When I got down to Austin yesterday afternoon, I needed to work with my bike a little bit. I was messing around and finally took a good look at the bike that Sue is borrowing from Jimmy Hoyt and Richardson Bike Mart.

I knew it was a signed Lance Armstrong Madone. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it was a signed special addition frame. It is number 7 out of 600. It was from when Lance had only won 6 Tours, but he did go on to win the 7th, so it pretty unique. It is one of Jimmy Hoyt’s personal bikes, but he lets Sue get it and ride it whenever she is in town. Pretty nice of him.

I’ve known Jimmy since the Schwinn days. That was nearly a quarter century ago. He has always been a super supporter of the racing aspect of the sport, but is also a supporter of the sport in general. It is a honor to call him a friend.

Riding in Austin yesterday around here was trying for Sue. And me, to a certain extent. We didn’t get here until mid afternoon and by the time we got out and rode West over the dam, it was 5 o’clock. Needless to say, there was a whole bunch of traffic. That, in my opinion, is the main problem the city of Austin has for cycling. Way, way too much traffic. Especially out in the Hill Country where there aren’t that many road that connect different rides. But, everywhere has issues.

It was 90 degrees yesterday and when I was climbing, it seemed hotter than ever. Even though it’s been nice this spring, I wasn’t ready for that yet. Okay, I need to get going.

My Andy Schleck frame and Jimmy's Livestrong bike.

The badge stating number 7.

Ann on her new Joggling board.

And Ann's project 1 Madone in her garage. She has become runner now, but is just starting to get injured, as all runners do, so she needs to get out on her bike some.

Riccardo Ricco, aka the Cobra, was finally removed from the ability to race bicycles yesterday, by receiving a 12 year ban from the sport for autologous blood transfusing, from the Italian Anti-Doping Tribunal. Essentially, that means Riccardo can’t race until he’s 40. The guy such a goof-ball that I’d wouldn’t bet against him doing just that.

I don’t understand the doping sanctions anymore. Ricco gets 12 years for his 2nd positive. (He only served 20 months for his first EPO positive, after winning two stages of the Tour de France.) What did Tyler Hamilton get, 8 years? And Dewey gets a lifetime ban? I don’t get it. And I don’t have enough energy to try to figure it out. It seems wrong and disjointed. But, such is the way with most sanctions in life.

Anyway, the system finally, sort of worked. I’ve said it here before and I’ll say it again-the whole doping control process needs to be completely revamped. From the testing to the method for sanctioning. And, of course, the sanctioning penalties of course. It is a broken system that is not doing much to deter the practice.

I'd bet it is not the last we see of Riccardo Ricco.