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Roadie comments

Andy

7/2/08 11:45:10 PM

Straightening the bars

With the stem bolt tight enough to keep it from swinging, but loose enough to allow some movement,I remove the front wheel and place the drops on a flat spot on the floor. Then I tip the bike forward until the brake hoods are just above the floor. In that position, I make the necessary adjustments to even out the distance between the floor and the brake hoods. Works every time, but is a little difficult with my Tandem

NWALongRider

7/3/08 08:41:44 AM

Landis

This horse is dead and the carcass is fetid; please stop beating it!

Joe

7/3/08 08:46:29 AM

Crash Insurance

Only insurance companies make money on insurance.

Dan Weitzel

7/3/08 08:51:56 AM

Landis & USADA

I and probably no one (other than Landis himself) will ever know for sure if he doped or not. I believe the bigger issue is "whose watching the hen house"? USADA has never "lost" a case, this "record" makes me wonder if truth or reputation is more important. Since USADA is public funded I believe they need to be publicly transparent with outside (non-attached) oversight. Also something must be done to provide the athlete with the funding (and access to documents) they need to properly defend themselves.

georoadie

7/3/08 09:28:22 AM

passing dad

i don't have a paid subscription with you guys, but i had to tell you why i ride. my dad died when i was 12 years old of a heart attack at 51. i started riding at age 24, always with the hope to pass dad. now a father myself, i'm glade i ride as much as i do. i'm now 53 years old. i caught and passed dad two years ago.

riding for me is not to have mom have to tell baby that daddys gone.

georoadie

7/3/08 10:12:53 AM

Bike Biz

I work in the Bike Biz and make good money, play with and talk about bikes all day but I dont go on long test rides during work and neither do our techs we are a successful retail business and while some may be bleeding to death from a paper cut we are walking in sunshine! It can be all you dream it to be if it is done right!

John

7/3/08 10:55:34 AM

Baker is more believable than CAS, WADA, or USDA

nuff said.

MWKC

7/3/08 11:41:25 AM

Baker

Landis pays Baker for his opinion so that hardly makes him more believable. Landis had his day before independent arbitration panels and courts....and lost every time.

Mike Schott

7/3/08 11:19:49 AM

How Can I Train More Consistently?

If you have to ask, I think you're not capable of it.

If your dedication is as strong as it has to be in order to survive for the amount of time it has to in order for it to have been worth-while, you wouldn't have to be asking questions like, "How can I train more consistently?".

The pressures in our society to not ride are immense and unless you have a natural inner drive to do it, you won't.

If you do, you will.

In any activity, you're not going to make any significant progress in a month, 3 months or even a season.

Like anything else, cycling takes years to really develop your abilities.

You're not going to want to spend that kind of time in it only to sacrifice it all for a weekend at whatever.

So, I'd say that if you have to look outside yourself for motivation and ideas that make you train more consistently, you're probably in the wrong activity.

Mike Schott

MWKC

7/3/08 11:28:46 AM

Landis Verdict

It's time to move on. All of this talk of a French conspiracy in testing Landis has been finally put to rest by the CAS. Landis disgraced himself and the Tour and for cycling fans who refuse to deal with the truth I say maybe you should find another sport. After watching the past 23 Tours I'm ready for a generation of riders who can race without the latest designer steroid or growth hormone. The real legends of European cycling continue to be the likes of Merckx, Hinault, Lemond, and Indurain.

Jason L. Parker

7/3/08 11:59:11 PM

Not cool

I know it's not cool to mention Armstrong in the best ever list, but he is the best. One on one he would smoke any of the greats.

Fergus

7/3/08 11:42:59 AM

Landis Defence

"There is evidence of scientific misconduct/malfeasance."

Resorting to accusations of this nature as a defence against doping charges comes off as at minimum paranoid if not delusional. Perhaps Floyd isn't the only one on his team juicing it up!

Rick

7/3/08 12:28:19 PM

FLOYD LANDIS

The issue has become, can an organization ruin a promising career with less than the best lab practices.

If initial lab practices were found to be questionable, and they were, any downstream evidence/testing resulting from the original testing is tainted and is therefore inadmissable unless it can be proven that it would have been found anyway.

These full time drug enforcement people are like building inspectors. If you have ever built a house you know the building inspector will find something wrong. If he can't find anything wrong he may create doubt as to the usefulness of his position/income, and he doesn't want his income to go away.

There have been proven cases of unjust athlete treatment. An example is bringing a testing method to market before it is ready. This happened with the EPO testing used against Rutger Beke in triathlon. Fortunately, Rutger had the financial means to fight it and won. What if he didn't have the financial means to fight?

Rick

Lyle

7/3/08 12:36:44 PM

Bike Prices

I'd rather have two good $2,000 bikes to ride than one great $4,000 bike. That way, I'm sure I ALWAYS have a good bike under me, even when one needs to make a trip to the shop.

Sandy Scott

7/3/08 12:40:56 PM

Give it up already

Landis should disappear from the cycling scene forever, and Baker should share the formula for the Kool-aid that he is imbiding!

timschneider

7/3/08 12:55:12 PM

Bike Prices (in general)

Road bikes are still relative bargains compared to mountain bikes these days.

