Ed S Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 (edited) I've really started to enjoy cycling over the past few years - both from a recreational standpoint, but also watching professional cycling on TV. I even went to see last year's Grand Prix Cyclistes de Montreal. Good times! But the longer I've enjoyed cycling, the more I've come to believe that Lance could not possibly have been clean. Today, the USADA leveled charges against Armstrong: Velonews- USADA levels charges against Armstrong Edited June 13, 2012 by Ed Swinnich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 I'm headed the other way. Cycling was once my life (and livelihood). It got "dirty" enough that I quit and haven't looked back. I'm genuinely baffled why I peeked into this thread; probably the same reason I can't resist poking at wounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 (edited) I quit liking cycling right after the French started in on Armstrong. Then, when people were being DQ'd for things like cold medicine, I was done. The Feds already dropped any charges and now the USADA wants to rehash it all over again? The [now] 16 year-old evidence has been discredited and out right debunked. These guys are ruining the sport with this pointless harangue. Edited June 13, 2012 by GoodSpeak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed S Posted June 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 I'm headed the other way. Cycling was once my life (and livelihood). It got "dirty" enough that I quit and haven't looked back. I'm genuinely baffled why I peeked into this thread; probably the same reason I can't resist poking at wounds. As a relative newcomer to the sport, I hear claims of how the sport has been trying to clean itself up. Maybe it will take me awhile to figure out what's going on right now - as opposed to what happened in the past, and whether there's any difference at all. I started watching professional cycling as an offshoot of the fact that recreational cycling became my primary source of physical activity/exercise the last few years. In my naivete, I marveled at how those guys could ride over distances and conditions that are unattainable to me. I want to believe that the sport is cleaner now, but I'm not sure - and that causes me distress. When I read attestations like yours, it troubles me even more. I started watching the Tour de France a few years ago because of the scenery. I've enjoyed similar experiences now that I've been watching the spring classics, tours of California, Dauphine and Suisse. Maybe I should leave it at that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alocispepraluger102 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 when this gov't gets a hard-on for you, at best, they will wipe you out financially, and then they will retry you. that being said, the cancer society made a very poor choice for a spokesperson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 All sport is now based on cheating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alocispepraluger102 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 All sport is now based on cheating. perhaps 'sport' no longer exists at the higher levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 I came within an inch or few of a 1980s doping scandal. Fortunately, there was little chance I'd get involved. I was so slow that all the doping in the world wouldn't have made me a contender. Still, I raced for more than 30 seasons (amateur years included, obviously.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed S Posted June 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) Again, this is my naivete coming out. I watch the races that are available on US TV and marvel at the sites and scenery - the towns, the villages, the countryside - and I think of how cool that would be to ride through those areas. It just seems so beautiful. I'm confused, I guess. I really enjoyed watching the Grand Prix de Cyclistes de Montreal last year. Great city, great circuit, lots of great riders. It seems so spectacular. But the doubt is there about who's clean and who's not. That doubt is driving me nuts. I just want a fair competition. Or maybe I should just focus on the scenery Edited June 14, 2012 by Ed Swinnich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Hmmmm. All I remember is cobblestone roads in poor condition and covered in manure and standing, fetid water. Perhaps I should have looked up. ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Speaking of Montreal, for one of the great, modern United States bicycle racing stories, too often forgotten, Google "Montreal" "1976" "George Mount". Mount was a "big brother", hero and inspiration to me, both as a cyclist and as an iconoclast. THE American before LeMond...and Boyer and 7-Eleven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Damn, there goes ol' BeBop, in the throes of senility, down Memory Lane with his walker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 I am shocked beyond words by all this ... so is Lance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ayers Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 To me, there should be a statute of limitations on doping investigation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ayers Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 The letter to Armstrong was leaked and has been published here: http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/armstrongcharging0613.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 To me, there should be a statute of limitations on doping investigation. 16+ years have gone by. Even the most despicable criminal gets a 7 year limitation on crimes other than murder. This is ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 As "despicable" as I find doping to be, I absolutely agree: let it go and worry about today...and, most importantly, the kids who will be tomorrow's peleton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulstation1 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 IMO Who cares? I don't believe he is 100% clean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Schwartz Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) Take all 7 Tour de France victories away from Lance. WTF?? How would you like to be the #2 guy (probably retired now) and get told, congratulations you won!? No matter how this turns out, everyone knows and remembers who wore the yellow jersey, who got all the props, the accolades, the fame and nobody remembers anyone other then 'the winner.' Just like in other sports, chalk this one up to being part of the ***steroid era*** and move on dammit! Edited June 14, 2012 by Mike Schwartz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ayers Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 How would you like to be the #2 guy (probably retired now) and get told, congratulations you won!? You won, and now we're investigating YOU... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) As "despicable" as I find doping to be, I absolutely agree: let it go and worry about today...and, most importantly, the kids who will be tomorrow's peleton. Exactly. Let the past take care of itself; move on. Edited June 14, 2012 by GoodSpeak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 1960 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 To me, there should be a statute of limitations on doping investigation. 16+ years have gone by. Even the most despicable criminal gets a 7 year limitation on crimes other than murder. This is ridiculous. Damn straight. How many times has this guy been investigated/money wasted not even taking into consideration what Lance Armstrong has spent defending his name and nothing has turned up? Total friggin' waste of time if you ask me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Schwartz Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 How would you like to be the #2 guy (probably retired now) and get told, congratulations you won!? You won, and now we're investigating YOU... Good point.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 That this is going on and on is mainly due to Armstrong's obstination in denying the charges. Wasn't it Armstrong himself who asked for an United States Anti-Doping Agency investigation? Now that the USADA has confirmed all the facts about his doping, he continues to refuse to face the facts. And will continue - with his full team of lawyers - to search for 'all options'! I have already read the next chapters in this saga... Very boring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalupa Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I came within an inch or few of a 1980s doping scandal. Fortunately, there was little chance I'd get involved. I was so slow that all the doping in the world wouldn't have made me a contender. Still, I raced for more than 30 seasons (amateur years included, obviously.) BeBop - in your experience - what % of racers would you estimate doped up in both amateur and pro circuits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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