Comments on: The most-publicized training ride in history http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/ Blogging politics, culture, sociology and life from Brisvegas Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:50:53 +0000 hourly 1 By: Nexus 6 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-615384 Nexus 6 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:46:12 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-615384 I decided to take an annual leave day in the end. The partner and I are just popping down the front with a bottle of champers to catch the riders go by. Unbelievable amount of people out. There's probably a world lycra shortage now. Hopefully a lot more people will be inspired to keep riding afterward. I decided to take an annual leave day in the end. The partner and I are just popping down the front with a bottle of champers to catch the riders go by. Unbelievable amount of people out. There’s probably a world lycra shortage now.

Hopefully a lot more people will be inspired to keep riding afterward.

]]> By: dylwah http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-609080 dylwah Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:55:47 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-609080 thanks Onimod. It is one of the things that always puzzles me about discussions of Lance Armstrong. whenever a radio report goes beyond the fact that he has wiped his nose, they go on to discuss his heroic recovery from cancer and accusations of drug use. rarely is there a mention of the treatment for testicular cancer, removal of the offending testicle. Once I heard the lads from Run Like You Stole Something on RRR, sadly no longer with us, the show, not the lads, spend at least 10 minutes discussing the potential benifits of increased performance of removing one or both nuts and then start discussing La Tour and LA without making the connection, they even reported accusations of drug use. Mind you the first discussion was conducted with a jocularity that betrayed a few . . . insecurities i suppose. thanks Onimod. It is one of the things that always puzzles me about discussions of Lance Armstrong. whenever a radio report goes beyond the fact that he has wiped his nose, they go on to discuss his heroic recovery from cancer and accusations of drug use. rarely is there a mention of the treatment for testicular cancer, removal of the offending testicle. Once I heard the lads from Run Like You Stole Something on RRR, sadly no longer with us, the show, not the lads, spend at least 10 minutes discussing the potential benifits of increased performance of removing one or both nuts and then start discussing La Tour and LA without making the connection, they even reported accusations of drug use. Mind you the first discussion was conducted with a jocularity that betrayed a few . . . insecurities i suppose.

]]> By: minxy http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608955 minxy Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:32:20 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608955 Nexus 6.... that is why we have sickies lol... just kidding... Nexus 6…. that is why we have sickies lol… just kidding…

]]> By: Nexus 6 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608914 Nexus 6 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:41:00 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608914 They're doing three laps past my house in the Adelaide Hills - unfortunately I'll be at work that day :( They’re doing three laps past my house in the Adelaide Hills – unfortunately I’ll be at work that day :(

]]> By: hannah's dad http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608614 hannah's dad Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:47:28 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608614 Yeah I remember when I was a kid in Whyalla and cycling was a really big deal. We had several national champions, the Whyalla Gift was a major race, some international fellas would be there evry year, the name Nino Solari rings a bell. Later they got a first class velodrome [or at least we were told it was first class] and a bloke called Graham [or Graeme] Jose started out there I think. Good stuff I used to enjoy it, partly because several of my mates were involved. Yeah I remember when I was a kid in Whyalla and cycling was a really big deal. We had several national champions, the Whyalla Gift was a major race, some international fellas would be there evry year, the name Nino Solari rings a bell. Later they got a first class velodrome [or at least we were told it was first class] and a bloke called Graham [or Graeme] Jose started out there I think.
Good stuff I used to enjoy it, partly because several of my mates were involved.

]]> By: Robert Merkel http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608580 Robert Merkel Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:52:53 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608580 Hannah's Dad: that's the nature of the Tour Down Under - long road stages on flat roads produce precisely that effect. If you want to watch a bike race live, either go and see a criterium (there's a couple in the TDU) where they do multiple laps of a relatvely short circuit (maybe 2 kilometers) or watch them trying to climb hills (much slower, and the pack splits up). Watching the peloton go past at 45 km/h on a flat stage is very, very dull. Hannah’s Dad: that’s the nature of the Tour Down Under – long road stages on flat roads produce precisely that effect.

If you want to watch a bike race live, either go and see a criterium (there’s a couple in the TDU) where they do multiple laps of a relatvely short circuit (maybe 2 kilometers) or watch them trying to climb hills (much slower, and the pack splits up).

Watching the peloton go past at 45 km/h on a flat stage is very, very dull.

]]> By: onimod http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608380 onimod Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:12:50 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608380 nice one dylwah; haven't heard that one before nice one dylwah; haven’t heard that one before

]]> By: dylwah http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608362 dylwah Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:43:10 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608362 Onimod, I don't think that Lance needed to take drugs, he is missing a testicle. Vast amounts of the, male, body's resourses are devoted to keeping testicles ticking along. Take either or both nuts out of the equation and you have a body with an energy delivery system with spare capacity. Lance used it, well. Onimod, I don’t think that Lance needed to take drugs, he is missing a testicle. Vast amounts of the, male, body’s resourses are devoted to keeping testicles ticking along. Take either or both nuts out of the equation and you have a body with an energy delivery system with spare capacity. Lance used it, well.

