I was hoping to change pace a little today and get into the holiday theme, but after reading a few articles the last couple days about Riccardo Riccò, I can’t help myself.

Where to start?  Obviously, by the guy’s actions, he’s not a smart man.  And that would be a generous statement.  But, we can’t just rely on his actions, he goes ahead and talks.  And that just more that emphasizes how he got to where he is in the sport.

Let’s go over some of his recent history.  First, the guy is killing everyone on the bike, finishing 2nd in the Giro, behind Contador, and then going to the Tour and winning a couple stages etc.  But, alas, he get’s popped for using CERA-EPO.  So, he serves his ban and makes his comeback.  But, once again, he has issues.

Next thing he knows, he’s  in an emergency room because he botched up a home blood transfusion and he nearly kills himself.

So, he goes and makes a ton of excuses and denials, but ultimately he gets a 12 year ban for a 2nd doping offense.

So, he won’t be able to race again until he is 40.  So he decides that he is going to travel around the planet and set records on all the most famous climbs.  So, in preparation for this, he is caught trying to buy EPO, that was stolen from a hospital, in a parking lot in Italy.  He said that “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, the matter has nothing to do with me.”   Even though he had $1500 in his jacket pocket at the time.

So, he somehow stays out of jail, but keeps training and writes a book.  For some inexplicable reason, his publisher lets him speak at a book launch.  Maybe the publisher is brilliant because he knows Riccardo.

Anyway, he talks about testifying to the UCI commission on doping for 7 hours.  He said he gave “first and last” names of guys still involved in the sport that are involved in doping.  Wow, last names too?   And then after, called the commission a “joke” because they won’t half his suspension.

He did talk about racing and how he thinks it’s impossible to win a Grand Tour without doping.  And how everyone knew Ullrich was a better athlete than Lance, but Lance had better drugs and Jan couldn’t control his lifestyle.

His last statement is beautiful.  It doesn’t even need a comment.

“I wouldn’t make the same mistakes that I made. I wouldn’t dope, or I’d at least do it differently.”

Along the same lines –

These Italian guys are pretty unlucky, or just stupid, at least compared to the American guys that were “caught”.  Mauro Santambrogio was serving a 18 month suspension for EPO use.  His suspension was supposed to expire on November 2, 2014, but on October 22, he turned up positive for testosterone in an out of competition test.

Guess he’s gonna be sitting out a while longer.  Maybe he can join Riccardo on his climbing record attempt extravaganza?  They would make a great couple.

 

 

 

 

Here are a few ideas for Christmas from me.  Most of the stuff I’ve used and would endorse.  Others are just wishes.  Okay, let me know if you have other good ideas.

I’ve only practiced “pinning” numbers on with these guys, (since I’ve been hurt most of the year) and they hold great.  I hate safety pins and messed around a little with rare earth magnets, but these are much better.  They are cheap and fun.  Here is the link to their website.

 

Again, like last year, a Garmin mount is always great.  I use this BarFly mount everyday and love the way they keep upgrading it.  They make mounts for nearly every gadget you’d want to attach to your bike.  Garmin, iPhone, GoPro, even Saddle bags.  Here’s a link to their products.

 

This is a book by Jamie Smith.  Jamie is a super announcer and a bike race geek. Here he uses humor to explain most tactics involved in the sport.  It is fun to read.  Easy to order at Amazon.  $12.95. 

 

A great headlight.  Headlights have gotten so inexpensive nowadays that there is no reason that every rider shouldn’t have one just because.  I bought a couple over at Amazon and they are amazing.  Lights that would have been over $200 a couple years ago are now 20 bucks.  They are too bright and even come with helmet mounts.  Look for one with Cree and the more mAH, the better.  Most are Amazon Prime eligible, so you can have them tomorrrow if you want.  Link to them.

 

This is a King titanium water bottle cage.  Not Chris King, who also makes super cool bikes parts, but King from Durango.  These are the best, lightest bottle cages on the market.  They are $60 each, but last forever.  They also sell ti bike bells, titanium tire levers and other fun stuff.  Here’s the link.

 

A great present is this, a Bose Mini SoundLink.  I carry this around in a sunglass case for protection.  It is pretty small, but packs a huge sound.  It is bluetooth to your phone and sounds amazing.   If you’ve ever listened to the a Bose Soundwave radio or any of their other products, you’ll get the same here.  It’s around $200, but essential for a well-traveled bike racer.   Here’s a link to their website.  I think you can also get them at an Apple store and other places.

Okay, I don’t have one of these and have never used it, but it has to be great.  This is a new Silca Superpista Ultimate floor pump.  It is expensive, comparing it to other pumps, around $450.  But, it is supposed to be the last pump you’ll ever get.  I have a few of the original Silca pumps and if this is that much better than those, it will be great.  It won the best of show at Interbike this past year, so he should be pretty awesome.  Any bike rider receiving this pump for a present would be beyond excited.  Here is their link.

The LeMond Trainer.  As you guys might, or might not know, I’m not too big on riding indoors.  But this winter, I think I’m going to have to bite the bullet and stay off the ice.  I’m pretty sure I don’t need to fall down for a little bit.  Anyway, the lower picture is from my hallway.  I got a LeMond trainer, pretty much out of the blue.  Plus a super nice note from Kathy LeMond.  I haven’t put it together yet, but am going to take it with me up to Chicago, for Christmas and then to Cable, in case I can’t ski.  The reviews on the trainer are stellar.  Everyone says they are the best.  Plus, everyone should be supporting Greg and his endeavors now.  He deserves it. You can get the trainer lots of places.  Here is a link to their website.  There are full-on stationary bikes if a trainer won’t fit the bill.