Mull 2010

Well I haven't been blogging for ages due to work and what with trying to organise a cross race.  Having got over the failure I picked myself up for pilgrimage that is Mull.  A cleansing of the mind so to speak!

 












I have been trying to upload some photos to flickr but I appear to no longer exist so am trying to get my access again! This image captures the essence of Mull! working from left to right we have Gordon, Aileen, Robert, Brian, Giancarlo and Sian.  Bruce was still blow drying his hair at the time and David was the official photographer!

Looking good aren't we!

When god made over shoes they weren't intended for cross.....

Braveheart Dinner

Great night, well in parts up until the auction.....  Few stars around, but shame they didn't know there was an age group triathlon champion in the room.

King of the castle

Found this on the phone at the weekend!

The A Team - mission Relentless 24

In 1972 a crack cycling unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit (mixing groupsets). These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Glasgow underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team to ride with you. 


BA, was on his best behaviour!

Murdock was his usual crazy self.

G3R Style

Weapons of choice for the A team!

Possibly the best 24 race we have ever done.  Aided somewhat by the luxury motor home and the stunning weather.  A credible mid pack finish rounding off a spectacular weekend. 

Relentless

Hard to believe but this is GC about to head out on a lap yesterday at Relentless for the G3R quad (David, Giancarlo, Roddy and I) Long shadows, but unbelievable weather for October.  More photos and stories later.

Cyclocross race

I put together a basic race site for the event, what else does it need?

http://g3revents.blogspot.com/

Not that I am religious but what with this weather I read Exodus 14!

It's the bit where Moses parts the sea. I was looking for inspiration last night as I decided whether to ride with the bunch last night or should I say sail!

Why you may well ask have I become religious all of a sudden, well you might have read that scientists have recently surmised that the account in the Book of Exodus which describes how the waters of the sea parted, allowing the Israelites to flee their Egyptian pursuers could actually have happened.  Granted the simulations were carried by US scientists (whose nation say Armstrong walked on the moon - it's ok it wasn't you Lance or your brother, or even your Dad, another family and yes another family has the same name as you. Yip, no shit) and they show how the movement of wind could have opened up a land bridge at one location.  The results are published in the open-access journal Plos One if you are interested.

So as I was saying, what with the incessant rain we have had, I was reminded of this when deciding to ride.  I chose not to, but a few did and forever after they will be known as the "The Famous Five" or "The Wet Pant Gang" (play on the Red Hand Gang).  What the researchers showed was that a strong east wind, blowing overnight, could have pushed water back at a bend where an ancient river is believed to have merged with a coastal lagoon.  Jeez, why spend all that time and money when all they needed to do was ride with the bunch last night!

They could have observed that as the Famous Five became one the mythical force that is created from such unity parted the waves as the peleton sailed along oblivious to the driving rain.  United by the weather Lance, Pozzatto, Hushovd, young Crawford aka Nibali and Cooke all took equal turns through the front end of the ride.  The knowledge that only they had braved the elements gave a certain sense of achievement to the ride and a perverse pleasure, even if they did cut it short as Lance's hair gel was beginning to sting his eyes and Pozatto's tan was washing off.

For your madness and bravery we salute you.

From Roth to Henley

You might have heard that there is to be a Challenge event in Henley next year.  These are the guys that organise Roth.  An early bird entry is available until the end of Nov I think at £300. Entries are now open for the inaugural Challenge Henley-on-Thames. Travelling is easy being situated within 30 minutes of London Heathrow, so that should cut down the cost of doing an Ironman.  It's a full Iron Distance race of 3.8k swim, 180k bike and 42.2k run. The River Thames, the Chiltern Hills and the Villages nearby, should help to put Henley firmly on the map as a premier venue for Long Distance Triathlon.  http://www.challengehenley.com

Tha Magic number

At first it was 16, and then the magic age was 18.  Why, well you wanted to be 18 and you couldn't wait to get there and there seemed to be so many things that hinged on turning 18, driving, drinking, starting university. It was like you had to be 18 to start living, but as you grow older you begin to look for new milestones and I see today that as I approach my 40th birthday I have a new one to look forward to. It's not as you may think the vet category in triathlon (I don't race) but the fact that I can now buy medicine over the counter. Not just any medicine but Viagra! £52 for 8 tablets! Half the price of Boots incase you wondered. I live in hope for 2011, until them I will have use my fake ID or get some of the old boys in the club to go in for me! 

Braveheart Dinner Saturday 23rd October 2010

Any appetite in the club to go to the above dinner?  Link below has details.

http://www.braveheartcyclingfund.com/FundDinner.asp


It will take place at The Park Hotel, Kilmarnock on Saturday 23rd October 2010. Tickets are priced at £45 a head and we would need to take a table of 10.  For avoidance of doubt everyone in the club is welcome male or female.


Please leave a comment or email me if you wish to go.

Numbers really do matter!

So there I was standing in a queue.  I handed over my form, she smiled and took it from me and then it began.  A small snigger at first and then I heard it, "is he a 500 or 800?", the discussion then continued.  So I am thinking is that like blokes do with woman, out of 10? I'm thinking surely I am better than 500, jeez but perhaps bald doesn't do it for her.  It can't be that can it?  No, it must be something else, but what, it can't be my saddle to bottom bracket length, I mean she is a girl, probably doesn't even know her own let alone mine, (865mm in case your thinking of setting up a bike for me by the way).  It's not my bmi, but could be close the way I am eating and then I thought what else could it be? A couple of minutes later I got my pack and I was off.  Then it all became apparent, the 300 points made ALL the difference, 500 for genital herpes, 800 for shingles.  Phew, I was hitting the big numbers and was lying low for a week with shingles.

