Pat McQuaid:
" We're not trying to hide anything and we're not avoiding the issue but all this raking up the past is not doing the sport any good."
"There's something going on in the row between Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong. It's being fueled by LeMond helping Landis and by information being fed to the media. That's completely unfair and we should let the authorities do what they have to do. The sport of cycling has changed massively since 2006 and moved on. Young riders deserve our support and shouldn't have to compete under all this suspicion."
How can this be viewed as anything other than an admission of widespread doping in 2005 and prior.
Coincidentally (?) 2005 was the year that two of the biggest names retired...Mario Cippolini and Lance Armstrong.
And Lemond..who lost his bike company, and Landis...who lives in a shack is unemployed teaming up against a guy who make 35 million year, is one of the top 3 recognized international athletes, and who runs a $150 million dollar bio-med research firm is "unfair". HA !
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Come on now
If you want to understand the institutional nature of doping, you need to look no further than USA Cycling.
In 1984 Olympics the American cycling team was found to be participating in blood doping similar to what Landis is accusing 26 years later.
The first question you might ask is didn't we learn our lesson ? Perhaps the better observation is maybe we learned the wrong lesson.
The key folks who fought against the blood boosting in 1984 included David Prouty, Dr. Thom Dickenson, and Rob Lea. The end result of the controversy was that all three ended their tenure with the highest levels of the sport.
Conversely, many of the names implicated as being participants in the scandal went on to become leaders within the sport and the federation.
Pat McDonough went on to be, of all things, the USA Cycling Athletics Director.
Eddie B left the federation and started Lance Armstrong's first professional team Subaru Montgomery, which later became the US Postal Team.
Dr. Ed Burke went on to be a doctor with the USCF and an influence on Lance's coach Chris Charmichael
Danny Van Haute is the director of the Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team
Mike Fraysee received an award from the UCI for his service, served as the VP of Pan Am cycling, and served as Joe Papp's director and patron.
Dr. Falsetti - who was brought in to do the transfusions served as a medical adviser to the US Postal Cycling Team and continue working with elite athletes.
In 1984 Olympics the American cycling team was found to be participating in blood doping similar to what Landis is accusing 26 years later.
The first question you might ask is didn't we learn our lesson ? Perhaps the better observation is maybe we learned the wrong lesson.
The key folks who fought against the blood boosting in 1984 included David Prouty, Dr. Thom Dickenson, and Rob Lea. The end result of the controversy was that all three ended their tenure with the highest levels of the sport.
Conversely, many of the names implicated as being participants in the scandal went on to become leaders within the sport and the federation.
Pat McDonough went on to be, of all things, the USA Cycling Athletics Director.
Eddie B left the federation and started Lance Armstrong's first professional team Subaru Montgomery, which later became the US Postal Team.
Dr. Ed Burke went on to be a doctor with the USCF and an influence on Lance's coach Chris Charmichael
Danny Van Haute is the director of the Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team
Mike Fraysee received an award from the UCI for his service, served as the VP of Pan Am cycling, and served as Joe Papp's director and patron.
Dr. Falsetti - who was brought in to do the transfusions served as a medical adviser to the US Postal Cycling Team and continue working with elite athletes.
Bahati
The fact that they signed Landis in the first place, and with Nathan O'Neill on the team and Rick Crawford as director, its really silly for the Bahati Foundation Team portray themselves as having any moral credibility.
I'm hardly a Landis apologist, but they're just as broke as unsupported now as they were before Landis joined the team. Blaming him for their troubles is a weak excuse.
I'm hardly a Landis apologist, but they're just as broke as unsupported now as they were before Landis joined the team. Blaming him for their troubles is a weak excuse.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
By request - Hot Dog Update.
april 27th - 15, 393, 405
april 28th - 9, 402, 420
april 29th - 25, 427, 435
april 30th - 23, 450, 450
48 in last 2 days....
Winner winner hot dog dinner.
Commemorated with this...
april 28th - 9, 402, 420
april 29th - 25, 427, 435
april 30th - 23, 450, 450
48 in last 2 days....
Winner winner hot dog dinner.
Commemorated with this...
