Not exactly a fair representation of the interview.
What he said was, if he went back to the time he started doping and the same conditions existed (ie - everybody else was doping) then he'd do the same thing. I kind of understand that. Cycling then is very, very different to now. There is still doping - but you have to understand that it was absolutely endemic prior to about five years ago. Every single rider was doping.
What makes Armstrong such a turd is his complete disregard for others. He trod all over hundreds of people - the masseuse, the Andreus, Floyd Landis, Greg Lemond and countless others, then showed no contrition when it all came crashing down.
Not exactly a fair representation of the interview.
What he said was, if he went back to the time he started doping and the same conditions existed (ie - everybody else was doping) then he'd do the same thing. I kind of understand that. Cycling then is very, very different to now. There is still doping - but you have to understand that it was absolutely endemic prior to about five years ago. Every single rider was doping.
What makes Armstrong such a turd is his complete disregard for others. He trod all over hundreds of people - the masseuse, the Andreus, Floyd Landis, Greg Lemond and countless others, then showed no contrition when it all came crashing down.
The bloke's a textbook sociopath.
This.
Having watched the interview, the quote was always going to be taken out of context.
About 3-4 weeks ago (just after Xmas), my one of my good cycling mates was involved in his 4th serious collision in 5 years of cycling.
He was coming down the hill from the old Bexley Hospital into Bexley Village and was taken out by a B12 bus. The bus driver didnt stop. Probably best that I dont go into specific details but the Police have traced the driver now.
My mate is very lucky to be alive. Never nice to see someone strapped to a spinal board.
Sadly, it just reinforces why I havent been out on my bike since July/August last year. I had two very near misses in the space of two days and I dont feel indestructible any more. I dont get this hassle when I go out and run.
About 3-4 weeks ago (just after Xmas), my one of my good cycling mates was involved in his 4th serious collision in 5 years of cycling.
He was coming down the hill from the old Bexley Hospital into Bexley Village and was taken out by a B12 bus. The bus driver didnt stop. Probably best that I dont go into specific details but the Police have traced the driver now.
My mate is very lucky to be alive. Never nice to see someone strapped to a spinal board.
Sadly, it just reinforces why I havent been out on my bike since July/August last year. I had two very near misses in the space of two days and I dont feel indestructible any more. I dont get this hassle when I go out and run.
Think I'm heading that way too, John. To begin with the idiocy of most drivers didn't worry me but now more so I encounter complete morons driving without any idea of the weight and power they are in control of when navigating their vehicle!
Also, do buses just take on board all passengers, close the doors, signal and proceed to pull out without checking any mirrors? It seems to me that most buses creep out-realise that there are cyclists on their right side and suddenly slam the brakes on. Happens too often!
Finding it really, really hard to motivate myself this year. I have the Cheshire Cat next weekend - which will be a decent warm-up for the Mallorca 312 at the end of April, but the cold weather is really pissing me off. This morning it was zero degrees when I set out, and I was frozen solid when I got to the office. The ride back wasn't much better either - I'm really struggling to get my pace up to where I want it to be, and the lack of any social riding up here is affeecting my bunch-riding skills. Still contesting (and winning) commuter sprints though - even Oop North
Still - whenever I feel like I'm not putting enough miles in, I take a look at This fella for inspiration...
@Leroy Ambrose - I am really struggling this year too. Had a good January but then went away on holiday in Feb and kind of lost it all..trying again now, but everything hurts, can't seem to shift weight and I just see my times getting slower.. Think that mainly it is down to aging (45 this year) and it is really bloody depressing but am keeping going in the hope that it something 'clicks' in the coming weeks (hopefully not my back)... Am cycling from Milan to Venice, in an arch up and over the Alps/Dolomites at the end of June for 5 days (reverse of a route I did a couple of years ago), and am wondering how I am going to survive past day 2 (Stelvio day...with Gavia at end of Day 1..).
I may be in Manchester with a bike on the weekend of May 17th (still tbc) and would love to hit some of the hills up there if you are around (and will go slow enough for me to keep up...)
