Everyone knows that Lance Armstrong plans to come clean about doping in the confessional that is the Oprah Show on Thursday and Friday.
Though I will read the newspaper reactions to his appearance, I won't watch the 2-parter online. His exploits once inspired me, on my Cycling Dude blog, to a bit of creative writing, and so I figure the best response I could make would be to share those pieces once again, alongside links to some essays I read in the paper this morning.
July 5, 2003, and The Cycling Dude blog was not even a year old.
Welcome to the Official Site of Tour de France 2003 coverage....By THE CYCLING DUDE, that is.
The big news as the race, and it IS a race, and NOT a leisurely tour of the French countryside, is that 4 time winner Lance Armstrong has come
forward and announced that he realizes how much he has missed over the last 4 years by not taking the time to take his time and smell the flowers, see the sights, get a few pictures, taste the food and wine, and hang out and gab with the natives.
In a pre-race press conference before the event got underway Lance shocked his teammates, the assembled press corps, and all of France, by
saying that he was going to just mosey along at a leisurely 15 miles an hour and enjoy the beautiful French countryside and all it has to offer. Then he adjusted his backpack and Camelback Mule full of water, and set out on his journey.
A spokesman for his teammates, when asked by reporters if this was a joke, had this to say: "On a practice sprint, earlier in the week, Lance took a header while trying to dodge a herdsman and his flock crossing the road. He seemed okay at the time, but some of his teammates
observed him, afterwards, spending much time on the internet visiting an American website with safe cycling links, and lengthy essays on the joys of leisurely 66 mile bike rides in the Malibu area mountains, and 20 mile rides along the beaches. They realize, now, that maybe he should have seen a doctor, and spent the last few days getting lots of rest."
President Bush, when asked, had this to say: "Bicycling is good for your health, and so is taking the time to smell the flowers. Didn't Lance have health problems a few years ago? I don't drink anymore, but the French make good food, like fries and stuff and, despite our recent political
differences, I don't have any problems with French food. Lance is a good
ambassador for American values, and I hope he wins the race."
Go Lance!!
November 14, 2005 = Should men be bicycling at all?
March 21, 2007 = The Bicyclist's Song
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That was then, this is now...
Christine Brennan, in USA Today = Lance Armstrong is 'nothing short of pathetic in defeat'
USA Today Editorial = Armstrong tour de apology can't escape lies
This is just the tip of the iceberg, all across the country.
Oh, and about that photo above?
Just trying to bring some more levity in a very bad week for the world of cycling...
I once was provided a cycling product to review:
January 23, 2009 = Short Story on Serfas Short Shorts
Another solid commentary from a man that knows the "pure" pleasure of human-powered transport!
Posted by: Randy Eady | January 21, 2013 at 07:37 AM