Listen now by clicking here: [audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/spokesmen/The_Spokesmen_115.mp3]
Topics Included:
- The CIRC Report
- Full Text Download
- USA Today: How Lance Armstrong Worked the System
- Doping Spreading to Amateur Cyclists: Report
- Spectator causes Rowney crash at Drentse 8
- World’s First App to Protect Cyclists & Bikers
- Fat bikes
- Lightning Round
- Gravel Grinders
- Mainstream Media’s Approach to Cycling
- Zwift
- Tips!
- Presta Adapter
- Torque Wrenches
- Embrocation for your Feet
- Disposable Painter Caps for Cycling
- Dry the items in your saddle bag
- Wrap your multi-tool in an old tube
Please, please, please. When you discuss cycling racing, please, please, please get your facts straight before you start ranting. It was Laurence Jalabert that crashed due to the policeman at the Tour de France. Thor Hushovd had his arm sliced (cut) by a foam hand placard during the sprint. On and on…. Either get the facts straight or at least try to correct them rather than just rant and make those of us that appreciate cycling and the racing tradition go mad.
Your opinions are respected. But again, don’t profess as an expert without due diligence.
Thanks for your comment and for listening, Lou. I am sorry that we didn’t live up to your expectations. With all due respect, though, it was a slip of the tongue. A mistake. Although I haven’t re-listened to that portion of the show, I seem to recall that the guys were stumbling to come up with the names of those who had been injured by bystanders. So they got it wrong. Is that really such a big deal?
As a disclaimer, however, please know that we simply can’t guarantee that we will have all of our esoteric facts at the ready at 8am on a Saturday morning. Actually, the time of day really doesn’t matter since I can’t even remember what I ate for lunch today, let alone which rider was injured by what promotional item at a race thousands of miles away that took place nearly ten years ago (Stage 1 of the 2006 Tour de France).
Oh, and by the way, the hand that injured Thor Hushovd was cardboard, not foam as you suggested. See? Everyone makes mistakes. Cut us some slack.
And finally, to be clear, we don’t profess to be experts. Our About Us page specifically says, “This isn’t news, it’s opinion, commentary, sarcasm, humor and, occasionally, insight.” I guess this wasn’t one of those times when you felt that we were insightful. We will try harder.
We’re supposed to be right?
OK new disclaimer for the page.
The thoughts in the head may not correspond with the incorrect statements coming out of my mouth and any legal opinions are worthless….maybe….sometimes.
Gentlemen and Donna,
I enjoyed listening to your discussion of the CIRC report and I agree that it does nothing in terms of giving cycling a “fresh start.” Yesterday, Brian Cookson of the UCI, expressed disappointment that Lance Armstrong was going to assist in a fund raising bike ride in advance of some of the TDF stages. He made it seem that having Armstrong anywhere near the TDF would reflect badly on the image of Le Tour and the UCI. I would agree with Cookson if he had taken any steps to clean up cycling. Simply granting ASTANA an International license was evidence enough nothing has changed at UCI or the TDF. The old saying is “Where there is smoke, there is fire.” Well, ASTANA was a fully involved 5 alarm fire and he did nothing. It seems to me that the UCI, the TDF, WADA and USACycling have done all they can to punish Armstrong and that he has nothing to fear from them. He should use what “juice” he has left to help anyone he can who is suffering from cancer and Brian Cookson should shut up and go clean his own house. Thanks, Bernie.
Hi Bernie:
Thanks for listening! Glad you enjoyed the banter. I couldn’t agree more about those who are still involved in the governing bodies that did nothing but look the other way in the Lance-era, if you will.
As for the circus that will be the charity ride before the TdF. I don’t know if it will taint the event itself any more than it already has been, but as I’ve said many times, sensation sells. There is no other reason for Lance to be doing this charity ride, as opposed to thousands of others, than to get more attention for himself. Where else would he get as much media attention by simply attending a charity ride? Seriously.
