Jul 14, 2012 at 03:27 AM
In Print: Articles of Interest
Jul 14, 2012 at 06:48 PM
Ian,
I have had a long-standing issue with ghost-written first-person work. That hasn't changed, nor do I think I should make an exception for Wiggins. It strikes me as ironic that a person who claims such a strong stand against cheating would be willing to put his name to something he didn't actually write.
And that gets to a larger issue. There is cheating that's ok and cheating that's wrong. Wiggins claims doping is wrong. But he has no qualms about putting his name to something he didn't write. In some places, that's known as plagiarism. I think this is something to think about because, as Bjarne Riis has claimed, he just saw doping as part of the job. Look at Pozzato, the guy had to have known that if it became public knowledge that he was working with Ferrari he would be sacked. When it became known, his public comments were pretty much the equivalent of shrugging.
I knew everything written in the piece before it was put together in the article. I knew about the putting the jersey in the trash, I saw his results, etc.
Further, he's not the first guy to get angry and righteous and point to his history and life as proof he's no doper. Armstrong did it, too. The US federation claimed they were dope-free, as well. And Americans have long claimed that the doping culture of Europe never landed on American shores. David Millar also claimed ot be clean, also claimed a long record of top-level racing. You know what happened there, too. Tyler Hamilton made a claim about how he wouldn't dope because of it could affect his wife.
I don't think his explanation should change much of anything. People should say to brad, "Thanks for writing, it's good to read what you allegedly have on your mind." At the same time, it doesn't mean he's not a doper. I'm not suggesting he is a doper, but at the same time, I don't think the skeptics should gush and flip. I still think he should post bio-passport data.
Jul 14, 2012 at 08:07 PM
OK, finally looked up the article in question.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jul/13/bradley-wiggins-dope-drugs?CMP=twt_gu
Here is my favorite bit:
I don't do it for a power trip: at the end of the day, I'm a shy bloke
looking forward to taking my son to summer rugby camp after the Tour,
where he could maybe bump into his hero, Sam Tomkins. That's what's
keeping me going here. What I love is doing my best and working hard. If
I felt I had to take drugs, I would rather stop tomorrow, go and ride
club 10-mile time trials, ride to the cafe on Sundays, and work in Tesco
stacking shelves.
(Tesco is a supermarket chain)
1) How did you ascertain that it was ghost written?
2) Given his spontaneous response to the media the other day, it seems likely the the Sky PR team decided that a less spontaneous communique was needed. Question is then whether the sentiments are his, or those of the PR team.
3) He probably isn't capable of writing something like this himself. He probably never reads anything greater than 160 characters in years and doesn't know how to form a sentence, much less be poetic or philosophical. Should we cut him slack for that? Not everyone is articulate even after being thrust into the limelight.
4) I found this somewhat remarkable in that the obvious consequences of doping are laid out for everyone to see. I don't think most people think this far ahead. Doesn't mean he didn't do it, but at least he is thinking ahead.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jul/13/bradley-wiggins-dope-drugs?CMP=twt_gu
Here is my favorite bit:
I don't do it for a power trip: at the end of the day, I'm a shy bloke
looking forward to taking my son to summer rugby camp after the Tour,
where he could maybe bump into his hero, Sam Tomkins. That's what's
keeping me going here. What I love is doing my best and working hard. If
I felt I had to take drugs, I would rather stop tomorrow, go and ride
club 10-mile time trials, ride to the cafe on Sundays, and work in Tesco
stacking shelves.
(Tesco is a supermarket chain)
1) How did you ascertain that it was ghost written?
2) Given his spontaneous response to the media the other day, it seems likely the the Sky PR team decided that a less spontaneous communique was needed. Question is then whether the sentiments are his, or those of the PR team.
3) He probably isn't capable of writing something like this himself. He probably never reads anything greater than 160 characters in years and doesn't know how to form a sentence, much less be poetic or philosophical. Should we cut him slack for that? Not everyone is articulate even after being thrust into the limelight.
4) I found this somewhat remarkable in that the obvious consequences of doping are laid out for everyone to see. I don't think most people think this far ahead. Doesn't mean he didn't do it, but at least he is thinking ahead.
Jul 14, 2012 at 08:55 PM
@Wump: that is pretty much the crux of it. Only in sport and politics does one point to ones own claim(s) of innocence as *evidence* of same.