The 'roadie' side of me has it sooo much better than the 'durt' side of me does!

Non cycling friends still look at me and shake their head in wonder.. $2000, $5000 for a bike?!?!

Dr Jeff

7/3/08 01:08:37 PM

crash insurance for race bike

Who sells this insurance?

Helen

7/3/08 06:49:59 PM

Bike Insurance

I know Allstate has been offering insurance for bikes, ATV's, boats etc.

alan g sherry

7/3/08 02:22:59 PM

landis guilty

I am a long time cyclist and a lawyer; I was astounded that only 19% of the poll participants thought he was guilty; reminds me of the O.J. trial, cyclists are too wrapped up in their heroes; the evidence was overwhelming and the 3-0 verdict on appeal says it all.

MWKC

7/3/08 02:34:14 PM

Long Time Cyclist

Agreed. It's the long time cyclists like ourselves that seem to have the perspective of history. What's important is the integrity of the sport of cycling. Waiving the American flag and crying foul seems to be the habit of all those cycling enthusiasts who started coming around when Armstrong started winning. The Tour will always be wonderful no matter the nationality of the winner so long as he's not a doper!

K-Ken

7/3/08 02:28:07 PM

overturning Floyd's conviction for doping

CAS was caught between a rock and a hard place. If they overturned the conviction, it would be admitting that the labs, etc. were responcible and it would open up past convictions for review. It's too bad Floyd had to spend so much money trying to prove his innocense. It was a no win situation for him from the start. If the labs were found guilty of shoddy work, the whole drug testing program would fall apart.

brian

7/3/08 02:28:09 PM

Bike Prices

The cost of the bike does not make you fast, your engine does. We have a masters racer here in FL that routinely races a 20+ year old bike with CLIPS and consistantly places high in the results (many top10's) beating out bikes many $1000 more. If the high priced bike makes you feel good and stylish, then there is nothing wrong with it. Don't discourage the guy from riding his older or cheaper bike (especially when he is beating you)

Yr Pal Dr Codfish

7/3/08 02:47:46 PM

Owning a Bike shop?

A friend who owns a bike shop once said:

"You can make thousands with a bike shop ... but it takes millions to do it."

roadie57

7/3/08 03:11:24 PM

How Can I Train More Consistently?

I have to agree with coach Fred's comments about off time or easy weeks. I was forced to spend a few days off the bike to get ready for my daughters big graduation party. My first ride after the break I did my best average MPH for 32 mile ride , kept my heart rate in zone 4 and 5 almost the whole ride and could really feel the leg muscles got a good work out. Consistency is not really a worthwhile goal in training. A better goal is pushing your body hard when you can and resting hard when you should.

Paul

7/3/08 03:16:53 PM

Insuring your bike

I sure would like to know where your reader named Scott (RBR 7/3/08) bought insurance for his bike that covers crash damage. I've tried to find insurance, and could only find it available in the U.K. and Australia. My U.S. insurer has never even heard of it. Please share where we can purchase this insurance.

KFT

7/3/08 03:36:44 PM

Testosterone tests may be suspect

I can't believe that the findings of genetic researchers on the testosterone/epitestosterone ratio never entered Floyd's case.

Was I the only one to read the reports on this study?

For info see the March 28th issue of Sciencenews.

I'd give you a URL but they won't let me.

Charlie

7/3/08 03:37:22 PM

Landis Testosterone?

I have read the arguments and generally agree that Landis *didn't* use testosterone to enhance his performance in stage 17.

From my own experience bonking, I don't believe that a rider can come back *that* strong on the following day. It takes me more than a week. Since the stage 16 bonk was so complete, I have to
believe that Landis did *something* that enhanced his performance on stage 17.

My opinion, not scientifically justified, is that Landis used some performance-enhancing recovery method. I don't think it was testosterone. But I don't know what it was, and I believe
it's not within the test protocols available today to find it.

Zecutive

7/3/08 03:56:53 PM

WADA Proved a Point but Not Landis Guilt

WADA proved that it is a powerful organization. I belived that the stakes were high for WADA and that made their self-interest more important to them than fairness or truth.

There will obvious flaws in the testing. That taken in context of the questionable benefits of consuming testosterone on short term endurance performance and the lack of positve testing over the long term makes the case absurd to me.

I believe WADA's goal was to preserve their credibility. The outcome is that their credibility is destroyed with me. Unfortunately my tax dollars support this dishonesty. I hope I can have impact on WADA through my political reprsentatives.

Matt

7/3/08 04:40:40 PM

bike insurance

One of your readers suggested to others that they insure their bikes. How and where can I do that? From talking to car insurance companies, they don't do that.

Ed Pavelka, RBR editor/publisher

7/3/08 05:03:22 PM

Bike insurance

Let's hope the reader, Scott, checks this page and weighs in with further information.

Bikes can be covered by homeowner's insurance. Different insurers probably treat bikes differently, but a place to start is with the company that covers your house or apartment and its contents.