The Cyclo-Cross season is upon us

As you all know being part of G3R means you have to now race Cyclo-Cross.  

The first race is on Sunday 3 October 2010 and is at Meadowmill Sports Centre, Tranent, East Lothian, EH33 1LZ.  Follow the link to Scottish Cyclocross on the blog under "Good reading" and then you can have the best fun on a bike ever (apart from the time I was 12, but that's another story). Mountain bikes are more than capable of racing the course, helps if the rider is good as well :-).  Indeed, some of the courses are more suited to mountain bikes.

Are you too shy to post?

Come on you know you want to post something.  This link may help you and I can always delete it if the group doesn't like it :-).

http://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-Shyness

Young Schleck records a win!

Graham won some kids championship thing at the weekend.  Seems he can run and swim nearly as well as he can go a bike :-).

http://www.triathlon.org/results/results/2010_dextro_energy_triathlon_-_itu_triathlon_world_championship_grand_final/5049/

Well done young Schleck!! I am humbled by your presence.

Charity

Members, if you consider yourself a member of G3R I want you to do something for me.  We are registered (or are about to be) as a club so that we can run a race or two, but we never charge a membership fee as someone in the club usually pays for the affiliations etc.  This year I am asking you to pay something to be a member of G3R!  I want you to part with some spare bike parts.  They need to be in good working order!  I want to build a bike and give it to someone as a present.  It might be a young kid, they might even be in a foreign country so any ideas welcome.  I am sure you all have spare parts lying around, and I just thought it might be a good way to make use of the junk you are collecting!

Please email me or add a comment with any spare parts you have for a mountain bike, no parts no membership :-).  Thanks in anticipation.

All men dream, but not equally.

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night, in the dusty recesses of their minds, awake in the day to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerouus men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it reality. And so it was that he awoke to his dream.

"After a 3.5 hour drive in a fiat panda and a quick scooby snack I start my ascent at 4000ft from Bormio. The road surface is perfect top to bottom and the climb to just over 9000ft takes me 1hr40m, it was gorgeous as expected. Quick double espresso and a coke then I descend to Prato on the other side, I reckon it won't get dark until 8.


The ritchey cross has mtb brakes. I tug the levers until they hit the bars and pray. They are avid juicy pish mk1, mental note to swap to trp when I get back.


I descend in a line of Harley Davidson bikes and make it to third in line until I have to turn and climb again, this time it's steeper, harder, colder and wetter. I top out again on 1:50 and have more coke and chocolate croissant (wanted hot dog but stall had closed). It's 1900 when I start to descend and it's misty on other side.  Suffice to say it was the scariest, coldest, brake free descent of my life but I made it.

I rode rapha Italian and had rapha giro cd in my ears, bellisamo xxx

Ciao, gman, g3r capitano x"

The Stelvio Pass is one of the highest Alpine Passes of Europe with its 2758 m. There are 48 hairpin turns on the northern side of the pass. The original road was built in 1820-1825 by the Austrian Empire to connect the former Austrian province of Lombardia with the rest of Austria, covering a climb of 1871 m. Since then, the route has changed very little. The 60 hairpin bends, 48 of them on the northern side numbered with stones, are a challenge to anyone who  cares to dream.

G3R Wednesday rides - the rules

The concept of the group ride has always been 'pedal until you pop.' you work through and off until you get spat out the back. One by one people drift off the back letting the front group work through and off without sandbaggers distrubting the rotation of the group. The dropped riders inevitably regroup and work through and off in their own group.

Everybody gets a hard workout, nobody gets in the way.

There is no honour in wheelsucking.

Please play by the rules or the front group may decide not to wait at the top of the hill.

Warning - Dehydration can cause serious damage

Some of you may recall that a few Saturdays ago the sun shone and it was slightly humid. Stuart didn't join our bunch but gave is a 1 min start and tried to chase us down for the rest of the day.  Lulling him into a false sense of security we stopped at the "Courtyard in Fintry" for a coffee and thus he was in our wheels again, although he didn't have time to stop for the coffee.  He had been dragging his carcass over the Crow.  Alas his enthusiasm got the better of him as he drove himself harder until he passed us on the Drymen Cottage climb.  Recuperating at home he ignored the cardinal rule of replacing fluid and by Tuesday was on a drip and hence he missed the Wed ride.  Now back with us and supposedly healthy he has posted this.  It just goes to prove that the hallucinogenic effects of dehydration are obviously long lasting.

Dear All,

Thanks for your company last night - I'd imagine that will be me bowing out for the rest of the season, with the possible exception of one last Saturday "century" ride in the autumn.  I'm sure after my performance last night you'll all be remembering me fondly. 

It was nice (and indeed gratifying) that there was unanimous consensus at the end of the ride that I was totally awesome. 

I know the bunch won't be the same without my leadership in future weeks but I urge you not to be too downbeat and still to go out and try and enjoy your riding.  I appreciate that it will be difficult and, rest assured, I won't think badly of you if there is the odd tear shed on the road out to Bishopton as a result of my absence.  I implore you, however, to put aside any overwhelming sentimentality as you approach the Westferry and remember that just as I was happiest when off the front of the bunch that you each should strive to work your hardest and make every moment count. 

Although most of my Westferry efforts were in a solo breakaway this season you should not feel embarassed if you find yourself in a breakaway with a compatriot.  If such a situation occurs you should follow my example and give them encouragement to surpass their own limited expectations and to work with you in honest endeavour.  In cycling terms, if I have been fortunate enough to see further and stand taller than any of you then it is purely because I, like my intellectual peer Newton, have stood on the shoulders of giants.  