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Turkey Hill Observations
Turkey Hill has been around 11 years in its current incarnation and we did it a couple of years as a stand alone event. But I think this year's event marked a transitional change for cycling in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The breakaway of 6 riders at yesterdays race was comprised of 5 riders under 25 years old, with the winner, Jackie Simes at 21 years old. And the money spots were devoid of past winners and THCC regulars. ( See Laudien Power Rankings for further evidence of the youth movement )
Its a bittersweet feeling to see these young guys making their way into the standings. The sweet being the fact that the sport continues to grow and cultivate talent for the future. Bitter in realization ( or admitting) that father time has finally had its way with us, and the Trdinas, Millers, Blacks, and sooner or later the Kincaids of the world are going to have to step aside for this youth movement and the take their show to the masters race.
I watched the last 6 laps of the race from the wheel truck and at as good as these young guys are, it apparent that they lack tactical experience. For 30+ miles 5 of the breakaway riders let Mike Chauner sit on without taking a real pull. They didn't harass him, or attack him or anything. They just let him sit back there getting a free ride to the finish.
Now perhaps Chauner promised that he wouldn't sprint, or said that he was tired, or whatever...that's not really relevant. Even the road worker, who watches exactly one bike race a year, said to me...they really don't think he's not going to sprint past him at the end. Ethics or character aside. If you let a guy sit on your for 30+ miles and then don't get rid of him...that on you.
Post race, I realized that the problem is that those guys have no idea how to deal with a guy sitting on. When that happens there are a few approaches that work.
The first is that you just sit up and get caught. Yesterday I wouldn't have considered that an option. It was a good group, Kelly was controlling the field, and that threat wouldn't have bothers Chauner...his chances are pretty good in a sprint as well.
There's the option of attacking him. The two teammates ( forgive me I don't have names since the results aren't up) in the break did that...finally. But after a guy sits on for the last 5 laps while you've been pulling your ass off, its unlikely that an attack or two in the last 3 miles is going to do anything except tire yourself out. Chauner just rode tempo from the river to the finish and neutralized all of the attacks.
The third option is what that should have done and that is take him off the back. for anyone who grew up in a club system or watched classics pre-EPO its a standard tactic. But in modern cycling its gone the way of echelon riding....a lost art. Simply what the guys should have done is every time one of them came to the back of the line and Chauner didn't pull through, they should have let a gap form to the back of the breakaway. Once the gap got to 30 yards, they should sprint back to the back of the break. Then the next rider does the same thing. After a half dozen rotations, everyone will have to put in one extra hard sprint, but over that same period the rider sitting on would have to put on 5 extra hard efforts. In very short order, the offending rider will realize that its just a lot easier to rotate through.
Anyway, congrats to the riders, and hats off to Turkey Hill and the race organizers for a superbly run, successful event.
The breakaway of 6 riders at yesterdays race was comprised of 5 riders under 25 years old, with the winner, Jackie Simes at 21 years old. And the money spots were devoid of past winners and THCC regulars. ( See Laudien Power Rankings for further evidence of the youth movement )
Its a bittersweet feeling to see these young guys making their way into the standings. The sweet being the fact that the sport continues to grow and cultivate talent for the future. Bitter in realization ( or admitting) that father time has finally had its way with us, and the Trdinas, Millers, Blacks, and sooner or later the Kincaids of the world are going to have to step aside for this youth movement and the take their show to the masters race.
I watched the last 6 laps of the race from the wheel truck and at as good as these young guys are, it apparent that they lack tactical experience. For 30+ miles 5 of the breakaway riders let Mike Chauner sit on without taking a real pull. They didn't harass him, or attack him or anything. They just let him sit back there getting a free ride to the finish.
Now perhaps Chauner promised that he wouldn't sprint, or said that he was tired, or whatever...that's not really relevant. Even the road worker, who watches exactly one bike race a year, said to me...they really don't think he's not going to sprint past him at the end. Ethics or character aside. If you let a guy sit on your for 30+ miles and then don't get rid of him...that on you.
Post race, I realized that the problem is that those guys have no idea how to deal with a guy sitting on. When that happens there are a few approaches that work.
The first is that you just sit up and get caught. Yesterday I wouldn't have considered that an option. It was a good group, Kelly was controlling the field, and that threat wouldn't have bothers Chauner...his chances are pretty good in a sprint as well.
There's the option of attacking him. The two teammates ( forgive me I don't have names since the results aren't up) in the break did that...finally. But after a guy sits on for the last 5 laps while you've been pulling your ass off, its unlikely that an attack or two in the last 3 miles is going to do anything except tire yourself out. Chauner just rode tempo from the river to the finish and neutralized all of the attacks.
