I personally have no idea whether Lance is doping or not; But I am pretty sure that doping is not the reason he has won 6 TDFs. If doping was such an incredible performance booster, then a large percentage of the Peloton would be doping as well. Maybe they are; regardless, if you are one of the critics who bashes Lance Armstrong for doping, you had better be ready to condemn the whole sport itself.
There are several things that, however, set Lance Armstrong apart from the rest of his peers. Anybody who has ever played competitive sports at virtually any level, understands that the mental aspect of your "game" is as important if not more important than the physical aspect. Lance's near-death fight with cancer surely would classify as a focusing-event in his life. It seems to me that this would give a man incredible drive and determination. The kind of drive and determination that enables Lance to train harder and longer than virtually anyone else in his sport.
How Lance trains and rides is another factor. It appears that Lance bashers always overlook the fact that Armstrong does things differently than anyother rider on the tour. Smaller gears, greater cadence, resulting in faster speed. Now I will admit that I am not a cyclist (alas old ages and bad knees have slowed this old body) but for 30 years I have enjoyed watching cycling and have especially enjoyed the TDF. Maybe this riding style is a reason, seems likely to me. (Now I know I am stating the obvious, but after reading some of the posts on Lance it appears that some people miss the obvious).
Although I will admit that I do not have the cycling background that some members of this forum posess, I am well versed in human-nature. What scares me most about some members of this forum is the same thing that scares me regarding our political atmosphere here in the United States. It appears that some members do not look at facts and then develop an opinion. Instead they develop an opinion and then find facts that will support that opinion, regardless of how tenuous, unsubstatiated, or outright illogical. There is no room to consider another point of view...hell that would be admitting some kind of personal defeat....what shame. Basically, you will support and defend your cause regardless of the information presented..or inpite of. Hell, I think Europe got into a little trouble a few years back, as I recall with that kind of fanaticism. The blatant bile spewed in this forum over such an innocuous topic is disturbing and to me represents a bigger problem than any doping allegations. I mean really, what has imbalanced some of you to such a degree? Sorry this is long-winded, old folks tend to go on and on..haha.
P.S. I am not getting into a pissing contest with any of the above mentioned type of individuals..so don't bother.
There are several things that, however, set Lance Armstrong apart from the rest of his peers. Anybody who has ever played competitive sports at virtually any level, understands that the mental aspect of your "game" is as important if not more important than the physical aspect. Lance's near-death fight with cancer surely would classify as a focusing-event in his life. It seems to me that this would give a man incredible drive and determination. The kind of drive and determination that enables Lance to train harder and longer than virtually anyone else in his sport.
How Lance trains and rides is another factor. It appears that Lance bashers always overlook the fact that Armstrong does things differently than anyother rider on the tour. Smaller gears, greater cadence, resulting in faster speed. Now I will admit that I am not a cyclist (alas old ages and bad knees have slowed this old body) but for 30 years I have enjoyed watching cycling and have especially enjoyed the TDF. Maybe this riding style is a reason, seems likely to me. (Now I know I am stating the obvious, but after reading some of the posts on Lance it appears that some people miss the obvious).
Although I will admit that I do not have the cycling background that some members of this forum posess, I am well versed in human-nature. What scares me most about some members of this forum is the same thing that scares me regarding our political atmosphere here in the United States. It appears that some members do not look at facts and then develop an opinion. Instead they develop an opinion and then find facts that will support that opinion, regardless of how tenuous, unsubstatiated, or outright illogical. There is no room to consider another point of view...hell that would be admitting some kind of personal defeat....what shame. Basically, you will support and defend your cause regardless of the information presented..or inpite of. Hell, I think Europe got into a little trouble a few years back, as I recall with that kind of fanaticism. The blatant bile spewed in this forum over such an innocuous topic is disturbing and to me represents a bigger problem than any doping allegations. I mean really, what has imbalanced some of you to such a degree? Sorry this is long-winded, old folks tend to go on and on..haha.
P.S. I am not getting into a pissing contest with any of the above mentioned type of individuals..so don't bother.
