes were given this question:

Assume that we could provide you with something that would enable you to win an olympic gold medal in your sport. Something that could not be detected in anyway, but with the slight drawback that it would kill you a couple of years later.... Would you take it? The way I heard it, over 50% said yes.

As I said, I do not know if this tale is true, but it may well be.

/Claes

The story you cited above is true - There was an article in the April 14 1997 issue of Sports Illustrated by Bamberger and Yaeger entitled Over the edge that presented this data. Haven't located the actual article yet.

I was once asked to compete in power lifting, and declined because I knew that I would have gotten absolutely nowhere without using the drugs I saw so many others use....

Any news on the B sample?

/Claes

Ah Claes - Another POWERLIFTER!:bigwave: Wasn't sure there were too many of us around anymore!

I had similar experiences in Powerlifting - I competed for several years in the ADFPA (American Drug Free Powerlifting Association) and if you ask me, some of the top guys (and gals) just weren't getting caught. I was spotter/loader for a collegiate meet several years ago on the first day of competition (I lifted the second day) and was spotting for a female - her voice was lower than mine!! ...I did the lifting for ME. When I broke 600lbs. in the deadlift, I knew it from busting my a$$ and didn't come in a bottle!

:2cents: :topic: I guess. I'm waiting for the 2nd sample test for Landis before I hop on my soapbox...

-Steve

yeah, I'll wait as well.

Shame is, Landis, Phonak & his lawyer are already expecting/admitting that the same results will be the +++++ for elevated testosterone/epi ratios.

I'm just dumfounded, thinking, why would anyone knowingly take any illegal drug/substance in a sport that is under such a drug/doping microscope? Do the rewards really outweight the risk? Has it come down to a race between the teams/cyclists/sponsors/doctors staying one step ahead of the governing bodies when it comes to finding new enhancing substances .vs. detection??

I don't know who/what to believe. Even though I ride, I'm not close enough to the sport (professionally) to make a judgement.

Is "controlled" legalization an answer? Should it just be a free-for-all? Make the choice, take the risk, the consequences are all the riders?

Until tomorrow.........

yeah, I'll wait as well.

Shame is, Landis, Phonak & his lawyer are already expecting/admitting that the same results will be the +++++ for elevated testosterone/epi ratios.

I'm just dumfounded, thinking, why would anyone knowingly take any illegal drug/substance in a sport that is under such a drug/doping microscope? Do the rewards really outweight the risk? Has it come down to a race between the teams/cyclists/sponsors/doctors staying one step ahead of the governing bodies when it comes to finding new enhancing substances .vs. detection??

I don't know who/what to believe. Even though I ride, I'm not close enough to the sport (professionally) to make a judgement.

Is "controlled" legalization an answer? Should it just be a free-for-all? Make the choice, take the risk, the consequences are all the riders?

Until tomorrow.........

The problem is the drug test isnt for having it in your system, its for having elevated levels in your system. The average professional athlete will test between 36-44. The test is looking for numbers greater than 50. So, if an athlete works closely with a doctor, he/she can learn how much they should apply before crossing over the 50% number. It isnt cheating, in this case, if you take testosterone to elevate your levels to 49.9% (atleast they cant punish you for cheating).

In this scenario, most athletes test positive because they end up taking the wrong dosage. This is a case of the cheaters still being ahead of the testors. Until they canfind a test to detect artificial testosterone, the athletes will continue to cheat and not be penalized unless they or their doctors make a mistake.

I used to have a poster of Farrah Faucet Majors in my bedroom as a teen. I believe that elevated my testosterone levels when I rode my bicycles with my friends. :lol:

I would guess because cheating is an accepted form of competing within cycling. Look at the last few champions of several races. Last Olympic cycling champ, banned for drug use. Last years champ in the Vuelta tested positive. Winner of this years Giro banned from the TDF for drugs. Now the TDF champ tests positive in his first sample.

Not just Cycling. Most sports have these issues.

Well, now we know... The B sample turned out positive too. What a shambles. :nope:

Ah Claes - Another POWERLIFTER!:bigwave: Wasn't sure there were too many of us around anymore!Long ago, Steve, long ago...

/Claes

And I learned something new from all of this - one article stated that the tests can determine whether someone has high levels of natural testosterone (such as the Farrah poster mentioned earlier) or synthetic testosterone, such as from a drug. Who knew?

ENOUGH!

Give everyone equal access to to perf. enhancing drugs and let the people with the greatest drug tolerance.
I'm disgusted with it all.