The Official LANCE ARMSTRONG Thread 2010-2011

[Alpe d'Huez]

...The other thing he told me was that people really don't care about his story-they just want their family and friends around them. One of the biggest fears the majority of the patients I know have is being shunned by their loved ones. Their inspiration is getting a visit from a friend or relative who genuinely cares...

My MIL went through cancer last year. A long drawn out affair. This was her primary, overwhelming interest. Having support from friends, family, etc. I don't think I saw or heard Lance's name uttered once. Most of the people in her situation were in their 50's and up. Many of them elderly and infirm. The story of Lance had zero impact on them, and his surviving cancer was in an entirely different realm from them. A person who is 72 years old with bone cancer isn't going to relate to a 28 year old athlete with one of the most curable forms of cancer. They simply aren't going to look at them and hop up off their deathbed and find some sort of internal cure.

I think that livestrong is an awareness organisation. I believe it has an agenda to bring light on the cancer disease. In that way I think it is doing a great job.

Come on Fred, we've said this many, many times. It's not like people didn't know what cancer was before Lance came along. It's also not like there were no organizations to help raise money for cancer research and cures before Lance. The American Cancer Society has been around for nearly a century.

 

[Oldman]

My MIL went through cancer last year. A long drawn out affair. This was her primary, overwhelming interest. Having support from friends, family, etc. I don't think I saw or heard Lance's name uttered once. Most of the people in her situation were in their 50's and up. Many of them elderly and infirm. The story of Lance had zero impact on them, and his surviving cancer was in an entirely different realm from them. A person who is 72 years old with bone cancer isn't going to relate to a 28 year old athlete with one of the most curable forms of cancer. They simply aren't going to look at them and hop up off their deathbed and find some sort of internal cure.


Come on Fred, we've said this many, many times. It's not like people didn't know what cancer was before Lance came along. It's also not like there were no organizations to help raise money for cancer research and cures before Lance. The American Cancer Society has been around for nearly a century.

Well put. My Dad is fighting lung cancer and noone brings up shining examples of recovery. We deal with it day to day. Also; he is interested that I cycle and compete and takes some parental pride in the results but it is a world away from his experience.
He cares that we and his lifelong friends are on the phone or with him every day.

 

[frenchfry]

Made it back to the local Tex Mex.... the gut is getting bigger.

How long before someone has a forum name Lancesgut?

The guy has about the same style as I do right now, elbows out, head down, eyes at the top of the sockets desperately keeping the wheel ahead in view. Needless to say I am not in the best shape of my life, though it is coming around nicely and by July I shouldn't be getting dropped on group rides anymore.

I don't have the gut though, I guess flying low-cost has some benefits.

 

[r.avens]

Apparently, that guy must have posted something pretty rough on the Contador competition thread. I am guessing it was directed at me personally because I posted something about our fat friend jackhammer/carboncrank the Cat 3 cycling tour guy. He left me a message on my User CP saying "See you never fat boy"...um okay. I am guessing all three are said troll. "Ignore" here they come.

I am going to go off topic in a thread that is probably just a few more ugly posts from getting locked.

What is with calling the guy fat? He leaves you a western sizzlin buffet of stuff to rag on him for, not the least of which is serial trolling and puppeteering. But you grasp at a few crumbs on the floor to dine on....And you go after the fact that he carried about 20 extra lbs (and appears to be in his late 50's to put it very nicely.) Next time ya go to the store, take a good look around. To rank on him for doing what he can to control weight, you take after him for it. How low can YOU go? That's the best you can do? It makes you look no better than him.

Overweight/obesity is a serious problem not just in the US but in just about the entire western world. For you to go there is really beyond the pale, even for a troll.

 

[flicker]

Sorry Alpe. I am not speaking for myself or family. We lost 2 2 cancer and Lance was not mentioned.

I am speaking for those who wear Livestrong gear, I see quite a few out there.

My guess is that the Livestrong gear gives them hope.

I do not find it stylish so I do not wear it. I do wear some of the old slipstream stuff though I think its cool.