Now, I agree that the LAF has done, and continues to do, great work for people in some of the worst situations in their life. And, yes, Lance started that so he should be commended. I will never take anything away from him for that. Bravo. And, I’m serious about that. In full disclosure, I’ve donated there in the past. I do believe in their good work.
But this? This is just a (alleged) publicity stunt pure and simple. That’s just my two cents.
Sure, the flip side is that whatever the cause, he knows that to get it publicity he should go to the TdF for the most coverage for the good cause. Yup, that’s the flip side…but I stand by my two cents.
Ride safe.
Hello! Your podcast is excellent!!! Keep up the great work! Thank you for discussing fat bikes in this last episode. Just curious what your thoughts are on the current state of single speed mountain bikes? Several years ago at least in my local area SS bikes were hot but now fat bikes have stolen their thunder a little bit? Are SS on the decline in popularity? What do you think? Maybe you want to discuss this on the show? Thanks!
Concerning the CIRCus podcast…
Just some thoughts…
0. Bottom line it is all about reputation. Some are sufficiently satiated with an ‘honest’ reputation and others require an ‘inflated’ reputation that may be ill-gotten. Each individual must live with the consequences of their decisions.
1. These professional cyclists are jocks (dumb jocks??) who may not be making ethical decisions for their futures… they are just making decisions for the moment and to win…. not trying to be stereotypical but I guess I am. I am guessing many have not had the benefit of complete education curriculums that may have better balanced them. It’s all about win, win, win and that defines their prospects.
2. Those who are more educated, they may have a better means to earn a living through their education. Athletes typically can only rely on their winnings. And winning at that level only lasts a few years.
3. There are examples in corporate America where those climbing the ladder, so to speak, leave others damaged in their path. I work in corporate America and I have seen managers let go or conveniently layoff those who possibly see them as an obstacle in their path of advancement. What is America? Rightly or wrongly… win, win, win… we individuals must decide how we fit into that philosophy.
4. What are Americans seeing every single day on TV commercials? They are being sold products that allow them to cheat. Any commercial set usually provides a way for me to cheat. In one way or another I am being sold how to cheat. But cheat what? Well cheating death off course. That is the ultimate cheat. Where do you draw the line between a moral cheat and an immoral cheat? Is winning a way to gain money to be able to cheat death? Are the drugs athletes use designed for athletes or are they designed to help cheat death?
5. Wasn’t Thor sliced by one of those inflatable clapper things that used to be handed out at the finish line? And wasn’t it the upper arm? As opposed to one of those head – sticks and I don’t think it was on the face. Stating the face and a stick in essence is distorting the facts and controlling the story. Many try to control the story whether they know it or not.
6. Sporting figures are entertainers. Hollywood is entertainment. I prefer my entertainers stick to entertaining and not advocating religion, politics, etc. Leave their personal lives to themselves… there are many out there who are not perfect and we know some of those who are most righteous are typically those who are the most guilty.
7. Concerning Lance, if he now begged for forgiveness or if he did a couple of years ago, would he be forgiven and allowed to cycle now? It should be interesting to see how the Alex Rodriguez story develops. Has he not come out and apologized and bared his soul and his mistakes? He is taking the full ‘I was wrong approach’. Time will tell if that approach works or not. But would LA be forgiven if he instead squiggles like a worm to the media professing his mistakes? Or would the media just have a squirming worm to ridicule and capitalize upon?
8. Concerning other sports.. don’ t they all have players unions who in essence protect the athletes or at least negotiate terms and conditions about testing etc. These unions are there to represent and protect the athletes.
Hey… I love the podcast. For me it is entertainment. I like the views professed even when they fall on either side of the spectrum. Measured opinions digested in a balanced way allow us to make our own informed decisions and to formulate and adjust our own opinions.
And finally… instead of ‘Spokes Men’… how about ‘Spoke Folk’… this is more gender neutral.
Thanks and keep up the good work!!