A thought....

LangerDan

Did anyone watching the TT today notice the young lad perched up on his dad's shoulders, both in matching club tops and turning himself inside-out to shout and cheer at the passing riders?

It's been a bad couple of weeks and my reactions have ranged from "Here we go again" to "How could they" to "Let them all rot - I've had it" . What with riders apparently using the most blatant techniques to dope, others doing their best "Manuel" impessions "I knowa nootheeeng", a race promoter engaged in a power struggle and an organising body that would struggle to find its arse with both hands. By this morning I had resigned myself to the fact that this is the way of the world and I might as well just accept it.

By this afternoon, I'd changed my mind. We have to get the sport back from all who would chose to abuse it. For every time we've sprinted our friends for the speed limit sign at the local village. For every time we've gone out on a Sunday morning for a long spin while the rest of the world is still coming home. For the times on long climbs when Duffield or Liggett roared encouragement and wonder (in our imaginations anyway!). For those mornings when we sulked around the house because we couldn't go "training" due to 12 inches of snow. But, most importantly, for small kids sitting on their dad's shoulders who think that racing your bike around France is probably the most exciting thing their minds can imagine.

Noodley

I remember my disappointment last year. We went over to the Alps and my 10 year old daughter and I climbed up to a good vantage point just before the descent to Morzine. We soaked in the atmosphere, she spoke to others of many nationalities and enjoyed the caravan. We watched as Landis went over and I explained she was watching one of the greatest cycle comebacks ever...a few days later she said "he's just a cheat".

This year has been one thing after another. I was really disappointed I didn't get to the London depart and had been thinking I should go to Paris for the final day...I may watch tomorrow but I'm more likely to be at the movies with my kids. I'll still follow pro cycling and still have a love for the Tour, but maybe just not this year I'm a bit confused about it all really, as I do believe there are clean riders - I'm just not sure who to believe any more and am inclined to be very cynical just now.

I have been keeping a record of the Brits on the Tour this year (I have no life :oops: ) and it is quite disappointing relating how they fared due to the cheating of others...

Ratkilla

LangerDan wrote:

Did anyone watching the TT today notice the young lad perched up on his dad's shoulders, both in matching club tops and turning himself inside-out to shout and cheer at the passing riders?"

Yep. I saw them too.

I went to Arras for the TTT 3 years ago and found myself standing beside Paolo Bettini after the finish. Which was nice.
Actually being there in the midst of it all can't be beaten. It was a terrible day weatherwise
I was drenched and stinking by the time I got the TGV back to Paris! Just ask the madameoiselle I sat beside
After the turmoil of the past week the TDF will go on and I'll be on the Champs Elysees next year for the finale. No doubt. I'm going Ryanair for 50p! Book January.
That aside I think what happened this week has been the best kick up the erse ever for cycling in general.
I'm nearly drunk so ...





I

notanotherhill

Well said langerdan, I agree fully with you. Its time to get rid of the cheats once and for all and thats gonna call for a radical overview of whats going on in our sport, and more to the point, certain peoples views of whats going on in our sport.
I listened to Pat McQuaid being interviewed on Eurosport and while no-one who knows me will ever accuse me of being a fan of Mr McQuaid, he made some valid arguments.
The ASO are a commercial body, and as such shouldnt be allowed to set internal rules just because its their race. Bradley Wiggins being sent home because Moreni doped? Ridiculous. I understand where they are coming from, but why not just relegate the team to last in the standings rather than punishing everyone because one member of the team doped.
I also believe that if a team member is caught doping the entire team should be systematically dope tested. It might sound severe but how many times have we read of systemic doping in entire teams. If the other team members are clean then they wont have any issues with it, would they?
Hopefully we are starting to see a change in attitude towards the whole doping scene but I agre with McQuaid that its a problem you cant fix overnight.

trailtrash

LangerDan - Excellently put!

SteveR_100Milers

It's a real pity, as Boradman said that Bertie didnt settle the suspicion by offering to take any test going, rather than the "whaddya want, my blood?" Well, yes Bertie we want to see it.