First, (not necessarily in order of importance), our ride this Saturday on the Lillian Loop; we will meet at Fish and Wildlife at 7am for this 50 miler that is one of our group's favorite routes. There will be a shorter version for those of us not quite up to the full half century. This shorter route is about 42 miles long and takes in two short cuts enabling the shorter (slower) group to stay with the longer (faster group). Both shortcuts are on route between the first and second rest stops. Also, for those of you who may want an extra 10 miles or so, take the Bauer Road/Gulf Beach Hwy option after the second rest stop. Regardless of which route you choose, there's good fun to be had by all!
Second, I have received more than a few emails, texts, etc. about these new (latest) allegations against Lance Armstrong. There is so much to be said regarding the 7 time Tour hero. I could write several blogifications about his antics on and off the bike. His comeback story is absolutely amazing whether you like the man or not. What I personally believe about Lance is irrelevant except to me. However, I do not appreciate my tax dollars being spent on something that amounts to no more than a witch hunt. I have read several books and articles, good and bad, regarding the rider and there is no hard evidence to convict him of anything other than being absolutely driven to win.
Granted, I couldn't stand the arrogant man that won every major race in the States and was World Champion before his battle with cancer. I think very few cyclists liked him. But then, he was struck down with that awful disease and emerged a different rider, a different person. No surprise, he had changed. Or, maybe more accurately cancer had changed him. It would change you too! Think of it, you are at death's door for many months, not knowing if you would live, much less ever ride a bike again. Then, after almost two years, you're given a conditional clean bill of health. Finally, you have your life back.
Now, perhaps he had cheated before his illness. Perhaps it caused his cancer. I don't know. However, I do know that if any reasonable person remotely suspected that the disease that almost killed them was due to some substance they had been taking, any reasonable person would never do that again. You may argue his amazing performances; he must have doped. He may have. But, I would also argue, he weighed 27 pounds lighter! In other words, the same guy that won the World Championship now weighed 27 pounds lighter. That alone could explain his stellar Tour victories. Not to mention that was pretty much his sole focus...winning the Tour de France.
Regardless, I don't want my tax dollars spent on hunting down Lance Armstrong, a man who has been an inspiration to millions of cancer victims and who has done so much in the fight against the horrible disease. Therefore, when our own Chris Johnson sent me the following link and asked me to post it on our Blogazoidal, well, here's the petition you can sign to support Lance:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/we-support-lance-armstrong.html
Sign it if you want. It is certainly something worth researching.
Lastly, the Fenner McConnell/Matt Wantz Century is coming up again this October. This annual event is the flagship of our local cycling community. I have received several email, including one from our own Mrs. Bad Mayonnaise, who expressed we should all support our local Big Brother Big Sister organization which is the sponsor of our century year by year. Here is the link to their website: bbbs@bbbsnwfl.org
They, along with the West Florida Wheelmen, have done an excellent job for this century ride that we all know and love. Why not sign up today?
Now, let's see, what am I forgetting? Oh yes, a partridge in a pear tree! Well, if you come out tomorrow morning at 7am at Fish and Wildlife and ride the Lillian Loop with the cast of unusual characters, I almost guarantee you will see the rare bird in a fruit tree somewhere in the south Alabama countryside. If you don't, it's probably because Left Lane scared it away. He has that effect on little creatures you know!
See you in the morning, (great weather by the way), and until then, I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
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