My experience with drugs and blood doping

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This is very discouraging to hear if it is an accurate depiction of racing at the Cat 1 level in the US. My son is a very talented 15 year old junior, who has aspirations of perhaps making it some day to Cat 1. Based on what I've seen in his riding, I've told him that he could probably make it to Cat 1 if he was sufficiently dedicated and determined, but if he is competing with riders who are doping and they are actually boosting their FTPs by 20% through doping then I'm guessing he would probably not be able to get the results (riding cleanly) to make it to Cat 1 unless his talent is truly exceptional.As the parent of 13 and 9 year old athletes, I have the same fears.

Two thoughts: there are still lots of benefits of sport without having to 'make it'. So I'm keeping my kids in it until the doping stops them, and hope that they simply love physical activity enough that it stays in their lives. It worked that way for me, and sport has been good for them so far.

The second is, what the hell are the leaders in sport doing, (or not doing) to allow it to get this way? The UCI is starting to react, but it's two steps forward, one back. (eg. the missed out of competiton tests that have been happening) I think we as parents should make a lot more noise about what they are doing that allows doping to take place. Even they must have kids and share the worry about their health and hopes.

I'm convinced it's their attitude that has allowed it to get this way. There are too many decent people in high level sport who have been forced to dope.

As the parent of 13 and 9 year old athletes, I have the same fears.

Two thoughts: there are still lots of benefits of sport without having to 'make it'. So I'm keeping my kids in it until the doping stops them, and hope that they simply love physical activity enough that it stays in their lives. It worked that way for me, and sport has been good for them so far.

The second is, what the hell are the leaders in sport doing, (or not doing) to allow it to get this way? The UCI is starting to react, but it's two steps forward, one back. (eg. the missed out of competiton tests that have been happening) I think we as parents should make a lot more noise about what they are doing that allows doping to take place. Even they must have kids and share the worry about their health and hopes.

I'm convinced it's their attitude that has allowed it to get this way. There are too many decent people in high level sport who have been forced to dope.

"Forced to dope"??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Give me a bleepin' break! Nobody, I repeat NOBODY is FORCED to dope! Each individual rider is making a conscious choice to do whatever doping practice they choose to do. So you're calling the dopers "victims", eh? It's just that very attitude which perpetuates this ridiculousness of dopers, when caught, getting proverbial slaps on the wrist. IMO, one conviction and you're banned for life. There needs to be a deterrent in place; there is none as it stands now.

"Decent people" my eye! They're all frauds and fakes! What is "decent" about that - unless you're also a fraud and a fake. I don't care what their excuse is. Because you see one guy jump off a bridge, does that mean you have to do it too??

I'm sick of the lame excuses people give for obtaining things they don't rightfully deserve..."By any means necessary"..."The ends justify the means"...all that B.S.!!!:mad:

Don't worry about him "needing" to dope to be a solid cat1. I have a few friends who are strong riders and do not dope.

First one started at ~17/18yrs old, is 23 now, and is consistently battling it out with domestic pros. He's a cat1 and trains maybe 12hrs/wk most of the year, and a little more in spring/summer. He has no intentions of going pro and just does it for the fun of the sport. His palmares is impressive for the amount he trains -- always podium at collegiate nationals, numerous top 10 and top 5 finishes in SuperWeek, Tour of Ohio, and other quality races.

I have another 25yr old friend who is a domestic pro for a popular US team. He's not the team leader, but he's fast. Finished the Tour of California, Tour of Virginia, most aggressive rider in one of the ToC stages, and some good results at other races.

The third one is 21yrs old and takes spring semesters off to train in the south. He's won some collegiate nationals events, best young rider at tour of virginia, upcoming Tour of PA, Kelley Cup NRC race, and won Cross Country Cycling Classic in Belize.

You don't need to dope to be a strong domestic pro. I'm not so sure after you cross the Professional Continental area, though.