]]> By: hannah's dad http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608293 hannah's dad Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:20:48 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608293 Some years ago I was in Mt. Pleasant [an appropriately named town] and asked why there were so many people hanging around the main drag. Course it was because the Tour mob were due in a few minutes. So I hung around for a few minutes too. Sure enough a bunch of guys on bikes flashed past in about 2 seconds and everybody starting packing up and going to home or wherever. "Is that it?" I asked someone who seemed as if they would know. "Yep" was the answer. Some years ago I was in Mt. Pleasant [an appropriately named town] and asked why there were so many people hanging around the main drag.
Course it was because the Tour mob were due in a few minutes.
So I hung around for a few minutes too. Sure enough a bunch of guys on bikes flashed past in about 2 seconds and everybody starting packing up and going to home or wherever.
“Is that it?” I asked someone who seemed as if they would know.
“Yep” was the answer.

]]> By: FDB http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608190 FDB Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:02:51 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608190 "We’re not going to learn anything about whether Lance Armstrong can make a successful comeback at the Tour Down Under, because it doesn’t test him on the things that made him a champion and a star." What? They're not testing for drugs?!?! “We’re not going to learn anything about whether Lance Armstrong can make a successful comeback at the Tour Down Under, because it doesn’t test him on the things that made him a champion and a star.”

What? They’re not testing for drugs?!?!

]]> By: Liam http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608188 Liam Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:01:14 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608188 It's 40 plus and sunny. Any decent Hahndorfer will greet the riders as they go past in the classically German style: nude. It’s 40 plus and sunny.
Any decent Hahndorfer will greet the riders as they go past in the classically German style: nude.

]]> By: Robert Merkel http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608184 Robert Merkel Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:59:29 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608184 Chris: fair point - he'll undoubtedly raise a bunch of money for cancer research, which is one of the reasons why he's made a comeback. I'm not knocking Lance. I'm knocking the poorly-informed press hysteria surrounding his return. We're not going to learn anything about whether Lance Armstrong can make a successful comeback at the Tour Down Under, because it doesn't test him on the things that made him a champion and a star. As for not riding, he'll ride unless he's genuinely injured. He's got to ride anyway to keep up his training. But he (and the entire peloton) may well turn it into a slow (by their standards) training ride with a bit of a sprint at the end if it's too hot. They've all got long seasons ahead of them. Chris: fair point – he’ll undoubtedly raise a bunch of money for cancer research, which is one of the reasons why he’s made a comeback.

I’m not knocking Lance. I’m knocking the poorly-informed press hysteria surrounding his return. We’re not going to learn anything about whether Lance Armstrong can make a successful comeback at the Tour Down Under, because it doesn’t test him on the things that made him a champion and a star.

As for not riding, he’ll ride unless he’s genuinely injured. He’s got to ride anyway to keep up his training. But he (and the entire peloton) may well turn it into a slow (by their standards) training ride with a bit of a sprint at the end if it’s too hot. They’ve all got long seasons ahead of them.

]]> By: Fine http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608182 Fine Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:58:19 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608182 onimod, don't tell me our Cadel takes drugs as well? If I were really into it, I'd probably be with Nexus6 cheering him on. Although, I'd be at Hahndorf for the occasion and hoping that Lance is wearing an ornamental cuckoo clock in place of a helmet, as he furiously peddles past. onimod, don’t tell me our Cadel takes drugs as well?

If I were really into it, I’d probably be with Nexus6 cheering him on. Although, I’d be at Hahndorf for the occasion and hoping that Lance is wearing an ornamental cuckoo clock in place of a helmet, as he furiously peddles past.

]]> By: FDB http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608179 FDB Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:51:56 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608179 "This is the equivalent of Tiger Woods in Australia for a pre-season practice round after a long layoff." Well yeah, except that Tiger would be a good chance to win and a certainty to entertain (if you like that kind of thing) under virtually <i>any</i> circumstances. “This is the equivalent of Tiger Woods in Australia for a pre-season practice round after a long layoff.”

Well yeah, except that Tiger would be a good chance to win and a certainty to entertain (if you like that kind of thing) under virtually any circumstances.

]]> By: Nexus 6 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608174 Nexus 6 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:44:17 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608174 Well I loves my cycling and I'm going to be sitting about 3/4 the way up Willy Hill cheering him on. It does usually split the riders (especially if it's very hot). Should be awesome - I reckon Lance 'll want to send a message he's back and that's where he will do it. Even if it is only a training ride, just seeing the great man in action will be something to tell the grand kiddies about one day. It's a scorcher today in Adelaide, as Lance's <a href="http://twitter.com/lancearmstrong" rel="nofollow">twittering</a> suggests. Glad it's him and not me in this weather. Well I loves my cycling and I’m going to be sitting about 3/4 the way up Willy Hill cheering him on. It does usually split the riders (especially if it’s very hot). Should be awesome – I reckon Lance ‘ll want to send a message he’s back and that’s where he will do it.

