Recent content by Cookster15

No doubt this is true of a small minority. But most keep racing because they enjoy it and it’s good for your health as you age (assuming you don’t crash). At least that’s why I did - not because I had an oversized ego? But point taken with a large enough sample size no doubt you would get some...

Thanks for this. Then for masters racing it comes back to targeted testing for rEPO and maybe clubs making that clear to members that such testing can occur.

Not doubting what you saw and I realise you are not advocating. But still seems crazy to stick a needle in your arm and take the associated risks without medical supervision to win amateur masters races? And it’s a bit more than a diabetic injection. What ages are we talking masters 1 to 3 or...

We all draw opinions from our own experiences. Just sharing mine. I acknowledge that in the US there are some people with plenty of money to throw at doctors for their kicks. Might also be worth knowing who you can report suspect masters riders to so someone sends the testers. That's what I...

That's really sad. In my part of the world there is a vibrant graded club level masters racing scene (masters 1 and older). I stopped about 2007 due to family commitments. But I never really suspected the top guys at our club of doping and certainly not blood doping like we know the pros dabble...

Thanks for clarifying. I raised a point recently that blood doping isn't something amateurs can do in the way gym junkies abuse steroids. That's why doctors are needed else you are taking huge risks with your life - just to win amateur masters bike races? Do you think masters racers are blood...

Thanks for sharing your experience. But on the quote a doctor said this to you when you were racing masters?Why would a GP (Primary Care Physician) be advising you on a doping method? Huge ethical issue for me. I alluded to this recently. Old guys are slower but they do trend to have more...

Might be a good time to ask how the airbag system might have helped minimize what this crash resulted in? Davide Stella with horrendous road rash :( . Not a cure all I guess...

I think Pogacar has a chance in the next two years albeit slim - MVDP is 31 now? As others have mentioned, MSR seems to be zone 1 for these guys for 5 1/2 hours then Cipressa followed by Poggio - a one two punch. Maybe Pogacar and UAE should try again a full on attack on Cipressa and follow...

Having the means and actually doing that safely are worlds apart. There is no comparison between blood doping and ‘roids or growth hormone common in gyms. Those are much less likely to kill you if you get it wrong. I am also sure there are unscrupulous doctors but you would expect to read about...

Just wanted to reiterate the potential dangers of old guys doping. Remember we read stories in the early 90s when EPO arrived of riders dying in their sleep? That no longer happens as doping is carefully administered and monitored by qualified doctors. And if you read the Pogacar Clinic thread...

I think this right. Chat confirmed so when I asked.

I see a kangaroo almost took out Vine. Not the smartest animals. Have a tendency to run towards hazards rather than away. Vine was lucky.

I agree but the teams don't run the sport but are obliged to play by the rules set by the UCI. Comes back to what is the business case for the TDU. Europe is already saturated, The US isn't interested in a world tour race. In Australia there is a relatively small but very enthusiastic following...

This is surprising to read. Not in 2011 when I was last there. Australian beer thanks. And on coffee, has Starbucks had an upgrade? But thanks for trying to explain the sport of cycling.