Monthly Archives: June 2013

Jeannie Longo is Back

This entry was posted in Comments about Cycling on by .

I saw a short article yesterday at Cyclingnews saying that Jeannie Longo was going to be racing this weekend in the French National Championships. I guess she has won 59 French title in her career. Anyway, I’m sort of surprised about this. I wrote this post a year and a half ago about hoping the whole thing was bogus. It wasn’t.

Like I wrote in the original post, I’ve known Jeannie for a long time. Back over 30 years. She was riding incredibly good before EPO and such came around. But, her husband confessing to purchasing EPO is more than enough in this day and age of the sport to condemn her and her results. Her husband knew what the repercussions of buying EPO would be on Jeannie’s career, and he went ahead and purchased them. So, there is a real problem there.

Jeannie probably should have won the MTB World Championships in 1993. It might have been the first time she rode a MTB, it wouldn’t surprise me. She lost the race because she got chain suck on the last lap, while in the lead, and didn’t know how to fix the problem. At the time, I thought that she didn’t deserve to win the Worlds if she can’t fix chain suck. She didn’t pay her dues. She was that talented. But, the drug issue thing still over rides all of her past results.

I’m afraid that I’d have to vote no that Jeannie decided to return to racing. It is wrong. She should have just stayed retired and disappeared into the history books. She wasn’t directly “caught” using drugs, but it was the next best thing. Her husband was caught and the guy that sold the drugs said that he was buying them for his wife, Jeannie. Pretty damning evidence.

I don’t understand why there isn’t an on going case going against her. I guess in France they don’t like to destroy their sporting stars as much as we do here in the US. But, we do value fair play. At least some of us do. Jeannie should note what happened to greedy Lance when he wanted to come back and play. It didn’t work out very well for him and I doubt it will work out better for Jeannie.

I'm pretty sure Jeannie isn't taking into consideration the risk she is exposing herself to get her 60th French National Gold medal.

I’m pretty sure Jeannie isn’t taking into consideration the risk she is exposing herself to get her 60th French National Gold medal.

San Diego to KC, Via Denver

This entry was posted in Comments about Cycling, Fun Stuff on by .

I left San Diego yesterday and flew to Denver late. The Advantage Rental car company is a complete disaster. It took more than an hour and a half to get on the shuttle and actually get in a car. I drove to the Springhill Suites, by the University of Denver and got in a room at 1 am. I’m supposed to view some testing on Garmin’s Tom Danielson at 10 am. It should be interesting. I’m really not sure exactly what is going to happen or what I’m supposed to witness, but it should be a learning experience at least. Jonathan Vaughters is coming too, so that will make the trip worthwhile. If I have any extra time, I’m going to head over to Arvada and go for a ride with my friend Vincent. He did a 100 mile MTB race last Saturday and I’d like to hear the blow by blow. He butt must be sore. 7 plus hours.

I rode around North County yesterday. Didn’t really have an agenda. I finally made it up to Pannikin in Encinitas. The bakery items there are from the Land of the Giants. Muffins that are bigger than grapefruit. It is awesome.

I have a short turn around today. Just in for the physiological testing and then out tonight, flying back to KC late. The Tour of Kansas City starts Friday evening. It is just 3 criteriums now. I’m not sure, but I think that it is the longest running stage race in the country. This is the 50th edition. I first rode the Tour of KC in 1974 when I was an intermediate. I was 2nd in the Pro 1/2 race when I was 17. It was an Olympic Developement race then. There is a traveling trophy, but my name isn’t on it. And it won’t be on it again. I have no ability to race at a winning level now. Baby steps. It is funny, but I’d rather be doing a NCC race and just sit in than a big regional race that takes a lot of energy in the wind. Strange.

I’m mildly worried about the heat in KC. It is supposed to be in the mid 90’s all weekend. Yesterday, it was 65 on the coast. That is a 30 degree differential. But, you have to get used to it sometime. I’m not yet like Jens Voight and can acclimate to the heat in two days, like he did at the Tour of California.

Okay, I need to get scooting. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Last meal of each trip is at Ichiban in PB. Sue and Don always order an unbelievable amount of sushi.

Last meal of each trip is at Ichiban in PB. Sue and Don always order an unbelievable amount of sushi.

Don was replacing the CV boots on his Ferrari yesterday morning.

Don was replacing the CV boots on his Ferrari yesterday morning.

Bill
It was Bill’s birthday yesterday, so I guess a bunch of people met over at the Flying Monkey/PT’s and drank a few beers. Missed out on that one.

This guy, on one of the those duck-bike-things, was following Don and I up the coast for a couple miles. He was going really good, over 20 mph.

This guy, on one of the those duck-bike-things, was following Don and I up the coast for a couple miles. He was going really good, over 20 mph.

I was riding by the cove and this guy was about to head in to dive. He must have looked strange to all of us.

I was riding by the cove and this guy was about to head in to dive. He must have looked strange to all of us.

Last shot of Torrey Pines for a while.

Last shot of Torrey Pines for a while.

I love watching the pelicans glide back and forth down the coast. They fly so effortless.

I love watching the pelicans glide back and forth down the coast. They fly so effortless.

This machine is detecting something in my shoulder each time I go through it. I had to get patted down on the way out and then again on the way back. Must have been one of the anchor screws in my arm bone.

This machine is detecting something in my shoulder each time I go through it. I had to get patted down on the way out and then again on the way back. Must have been one of the anchor screws in my arm bone.

This monitor is right after you clear security in the San Diego airport. I guess it is just there to remind you what nice weather you are leaving.

This monitor is right after you clear security in the San Diego airport. I guess it is just there to remind you what nice weather you are leaving.