 

[Eyjafjallajokull]

I don't think anyone is claiming that Lance Armstrong is the Jesus of all cancer sufferers. Cancer is one of the biggest killers in the world - hundreds of millions of people must be effected by it in some way every year. But Armstrong's iconic story has certainly helped a lot of people and his charity is decent and well run.

Some people don't like it because the charity is interlinked with his iconic status and they feel this helps his brand. That is more important to them than the charity work - I find that sad, but everyone is entitled to their view.

Personally I am not such a big charity man and have never warn a bracelet of any sort, but I would never hate on those that do.

 

[Anonymous]

I am going to go off topic in a thread that is probably just a few more ugly posts from getting locked.

What is with calling the guy fat? He leaves you a western sizzlin buffet of stuff to rag on him for, not the least of which is serial trolling and puppeteering. But you grasp at a few crumbs on the floor to dine on....And you go after the fact that he carried about 20 extra lbs (and appears to be in his late 50's to put it very nicely.) Next time ya go to the store, take a good look around. To rank on him for doing what he can to control weight, you take after him for it. How low can YOU go? That's the best you can do? It makes you look no better than him.

Overweight/obesity is a serious problem not just in the US but in just about the entire western world. For you to go there is really beyond the pale, even for a troll.

If you were offended, I apologize

 

[r.avens]

If you were offended, I apologize

pshaw pshaw. to take offense is to give power to the offender that he doesn't have nor deserve.

I just think you needed to take into consideration that cycling is the best route to physical and mental wellness on the planet, if you disagree with CC, disagree with him on the merits. He left plenty there.

I have struggled with my weight since I was four. Yes, 4. And probably will forever.

Why do you guys get so overheated over a troll?

 

[BroDeal]

Fred Thistle seems to have the same writing style as Polish, with the short sentences broken up by blank lines.

53x11 pointed out to me that Thistle has the same posting style as Ferdinand Artichoke, who was recently banned. It would not surprise me if they are really Polish. It's getting too hard to keep track of the sockpuppets.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

53x11 pointed out to me that Thistle has the same posting style as Ferdinand Artichoke, who was recently banned.

Bingo!

Susan

 

[altark123]

Back to Lance...

After checking youtube videos for dates from his training last year, it seems he hit the Rockies at roughly the same point for altitude training, so with the TOC this month, I'm guessing the remainder of May/early June will be some time for stage Recons. But according to the dates on the videos from last year he was riding some of the stages right pre-Tour at the end of June. I rambled a bit, but my point is, there is time for him to see the climbs he feels he needs to. On his fitness level, well on first look it doesn't seem to be where you'd think he'd like but who knows.

 

[Publicus]

After checking youtube videos for dates from his training last year, it seems he hit the Rockies at roughly the same point for altitude training, so with the TOC this month, I'm guessing the remainder of May/early June will be some time for stage Recons. But according to the dates on the videos from last year he was riding some of the stages right pre-Tour at the end of June. I rambled a bit, but my point is, there is time for him to see the climbs he feels he needs to. On his fitness level, well on first look it doesn't seem to be where you'd think he'd like but who knows.

Last year before the Tour de France he (by my calculation) raced approximately 6,519 km. This year he will race (assuming he does the Tour de Suisse) approximately 5,381 km. I included the Tour of Gila, but did not include the Nevada City Classic or Argos (South African charity ride).

 

[Digger]

On RBR the general consensus is that Lance is not carrying weight, but that picture of him in the black skinsuit is merely him exhaling. His diaphram. Also, the fact that he is breathing from so far down shows what a class athlete he is. And I wonder how I got banned there.

And to further what is being said above, considering the collarbone injury from last year, I think he is even behind last year's fitness. Amazing. Took out a cycling mag from 2005 last night. Lance commented on his horrnedous showing at the paris Nice of that year and said that he would give anything to change his programme, previous to that point, because his form was so bad. In fact, the mag had a competition to see whether Jan or himself did fewer miles. Pellizotti said in the same edition that everyone preferred Ullrich in the peleton - that Lance was very unpopular. Amazing how things pan out.

