Warning! I’m about to grab the third rail of the cycling world. My opinions and my opinions only follow. I have no basis beyond my own feelings to give the following commentary. And I’ll welcome all civil feedback. Ride on!

As if I really had a snowball’s chance in hell of getting this thought into a “tweet” in under 160 characters. I tried. I swear. But the topic’s too big to be handled there short of a few quips. I had a lot of time to think about Landis this weekend as, for some reason, his face and name kept coming up in a recent trip with SHARE up to Idyllwild for some fun in the dirt.

(Not-So-Quick sidebar, I’d been up to Idyllwild like 10+ years ago, but forgotten about it. I was reminded by a good friend today that I wasn’t actually a first-time visitor this weekend, but I can damn sure promise you I didn’t have as much fun as I did this time. Many thanks to Brendan Collier at Siren Bicycles for showing us what we’d undoubtably missed if not for his supreme knowledge of all the fun stuff that goes back and forth and up and down like a beautiful ribbon in the wind in the Idyllwild mountains. And to Mary Collier, Brendan’s wife and legend in her own right for getting about 50 folks into a very cool movie theater to show us Ride the Divide. Some for the first time. Me for the second-and-even-better time. And to the locals of Idyllwild for being cool and letting us come share what you have in your backyard. Oh yeah, and the cool chainsaw gargoyle–way better than the bear!)

OK. Out with it.

So Landis. Oh yeah. Landis. I’ll start by saying this, no matter the drugs, mechanical advantages, endless hours available to do nothing but train, soigneurs, Wheaties, and I-Don’t-Care-What, you give any of the pro peloton, I believe each and every athlete is a competitor that’s either gifted or worked their asses off (or both) and it’s unlikely the general population has a snowball’s chance in (wait, I already used that in this post) shot in this world of getting into that peloton and competing against them. So I give them their due.

But…

But when I’m out riding my ass off and suffering sans any support whatsoever, I’d like to think my inner athlete and given ability has a chance of making a run at something beyond a run for groceries on my bike in a way that’s clean and free of any dope. And I know this is the case. I’ve suffered my fair share. And I know plenty of other riders that ride with their gift and their dedication to the fun of the sport and whip my ass on any day of the week. All of us clean. And that’s fun. Hell, I’d even say it’d still be fun if we threw a hundred dollars on the finish line and winner takes all. Clean. Getting the clean theme?

So, when Landis came up positive a few years ago I was A) not surprised and B) decidedly anti-big corporate racing from that point forward. While I don’t believe it’s purely the money that corrupts and causes some (most?) to venture to the needle, I do believe it’s a hell of a motivator to fall on the horse doctor’s good box of needles and potions.

I can’t say with certainty that everyone in the pro peloton dopes, but here’s what I can say–I believe no less than 75% do, and if I give 75% I have to give 100%. And here’s why. This *is* a team sport. And as much as Johan or Bjarne or anyone else that tries to maintain the facade of plausible deniability acts like the one guy on the squad that “suddenly” comes up positive was a dirtbag no-good son-of-a-bitch, they, in my opinion, only act this way because it’s the only option they have if they want to keep the wheels spinning. But the logistics don’t work out. As I said, it’s a team sport. They eat, sleep, shit, drink and ride together. For over 3/4 of the year. Do you really think it makes a lick of sense that when someone comes up positive the directors and teammates act as if it was a hidden heroin habit being administered between the toes? Come on!

Obviously I don’t buy the denial that happens by the team and sponsors. Add to that the vicious nature of the process post-positive. One day you’re the guy carrying the maillot jaune and the next the lanterne rouge is a hundred miles ahead. Add the need to mitigate any risk to the rest of the squad and you’re completely ostracized in under 24 hours. Meanwhile, you know you did it. You know the team knows you did it. But like a good lieutenant in the mob, you suck it up and assert your laughable innocence and do the time.