The third option is what that should have done and that is take him off the back. for anyone who grew up in a club system or watched classics pre-EPO its a standard tactic. But in modern cycling its gone the way of echelon riding....a lost art. Simply what the guys should have done is every time one of them came to the back of the line and Chauner didn't pull through, they should have let a gap form to the back of the breakaway. Once the gap got to 30 yards, they should sprint back to the back of the break. Then the next rider does the same thing. After a half dozen rotations, everyone will have to put in one extra hard sprint, but over that same period the rider sitting on would have to put on 5 extra hard efforts. In very short order, the offending rider will realize that its just a lot easier to rotate through.
Anyway, congrats to the riders, and hats off to Turkey Hill and the race organizers for a superbly run, successful event.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
hot dog update
I ate 4 hot dogs around 4 am after drinking a little bit tonight. My total is at 397 which = 53 more to go in the next 3 days.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Hot Dog !
In the poker forums I guy bet $1000 to win $1500 that he could eat 450 hot dogs in the month of April.
hot dog consumption, day-by-day status
date/amount/total/ED
april 1st - 17, 17, 15
april 2nd - 18, 35, 30
april 3rd - 15, 50, 45
april 4th - 13, 63, 60
april 5th - 14, 77, 75
april 6th - 13.5, 90.5, 90
april 7th - 13.5, 104, 105
april 8th - 12, 116, 120
april 9th - 15, 131, 135
april 10th - 12, 143, 150
april 11th - 17, 160, 165
april 12th - 11, 171, 180
april 13th - 10, 181, 195
april 14th - 19, 200, 210
april 15th - 8, 208, 225
april 16th - 14, 222, 240
april 17th - 17, 239, 255
april 18th - 18, 257, 270
april 19th - 18, 275, 285
april 20th - 16, 291, 300
april 21st - 6, 297, 315
april 22nd - 16, 309, 330
april 23rd - 19, 328, 345
april 24th - 18, 346, 360
april 25th - 9, 355, 375
he has had 11 on april 26th already, which is solid.
4.5 day and 84 to go. Should be close.
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/54/poker-beats-brags-variance/hot-dog-prop-bet-april-1st-30th-749434/
hot dog consumption, day-by-day status
date/amount/total/ED
april 1st - 17, 17, 15
april 2nd - 18, 35, 30
april 3rd - 15, 50, 45
april 4th - 13, 63, 60
april 5th - 14, 77, 75
april 6th - 13.5, 90.5, 90
april 7th - 13.5, 104, 105
april 8th - 12, 116, 120
april 9th - 15, 131, 135
april 10th - 12, 143, 150
april 11th - 17, 160, 165
april 12th - 11, 171, 180
april 13th - 10, 181, 195
april 14th - 19, 200, 210
april 15th - 8, 208, 225
april 16th - 14, 222, 240
april 17th - 17, 239, 255
april 18th - 18, 257, 270
april 19th - 18, 275, 285
april 20th - 16, 291, 300
april 21st - 6, 297, 315
april 22nd - 16, 309, 330
april 23rd - 19, 328, 345
april 24th - 18, 346, 360
april 25th - 9, 355, 375
he has had 11 on april 26th already, which is solid.
4.5 day and 84 to go. Should be close.
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/54/poker-beats-brags-variance/hot-dog-prop-bet-april-1st-30th-749434/
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sunday's golf
You may have heard this:
Something seemed very wrong when Brian Davis of England summoned a rules official immediately after hitting his pitch from the hazard near Calibogue Sound in Sunday’s playoff with Jim Furyk for the Verizon Heritage title. Actually, something was very right.
As most of the golf world knows by now, Davis called a two-stroke penalty on himself that cost him the tournament.
He had ever-so-slightly nicked a reed during his backswing while trying to recover from the beach left of the 18th green. Barely moved it. To the naked eye, it was almost invisible. But not to Davis, who was pretty sure he knew what had happened and who called Slugger White of the PGA Tour over to verify his judgment.
While the self-imposed penalty is notable, the truth is that even without the penalty Furyk was likely to win. Davis' shot sailed 25 feet past the hole and he was unlikely to make par anyway.
I thought that what may have been more interesting than the penalty was Davis' decision to play the shot from inside the hazard itself.
For those of you who didn't watch, here was the situation in a nutshell. Davis' shot hit the edge of the green, then rolled off the course and onto a sandy beach. Furyk was obliged to putt first and left his ball 6 feet from the hole and was likely carding a 4.