With fond and affectionate regards, ever your humble and modest servant,

Stuart Reid

G3R Cyclocross Race 28th November Bellahouston Park

Ladies & Gents, if you would be so good as to block out your diary for the day on the 28th of November I would be most grateful.  You will either be required to race or help if that is ok.

I will let you know closer to the time but we have been signed off by Glasgow City Council and Scottish Cyclocross, all we need now if to join Scottish Cycling :-).

Should I be worried when on a Saturday ride........

• I ask someone to come through and he says no, he is admiring my legs!
• We wait 30mins for a female rider who wanted to ride early and she still doesn't turn up.
• We are riding two abreast and a rider decides to ride three abreast by coming up the inside!
• Or when someone pulls to the front of the peleton and decides to unclip and perform his stretches on the bike!
• What about when a rider asks which way round their wheel (rear) should go?
• Even when I pass The Heid going up hill?
• Or even when we undertake a Saturday ride with no planned coffee stops

Nearly all true!

An open letter to Graham Leitch on the occasion of his inaugural Ironman race

Dear Graham 

First of all, congratulations! Deciding to enter your very first proper triathlon is a big step, and you should be proud of yourself. You’re about to discover a whole new world of intense competition and camaraderie.  And while — as you’ll soon find out — racing can be hard, I think you’ll also find out that it can be very rewarding, just so long as you don’t overreach and keep your goals at a personal level. For example, when lots and lots of people pass you, don’t think “Oh no! These people are beating me!” Instead, think, “These people are not competing against me; they are competing with me. My objective is simply to finish this race in under twelve hours, or thirteen if it comes to that.”

You’ll be amazed how much better you feel!

But I don’t want to spend this whole letter giving you a pep-talk, Graham. No. I’m writing this letter to give you practical, useful advice you can use on your race right now.

At the Starting Line

Since you’re not used to big races — and especially since you’ve never raced without pool ropes— you’re going to be a little bit overwhelmed at the starting line. There is a huge crowd there, and you may feel intimidated. But don’t worry; you’ll be fine. Just follow these tips:

• Start from the appropriate place in line. Assess yourself honestly — do you belong at the front of the line where everyone’s going to be jockeying for position, or would it be more prudent to place yourself further back, where there’s more of a ride-and-let-ride mentality?
• Don’t surge forward off the line. It’s an easy water start. Don’t go attacking right off the line. You might punch someone and make that person very, very angry. And don’t wear an iPod at the starting line either you may electrocute yourself.
• Careful of the Cannon. They usually like to start the race off by firing a cannon. If it catches you unawares, you would not be the first person to shit yourself before the race even starts, that comes later in the race.

Long Distance

This isn’t a sprint race, Graham and it will take a while. You may get bored so. So pay attention! Stay loose. And don’t, for crying out loud, go crosschaining your bike.  (Crosschaining is when you have both your front and rear cogs in the largest gears, or when you have both in the smallest gears. And it’s not a good idea.)

Passing Etiquette

Next, you need to be aware that from time to time, people will certainly want to pass you. I know you might not be used to this.  With more than a thousand people on the course, this may happen more often than you might expect! 

When those people want to get by, they will generally yell “On your left!” or “On your right!”

Graham, I cannot overstress the importance of what those riders mean.

When someone says, “On your left!” that does not mean you should move left. No, it does not. It means the person wants to go by on your left side.  Please try to remember that, Graham.

And, by the way, in the interest of good sportsmanship, you should let people by when they want to go by. Remember: you’re not racing against these people. You’re just racing against the clock. It’s just that a whole bunch of other people are there at the same time, also racing the clock.

Endurance Racing Tips

Graham, I have to admit that I’m a little bit surprised that you chose Challenge Barcelona as your first-ever Ironman distance race. Did you realize that a lot of people take close to — or even more than — twelve hours to finish this?

This is not just one of those 45-minute rides you’re used to doing on the road, Graham! Here are a few tips to make the day go by a little more swiftly:

• Use some chamois lube. I recommend Dave Zabriskie’s Nuts. (In fact, I believe almost everyone likes Dave Zabriskie’s Nuts.) You’ll find that your ass — no doubt not used to the punishment of long hours in the saddle can bring — will be glad you did.
• Use a Camelbak: You want to stay hydrated, and you may not be proficient at grabbing a bottle while riding a bike. Also, a Camelbak can be very helpful if you’re going to be out between aid stations for a very long time, which may be the case: in one case there is 20 miles before you get to an aid station!
• Don’t get discouraged. Sometime during this race you’re going to get tired, and people are going to start passing you, left and right. Don’t let this get you down! Just remember, you’re in this for the long haul. Try singing yourself a merry tune to lift your spirits.
• Carry Wet wipes. At some point you are going to have to go in a public place.  Remember that Graham.  Don't be embarrassed.  Be prepared, have something to wipe with otherwise you will chaff.

Graham, I think this is going to be a tough race for you, but totally worth it. Just remember: you’re better than you think you are, and you can do more than you think you can.  Free your mind and your ass will follow.

Kind Regards,

Jens

Summer comes and summer goes

It felt like the end of summer last night, a strong wind, a touch of darkness and some form clearly coming to the bunch is as clear an indication as the turning of the leaves and the changing of the clocks that we are approaching the twilight of summer.

A bunch of 11 departed the race HQ at 6.00pm and rode steadily out to Bishopton, a few guests attended with Kelly and her dad being the most welcome.

Pozatto was basking in the glory of his recent victory and was faking a taper week as he excused himself from long spells on the front.  The baby faced assassin Voeckler had returned from his various sojourns whilst Menchov was in hospital getting a transfusion from his last ride in the mountains at the weekend.  We wish you well tall one.