Now I’ve never been in the pro peloton. Hell, my best shot of getting into it was somewhere between racing the back roads of my hometown as a kid and 20 years later waiting in line to have Armstrong sign a book for me. So I can’t say with certainty that there’s definitely doping and this is definitely the way it works. But there’s one thing I can say, there are certain athletes in the sport of pro cycling that are such ridiculous “outliers” in their results and when you couple this together with the rampant doping that is being discovered (and you believe doping does provide an advantage) then you absolutely have to question, in an unbiased manner, the results of the one that gets to stand atop the podium consistently. Once. Fine. Couple of times. Maybe. 7 times. We have a problem.

I read the other day, perhaps by Bill Strickland (a journalist I actually respect) that regardless of which side of the doping allegations you stand on, there’s sufficient evidence to make you feel comfortable for having taken that side. I say that’s mostly true. The only problem I have with it is consistent outperformance by a single individual over a sustained period of time. It’s simply illogical to me and the data of life supports that this unlikely to happen. And as Judge Judy says, if it doesn’t make sense, then it’s not true! Especially in a sport where we’re using primarily human power and widely available strategy banks (not many secrets on a given day).

So, getting on with it. What about Floyd?…

While I think Landis and anyone else that cheats to win is an absolute asshole, I get the pressure. And it’s not just pressure to cheat. Make no mistake about it, it’s pressure to be an asshole. You have to be one in order to abuse man’s most beautiful mechanical creation to this type of outcome. And while I think what Landis did during his trial (including his outright useless and uncalled for attacks on Lemond) are issues he’ll have to deal with internally for a very long time (and I do wish he finds peace in himself and forgiveness from those he hurt), I completely run towards his message and admission of guilt.

And here’s why…

If you truly care about the sport and you truly want the doping to be out of the sport, you have to create an environment whereby admission is welcome with open arms. Where the guilty can come for confession and not be vilified for having done so. (That’s not to say all consequences go unpaid.) While I think Landis sucks for cheating when he actually could race, I commend him as a near hero for bringing light where it needs shining. (God help both of us he’s lying now.) If you want more of the types of admissions by the people that were there, the only people that really know, the only people that can actually rescue the sport, then you have to welcome and cooperate with Landis et al. Running him to the town square and burning him at the cross won’t do a thing for securing more admissions. Can you imagine an egomaniac like a 7 time TDF winner actually watching what’s happening to Landis now and thinking for a second of following in his steps? Even though that person could forever change the state of pro cycling for the better? I sure as shit wouldn’t. In fact, I couldn’t think of a worse environment to solicit additional confessions.

So while Landis might be a bad guy for what he did, I think you have to, at the very least, take his acquisitions very seriously, sift the facts from the bullshit, and get on them in the same way a forensic scientist solving a crime might. Opinions aside. Mine included. Put the timeline and facts together and start poking holes in it or building out the case.

So all this said, I applaud Landis for coming out. I don’t forget what he did, but I do forgive him for reacting to the pressures of the sport in a way most of us probably would just the same–he is human–and I hope he’s “found his way” forward. And if he wants to share a bottle of Jack Daniels with me, I’d gladly split my bottle with him now.

Your nuts may have shriveled up to raisins now, but what’s left are undoubtably made of steel, so thanks Floyd!

Final note on Bahati. I thought it was a horrible idea when they brought him aboard as I figured this would go the same direction as Tyler’s case did, but I understood the pressure Bahati was probably reacting to. (Landis *did* have money in one form or another they didn’t.) But I had a real problem with the conflict between what Bahati was telling children in one message and in the other wink of the eye, you bring on a cheating liar to your team. I get the sense that this Landis issue puts pressure on Bahati’s racing team, but I can say this, they’re better off without Landis. I’m personally more likely to write a check to the foundation now than I was when they brought Landis aboard. So to that team, I say hang on, grit it out (I’m sure it’s tough) and you’ll be better for having done so.