DDDinOz

7/3/08 07:08:47 PM

take it when you can

Weather, work and kids get to us all.

But grabbing a quick half hour on the stationary trainer in the garage, with old TdF videos (no DVD in garage) playing, is always a great way to avoid a total right off.

And don't forget that you are better at all the other things you have to do if you look after your own health first - at least that's what I tell myself and anyone else who will listen.

DDDinOz

7/3/08 07:15:04 PM

Satisfy the Urge to Surge

the 30 on / 30 off session is great on the wind trainer too.

TtFH

7/3/08 07:21:34 PM

Landis

I didn't do it. It was everyone else's fault. A dog ate my homework.

mathais

7/3/08 07:31:31 PM

testosterone doping

It is hard to believe that with all the legal battles and multi million dollar law suits that no one has reported or used the argument that testosterone can be absorbed through the skin, very efficiently. on le tour and other races, cyclists are constantly drenched by spectators with water bottles. think about it.

Mark Floyd

7/3/08 07:52:33 PM

I conclude Landis is guilty

I tend to give cyclists the benefit of the doubt, especially when the drug they are supposedly guilty of using is not the logical choice for performance improvement AND the athlete is virtually certain of being tested immediately after the event. However, the fact that the vote went 3-0 against Landis tells me that his argument was not compelling enough. I want to think he is innocent and a victim of sabotage, but I have to conclude he is guilty.

Keith

7/3/08 09:09:10 PM

Lifting Heavy weights

Weight-lifting theories run in fads...lift super slowly...low weight/hi reps,

All I know is that when I lift low weights I can lift for years without tears or strains. When I ramp up the weight, inevitably something rips....and I move like a ninety year old for 2 weeks.

Melbourne Female Roadie

7/3/08 09:27:02 PM

Riding bikes you can't really afford

I also don't agree that you should not be riding bikes you can't afford to replace. I have just had a major crash - 3 months later I am not sure if I will get back on the bike. I do not want to spend huge amounts replacing my carbon fibre frame if I don't get back into riding regularly. However my expensive bike was my pride and joy and to replace it with a lessor frame is not motivating. Ironically I had just got a quote on crash insurance!
What I am finding most frustrating is that only the carbon handle bars are damaged, there are no marks at all on the frame or forks or wheels but no one is prepared to say keep the frame - they are scared of being sued and Xray is more expensive than replacement. I am between a rock and a hard place. Incidently I clipped the kerb looking back for a riding budy and catapulted into a pole at around 35km/h - hitting my head - the bike went on and hit a fence. I have enough steel plates in me to delay airport departures!

Jeff Esslinger

7/3/08 11:25:46 PM

Bike Insurance

I recently destroyed a bike by driving it into my garage. Amazingly, my homeowner's insurance covered full replacement cost. However they told me that my policy was changing and that it would not be covered next time. So I purchased a personal articles policy to cover the cost of replacing my bike. No deductible and it does not matter that I race. Of course this comes at a price tag of $250 a year- 4 times what it costs to insure my wife's engagement ring.

Jason L. Parker

7/3/08 11:30:30 PM

enough

What a shame, the tour has fallen. If Floid is guilty he should be punished. If he is not guilty he should recive justification. The tour police just decided the wanted France to win the last two tours. What a disgrace!! What sore LOOSERS they are. I am through with the tour!! I'll never watch it again. It is fixed. They are so mad because Lance(an AMERICAN)won 7 tours in a row. They have determined that will never happen again. How disgraceful.

Steve King, Templeton CA

7/4/08 01:51:46 AM

Tubeless Tire Rolling Resistance

I think tubeless tires have great possible benefits. I do not think, though, that rolling resistance is one of them. I have trouble believing that rolling resistance will vary significantly at similar tire widths and pressures, with or without a tube. And as a 250 lb rider, I can't see tire pressures of 85 psi doing anything but increasing tire contact area and increasing rolling resistance. I need a little more than one square inch each tire at 120 psi to support my weight, tube or no tube, right? I guess for those of you who are 170 lb riders, it may work out better.

Dann Williams

7/4/08 08:59:23 AM

How Can I Train More Consistently?

This year, due to a job change, I do not ride as often as past years. But I have found I have more power, can ride faster, and enjoy my rides more. I am recovered from the previous ride. And my avg. heart rate is down about 10%compared to last year on the same rides although my avg speed is up. I believe the rest and not riding hard day after day have also helped.

Jason Amoriell

7/4/08 09:51:25 AM

who's Scott's insurer

Finding insurance if one's homeowner's insurance doesn't offer a bike rider has been impossible. Who is Scott's insurer / what's his policy type?

Comment of the Week

With road bike prices on the increase, and considering the discussion at RBR about how much we need to spend (but not overspend) to get a fine machine, here's an idea from a reader named Scott:

"The comment has been made, 'If you can't afford to crash it on Sunday and replace it on Monday, then it's too expensive.'

"I couldn't agree less. Rather than that, why not just insure it? My bike is insured against crashes even if they occur in a race. Now, some might say that's expensive. I can assure you it's not as expensive as replacing a bike. And it's far better than living in constant fear of crashing or having my bike stolen."