Even if it is only a training ride, just seeing the great man in action will be something to tell the grand kiddies about one day.

It’s a scorcher today in Adelaide, as Lance’s twittering suggests. Glad it’s him and not me in this weather.

]]> By: onimod http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608172 onimod Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:41:35 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608172 Fine If you were really in to bike racing you'd be in 1 of 2 camps: 1. You'd realise given the mountains of anecdotal evidence that despite all the media marketing to the contrary that he's a complete dick and a fraud. When someone responds with "I've never tested positive..." red flashing lights go off everywhere. 2. You'd have your head in the sand, you'd believe the whole French nation is involved in a conspiracy against him, and that the sun shined out of his every orifice. Almost every single notable bike rider other than Lance in his generation has been implicated in doping. At present the sport is all about who can pull of the biggest lie. I don't write off Lance's cancer exploits because of his sporting behaviour, but when the marketing department so completely overruns the ethics department it ceases to be a sport. On a wider note news department across the world are all on holiday at present - you can get the exact same stories on every foreign language news service. The publishing of other peoples press releases hardly counts as news to me... Fine
If you were really in to bike racing you’d be in 1 of 2 camps:
1. You’d realise given the mountains of anecdotal evidence that despite all the media marketing to the contrary that he’s a complete dick and a fraud. When someone responds with “I’ve never tested positive…” red flashing lights go off everywhere.
2. You’d have your head in the sand, you’d believe the whole French nation is involved in a conspiracy against him, and that the sun shined out of his every orifice.

Almost every single notable bike rider other than Lance in his generation has been implicated in doping. At present the sport is all about who can pull of the biggest lie. I don’t write off Lance’s cancer exploits because of his sporting behaviour, but when the marketing department so completely overruns the ethics department it ceases to be a sport.

On a wider note news department across the world are all on holiday at present – you can get the exact same stories on every foreign language news service. The publishing of other peoples press releases hardly counts as news to me…

]]> By: Katz http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608171 Katz Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:41:15 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608171 Well, now I've looked and the answer is <a href="http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/2009/?q=HahndorfCelebration" rel="nofollow">Yes!</a> But I cannot confirm whether on the Hahndorf state the competitors will be dressed in lederhosen riding hand-carved wooden bicycles. I think that the tour organisers may have missed an opportunity here. Well, now I’ve looked and the answer is Yes!

But I cannot confirm whether on the Hahndorf state the competitors will be dressed in lederhosen riding hand-carved wooden bicycles.

I think that the tour organisers may have missed an opportunity here.

]]> By: Pavlov's Cat http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608169 Pavlov's Cat Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:37:37 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608169 Not only that, Robert, but have a look at this from today's Crikey Tips and Rumours: apparently it's rumoured that <blockquote>the SA Government are paying Lance Armstrong USD $1 million to appear at the Pro Tour. USD $500k has been paid up front, with the balance after the race. Think back a few months when it was announced somewhat prematurely that Lance was on his way. Has this proved to be a rather costly false start ? Those in the know at North Terrace have been told to keep very quiet!</blockquote> Given that it's 41 degrees here today, if that's true then they've got a lose-lose situation; their investment will either be inside with the blinds down sipping on a big glass of Gastrolyte and not taking any calls, or braving the sun to sign souvenir baseball caps and ending up on a drip in Intensive Care. Katz, <i>everything</i> goes through Hahndorf. Not only that, Robert, but have a look at this from today’s Crikey Tips and Rumours: apparently it’s rumoured that

the SA Government are paying Lance Armstrong USD $1 million to appear at the Pro Tour. USD $500k has been paid up front, with the balance after the race. Think back a few months when it was announced somewhat prematurely that Lance was on his way. Has this proved to be a rather costly false start ? Those in the know at North Terrace have been told to keep very quiet!

Given that it’s 41 degrees here today, if that’s true then they’ve got a lose-lose situation; their investment will either be inside with the blinds down sipping on a big glass of Gastrolyte and not taking any calls, or braving the sun to sign souvenir baseball caps and ending up on a drip in Intensive Care.

Katz, everything goes through Hahndorf.

]]> By: Fine http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608164 Fine Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:34:04 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608164 Oh no Katz! Say it aint so! Oh no Katz! Say it aint so!

]]> By: Chris (a different one) http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-608163 Chris (a different one) Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:33:21 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/01/13/the-most-publicized-training-ride-in-history/#comment-608163 Perhaps its just good PR work, but he's also been taking the time to talk a lot about cancer in the media coverage he's been getting - using the media to push what he is interested in. Perhaps its just good PR work, but he’s also been taking the time to talk a lot about cancer in the media coverage he’s been getting – using the media to push what he is interested in.

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