Why I will always be a "fanboy" and proud of it

[Benotti69]

Really? You really think that? Have you read Hemingway? Hitchens? Mamet? Miller? Shakespeare?

That's almost as laughable as saying he was a great cyclist.

boy you are some cane randagio, to make it in the pro peloton even for a season is an achievement and don't belittle it. Kimmage would have won the Tour of Britain except for the misfortune of a puncture and a weak team that could not get him back to the peloton allowing Yates to win.

To make it as a multiple award winning sports writer is another fine achievement especially for someone who has not got a third level education.

as for the sport being healthy maybe in your delusions but the sport gets more column inches in newspapers for its doping that any sporting achievements. but lets not let the facts get in the way of McQuaid like speil....

 

[StyrbjornSterki]

O.J. still has fans, too. Hardly something I'd go around bragging about.

 

[Benotti69]

Is this sarcasm, or do you really believe that someone could be paid to post here? I mean, I get a kick out of this place, but really, it an obscure forum that has maybe a couple hundred regular readers. What does that cost/benefit analysis look like?

i imagine lots read the clinic, probably thousands rather than hundreds, 15,000 members of the CN forum, while not everyone reads the clinic lots who are not members do. Lots in Texas, i guess

as for being paid to post here, why not give an intern a job to spend the day posting rubbish on here....pay them a yellow band or 2..

 

[pmcg76]

From the outset, Armstrong, Bruyneel have always played the political game of misinformation. Why did US Postal get rid of Johnny Weltz in favour of Bruyneel when he had no experience in being a DS?

They knew after Festina 98, successful riders would be open to more scrutiny in the media and by fans. Thus to jack to the gills in an effort to win the Tour, they knew they needed to be on top of the media campaign from the outset, especially for a guy who had never shown Tour winning performances before.

I think they really weighed the risks of possible questioniong up against the positive publicity Lance would receive because of what he stood for and tbh it was 100% successful. Lets be honest if it had been the pre cancer Lance that had won the Tour, he would have had a far rougher ride than he did. He got a soft ride because of the cancer angle.

Let me state this, I have no time for political BS and celeb lifestyle infatuation in general and Armstrong/Bruyneel brought both into cycling in a big way. Once they got the general non-cycling public on their side, they were as safe as houses.

If people admire those who will do anything to reach the top, then fine by me but most of those 'successful' people **** so many people over on the way there, I find it hard to find anything to admire about them.

 

[SpeedWay]

Man, you use a LOT of dots. Just sayin.

Also, what is this "real" world you speak of so often? Tell me, how can I too explore it's mysteries?

Amateur.

Just read LA's twitter stuff. He's living in the "real" world and posting about it with "real" time information . You and those of your ilk, for the most part, post about a fantasy world that no longer exists except in your mind(s). A world where gossip, innuendo, and "he said she said" fantasy abound. Fortunately it's great entertainment(like a never ending soap opera or a circus) for those of us that need to escape the "real world" every once in a while and tune in to this clown court. Additionally it's been a well known fact for ages that you guys can't help yourself and get the monkey off your back, so this entertainment has a proud spot next to death and taxes. Sadly, 99.9% of the "real world" could give a sh%t about this arcane form of entertainment. I commend the poster who bumped this thread out of obscurity to get the hyennas salivating and showing their teeth again.

 

[Race Radio]

Just read LA's twitter stuff. He's living in the "real" world and posting about it with "real" time information . You and those of your ilk, for the most part, post about a fantasy world that no longer exists except in your mind(s). A world where gossip, innuendo, and "he said she said" fantasy abound. Fortunately it's great entertainment(like a never ending soap opera or a circus) for those of us that need to escape the "real world" every once in a while and tune in to this clown court. Additionally it's been a well known fact for ages that you guys can't help yourself and get the monkey off your back, so this entertainment has a proud spot next to death and taxes. Sadly, 99.9% of the "real world" could give a sh%t about this arcane form of entertainment. I commend the poster who bumped this thread out of obscurity to get the hyennas salivating and showing their teeth again.