And thus the starting line was breached by the wide load known as Voigts. A moderately paced attack was made on the ramp and Lance and Schleck dragged the bunch across into a ferocious head wind that was clearly causing the peleton serious problems.  The bunch soon became 10. The wind played with is and this resulted in a number of small attacks although the bunch failed to shake out until the final run in with one or two falling off the back.  The Clune saw the undernourished climb into the sunset leaving the Rouleurs to climb with honour through their mask of pain and sweat; a never ending battle against gravity waged in watts and sweat.

The feed station saw the bunch reunited and then in an effort to recapture his youth Queally attacked on the run in to Kilmacolm.  A brave attack if not somewhat silly given the obvious advantage a couple of the Rouleurs had in that gravity was no longer an enemy and thus they were at the front of the peleton.   His bid for glory was short lived as Hushovd hit the front and drove us on towards Bridge of Weir.  A sharp left up the climb saw Pooley ahead to cheer us on and then the attacks started once again.  With wind assistance it was clear that Hushovd and young Schleck were the strongest riders on the night with them sharing the front of the bunch to drag us to the end of the George.

A wheel sucker won the penultimate sprint and Lance was judged to have edged Hushovd for the final one with Voeckler being disqualified for just being Voeckler!

Dunoon is calling on Saturday and Lance is organising.

Ayr Triathlon

In his first ever tri victory Gordon took the tape in 1hr 5 mins and 46 secs at the Ayr Open Water Triathlon on Saturday.  Provisional results can be viewed on the forum at http://www.ayrodynamic.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=420&sid=0b90eb163ee668babbef74f695d93104

Well done to the rest who competed.

Carbon in the sun.

New wheels and tape.  Some make over magic for a G3R bike....

It's for you..........

For a while I have been posting on this blog and I thought it might be best to open it up to a few more people.  Feel free to post, review, contribute positively.  I think we all know the rules.

By any other measure a poke and 2 nudges would be a good night

This is a few weeks old, well from the 16th actually.  It has been bouncing around in my brain/laptop for a week or so as have a few others so here goes the start of a new blogging season....

Alas, it wasn't that good a night.  Nope, a poke from Lance and two nudges or even pushes from Voeckler to aid my ascent put me on the back foot for the rest of the night.  The sun was out and with it came a happy bunch of 12 riders.  Young Schleck joined us briefly sporting his newly coiffured hair, and freshly shaven legs.  Must have had a special offer on two for the price of one or even buy 2 get one free, but worry not we didn't get to see the freebie!

A couple of riders had brought their weapons of choice to the gun fight with one or two TT bikes appearing in the bunch and nothing wrong with that, but it does seem to aid their attacking ability or perhaps it embarrasses them into attacking, i.e. can't bring a bike like this along and not have a go off the front.  Pozatto's love child is now a firm member of the bunch and at 17 rides beyond his years.  A funnier sight couldn't be seen as when he paired up with big Jens and his entire body looked to weigh about as much as one of his legs!

Mulhern policed the bunch and Lance was his usual helpful self; offering some advice to the younger and older members alike.

As it is the bunch seems to be getting stronger, or perhaps more even as it has collectively stayed together for a few weeks.  The absence of young Schleck has perhaps aided this as he is the only one at the present time who is able to ride off the front.  I am sure a career will change that!

Pozatto and Ullrich seemed to be fighting for the Green jersey and Pozatto alleges that he won.  We will never know the truth.

Clash ot the titans

Two of the club's oldest and most distinguished members are to go head to head tomorrow at Loch Ore.

In the green corner - we have Gordon "George Best trained me" Durnan.  In the blue corner David "your not doing that right" Ogg.

The record books show that Ogg has been the regular victor over the years but you have to look back a number of years to see that domination. More recently he has declined to race the steadily improving Durnan citing injury and love.

The bookmakers still have Ogg as favourite due to his fish like tendencies, but you never can tell on race day.  Follow the progress of the race on Sky 1 HD tomorrow as it is being televised live.

Race report to follow.

Tyre Levers

Perhaps if you punctured over the weekend you might want to invest in some of these....

New chain

For the sake of £30 I think it is the best money I have spent in a long time.  Not too sure of the science and I am sure someone will post a comment but I haven't changed my chains as much this year, but a bit of free time last week and I changed a few over. I have one of those chain tools to see if they are stretching and they were close to needing a change so I did it and I swear it has made a difference to the drive train. I guess it saves wearing out the cassette and chainrings as well.  So if you need a wee boost treat yourself to new chain.

The cape may have slowed him down....

Super man uses a specially impregnated lycra cape to resist wind and bullets, Leitch; well he just uses a double woven 100% wool blanket and relies on beer as a sports drink.


If may have slowed him down on the bike as his cape caught the wind but it didn't prevent him from coming first in his age group (25-29) and getting an eleventh place overall. Being interviewed by our sister blog 220 and commenting on his great achievement he commented "I was crap though".  As I said, I think he can put that down to the blanket.

You might not see this again.....

Every summer someone in the bunch usually gets a new bike and here is the first of the year....  Nice carbon mech hanger......

Looks like a girls bike, I wonder who is riding it....

One for the baldies........

Giro Pro light - I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago, and it is allegedly the lightest race helmet in the world - 172 grams (size medium)!  But they are missing the main selling point!  It doesn't have any hard plastic retaining parts at the rear which scratch or jag your head.  So if you have no hair or wear it short at the rear then this may be for you. RRP £149.99 but you can pick them up on the web for £119.

Landis transcript - make what you want of it!

See below the transcript of the Landis email, is it any coincidence that Lance "crashed" and abandoned the Tour of California today?  Interesting times!