 

[trompe le monde]

On RBR the general consensus is that Lance is not carrying weight, but that picture of him in the black skinsuit is merely him exhaling. His diaphram. Also, the fact that he is breathing from so far down shows what a class athlete he is. And I wonder how I got banned there.

Any further down and Lance may be the first athlete who has accomplised the unconceivable: to train himself to the point that he would have the ability to talk out of his a§s. Odd thing is is that he's been talking out of his a§s for years.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

About his weight, looking at photos of him standing straight up, he looks quite lean. Look at this photo. That being said, I think his girth is the result of breathing deeply. He doesn't appear to be in excellent shape, but he certainly isn't fat and will never be as lean as Contador, different body types.

 

[Publicus]

About his weight, looking at photos of him standing straight up, he looks quite lean. Look at this photo. That being said, I think his girth is the result of breathing deeply. He doesn't appear to be in excellent shape, but he certainly isn't fat and will never be as lean as Contador, different body types.

I think that's right. He looks almost emaciated in some photos. I'm really shocked at the disparity, but I've stopped worrying about whether he is fat or not. What's striking me as odd is how his fitness level seemed to spike at Flanders and pretty much dropped thereafter. I know Tour of Gila wasn't anything special, but him getting spit out the back in the mountains and then getting beaten by several members of his Trek Under 23 team can't be a good sign.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

About his weight, looking at photos of him standing straight up, he looks quite lean. Look at this photo. That being said, I think his girth is the result of breathing deeply. He doesn't appear to be in excellent shape, but he certainly isn't fat and will never be as lean as Contador, different body types.

Is that Dr. Evil on the right?

 

[kurtinsc]

I think that's right. He looks almost emaciated in some photos. I'm really shocked at the disparity, but I've stopped worrying about whether he is fat or not. What's striking me as odd is how his fitness level seemed to spike at Flanders and pretty much dropped thereafter. I know Tour of Gila wasn't anything special, but him getting spit out the back in the mountains and then getting beaten by several members of his Trek Under 23 team can't be a good sign.

There's certain things with Lance that make me think he might be sandbagging a bit.

Even with what very little he's shown in europe this year... I can't see THAT Lance finishing where he did in the Tour of the Gila. I mean even the Lance who lost all the time on the CI climb shouldn't finish behind some of the riders he lost to in that race.

Either his form is decreasing from a very low starting point... or he didn't put forth much effort.

 

[Race Radio]

Sandbagging.....or giving up?

Perhaps he knows something about the investigation into the syringes and is now just trying to fulfill sponsor commitments before the $hit hits the fan?

It would be hard to not ask serious questions if he is suddenly holding 450 watts for 30 minutes in July.....if he is even riding in July

 

[Bag_O_Wallet]

Sandbagging.....or giving up?

Perhaps he knows something about the investigation into the syringes and is now just trying to fulfill sponsor commitments before the $hit hits the fan?

It would be hard to not ask serious questions if he is suddenly holding 450 watts for 30 minutes in July.....if he is even riding in July

Are there any pics of Armstrong and Sarkozy together from when they met in March? I've looked around, but all I can find is a colourful Trek out in a non-descript and seemingly abandoned parking lot.

The only pic of them together was from last October, I believe.

The photo op (seemingly) not taken makes me wonder.

 

[Publicus]

There's certain things with Lance that make me think he might be sandbagging a bit.

Even with what very little he's shown in europe this year... I can't see THAT Lance finishing where he did in the Tour of the Gila. I mean even the Lance who lost all the time on the CI climb shouldn't finish behind some of the riders he lost to in that race.

Either his form is decreasing from a very low starting point... or he didn't put forth much effort.

But what would be the purpose of that? He lacks race miles, why wouldn't he race???? It's not like winning the Gila means anything to any of his competitors. And if the idea is that it will cause them to rest on their laurels, I think it's a risky gamble. Most if not all of them, don't really view him as the man to beat (AC) or the man to beat's biggest threat (AS and/or Menchov).