Ahhh, the "You Guys Suck" post. How many times have we seen this?

 

[laziali]

Just read LA's twitter stuff. He's living in the "real" world and posting about it with "real" time information . You and those of your ilk, for the most part, post about a fantasy world that no longer exists except in your mind(s). A world where gossip, innuendo, and "he said she said" fantasy abound. Fortunately it's great entertainment(like a never ending soap opera or a circus) for those of us that need to escape the "real world" every once in a while and tune in to this clown court. Additionally it's been a well known fact for ages that you guys can't help yourself and get the monkey off your back, so this entertainment has a proud spot next to death and taxes. Sadly, 99.9% of the "real world" could give a sh%t about this arcane form of entertainment. I commend the poster who bumped this thread out of obscurity to get the hyennas salivating and showing their teeth again.

Cool story bro. Tell me more ...

 

[blutto]

Wise men make proverbs, but fools repeat them.

"Do you google?"....well done!

...verrry nice comeback...am going to have to remember that one...

Cheers

blutto

 

[rhubroma]

From the outset, Armstrong, Bruyneel have always played the political game of misinformation. Why did US Postal get rid of Johnny Weltz in favour of Bruyneel when he had no experience in being a DS?

They knew after Festina 98, successful riders would be open to more scrutiny in the media and by fans. Thus to jack to the gills in an effort to win the Tour, they knew they needed to be on top of the media campaign from the outset, especially for a guy who had never shown Tour winning performances before.

I think they really weighed the risks of possible questioniong up against the positive publicity Lance would receive because of what he stood for and tbh it was 100% successful. Lets be honest if it had been the pre cancer Lance that had won the Tour, he would have had a far rougher ride than he did. He got a soft ride because of the cancer angle.

Let me state this, I have no time for political BS and celeb lifestyle infatuation in general and Armstrong/Bruyneel brought both into cycling in a big way. Once they got the general non-cycling public on their side, they were as safe as houses.

If people admire those who will do anything to reach the top, then fine by me but most of those 'successful' people **** so many people over on the way there, I find it hard to find anything to admire about them.

Excellent post. Great analysis. Especially about the post-cancer celeb lifestyle generating simpathy and, consequently, public approval. People run on their emotions, not their reason. Everything is propaganda.

 

[sublimit]

Just read LA's twitter stuff. He's living in the "real" world and posting about it with "real" time information . You and those of your ilk, for the most part, post about a fantasy world that no longer exists except in your mind(s). A world where gossip, innuendo, and "he said she said" fantasy abound. Fortunately it's great entertainment(like a never ending soap opera or a circus) for those of us that need to escape the "real world" every once in a while and tune in to this clown court. Additionally it's been a well known fact for ages that you guys can't help yourself and get the monkey off your back, so this entertainment has a proud spot next to death and taxes. Sadly, 99.9% of the "real world" could give a sh%t about this arcane form of entertainment. I commend the poster who bumped this thread out of obscurity to get the hyennas salivating and showing their teeth again.

Who wants perfection?
A real person living in a real world talks...

God these people are so dull.

 

[Benotti69]

man i wish my 'real' world consisted of my own private jet, millions in the bank and adoring if somewhat deluded fans....but i wouldn't want that based on cheating and fraud, so keep your 'real' world if that makes you happy....

 

[buckwheat]

Great post

For the most part your post is correct. The OP is also correct that everyone was on it. If Armstrong didn't win then someone who was also doping would have. But it certainly wasn't a level playing field. Armstrong has done much worse than doping. He bribed with cash for his wins. He paid off sports officials. He made sure his team had advanced warnings on tests. There was no way Armstrong or his team was ever going to test positive. And if he did? A donation sorted that. No other cyclist had this advantaged or the cash reserves to do so. No other team had this advantage. So whilst the 90% of the peloton was doping it certainly wasn't a level playing field.