2002: I was instructed on how to use Testosterone patches by Johan Bruyneel during the During the Dauphine Libere in June, after which I flew on a helicopter with Mr Armstrong from the finish, I believe Grenoble, to San Mauritz Switzerland at which point I was personally handed a box of 2.5 mg patches in front of his wife who witnessed the exchange. About a week later, Dr Ferrari performed an extraction of half a liter of blood to be transfused back into me during the Tour de France. Mr Armstrong was not witness to the extraction but he and I had lengthy discussions about it on our training rides during which time he also explained to me the evolution of EPO testing and how  transfusions were now necessary due to the inconvenience of the new test. He also divulged to me at that time that in the first year that the EPO test was used he had been told by Mr Ferrari, who had access to the new test, that he should not use EPO anymore but he did not believe Mr Farrari and continued to use it. He later, while winning the Tour de Swiss, the month before the Tour de France, tested positive for EPO at which point he and Mr Bruyneel flew to the UCI headquarters and made a financial agreement with Mr. Vrubrugen to keep the positive test hidden.


2003: After a broken hip in the winter, I flew to Gerona Spain where this time two units (half a liter each) were extracted three weeks apart. This took place in the apartment in which Mr. Armstrong lived and in which I was asked to stay and check the blood temperature every day. It was kept in a small refrigerator in the closet along with the blood of Mr Armstrong and George Hincapie and since Mr. Armstrong was planning on being gone for a few weeks to train he asked me to stay in his place and make sure the electricity didn't turn off or something go wrong with the refrigerator. Then during the Tour de France the entire team, on two different occasions went to the room that we were told and the doctor met us there to do the transfusions. During that Tour de France I personally witnessed George Hincapie, Lance Armstrong, Chechu Rubiera, and myself receiving blood transfusions. Also during that Tour de France the team doctor would give my room mate, George Hincapie and I a small syringe of olive oil in which was dissolved andriol, a form of ingestible testosterone on two out of three nights throughout the duration.

I was asked to ride the Vuelta a Espana that year in support of Roberto Heras and in August, between the Tour and the Vuelta, was told to take EPO to raise my hematocrit back up so more blood transfusions could be performed. I was instructed to go to Lances place by Johan Bruyneel and get
some EPO from him. The first EPO I ever used was then handed to me in the entry way to his building in full view of his then wife. It was Eprex by brand and it came in six pre measured syringes. I used it intravenously for several weeks before the next blood draw and had no problems with the tests
during the Vuelta. Also during this time it was explained to me how to use Human Growth Hormone by Johan Bruyneel and I bought what I needed from Pepe the team "trainer" who lived in Valencia along with the team doctor at that time. While training for that Vuelta I spent a good deal of time training with Matthew White and Michael Barry and shared the testosterone and EPO that we had and discussed the use thereof while training.

Again, during the Vuelta we were given Andriol and blood transfusions by the team doctor and had no problems with any testing.


2004: Again the team performed two separate blood transfusions on me, but this time Bruyneel had become more paranoid and we did the draws by flying to Belgium and meeting at an unknown persons apartment and the blood was brought by "Duffy" who was at that time Johans assistant of sorts. The second of which was performed on the team bus on the ride from the finish of a stage to the hotel during which the driver pretended to have engine trouble and stopped on a remote mountain road for an hour or so so the entire team could have half a liter of blood added. This was the only time that I ever saw the entire team being transfused in plain view of all the other riders and bus driver. That team included Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie and I as the only Americans.


2005: I had learned at this point how to do most of the transfusion technicals and other things on my own so I hired Allen Lim as my assistant to help with details and logistics. He helped Levi Leipheimer and I prepare the transfusions for Levi and I and made sure they were kept at the proper temperature. We both did two separate transfusions that Tour however my hematocrit was too low at the start so I did my first one a few days before the start so as to not start with a deficit.


2006: Well you get the idea....... One thing of great significance is that  Riis and explained to him what was done in the past and what was the risk I would be taking and ask for his permission which he granted in the form of funds to complete the operation described. John Lelangue was also informed by me and Andy Riis consulted with Jim Ochowitz before agreeing.


There are many many more details that I have in diaries and am in the process of writing into an intelligible story but since the position of USA Cycling is that there have not been enough details shared to justify calling  USADA, I am writing as many as I can reasonably put into an email and share with you so as to ascertain what is the process which USA Cycling uses to proceed with such allegations.


Look forward to much more detail as soon as you can demonstrate that you can be trusted to do the right thing. 

Strawberries and Cream

Wednesday nights are to cycling what strawberries are to cream; meant for each other.  My sons birthday dinner took precedence last night and I was disappointed to miss the ride and such an audacious sight as seeing Lance take the tape!  One would have thought that his only chance of wearing the Green jersey was if Sian had done a coloured wash with Pozatto's favourite socks and Lance's prized white rapha jersey!  


What a week it has been for cycling, with Landis, Vino missing the break and the vintage stage of the Giro only to be topped off by a win by our very own Lance.


Chapeau to you Lance, chapeau.

Working = no postings

Sorry :-).

