I saw this article at Cyclingnews that said that Xenon gas has been added to the WADA list of banned substances. But, the problem with this is this line in the press release – “The ban on xenon, which is not trace-able, is effective immediately.” Banning substances that aren’t trace-able doesn’t make much sense at this time.

Xeonon gas makes a person produce more EPO. A research paper, in 2009, by a team of British and Chinese researchers, showed that mice who were given a mixture of gases containing 70% xenon for two hours had double the amount of HIF1A and EPO in their system 24 hours later. That is pretty much more, huh?

But the rule banning Xenon is sort of like the no needles policy that the Pro Tour Teams are supposed to be adhering to. If you’re not familiar with the no needles policy, it is now UCI Regulations prohibit injections that have the aim of artificially improving performance or helping recovery. It means riders can no longer inject vitamins, sugars, enzymes, amino acids or antioxidants to aid recovery. It is hoped the ban will contribute to the eradication of doping by greatly reducing the use of injections in cycling.

Is a policy a rule? And if there is no way to know if someone broke the rule, then why have the rule to start with. I 100% guarantee that there are a ton of guys that don’t adhere to the no needles policy in professional cycling. No vitamins injections or IV bags after races? Impossible.

Don’t get me wrong here, I’m all for making sure that the playing field is as even as can be and making rules to stop the progression of doping in the sport makes sense. But, making rules that are not enforceable seem useless.

Can anyone out there name one rider, doctor, or team that has been sactioned for breaking the no needle policy? I think not. And I doubt there ever will be. It will be the same with Xenon.

Maybe these guys should focus on issues that they can do something about and not just make rules they know they can’t enforce.

A Russian diagram how to administer Xenon gas.

Spring has been weird for me this year. I’ve been getting a couple days of super hot weather, either in California, Texas, or here in Kansas, then it gets cold, like in the 50’s. I’ve made it a point to try to ride more consistently, this year, with it is hot. But, it’s hard getting used to riding in the heat, when it isn’t hot. That changed yesterday. It wasn’t roasting, but was in the lower 90’s.

I did my normal gravel ride over to Lawrence. I spent a couple hours the day before patching my tubeless tires. I had a million rock cuts through the casing. Mainly from trying to stop on gravel after flatting. Anyway, I got them resealed and working, but only for about 20 miles. I was descending and next thing I knew I was on the rim.

Let me tell you a fact, it isn’t easy putting a tube into a tubeless wheel setup when your hands are super sweaty. I couldn’t believe how long it took to do it. I broke my “tire iron”, which was plastic. I did all the tricks, pushing the bead to the center, etc. but I couldn’t get the last 6 inches on. I finally took off my socks and used them to get some grip on the tire. That would have been a picture. I was so relieved that I didn’t pitch the tube and it held air. That is a big downside to tubeless. I very much doubt that many people could have gotten that tire on.

Anyway, I got to Lawrence, got some hot coffee and rode back. I felt pretty good. Well, my legs felt good, but my lungs felt like hell. I’m having a big problem with allergies this year. I can hardly wait until both my lungs and legs feel good at the same time. I’m hoping it is this weekend.

This weekend I’m heading up to Iowa to do the Memorial Day Races. It consists of 4 days of racing, The Burlington Road Race Friday night, then Snake Alley Criterium Saturday, Mellon City Criterium, in Muscatine on Sunday and finally Quad Cities Criterium on Memorial Day. Tom Schuler has taken over the promotion of Quad Citeis and they moved the race to Davenport from Rock Island. It used to be in Moline, then moved to Rock Island and now Davenport. They only have Bettendorf left.

My favorite race is Snake Alley Criterium. I’ve won it a few times and it is very challenging. It’s only 20 laps, I think 18 miles, but it is super hard. Actually, all the races are good. I don’t know the new Davenport course, but I’m sure it will be good. It will be nice getting another block of racing in. I have plenty of miles, not much speed.

Bromont is a very smart dog. He has about the same problem with heat as me. He had a throat operation last year and has a restriction, so he can’t cool off as well as before. The last couple days, he goes out and runs in the country and then when the run is over, just goes from shady spots to shady spots. I’m a little worried he’s gonna find a nice, cool spot and just stay there and not come back. He’s done that before for a bit.

Trudi made it back to Topeka late Monday night and is off to Chattanooga Tennessee this morning for the Pro Road Championships. Man, was that a drive, still is, I guess.

I think I need to rest some. Even though I took it a little easy and only had a 250 mile week, two weeks ago, I got in another 400 mile week last week and seem a little flat. I should probably kick back a couple days and then use the races to get some leg speed.

Our house has always gotten a bunch of looks because of the different team cars parked there.

Mess after changing my flat.

I thought the cut sealed with glitter, but it didn’t hold. This is after bouncing it on the ground to get the glitter to the cut.

I got blisters on my palms from willing the tire onto the rim.

Bromont enjoying his “run”.

We finally turned the AC on last night. I used a Campy T wrench to remove the top to clean out the leaves before turning it on. I don’t use one of those very often anymore.

Trudi made a pan of Paleo granola before she left. It’s yummy.