Particularly bizarre in the case of cycling where there exist data that would shed some light on the issue. "No thanks, don't look at my bio passport, just read my statement of innocence."
In some circles this would be laughable.
How about "Who cares what I or anyone else *tell* you. Here is my data, let's talk about that."
Are we really saying that having this data public (for everyone) would be a competitive disadvantage?
Particularly bizarre in the case of cycling where there exist data that would shed some light on the issue. "No thanks, don't look at my bio passport, just read my statement of innocence."
In some circles this would be laughable.
How about "Who cares what I or anyone else *tell* you. Here is my data, let's talk about that."
Are we really saying that having this data public (for everyone) would be a competitive disadvantage?
Jul 16, 2012 at 01:02 PM
File this utterly random bit under "Truth in Advertising"
"Got 30 seconds to spare? Why not spend them letting Gandalf show you how to catch a live kangaroo." Morphs into "why not spend them letting a creepy bearded hobo show you how to stuff a wallaby into a shopping bag"
http://gawker.com/5925733/got-thirty-seconds-to-spare-why-not-spend-them-letting-gandalf-show-you-how-to-catch-a-live-kangaroo?tag=how-to
DO NOT WANT to know what unholy thing(s) he is going to do with that poor creature...
"Got 30 seconds to spare? Why not spend them letting Gandalf show you how to catch a live kangaroo." Morphs into "why not spend them letting a creepy bearded hobo show you how to stuff a wallaby into a shopping bag"
http://gawker.com/5925733/got-thirty-seconds-to-spare-why-not-spend-them-letting-gandalf-show-you-how-to-catch-a-live-kangaroo?tag=how-to
DO NOT WANT to know what unholy thing(s) he is going to do with that poor creature...
Jul 16, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Jul 16, 2012 at 03:00 PM
Jul 16, 2012 at 10:30 PM
From NPR today:
Mountain biking legend Gary Fisher says these "engineered nutrition" products keep many amateur athletes on the tubby side. "I see guys who really put in the miles, and they have a gut that never goes away," Fisher says.Fisher says he prefers roast beef sandwiches, burritos, nuts, and bananas during bike rides, and afterward, he often eats a large helping of chicken or fish served beside a salad dressed with olive oil.
Jul 16, 2012 at 10:30 PM
I don't know what happened with all the background text colors there.
Jul 18, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Bicycle Superhighway in Copenhagen:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/18/world/europe/in-denmark-pedaling-to-work-on-a-superhighway.html?_r=1&hp
My favorite quote is:
“When you have been biking for 30 minutes, you have a really good feeling about yourself,” said Henrik Dam Kristensen, the minister for transport, who supports the superhighways. “You really enjoy a glass of wine because you’ve earned it.”
I often have a glass of wine after I get to work. Don't you?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/18/world/europe/in-denmark-pedaling-to-work-on-a-superhighway.html?_r=1&hp
My favorite quote is:
“When you have been biking for 30 minutes, you have a really good feeling about yourself,” said Henrik Dam Kristensen, the minister for transport, who supports the superhighways. “You really enjoy a glass of wine because you’ve earned it.”
I often have a glass of wine after I get to work. Don't you?
Jul 18, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Not a helmet in sight...
Jul 18, 2012 at 01:57 PM
Yeah, I've noticed helmets aren't really big in cycling countries.
Jul 18, 2012 at 03:28 PM
"The plan has received widespread support in a country whose left- and
right-leaning lawmakers both regularly bike to work (albeit on slightly
different models of bicycle)."
Anybody know the difference? One the classic Dutch commuter and the other a recumbent?
Anybody know the difference? One the classic Dutch commuter and the other a recumbent?
Jul 18, 2012 at 03:48 PM
http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2012/06/26/how-to-make-new-yorks-cyclists-safer/
"Liu is also pushing to make helmets mandatory; I’m not such a fan of that idea. For one thing, I have yet to see any empirical data showing that mandatory helmets increase safety. And in general, insofar as a mandatory helmet law would reduce the number of cyclists, it would also reduce the safety-in-numbers effect."
"Liu is also pushing to make helmets mandatory; I’m not such a fan of that idea. For one thing, I have yet to see any empirical data showing that mandatory helmets increase safety. And in general, insofar as a mandatory helmet law would reduce the number of cyclists, it would also reduce the safety-in-numbers effect."
Jul 18, 2012 at 04:25 PM
Liu is an idiot. He is the one trying to thwart the bike share program over liability concerns. He has also been under suspicion of campaign fraud and has been against things like the pedestrian mall in Times Sq. I'm looking forward to NOT voting for him for mayor.