Bumping this as I am about to upgrade my bike and my current one will be available in the next week or so.
Forme Reflex Road (Size to suit 5.11" - 6.3") Full Carbon Frame and Forks Full Shimano 105 groupset (new chain and casette with less than 150 miles on them) Upgraded wheels (less than a year old, 2 year guarentee and I have the receipt) Mavic Aksiums Upgraded Selle Italia Saddle Cost £1500 new and the wheels were a further £150.00 In great nick, couple of scratches on the down tube and could use a service, but everything else is fine. Will need to shift it quickly so will take £500 ovno if someone on here wants it. Will stick a couple of photos up later.
Anyone here use Zwift? Best fun on an indoor bike there is....
Vital over here where on Easter Friday I did my first serious mountain bike of the year - (more relaxing as the Bears are still hibernating) - and then today the roads are covered in 4" of snow....
Bumping this as I am about to upgrade my bike and my current one will be available in the next week or so.
Forme Reflex Road (Size to suit 5.11" - 6.3") Full Carbon Frame and Forks Full Shimano 105 groupset (new chain and casette with less than 150 miles on them) Upgraded wheels (less than a year old, 2 year guarentee and I have the receipt) Mavic Aksiums Upgraded Selle Italia Saddle Cost £1500 new and the wheels were a further £150.00 In great nick, couple of scratches on the down tube and could use a service, but everything else is fine. Will need to shift it quickly so will take £500 ovno if someone on here wants it. Will stick a couple of photos up later.
Anyone here use Zwift? Best fun on an indoor bike there is....
Vital over here where on Easter Friday I did my first serious mountain bike of the year - (more relaxing as the Bears are still hibernating) - and then today the roads are covered in 4" of snow....
I saw you on The Island on Strava
I've given it a bash at a mate's house - looks fun, but I'm sticking with Bkool and Suffer fest for indoor workouts
Bumping this as I am about to upgrade my bike and my current one will be available in the next week or so.
Forme Reflex Road (Size to suit 5.11" - 6.3") Full Carbon Frame and Forks Full Shimano 105 groupset (new chain and casette with less than 150 miles on them) Upgraded wheels (less than a year old, 2 year guarentee and I have the receipt) Mavic Aksiums Upgraded Selle Italia Saddle Cost £1500 new and the wheels were a further £150.00 In great nick, couple of scratches on the down tube and could use a service, but everything else is fine. Will need to shift it quickly so will take £500 ovno if someone on here wants it. Will stick a couple of photos up later.
About to go on my first big ride of the year. Along the Thames path from Deptford to London Bridge, along Southwark St, Stamford St., York St., Lambeth Palace Road, Albert Embankment and then 2 hour stop for coffee and cake and read the Sunday New York Times on my Kindle sitting outside the Portuguese cafe just before you get to Vauxhall Bridge. Then back. Could be a 4 or 5 hour session!
Bumping this as I am about to upgrade my bike and my current one will be available in the next week or so.
Forme Reflex Road (Size to suit 5.11" - 6.3") Full Carbon Frame and Forks Full Shimano 105 groupset (new chain and casette with less than 150 miles on them) Upgraded wheels (less than a year old, 2 year guarentee and I have the receipt) Mavic Aksiums Upgraded Selle Italia Saddle Cost £1500 new and the wheels were a further £150.00 In great nick, couple of scratches on the down tube and could use a service, but everything else is fine. Will need to shift it quickly so will take £500 ovno if someone on here wants it. Will stick a couple of photos up later.
That's nice. Like the look of Cubes, but I've never found one that I really felt comfortable on - tried four over a couple of years during umming and aahing about a new bike but they never really 'did it' for me. Definitely agree about getting the year before's bike - I got my Venge for 1700 because it was 2014 model (should have been 2300)
Bumping this as I am about to upgrade my bike and my current one will be available in the next week or so.