Sent via email to:
Mr Jordann Turner
jordann.turner@lacity.org

Mr Turner,

I’m writing to voice my concerns regarding the City of Los Angeles’ inclusion of a very large contingency of active mountain bicyclists in and around the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As a mountain bicyclist for over 15 years I feel very qualified to state that in my many thousands of miles logged on trails across the United States it is possible for mountain bicyclists and equestrians to coexist without issue. Indeed, it is the exception (as much of life) where a mountain bicyclist and equestrian have an incident beyond a mutual respect and appreciation for each’s hobby.

In reading the recent comments from equestrians submitted to the city, I have to claim surprise–even shock–at the generalization that somehow mountain cyclists are incapable of coexisting with other trail users. Nothing can be further from the truth. I implore the city to take the following in consideration:

1. Somewhere in L.A. City Parks there should be opportunities for mountain bicyclists — it’s bad public policy that all dirt roads and trails are closed to bikes.

2. Bicycling is a positive, safe, health-promoting activity for people of all ages and should be encouraged with both natural-surface and paved riding opportunities.

3. The 2009 plan should incorporate the 1996 bicycle plan language that called for pilot projects and a gradual increase in mountain bike opportunities in the parks.

4. Bicyclists safely share trails with other trail users, including equestrians, all around the globe.

5. Mountain biking is a sustainable, manageable appropriate activity for L.A. parks — it works in dozens of other cities so why not ours?

6. Mountain bicyclists generate a sizable income for the city in the form of taxes on services rendered by local businesses.

7. Mountain bicyclists perform many, many hours of volunteer trail work every year at a time when many of our parks and recreational areas are falling into disrepair due to a lack of dedicated funding for maintenance.

I understand and respect the need to keep certain controls over the safe use of our limited trail systems. This is a mutual desire of all parties. However, complete exclusion of such a large contingency strikes me as rash, without regard for a significant and vocal constituency in the city and bad for Los Angeles business owners. Surely a compromise can be offered and embraced by all interested parties. Right?

Respectfully,

Brian De Groodt
IMBA Member
GT Bicycles Dirt Coalition Rider
www.degroodt.com

Making this real short as I feel like crap.  Have for about 2 weeks now, which doesn’t put me in a great position for next week’s Mas-O-Menos race in Terlinqua, Texas.  Still looking forward to the first non-cyclocross race of the year though.

Here’s my favorite ad from Super Bowl XVLLL.  Only found a couple of others even noteworthy (of something like 70).

Traffic data to this site is spiking with lots of queries about Leadville entries, finish times, nutrition, course profile and some other Leadville things. Most common is the number of entrants.  Seeing how the lottery application window closed 2 days ago, it’s all about lighting candles and hoping right now.  That said, the answer on the number of entrants in 2008 (not number that entered the lottery) is 891.  652 met the cut at 12 hours.  More on my 2008 Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike race results.

I’m reading Malcom Gladwell’s Outliers right now. It’s a good read (for what it is), but one of my favorite sections is essentially an evaluation of the common perception that a higher IQ is always better. Gladwell argues it is–to a point. That’s to say smart enough is smart enough and at a certain point you reach diminishing return on each additional point in IQ.

I make the same argument about cold. As a native Californian that left for a number of years to New York and then Washington DC, I’ve experienced a few cold days. And every year it’s the same argument from my friends on the east when I complain about how cold it is in So Cal. That’s nothing man! We’re below freezing right now! Blah, blah, blah! COLD IS COLD!

BikeMag.com Alan Davis (Embed code is screwed up over there, so you get this.)

And here’s proof! And some more here. We got snow last week and I believe we may have had some more today. As far as I’m concerned anything below 45 degrees is generally unbearable for an extended period of time by most clothed humans–let alone Lycra-clad ones moving at 20+ MPH through the cold. So, my east coast friends, trust me when I say I’m cold. I know cold.