Life Lessons (kindly provided by B Lees)

83-year-old triathlete taught lessons in living

By JEFF KLINKENBERG
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 5, 2000

---

Jim Ward, the world champion triathlete who passed away at age 83 on a Labor Day bike ride, was a wonderful friend -- not only to me but to countless triathletes all over the world.
He died five miles into a planned 30-mile ride while accompanied by friends on the Pinellas Trail.
"He had just passed me," said Millie Hamilton. "Suddenly he lost his balance and rode off the trail, struggled to get back on, and then just fell hard on his face. He didn't move. He didn't groan. It was like he was dead before he hit the ground."
Jim Ward was a boxer, football player, husband, father, soldier and diplomat before he entered his first triathlon at the age of 68. Ten years later, he was the oldest person ever to finish the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. He did the 2.4-mile swim, the 112-mile bike ride and the 26.2-mile run in less than 17 hours.
He suffered a stroke three years ago that paralyzed him briefly, but was in such good physical condition that he recovered quickly. A month after his release from the hospital, I accompanied him on a 6-mile run through Seminole Park. A couple of times that day I felt he was running slow for my benefit.
One of my great joys was going on a bike ride with him. We'd meet behind a liquor store near Tyrone Boulevard and do about 20 miles after breakfast. And as we pedalled, Jim talked the entire way.
He talked about his children, his grandchildren and the sport he loved. He talked about good nutrition, and the need to take vitamins, and the best way to work out, and the need to take a rest once in a while.
Last time we rode, he told me a story I'd never heard before, about his commando work behind enemy lines in Burma during World War II. Bad enough he'd been shot at, but one day as he stalked through the jungle, he suddenly felt in grave danger. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a tiger ready to pounce. It let him pass.
I always thought Jim had the heart of a tiger. And I never wanted to believe he'd die. He gave physically active middle-aged and elderly people hope. Not hope that we could be world triathlon champions like him -- but that we could choose to live our lives with joy.
He attended my 50th birthday celebration at a bar on the beach. Late in the evening, after the beer had been flowing for hours, Jim decided to dance. He was an enthusiastic dancer who liked to boogie.
Jim invaded the dance floor and grabbed the arm of a stranger who must have been six decades younger. He proceeded to dance her into the floor.
"I don't know what you're drinking," the lead singer of the band called down from the stage. "But I want some."
Jim was taken to Largo Medical Center after his apparent heart attack on Monday. After doctors did what they could for him, they allowed his friends in to say their good-byes.
Dead, Jim was lying on a cart. His feet poked out from under the sheet.
He was still wearing his cycling shoes.

Needlework

Some of you must have been worrying about my substantial weight gain and what on earth I have been doing to gain such a vast amount! Well my secret is well and truly out, I have been doing some embroidery.....  Here is one I did earlier.  If you want any of your items done bring them along on Wed, make sure your name is inside them on a bit of paper in the zipped pocket or written on a label! If you can't make Wed and still want something done tough!  Joking aside email me off the group.

Happy Boy! Cav fingers his critics.

Pozatto - Happy Birthday for yesterday

Hope you had fun on your big day.

Who's the greatest this week?

Well let's clear up a few things about tonight!  I had an idea, a theme about what to write about tonight so I penned a few thoughts sketched out the frame of my story and then bam like a cartoon punch it all went wrong tonight.  I will no doubt return to it throughout the season but given what happened tonight it can't really be used.

Before I start, I was dwelling, it's funny how quickly people forget, after Lance's stunning ride last week, post-ride chat last week focused not only on how Lance is beyond question the greatest rider of all time, but how he was also riding as well as he has ever done in his career and could even win a race this year!

Then, with Lance losing a couple of wheels to lowly riders like Voigt's and Ms Cooke and young Schleck coming to the fore with a win on the George so impressively that suddenly we're all celebrating a new era of dominance for the young star.

We're all guilty of it - having short memories - and it's part of the charm of the sport.

That's because there's something in the nature of the bunch that seduces us all. When the riders are on their best form, they tend to look so convincingly unbeatable that we find it impossible to imagine them losing. A purple patch for the likes of Hushovd, Ullrich, Pozatto or even Hincappie makes us see a run of form as a step up to the next level; it lifts us all and a good week for Schleck or Voigts makes us want to ignore the evidence and believe that the impossible is about to unfold before our eyes.

The truth will ultimately be more prosaic: Lance is brilliant, but ageing; Schleck has a long way to go before he can be said to have thrown off his mechanical worries; and Pozatto and Hushovd have both been in the waiting room of greatness for so long now that you have to start wondering if either will ever make it through the door.

Cancellara cited 'personal reasons' for pulling out of the ride tonight, leading to plenty of speculation about why he wouldn't be turning up. After making the final cut last week it suggests that he is clearly in some of the best form of his life.  Vino was a no show and Pooley another citing personal reasons using the night no doubt for secret training.  Menchov and Cippo had larger purses to chase on the continent no doubt whilst the elusive Evans continues to evade the bunch. Davies had an evening off and finally Voeckler was off to work on his tan in sunnier climes to lose his "petit blanc" tag.

But enough of the preamble, what happened tonight to make it so memorable?  A performance that justifies legendary status and 2 near misses!!

Eight riders, smooth in pairs, all on summer bikes, Lance, Schleck, Pozatto, Cooke, Hincappie, Hushovd, Ullrich and Voigts. A controlled ride took us all down to the start of the ferry with a good average aided somewhat by the tail wind no doubt.  Voigts showed some restraint for once as the bunch rolled onto the Ferry, staying together the shout of "one lane" was heard, Pozatto dominated the road through the roundabout and took an unusual line from out to in where young Schleck was heard to squeal! Perhaps in excitement of smelling Pozatto's Jo Malone, but more likely as a result of fear.  Adrenalin pumping the legend that he is becoming saw Schleck follow the wheel of Voigts as he attacked at Finalystone and then lift the pace a notch again, almost as if to say "don't start what you can't finish".  Schleck drove the bunch well tonight only occasionally not taking the wind as riders tried in vain to pass.  The bunch thinned towards the Clune, with Schleck, Lance, Pozatto, Ullrich and Voigts sucking the wheels.