Davis had two choices:
1. Hit from the hazard...a wet sandy lie with no practice swing..or
2. Take a one stroke penalty and then try to chip/putt it from the green side grass maybe 15 feet from the hole.
From there it becomes (or should have become) an evaluation of percentages.
How many times can he chip it in from 15 feet( 35%)
vs
How many times can he hit up up and then make the putt - Which is a combination of; when he chips it to 10 feet ( 30% of the time) he'll make the putt 80% for a total of 24% PLUS when his chips between 10-20 (30%) he'll make the putt 40% for another 12$; and when he chips is more than 20 feet away (60%) he'll only make it 5% of the time, add 3% for a total of 24 + 12 + 3 = 39% of the time he'll score a 2.
As 39% is higher than 35%, he should play it from the hazard.
Of course I'm making all of those numbers up. But the point is that there's a non-intuitive process by which you can ( and perhaps should) make decisions. Many of those decisions occur in your every day life.
That's the foundation of applied game theory, and also the genesis behind a pretty cool book that I've added to my birthday wish list.
DUCY? Exploits, Advice, and Ideas of the Renowned Strategist by David Sklansy
(DUCY is for Do You See Why)
Something seemed very wrong when Brian Davis of England summoned a rules official immediately after hitting his pitch from the hazard near Calibogue Sound in Sunday’s playoff with Jim Furyk for the Verizon Heritage title. Actually, something was very right.
As most of the golf world knows by now, Davis called a two-stroke penalty on himself that cost him the tournament.
He had ever-so-slightly nicked a reed during his backswing while trying to recover from the beach left of the 18th green. Barely moved it. To the naked eye, it was almost invisible. But not to Davis, who was pretty sure he knew what had happened and who called Slugger White of the PGA Tour over to verify his judgment.
While the self-imposed penalty is notable, the truth is that even without the penalty Furyk was likely to win. Davis' shot sailed 25 feet past the hole and he was unlikely to make par anyway.
I thought that what may have been more interesting than the penalty was Davis' decision to play the shot from inside the hazard itself.
For those of you who didn't watch, here was the situation in a nutshell. Davis' shot hit the edge of the green, then rolled off the course and onto a sandy beach. Furyk was obliged to putt first and left his ball 6 feet from the hole and was likely carding a 4.
Davis had two choices:
1. Hit from the hazard...a wet sandy lie with no practice swing..or
2. Take a one stroke penalty and then try to chip/putt it from the green side grass maybe 15 feet from the hole.
From there it becomes (or should have become) an evaluation of percentages.
How many times can he chip it in from 15 feet( 35%)
vs
How many times can he hit up up and then make the putt - Which is a combination of; when he chips it to 10 feet ( 30% of the time) he'll make the putt 80% for a total of 24% PLUS when his chips between 10-20 (30%) he'll make the putt 40% for another 12$; and when he chips is more than 20 feet away (60%) he'll only make it 5% of the time, add 3% for a total of 24 + 12 + 3 = 39% of the time he'll score a 2.
As 39% is higher than 35%, he should play it from the hazard.
Of course I'm making all of those numbers up. But the point is that there's a non-intuitive process by which you can ( and perhaps should) make decisions. Many of those decisions occur in your every day life.
That's the foundation of applied game theory, and also the genesis behind a pretty cool book that I've added to my birthday wish list.
DUCY? Exploits, Advice, and Ideas of the Renowned Strategist by David Sklansy
(DUCY is for Do You See Why)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Rahsaan Bahati is a ninja
Rahsaan Bahati (Bahati Foundation), who was involved in the pile-up, was seen throwing his sunglasses at a rider in the group while standing in the road at the start of the penultimate lap. Bahati¹s glasses caught Andrew Pinfold’s (UnitedHealthcare) front wheel, ripping off his computer receiver.... the computer receiver lodged in his front wheel, slowing Pinfold enough for the Jamis tandem, Cantwell in tow, to surge past on the left side of the road.
If you can render an otherwise fully functional bicycle useless, by throwing your sunglasses at it while it speeds by at 30 mph, then your wasting your talents on bicycle racing.
@ 40 seconds
If you can render an otherwise fully functional bicycle useless, by throwing your sunglasses at it while it speeds by at 30 mph, then your wasting your talents on bicycle racing.
@ 40 seconds
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Chrome Shoes
I participated in this....very cool.
Hats of...actually shoes off to Chrome Shoes.
Turds for Gold Results !
Hats of...actually shoes off to Chrome Shoes.
Turds for Gold Results !
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