I understand why people are fanboys. It's fantasy. We like fantasy. The Armstrong story makes great reading. People don't want the truth to get in the way of a good story. I'm ok with you being a fan. If it makes you feel good then good - I just can't respect you.*

There are people who BELIEVE in flatterers and flattery. I don't get it at all myself.

 

[Elagabalus]

I commend the poster who bumped this thread out of obscurity to get the hyennas salivating and showing their teeth again.

So...one of the hyenas would be you then?

Just read LA's twitter stuff. He's living in the "real" world and posting about it with "real" time information.

Heh! Like posting "real" time advice for Simone Lemond? What a modest, unassuming chap! Doesn't he have a new Ferrari to buy or something ...?

 

[straydog]

boy you are some cane randagio, to make it in the pro peloton even for a season is an achievement and don't belittle it. Kimmage would have won the Tour of Britain except for the misfortune of a puncture and a weak team that could not get him back to the peloton allowing Yates to win.

To make it as a multiple award winning sports writer is another fine achievement especially for someone who has not got a third level education.

as for the sport being healthy maybe in your delusions but the sport gets more column inches in newspapers for its doping that any sporting achievements. but lets not let the facts get in the way of McQuaid like speil....

Sorry Benoit, I had to pick on one of you. Please don't take it personally. If I tried to answer all of the inane one liners masquerading as debate, that have been thrown into this thread recently, I would be here all night. Your post at least isn't masquerading as debate....it's still inane but at least it's a viewpoint.

I didn't belittle your hero Kimmage as a cyclist. I merely said he wasn't a "great" cyclist. Almost winning the tour of britian once hardly ranks him up there with Mercxx, Coppi, Lemond, Fignon etc etc

And trust me, I know from personal experience that plenty of people make it in "journalism" based on very little talent, integrity or imagination, regardless of their education. If you really need examples of ones who have also won numerous awards, then please look no further than Piers Morgan, Jeremy Kyle, Matthew Wright, Rebekah Wade. If you meant Paul is "great" like they are....ok maybe you have a point.

As for my delusion regarding the healthy state of cycling....well the thing is, it is mostly based on actually watching cycling. Live. And also on TV. Rather than just reading about it, which seems to be your only marker for it's state.
Unfortunately, our sport gets very little commentary full stop in mainstream newspapers, so understandably editors tend to go for sensationalist stories rather than just reporting results of each race.

If however, you read a cycling dedicated news source, like er, let's say, Cyling News, (and if you aren't distracted by all those adverts from companies who seem to be doing pretty well out of cycling by the way) it's interesting to see the ratio of general news related stories and dope specific stories.

 

[SpartacusRox]

At the risk of taking things a bit off topic....

I have just had a week over in Australia (that's the small island west of New Zealand for you Yanks). The weather was great, Noosa was a great spot for a Triathlon, the Glasshouse Mountains have got some great hills for training.

Back home now to normality and after checking in on the CN forums, I can see everything is still its same 'normal' self.

 

[Race Radio]

At the risk of taking things a bit off topic....

I have just had a week over in Australia (that's the small island west of New Zealand for you Yanks). The weather was great, Noosa was a great spot for a Triathlon, the Glasshouse Mountains have got some great hills for training.

Back home now to normality and after checking in on the CN forums, I can see everything is still its same 'normal' self.

Yup, a still a bunch of Tri geeks pretending the know something about bike racing.

What color Speedo did you wear in the race? Red is supposed to make you ride you bike faster.

 

[Benotti69]

Sorry Benoit, I had to pick on one of you. Please don't take it personally. If I tried to answer all of the inane one liners masquerading as debate, that have been thrown into this thread recently, I would be here all night. Your post at least isn't masquerading as debate....it's still inane but at least it's a viewpoint.

Inane from you is a compliment.

I didn't belittle your hero Kimmage as a cyclist. I merely said he wasn't a "great" cyclist. Almost winning the tour of britian once hardly ranks him up there with Mercxx, Coppi, Lemond, Fignon etc etc

Nobody ever ranked him up there with greats least of all I, but your tone was demeaning as it has always been towards Kimmage, without justification. Spiteful one might say. What have you done on a bike that betters what kimmage did. As for my hero, I don't believe a sports person can be one. The true heroes in life are those that save lives in hospitals, those that sacrifice for others without the glory or looking for the glory. And they do not exist on the other side of a camera lens with sponsors logos blazoned on their tops.