Hardtail Status Update: So for 2 weeks my bike and all its associated pieces has been sitting in the shop waiting on a single part. My Ergon GX2 are supposedly somewhere between here and South Carolina. If you’re the UPS driver and you’re sitting on this package, there’s an extra fruitcake in it for you if you get them into the shop today. I’m desperate to put this bike out on the road and my big ape hands don’t do well without bar grips. Please. I beg of you. 2 fruitcakes. Final offer!

Cool! Some reading for the holiday break just came from Amazon. I picked up Tour de Life by Saul Raisin, The Rider by Tim Krabbé, and Ten Points by Bill Strickland. All 3 look like great reads.

The Rider is something I’ve meant to read for years and just haven’t. No excuses. It’s a classic bicycle racing novels. Plus the author is Dutch, so I have an obligation to support it.

Saul Raisin’s story is supposed to be incredibly gripping. I’ve followed his rise, tragic accident, rehab and return to cycling as an advocate for traumatic brain injuries.

On April 4, 2006, at the age of 23, I crashed in a professional bicycle race. The subsequent effects led me to endure a coma, substantial bodily damage, and a traumatic brain injury. My outlook was bleak. Medical professionals did not know if I would survive, and if I did, what kind of life I would lead. Miraculously I awoke from my coma only to enter a world full of doubt and uncertainty. Now fully recovered, I have created the Raisin Hope Foundation to help transform hope into knowledge. My goal is threefold

I’m looking forward to the details from the man’s mouth.

Ten Points by Bill Strickland, will undoubtably resonate. I’m somewhat looking forward to what seems to promise to be a sad tail with a happy message and ending.

Somebody asked earlier via twitter, “Who says it never rains in California?” My reply, “Don’t know, but it’d be useful if that person fessed-up and retracted the statement now.” Honestly, I think the clouds that are dumping on us have stalled out or something. It’s been going non-stop for hours now and I have a Metallica concert to go to tomorrow and that pretty much means nothing but some bad time on the trainer this week. Plus Metallica won’t allow umbrellas in the show!!! Waaaaa!

There's no umbrellas in metal!

Rain, Rain in Southern California

Lance Armstrong and I totally Twitter back and forth. OK, actually, he seems to not be interested in my tweets, but I follow his. How about that for a little more honesty? In any case, I’ve been following Lance since he jumped onto twitter. He tweets a lot. Enough for me to wonder how he’s getting in his miles, and if he’s tweeting while cycling.

But I digress. Here’s a screen shot from this evening. You’ll note that’s blood test #10 listed at the bottom of his stream. At this point I think the plan is to bleed Lance dry of any blood so there’s no potential for oxygen to be transported anywhere and effectively making it impossible for him to line up. They say you can’t prove a negative, but it sure seems to have escaped these testers.

Soon to be bloodless Armstrong Doping Control #10!

Meanwhile, I was hoping against hope that Rock Racing really was leaving the cycling scene. It’s been rumored that poor management and a global economy that’s not too keen for $300 denim jeans might have put Rock Racing’s doping cycling program at risk. Sadly, it appears we’ll still have giant SUVs, a “bad boy” CEO, and a chain of convicted dopers to deal with this season.

Yet again cycling has failed to take care of the source of the problems while concentrating on running out of town one of the only real ambassadors the sport has right now. The craziest part of this whole Rock Racing business is that Michael Ball has a pretty good story and a strong opportunity ahead of him if he’d get rid of these cheats. Unfortunately he’s putting money today and return on that cash ahead of building a business and paying his dues up front. This is especially obvious when it comes to recruiting talent today and creating a development squad for the future–both time and cash consuming endeavors that don’t sell jerseys and shorts today but are for the greater good of the sport.

Sidi is clearly trying to get me into a mess of financial trouble. These are some hot covers for the hooves! I have my designs on a very specific sponsor this year and I think these would be the perfect kicker to a very “pro” team kit. Fingers crossed, but what company wouldn’t want to be represented by these as part of the kit? Gulp!

I have a few pairs of Sidi shoes around the barn. Between boots for road motorcycles and cycling shoes, there’s really nothing in my closet that are more comfortable than any of my Sidi shoes.