Jul 18, 2012 at 05:01 PM
I don't know if there's data to support the contention that helmets make cyclists as a group safer. However, the data is pretty conclusive that cars, paritcularly speeding cars, make cyclists much less safe. I'm pretty sure the number of cycling deaths per capita is much lower in Europe despite the lesser helmet use. And on the flip side, Australia saw cycling decrease in popularity after they enacted a helmet law.
In other words, this could be a conscious effort to stop cycling.
Jul 18, 2012 at 07:00 PM
Saw this on Red Kite Prayer...interesting commentary on carbon clinchers:
http://redkiteprayer.com/2012/07/carbon-clinchers-are-they-ready-for-prime-time
http://redkiteprayer.com/2012/07/carbon-clinchers-are-they-ready-for-prime-time
Jul 18, 2012 at 07:04 PM
Yikes
Jul 18, 2012 at 07:06 PM
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/45932757" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://player.vimeo.com/video/45932757">BICYCLE</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5229083">Éditions Copains</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
Jul 18, 2012 at 08:37 PM
Saw this on Red Kite Prayer...interesting commentary on carbon clinchers:"descents like Tuna Canyon, Las Flores and Decker"
http://redkiteprayer.com/2012/07/carbon-clinchers-are-they-ready-for-prime-time
Hey, we know those descents. Ryan was all worried about us on Las Flores.
Decker was a different issue, 'cause we went up it instead of down it. . .
Jul 18, 2012 at 09:08 PM
yeah, some of the comments were interesting. Like Dave from November Bikes:
http://www.novemberbicycles.com/blog/2012/6/12/goin-down-slow.html
Dave Kirkpatrick says:
July 12, 2012 at 10:04 am
Padraig -
Great read. I think you and the commenters make some excellent points
that these are a product that has a use window that one has to be
aware of. All carbon clinchers can fail. I may have seen the yeti, in
that I was a first hand witness to a melted Zipp 404 FC clincher, on
East Mountain Road in Killington, VT on May 31 last year – and in full
disclosure it happened next to and simultaneously with a friend of
mine warping one of our wheels. I think Zipp has done a good job with
their engineering and stand at the head of the class on this issue,
but they aren’t immune. 4 mile plus switchback descents ridden at low
speeds in traffic are dangerous with rim brakes and any wheels, but
carbon clinchers lower the risk threshold. Beyond the risk of rim
damage, aluminum rims are a better heat sink than carbon rims – they
dissipate heat much better, which means less risk of popping a tube
due to heat. Just plain going down huge hills slowly on bikes is risky
– witness that disc brake fluid boiling episode that was on bikerumor
a few months ago. Indurain used to always use an aluminum clincher
front on mountain stages because he was afraid of melting glue.
That said, I’ve ridden my last 8000 or so road miles exclusively on
carbon clinchers with no issues and little to no ride behavior
modification. Use the right brake pads, keep your gear clean and well
maintained, use good braking technique, and you have a broad use
window with carbon clinchers. If roads with “Canyon” in their names
were on my regular routes I would just plain not use carbon clinchers.
For crits, normal road racing, and the preponderance of normal race
training, carbon clinchers are a fantastic option. I think the one
real user responsibility issue is “are you going to be able to not use
these wheels for rides that are likely to take them outside of their
zone?” It’s not much different than trading the ProRace4s for
something more durable when you plan a ride on crappy or unpaved
roads. Sometimes people don’t make that choice and oftentimes they are
not made aware that this is a choice that should be made. We try hard
to educate people about the appropriate use window. There is a very
real marketing benefit to sweeping the limitations of carbon clinchers
under the rug, and the difference between the message of “we are not
confident in our rims” and “we are tremendously confident in our rims
when they are used appropriately in appropriate environments” is
sometimes lost in the noise.
Ransom – Hard braking for short periods is definitely preferable to
riding the brakes. Our rim manufacturer has found this in their
testing and they aren’t alone in this finding. Just 4 seconds of
releasing the brakes can cool the rim by 100*.