And trust me, I know from personal experience that plenty of people make it in "journalism" based on very little talent, integrity or imagination, regardless of their education. If you really need examples of ones who have also won numerous awards, then please look no further than Piers Morgan, Jeremy Kyle, Matthew Wright, Rebekah Wade. If you meant Paul is "great" like they are....ok maybe you have a point.

His journalistic awards speak for themselves. I did not and have no intention to compare unlike you.

As for my delusion regarding the healthy state of cycling....well the thing is, it is mostly based on actually watching cycling. Live. And also on TV. Rather than just reading about it, which seems to be your only marker for it's state.

How you can fathom that from my posts and your keyboard? Again proof to me that you are delusional. I watch cycling and not just on the TV. But i don't need to prove i am a fan by spouting it all over the forum.

Unfortunately, our sport gets very little commentary full stop in mainstream newspapers, so understandably editors tend to go for sensationalist stories rather than just reporting results of each race.

Mainstream prints doping editorial because since Festina their has been doping story after doping story so to try and make editors believe that it is not just a sport riddled with dope is extremely difficult and it seems they may not be wrong. Sadly.

If however, you read a cycling dedicated news source, like er, let's say, Cyling News, (and if you aren't distracted by all those adverts from companies who seem to be doing pretty well out of cycling by the way) it's interesting to see the ratio of general news related stories and dope specific stories.

Well let's see now, what media outlet is going to just run doping stories if it needs advertising to survive? Maybe if we looked behind some of the names in those ads we would have some questions about their performances. More than what the UCI is currently looking for or asking of the sport.

I will leave you to your delusions Monsiuer Chien errant?

 

[Velo Dude]

The playing field was level.

Wrong. The playing field would be level only if PED's affected every rider the same way, and everyone took the same PED's.

 

[WonderLance]

Why I will always be a fanboy...............

Also I dont love cancer.

 

[stephens]

Wrong. The playing field would be level only if PED's affected every rider the same way, and everyone took the same PED's.

And only if all legal nutrients and substances affected every rider the same way, and everyone took the same legal substances.

And only if all legal performance enhancing methods and treatments affected every rider the same way, and everyone used the same methods and treatments.

And only if...

 

[Altitude]

And only if all legal nutrients and substances affected every rider the same way, and everyone took the same legal substances.

And only if all legal performance enhancing methods and treatments affected every rider the same way, and everyone used the same methods and treatments.

And only if...

If only everyone was born with the same genetic makeup and potential as a cyclist. Then the playing field would be even.

 

[WonderLance]

If only everyone was born with the same genetic makeup and potential as a cyclist. Then the playing field would be even.

Its true. Not everyone can lactate like LA

 

[Velo Dude]

And only if all legal nutrients and substances affected every rider the same way, and everyone took the same legal substances.

And only if all legal performance enhancing methods and treatments affected every rider the same way, and everyone used the same methods and treatments.

And only if...

You seem to miss the point. An un-level playing field is not an issue if the differences are legal.

 

[Velo Dude]

If only everyone was born with the same genetic makeup and potential as a cyclist. Then the playing field would be even.

Natural differences aren't an issue. Any differences in performance brought about by legal means aren't an issue. The issue of an uneven playing field only arises if the differences are due to illegal means.

 

[Race Radio]

And only if all legal nutrients and substances affected every rider the same way, and everyone took the same legal substances.

And only if all legal performance enhancing methods and treatments affected every rider the same way, and everyone used the same methods and treatments.

And only if...

Please tell us of a legal nutrient that can give one highly trained professional athlete an improvement of 13% while giving another a 2% improvement.

While you are at it how is the playing field level when Ulrich pays Fuentes close to $100,000 a year for his services? How does a Neopro afford this?