 

[r.avens]

But what would be the purpose of that? He lacks race miles, why wouldn't he race???? It's not like winning the Gila means anything to any of his competitors. And if the idea is that it will cause them to rest on their laurels, I think it's a risky gamble. Most if not all of them, don't really view him as the man to beat (AC) or the man to beat's biggest threat (AS and/or Menchov).

I think his form is utter cr@p by his own standard this close to the tdf which is all that really matters.

I know I am the one who says we all need to stop with the circular 'YOUR guy is a doper...NO!! YOUR guy is a doper.' line. But it just occurs to me that it appears that to be in such bad form and proceed with the tdf would require him to be banking on some magic go-go juice just to prevent humiliation.

I say that not because I didn't think it's widely used already. But I believe most guys just use it b/c they know the next guy is. Not as their only hope to ride well. He is going to have to bank on it just to prevent a PR disaster.

Same drum I have been beating longer than anyone, he either won't begin the tdf or will depart shortly after the start, both for the same reasons: due to illness or injury.

 

[BroDeal]

I think his form is utter cr@p by his own standard this close to the tdf which is all that really matters.

I know I am the one who says we all need to stop with the circular 'YOUR guy is a doper...NO!! YOUR guy is a doper.' line. But it just occurs to me that it appears that to be in such bad form and proceed with the tdf would require him to be banking on some magic go-go juice just to prevent humiliation.

I say that not because I didn't think it's widely used already. But I believe most guys just use it b/c they know the next guy is. Not as their only hope to ride well. He is going to have to bank on it just to prevent a PR disaster.

Same drum I have been beating longer than anyone, he either won't begin the tdf or will depart shortly after the start, both for the same reasons: due to illness or injury.

I am still betting on him using his age and schedule as an excuse for not obtaining the high form needed and then throwing his support behind Leipheimer, portraying himself as a hero for doing so and mugging for the cameras at every opportunity on the road. He needs to make up for last year's PR disaster.

The other option is that he will do exactly what he said he would do. He said that he would do everything to win an eighth. We all know what that means: Four units of blood instead of hematocrit maintenance with microtransfusions or EPO plus one unit on a rest day.

 

[r.avens]

I am still betting on him using his age and schedule as an excuse for not obtaining the high form needed and then throwing his support behind Leipheimer, portraying himself as a hero for doing so and mugging for the cameras at every opportunity on the road. He needs to make up for last year's PR disaster.

The other option is that he will do exactly what he said he would do. He said that he would do everything to win an eighth. We all know what that means: Four units of blood instead of hematocrit maintenance with microtransfusions or EPO plus one unit on a rest day.

Unless he takes it to some ridiculous level that will get him busted, I disagree with the second paragraph. (Not saying he won't do it, but he can't do enough to help.)

As for the bolded section, I think if he does as you outline, then he is completely oblivious to the mess and bad will he fomented last year due to the yes-men baying in his ears. If he tries to behave like he has done in the past, you are implying he is going to follow up last year's faux pas by sticking his OTHER Nike in his mouth.

He doesn't mind being the skunk at a garden party so long as every single person knows he was there.

 

[kurtinsc]

Sandbagging.....or giving up?

Perhaps he knows something about the investigation into the syringes and is now just trying to fulfill sponsor commitments before the $hit hits the fan?

It would be hard to not ask serious questions if he is suddenly holding 450 watts for 30 minutes in July.....if he is even riding in July

That could be it as well.

But I don't see much in the way of effort. It seems like he's going out for a mild sweat rather then trying to test his fitness and see what he's got.

I'm not even really comparing his riding to what we might see in July... I'm saying that rides that he did earlier this year that impressed nobody would have gotten better results then what he did in Gila. He could be sandbagging, he may have given up due to a coming drug issue... or he may just wish he had retired again and no longer give a crap... but it just doesn't seem like he's even bothering with putting a real effort forth.