Forme Reflex Road (Size to suit 5.11" - 6.3") Full Carbon Frame and Forks Full Shimano 105 groupset (new chain and casette with less than 150 miles on them) Upgraded wheels (less than a year old, 2 year guarentee and I have the receipt) Mavic Aksiums Upgraded Selle Italia Saddle Cost £1500 new and the wheels were a further £150.00 In great nick, couple of scratches on the down tube and could use a service, but everything else is fine. Will need to shift it quickly so will take £500 ovno if someone on here wants it. Will stick a couple of photos up later.
That's nice. Like the look of Cubes, but I've never found one that I really felt comfortable on - tried four over a couple of years during umming and aahing about a new bike but they never really 'did it' for me. Definitely agree about getting the year before's bike - I got my Venge for 1700 because it was 2014 model (should have been 2300)
Had a Cube Peloton Pro before the Forme and was a nice fit. The frames come up a little small and are not as aggressive as most road bikes.
The Forme is a nice bike and to be honest I should stick with it, but I always get itchy for a change after a couple of years.
Was also looking at the new Merida Aero range and very nearly bought one of these yesterday:
In the end, for what I use it for it just felt like overkill. Lovely to ride though. Having said that, I suspect your back and arse would be in bits after 20-30 miles!
@Leroy Ambrose - I am really struggling this year too. Had a good January but then went away on holiday in Feb and kind of lost it all..trying again now, but everything hurts, can't seem to shift weight and I just see my times getting slower.. Think that mainly it is down to aging (45 this year) and it is really bloody depressing but am keeping going in the hope that it something 'clicks' in the coming weeks (hopefully not my back)... Am cycling from Milan to Venice, in an arch up and over the Alps/Dolomites at the end of June for 5 days (reverse of a route I did a couple of years ago), and am wondering how I am going to survive past day 2 (Stelvio day...with Gavia at end of Day 1..).
I may be in Manchester with a bike on the weekend of May 17th (still tbc) and would love to hit some of the hills up there if you are around (and will go slow enough for me to keep up...)
Don't give up @Charlton Charlie - i'm ahead of you by a year and just had a good season on the cross country skis, posting much better times than ever week on week until hurting my knee at the end of the season....perseverance is the key because at our age it's all rapidly downhill otherwise
@Leroy Ambrose - I am really struggling this year too. Had a good January but then went away on holiday in Feb and kind of lost it all..trying again now, but everything hurts, can't seem to shift weight and I just see my times getting slower.. Think that mainly it is down to aging (45 this year) and it is really bloody depressing but am keeping going in the hope that it something 'clicks' in the coming weeks (hopefully not my back)... Am cycling from Milan to Venice, in an arch up and over the Alps/Dolomites at the end of June for 5 days (reverse of a route I did a couple of years ago), and am wondering how I am going to survive past day 2 (Stelvio day...with Gavia at end of Day 1..).
I may be in Manchester with a bike on the weekend of May 17th (still tbc) and would love to hit some of the hills up there if you are around (and will go slow enough for me to keep up...)
Well, I have located my mojo this year over the past two days. Smashed the absolute shit out of a load of PBs yesterday and today, so am finally actually looking forward to this year on the bike.
I think I'm around on the weekend of the 17th, so if you fancy some spiteful hills on the West Pennine moors that weekend, let me know
Well, that was fun. Crash on the East Lancs Road at 50km/h. Car passed me with less than a foot of room whilst inside lane was coned off - I ducked in to avoid it, but there was rope between the cones - Hut it and went straight over bars. Landed on face, smashed front teeth to bits, fractured jaw and bruised wrist, knee and thigh. Road rash everywhere. Knocked out for about a minute, apparently. Don't remember that (obviously) and currently sitting in casualty waiting for an x Ray on my nut.
Could have been so, so much worse - but hurts like a motherf**ker.
Broken wrist too. Stitches under chin. On the plus side, I look 'ard
To be fair I was overdue an off - not had a bad one for a couple of years. I'm philosophical about it - the bike does my body so much good and I love it so much that I'd never give it up.