The climb brought a welcome rest for the speedo as it finally dropped below 27 mph and the bunch climbed and regrouped for the ride home.  A relentless headwind seemed to spur Schleck on to greater things as he attacked the road with venom.  The bunch fought for his wheel and shared the wind from behind as we rolled down towards Bridge of Weir and homewards towards Houston.  Ullrich dropped off the back and Hushovd backed off only for Pozatto to decide it was an appropriate time to see if he could invent a new type of hub brake as he rammed Voigts from behind riding into his hub.  A manoeuvre he could only dream of doing if he tried, he made contact with the hub with the front of his tyre causing Voigts to come to an abrupt stop knocking his wheel out of true and upsetting his own new setup and loosening his headset!!  A sympathetic Voigts understood Pozatto's oxygen debt and duly sorted his headset and fixed his own wheel.  The bunch had kindly waited, perhaps because of the wind, perhaps because of the shelter Voigts gives but more likely to recover from the pain Schleck was inflicting.  The relief was only temporary as no sooner was the bunch up to speed than it started again with Schleck driving us home.  Ullrich and Hushovd made some brave attempts to lift the pace, but these were short lived!

The sprints were taken by Pozatto no doubt aided by his plentiful supplies of adrenalin.

The VW reception committee was there to greet us on our return and Voigts got off to check the rubbing on his hub, a cute black rubber stripe across the hub for his fight tonight to show as a war wound!  Probably not a patch on the stripe Pozatto has on his shorts!!

Lizzard Skin Bar Tape

This has got to be the best bar tape on the market, gets tacky in the wet and wipes clean.  Feels great and comes in a variety of colours.

Scottish 10 TT podium place for G3R

Congratulations to Sian who got 3rd place at the Scottish 10 mile TT Championships.  Photo of her below on race day.

http://www.neviscycles.com/owneruploads/results/10-04-
24_Jason_Macintyre_TT_Champs_2010_Placings.jpg

Happy 40th Lance

Not an easy age to become but wearing well :-).

I think I found love tonight :-)

Kev Clark I love you!! XX. I have never believed in it before but it was love at first sight or should I say first sound bite.

Let me explain what happened. I was nervous tonight, for reasons that will become apparent later. A little giddy and there I was at the back of the bunch rolling down to the Ferry when Kev rolled to the back sat up and took a photo of me. Strange I thought, but hey it happens all the time to celebreties, I even saw it happen once to Robert in Edinburgh (see my photos on Flickr). So I thought I better roll up and speak to the "stalker" 

and it was then that he uttered the magic words. They caught me off guard at first, I had to run them through my head a couple of times before a smile broke out across my face. Those words will stay with me for a long time and all I can say is Kev Clark I love you!!! You made my night, my day and even my year. As I rolled up next to him he said and I quote "I thought you were Gordon". Now I know I fasted today but good grief could I get a better compliment about my rapid weight loss.

Alas my weight loss was a result of my stupidity today, leaving my wallet at home whilst I headed to Aberdeen.  Luckily I had a full tank of diesel but no money=no food. I sucked wheels for the second week and thank you all.

What was it like at the front? Only others can truly comment and may wish to add their comments below in the comments section, but it seemed better tonight. Everyone seemed to behave from what I saw on the Ferry. Schelck had given his bike some tlc, Lance was back to himself, Pozatto needs some carbon and a word in his sponsors ear if he is to hold the bunch. Cancellara was tired after his recent wins. Vino worked well with Voigts having been caught at the back on the descent into Kilmacolm. Cooke was pulling strong again and Voeckler continues to improve. Young Roche rode strong again but once again the lack of attention to equipment caught another out as Roche slipped his pedal in the final sprint and didn't have a chance of competing. My lover lead Pozatto and Voigts out but steel flexes way too much and 1400 watts trumps flexi steel. It was a shallow victory and Voigts shouldn't really have contested it having not been at the tape at the end of the George.

No one has blown it apart yet but I fear the time is coming.....

Hincappie where were you? Your club needs you!

Weekend TT

Good to see everyone out on the TT bikes or at least nice summer bikes at the weekend.  I think everyone ironed out a few creases at the weekend and it shows how important doing regular rides on the TT bikes are.  I have a new bike and so am tweaking the position.  But a few people got mechanicals and then others began to notice what their position looked like behind others who were perhaps more aero.

All good fun but these sessions serve a purpose.

Ayr Duathlon

Looks like the boys had a good time down at Ayr and did well.  Results below on link below.

http://www.ayrodynamic.co.uk/races/ayr_du/ayr_du.htm

Is blue the new white?

So week 2 and a change of cast, some absent through choice, some not and others well....they just haven’t trapped yet.

Cippo chose not to, Lance had no choice, Hincappie developing the label, Evans still unaccounted for, Queally, anyone know what he looks like and Menchov, well perhaps he fell on the way to the Grande Depart.  Guesting for the night Nicolas Roche aka Crawford.  The rest of the cast remained constant with Voigt back in the fold. 

It was a night to remember more for the weather than the riding with the sun splitting the sky and a pack of 12 riders turning up.  This soon increased to 13 when Pooley joined the bunch in Renfrew.  A plethora of G3R and Rapha was on show with a few schizophrenic riders sporting a combination of Fusion and G3R and nothing wrong with that.

Father of the night (Pozatto) gave an impromptu motivational speech, calling us to arms and assuming the mantle that once was held so tightly by Lance but one could sense his grip slipping in his absence.

And so after the call to arms the bunch departed much enthused by a De Niro like performance by Pozatto, "inch by inch".  A gentle roll out to Bishopton was done in a convivial manner interrupted only by the occasional “Spell” shouts to remind riders that they were in a bunch.  The first yellow card of the night was awarded to Vino for performing stretches in the middle of the bunch that nearly took out two riders in the middle of the bunch. 

Rule # 3 – Stretches are performed off the bike - not on it.

Rule # 4 – Hand signals – important in the bunch. Please perform early.

