Saturday, August 25, 2012

Seven Wins Forever

Lance Armstrong

Couple of emotional days with the continuation of the legal things going on with the USADA.  I can understand the objectives of the ADA being to keep certain sports dope- free.  Fine objective because the opposite is what we have in the NFL, MLB, etc.  They are working on genetic tests to try and stay ahead of very sophisticated cheats, but what about the breeding programs in China?  The analytical tests used are constantly being revised and updated.  The medical establishment is not infallible.  Just take a look at the board of directors for USADA and make your own decision as to whether there is or isn't any bias.

There is no physical evidence.  Lance has been tested more than any other athlete.  And the French were after him.  Unidentified witnesses.  Sounds like heresy trials.  Can we now go back after the greatest rider, Eddie Merck?  I'll testify that he must of been a doper.

So go ahead and strip him of his medals.  I will always know who won those 7 tours.  He has been an inspiration to cancer patients the world over.  Beat Marco Pantani and Jan Ulrich many times.

As an old swimmer I just love the talented Olympians (yeah Missy).  But apart from what they do at the Olympics what next?  Why tear down our heroes?  We can't seem to embrace our heroes from the wars so what next can we aspire to?  

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Friends who I can't ride with anymore

It is very overdue that I write this post.  The first is Joe Lookingbill who was one of the first mentors riding I ever had.  He would come and lead rides in his convertable Alpha Romeo.  Riding out of Littleton one day he showed me his chemo pump on his hip.  Can't tell you how much I miss him.  Norm was another one.  Very quiet but determined and rode the brevets including PBP.  Attended his funeral after his bout with Lou Gehrigs. Jim Peyton I met on my first Contrail.  Strong rider who could pull with the best.  Helena was his riding partner.  Our goverment called him to duty and asked him to give up his life for two tours.  Jim couldn't do a third.  Miss you Jim.

Miss you Tim.  Can't tell you how much.  You were so full of life.

Miss you Austin.  Thanks for riding with me on the tandem doing ERock.  The picture on my wall of you and me is one of my favorites.  Best fathers' day present ever.

Going to stop now that I am in tears.