Best,
Dave
http://www.novemberbicycles.com/blog/2012/6/12/goin-down-slow.html
Dave Kirkpatrick says:
July 12, 2012 at 10:04 am
Padraig -
Great read. I think you and the commenters make some excellent points
that these are a product that has a use window that one has to be
aware of. All carbon clinchers can fail. I may have seen the yeti, in
that I was a first hand witness to a melted Zipp 404 FC clincher, on
East Mountain Road in Killington, VT on May 31 last year – and in full
disclosure it happened next to and simultaneously with a friend of
mine warping one of our wheels. I think Zipp has done a good job with
their engineering and stand at the head of the class on this issue,
but they aren’t immune. 4 mile plus switchback descents ridden at low
speeds in traffic are dangerous with rim brakes and any wheels, but
carbon clinchers lower the risk threshold. Beyond the risk of rim
damage, aluminum rims are a better heat sink than carbon rims – they
dissipate heat much better, which means less risk of popping a tube
due to heat. Just plain going down huge hills slowly on bikes is risky
– witness that disc brake fluid boiling episode that was on bikerumor
a few months ago. Indurain used to always use an aluminum clincher
front on mountain stages because he was afraid of melting glue.
That said, I’ve ridden my last 8000 or so road miles exclusively on
carbon clinchers with no issues and little to no ride behavior
modification. Use the right brake pads, keep your gear clean and well
maintained, use good braking technique, and you have a broad use
window with carbon clinchers. If roads with “Canyon” in their names
were on my regular routes I would just plain not use carbon clinchers.
For crits, normal road racing, and the preponderance of normal race
training, carbon clinchers are a fantastic option. I think the one
real user responsibility issue is “are you going to be able to not use
these wheels for rides that are likely to take them outside of their
zone?” It’s not much different than trading the ProRace4s for
something more durable when you plan a ride on crappy or unpaved
roads. Sometimes people don’t make that choice and oftentimes they are
not made aware that this is a choice that should be made. We try hard
to educate people about the appropriate use window. There is a very
real marketing benefit to sweeping the limitations of carbon clinchers
under the rug, and the difference between the message of “we are not
confident in our rims” and “we are tremendously confident in our rims
when they are used appropriately in appropriate environments” is
sometimes lost in the noise.
Ransom – Hard braking for short periods is definitely preferable to
riding the brakes. Our rim manufacturer has found this in their
testing and they aren’t alone in this finding. Just 4 seconds of
releasing the brakes can cool the rim by 100*.
Best,
Dave
Jul 18, 2012 at 09:20 PM
Learn to go downhill?
On Jul 18, 2012 5:08 PM, "Jeff Owens" <
On Jul 18, 2012 5:08 PM, "Jeff Owens" <
Jul 19, 2012 at 12:26 AM
Wow, $40,000 for an ugly piece of shit:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/aston-martin-launches-one-77-superbike
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/aston-martin-launches-one-77-superbike
Jul 19, 2012 at 12:43 AM
if they had just foregone the atari/dentist stem/bar combo, it would have been a pretty dope bike!
oh . . . and the wheelchair hoops
and the leather work
Jul 19, 2012 at 12:35 PM
And the f-ing thing weighs 21lbs. How'd they manage that?
Jul 19, 2012 at 11:25 PM
ewwwww:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/surgery-for-sorensen-after-wheel-incident
And apparently Cav had some dude's flag caught in his wheel 3km from the finish and broke his bike and swoll-up his leg. Jim, Condon might hold you off!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/surgery-for-sorensen-after-wheel-incident
And apparently Cav had some dude's flag caught in his wheel 3km from the finish and broke his bike and swoll-up his leg. Jim, Condon might hold you off!
Jul 20, 2012 at 03:46 AM
Lance has had some not so nice things to say lately about USADA. Looks like he is the one in need of the "hater-ade" and "hater-tots" now. Oh and using USADA as a viable alibi for his $5 million SCA lawsuit was all bangers and mash back in 05. Now that the worm has turned, he wants only the UCI to adjudicate. In the end it was greed, a weasel and a rat ($5 mil. bonus, Floyd and George...sorry Big George but you Big-time rolled over) that hath brought down Big Tex.
http://www.nydailynews.com/u-s-anti-doping-agency-asks-federal-judge-dismiss-lance-armstrong-lawsuit-article-1.1118217
http://www.nydailynews.com/u-s-anti-doping-agency-asks-federal-judge-dismiss-lance-armstrong-lawsuit-article-1.1118217
Jul 20, 2012 at 03:50 AM
Jul 23, 2012 at 02:05 PM
Jul 23, 2012 at 06:24 PM
DA comments have been moved to LOCAL DOPERS