As the altitude dropped the speed increased as the bunch descended towards the Westferry in preparation for the attacks.  So as not to disappoint and in an effort to “thin” the bunch Voigt attacked only to be chastised by Pozatto where he reminded him that it was only week 2 and to go easy.  Schleck followed his wheel as if he was on a Sunday ride, Cancellara jumped and then the bunch followed.  An altercation at the rear with a large lorry went largely unmissed but we should all remember we are sharing a busy road on the Ferry and that safety is the primary concern.  The attacks soon thinned the bunch with Voeckler, Schleck, Roche, Cooke, Pozatto, Ullrich and Voigts all coming through to the final turn for the climb (lactic may have harmed the writers memory, if the bunch isn't accurate post a comment).

The climb = rest, the rouleurs took advantage of this and brought up the rear. 

The final leg of the ride was completed by 12 riders although the attacks came early and selection was made in the run through Kilmacolm. Voeckler was riding strong, Schleck continues to find good form but I sense the young rider was feeling the pace as he dwelled in the odd wheel.  Vino made the selection for the first time and stayed until the end. Cooke was riding like a train and performing long pulls. Pozatto was dogged on his winter steed and will need to unleash the carbon to get the jump next week.  Young Roche seemed strong and had good form without demonstrating his apparent love for lactic whilst Voigts hung on for dear life. 

The two sprints were taken by Voigts, more by experience and guile rather than speed but a wins a win!

As for blue or white, we used to fear white vans, Lance got hit by a blue one, get well soon and hope to see you all next week.  Please note attacks are permitted.  

With a tear in my eye...........

With more than a tinge of jealousy towards the bunch I was gutted to miss tonight.  However it seems to have highlighted that we have more than an able scribe amongst the group and thus I post with my sincere approval a report prepared by Cippo.  I am now able to retire as scribe and rider gracefully.

So much to say / report.  Big cast for the opening scene and some glorious weather a backdrop.  Pairs and largely decent etiquette on the way out. Mr Durnan rightly showed the most constraint ever taking us onto westferry and so the work began. Some newbies looking smooth and graceful (the pale Mr Voeckler), some looking determined and skillful (Emma davies).  Some tired legs kicking about after intensive off season training (Nicole cooke).  Splits as usual In the second half of the dual carriageway into headwind. Several small groups working together with schleck, cippo, lance, voeckler and menchov to the fore.  Then the fun really kicked off – Schleck showed his persistent issue is not watts but rather mechanical ineptitude (yet again)  new chain, hanger and rear mech required. Lance cruised to king of the mountains chatting as he smoothly applied 3.5-4 w/kg up the hill.   The older statesman lance then went back down the hill to assist the stranded schleck – The youngster needs to realise how fortunate he is and how much he owes. So we rolled again -  now gravity and tailwind assisted the off season training reports were confirmed with a rampant Ullrich splitting the bunch repeatedly.  Cooke and davies played smart tactics sitting in till cooke required to stop for a saddle pack issue – pozatto ever the gentlemen peeled off to help the lady home, assisted by Thor.  So to the Georgetown where just 4 rolled at the front – rampant Ullrich, Voeckler, Cippo and emma davies sitting tight.  Solid pace with work shared by the 3 big men.  Cippo took the 2 sprints with ease but says chapeau to the gentlemen who were not there due to their generous  nature towards others.  Pozatto then took the team bus to collect schlock and Lance who was wearing a wry smile.  Me thinks Schleck owes a lot of people access to his back wheel and courteous, respectful riding this year

Summary:

Flame rouge       – Ullrich

KOM                      - Lance

Green points     - Cippo

Lanterne rouge – Schleck

Ones to watch – Ullrich, Voeckler, Davies.

And so it begins..........

Well as a new season beckons the cast has to be confirmed.  For the new ones amongst you we have a somewhat strange disposition that all started last year, where we go by the name of our cycling heroes.  We all have something in common with them and as a few of you are new and I haven’t met you I apologise in advance if you aren’t happy with your namesake.  You can bribe me if you want your name changed, I like Rapha. 

The cast is as follows :-

Lance – old boy, bit mouthy, can be grumpy but occasionally shows his class – David Ogg – occasionally goes by the name of Johny (Frank’s dad).

Cippolini – flamboyant dress sense, always in the wheel but boy can he sprint – John Dargie.

Andy Schleck – younger brother of Frank, bit of a climber, naive but may come of age this season – Graham Leitch

Emma Pooley – tiny wee thing, does things by stealth, concentrating on cycling this year so could be dangerous – Karen Glendinning

Jan Ullrich – Fond of an off season diet but talented underneath it all, dedication over the winter means it may be his best season ever – Bruce Heron

Hincappie – experienced and classy, eyes on retirement but he may have an Indian summer yet – Bruce Lees

Cadel Evans – anonymous a lot of the time – occasional brilliance if he turns up – Cormac MacCauley

Emma Davies – impressive palmarès, yet to be witnessed in the bunch – Emma Lamont

Nicole Cooke – undoubted winner on the road and a never say die attitude – Sian Tovey

Thor Hushovd – a big unit, class when he gets his frame shifting – Robert Heron

Pozatto – pretty boy of the bunch, all the newest shiny gear and with a preference for green - Gordon Durnan

Jason Queally – in his day one of the best riders on the track, living the dream again – Ian Churcher

Vino- been out of action for a while, but back on the right road – Paul McMillan

Cancellara – sheer class on a bike, all power and undiluted adrenalin – Giancarlo Romano

Menchov – tall classy rider on his day, prone to having bambi like moments and a love affair with the tarmac – Stuart Reid

Jens Voigt – big unit, not that pretty to watch but effective – Brian Skinner

Thomas Voeckler – our own “petit blanc”" due to his small stature and pale complexion, famous for something once – he will have to remind us - Ewan Mulhern