2 days to go
It really isn't that hard to believe that Sunday is the final day of 2006. As I stumble about the Internet looking for short stories to share I think I'll save my reflection for tomorrow. Supposedly it's going to rain all day on Sunday, so I might as well leave myself something to do. Today just a few quips.
Have you had a chance to read the latest diary from Jeff Hopkins?
It's a must read as he discusses the doping issue, which is something he's never done. Everybody has an opinion, but the ones worth paying attention to are those directly affected by the sport's culture. I have to say that I agree with what Jeff is saying. While he rightly says the crusaders should keep their mouths shut and to allow the scientists to do their jobs I would add the scientists must be held accountable as well.
It strikes me odd that the only ones held accountable are the riders while every other aspect of the culture goes on without missing a beat. This whole notion that nobody makes mistakes but the riders is complete garbage. There must be accountability up and down the line. I have been saving a lengthy article from the LA Times about this very topic. An investigation uncovered a lot of evidence to suggest the anti-doping world is playing with a deck 100% stacked against the athlete. More on that topic later.
‘LiveStrong’ bracelet upgraded to luxury item
Mine only cost a dollar, but this one is a measly $10,296. There were only 10,296 produced, so take out that second mortgage and help raise money for the LAF. You can see a picture HERE.
Team TIAA-CREF's silent partner unveiled
Now we know who has been behind Jonathan Vaughter's team TIAA-CREF. Until now Doug Ellis has been the unknown and silent financial backer of the team. Cycling needs more guys like him, but on some level I wish he had remained silent.
Suspended Cyclists Get Surprising Support
The President of the IOC apparently has made comments about Ullrich and Basso. I have been searching the IOC's website for any comments supporting this report, but I have turned up zilch. I could see him speaking confirmation on the not guilty part, but I wouldn't call that support would you? An actual quote sure would have fit nicely there.
Quick, Do You Know Your B.M.I.?
Not to be confused with your percentage body fat. Read the NY Times article for an overview of its importance, and then go HERE to calculate your BMI.
New approach for Danielson
So you show up for spin class and next to you sits one of the best professional cyclists on the planet. That will give you something to talk about. There are some great quotes from Tom about his expectations at the Tour of California as well as memories of climbing with Levi and Floyd. He found out quick that he's got a lot of work to do, but with his experience now says "now I know I belong out there." For the sake of the future of American cycling I am pulling for his success. Danielson was the guest speaker at the 2005 TBRA banquet. After meeting him everyone would agree that he's deserving of all the good that comes his way.
Rivals gear up to deny hot McEwen
Jeff Hopkins gets no love as one of the stars at the upcoming Bay Cycling Classic in Australia.
U23 RIDERS OF THE YEAR
The link is to the 2006 Velonews awards for Best of North America. Scan down and focus on the U23 riders winning the annual award, male Brent Bookwalter and female Mara Abbott. Both riders had remarkable seasons and should become two names you'll hear more from in the future. Coincidentally both are collegiate cyclists with multiple national championship jerseys on their wall.
Abbott destroyed the women's DII field at nationals last spring to propel Whitman College to the overall team title. Bookwalter has won national championship jerseys for Lees-McRae College in each discipline; road, mountain and cyclocross. For some reason I want to say Bookwalter has accumulated nine total collegiate jerseys. The good news for the collegiate competition in 2007 is that Bookwalter graduated this December! The bad news for the women is that Abbott is only a junior!
So it's not surprising to see them both have successful cycling careers outside of the college scene. In fact, just yesterday I was IMing with Bookwalter and found out that he's currently hanging out in Sicily, Italy with his girlfriend Clara Beard of Cheerwine (herself an outstanding racer). A great place to chill after getting your papers isn't it? Expect to see him racing with the new U26 national team in 2007.
Have you had a chance to read the latest diary from Jeff Hopkins?
It's a must read as he discusses the doping issue, which is something he's never done. Everybody has an opinion, but the ones worth paying attention to are those directly affected by the sport's culture. I have to say that I agree with what Jeff is saying. While he rightly says the crusaders should keep their mouths shut and to allow the scientists to do their jobs I would add the scientists must be held accountable as well.
It strikes me odd that the only ones held accountable are the riders while every other aspect of the culture goes on without missing a beat. This whole notion that nobody makes mistakes but the riders is complete garbage. There must be accountability up and down the line. I have been saving a lengthy article from the LA Times about this very topic. An investigation uncovered a lot of evidence to suggest the anti-doping world is playing with a deck 100% stacked against the athlete. More on that topic later.
‘LiveStrong’ bracelet upgraded to luxury item
Mine only cost a dollar, but this one is a measly $10,296. There were only 10,296 produced, so take out that second mortgage and help raise money for the LAF. You can see a picture HERE.
Team TIAA-CREF's silent partner unveiled
Now we know who has been behind Jonathan Vaughter's team TIAA-CREF. Until now Doug Ellis has been the unknown and silent financial backer of the team. Cycling needs more guys like him, but on some level I wish he had remained silent.
Suspended Cyclists Get Surprising Support
The President of the IOC apparently has made comments about Ullrich and Basso. I have been searching the IOC's website for any comments supporting this report, but I have turned up zilch. I could see him speaking confirmation on the not guilty part, but I wouldn't call that support would you? An actual quote sure would have fit nicely there.
Quick, Do You Know Your B.M.I.?
Not to be confused with your percentage body fat. Read the NY Times article for an overview of its importance, and then go HERE to calculate your BMI.
New approach for Danielson
So you show up for spin class and next to you sits one of the best professional cyclists on the planet. That will give you something to talk about. There are some great quotes from Tom about his expectations at the Tour of California as well as memories of climbing with Levi and Floyd. He found out quick that he's got a lot of work to do, but with his experience now says "now I know I belong out there." For the sake of the future of American cycling I am pulling for his success. Danielson was the guest speaker at the 2005 TBRA banquet. After meeting him everyone would agree that he's deserving of all the good that comes his way.
Rivals gear up to deny hot McEwen
Jeff Hopkins gets no love as one of the stars at the upcoming Bay Cycling Classic in Australia.
U23 RIDERS OF THE YEAR
The link is to the 2006 Velonews awards for Best of North America. Scan down and focus on the U23 riders winning the annual award, male Brent Bookwalter and female Mara Abbott. Both riders had remarkable seasons and should become two names you'll hear more from in the future. Coincidentally both are collegiate cyclists with multiple national championship jerseys on their wall.
Abbott destroyed the women's DII field at nationals last spring to propel Whitman College to the overall team title. Bookwalter has won national championship jerseys for Lees-McRae College in each discipline; road, mountain and cyclocross. For some reason I want to say Bookwalter has accumulated nine total collegiate jerseys. The good news for the collegiate competition in 2007 is that Bookwalter graduated this December! The bad news for the women is that Abbott is only a junior!
So it's not surprising to see them both have successful cycling careers outside of the college scene. In fact, just yesterday I was IMing with Bookwalter and found out that he's currently hanging out in Sicily, Italy with his girlfriend Clara Beard of Cheerwine (herself an outstanding racer). A great place to chill after getting your papers isn't it? Expect to see him racing with the new U26 national team in 2007.
posted by NashvilleCyclist.com at 12/30/2006 05:18:00 PM
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