The worst of it is that I'm supposed to have the Mallorca 312 in a couple of weeks, byt that's completely kyboshed now
Yeah. The pillock who caused it didn't stop, but the guy behind did and was an absolute gent. The copper and paramedic who attended were also brilliant - as are the hospital. First rate all round really.
I'm alright - head hurts byt glad I was wearing a lid
Comments
Having watched the interview, the quote was always going to be taken out of context.
He was coming down the hill from the old Bexley Hospital into Bexley Village and was taken out by a B12 bus. The bus driver didnt stop. Probably best that I dont go into specific details but the Police have traced the driver now.
My mate is very lucky to be alive. Never nice to see someone strapped to a spinal board.
Sadly, it just reinforces why I havent been out on my bike since July/August last year. I had two very near misses in the space of two days and I dont feel indestructible any more. I dont get this hassle when I go out and run.
To begin with the idiocy of most drivers didn't worry me but now more so I encounter complete morons driving without any idea of the weight and power they are in control of when navigating their vehicle!
Also, do buses just take on board all passengers, close the doors, signal and proceed to pull out without checking any mirrors?
It seems to me that most buses creep out-realise that there are cyclists on their right side and suddenly slam the brakes on.
Happens too often!
Rule 5 and rule 9 cards punched for the year I think.
Beats anything I've seen on this site!
:-)
Still - whenever I feel like I'm not putting enough miles in, I take a look at This fella for inspiration...
I may be in Manchester with a bike on the weekend of May 17th (still tbc) and would love to hit some of the hills up there if you are around (and will go slow enough for me to keep up...)
Forme Reflex Road (Size to suit 5.11" - 6.3")
Full Carbon Frame and Forks
Full Shimano 105 groupset (new chain and casette with less than 150 miles on them)
Upgraded wheels (less than a year old, 2 year guarentee and I have the receipt) Mavic Aksiums
Upgraded Selle Italia Saddle
Cost £1500 new and the wheels were a further £150.00
In great nick, couple of scratches on the down tube and could use a service, but everything else is fine.
Will need to shift it quickly so will take £500 ovno if someone on here wants it. Will stick a couple of photos up later.
Vital over here where on Easter Friday I did my first serious mountain bike of the year - (more relaxing as the Bears are still hibernating) - and then today the roads are covered in 4" of snow....
I've given it a bash at a mate's house - looks fun, but I'm sticking with Bkool and Suffer fest for indoor workouts
Lots of 2014 bargains around at the moment.
The Forme is a nice bike and to be honest I should stick with it, but I always get itchy for a change after a couple of years.
Was also looking at the new Merida Aero range and very nearly bought one of these yesterday:
http://mobile.wheelies.co.uk/merida-reacto-4000-2015-road-bike/p74460/?gclid=CIHi_NrD38QCFRHHtAodwV0AOQ
In the end, for what I use it for it just felt like overkill. Lovely to ride though. Having said that, I suspect your back and arse would be in bits after 20-30 miles!
Had been looking at this later this summer http://www.granfondoguide.com/Events/Index/272/Ryder-Hesjedals-Tour-de-Victoria but almost certain that i'll be back in the UK drinking beer and eating pork pies instead
I think I'm around on the weekend of the 17th, so if you fancy some spiteful hills on the West Pennine moors that weekend, let me know
Could have been so, so much worse - but hurts like a motherf**ker.
My mate has been knocked off his bike twice in recent years.
Personally, I wouldn't cycle, it's far too dangerous.
To be fair I was overdue an off - not had a bad one for a couple of years. I'm philosophical about it - the bike does my body so much good and I love it so much that I'd never give it up.
The worst of it is that I'm supposed to have the Mallorca 312 in a couple of weeks, byt that's completely kyboshed now
I'm alright - head hurts byt glad I was wearing a lid
As a non cyclist I still don't understand why helmets aren't compulsory. A debate for you chaps another day, just seems too easy for me.
Feet up and no speedy typing for a while