Bicycle Pedal'r closing one store

Check it out.  Bicycle Pedal’r has decided to close the Wildcat store in a month.  It is hard for small independent retailers to make it paying the rents needed to support new shopping centers.  Either that or (as I wrote earlier) this is the impact of cheaters on our sport.

Here is the note from Ed Sussman on the issue:

 

Hello everybody,

 I want you to be among the first to hear that Marisue and I have decided to close the Wildcat Store. Our 5-year lease is over soon and despite the loyalty and support of our good customers, like yourselves, that location has not been profitable. We believe that we can more productively leverage our resources in a single store situation. Our vision for Bicycle Pedal'r is a state-of-the-art retail environment with more choices and more selection than what we are currently able to offer in two stores. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause some of you. It is important to note though, that all of the staff members from the Wildcat store will be transferred to County Line. We recognize the tremendous pool of talent we have in our staff and intend to capitalize on those assets to the fullest extent possible. Effective immediately, Adam Rachubinski has been promoted to the position of General Manager. He will oversee day-to-day operations as I assume a more advisory role with fewer day-to-day responsibilities. I will continue to be available as needed, though, to assist with all your cycling needs.

 We will close the Wildcat store permanently on Monday, September 25th. Beginning Tuesday, September 5th and continuing through Sunday, September 24th, we will be having a "Moving Sale". Our desire is to sell-off as much inventory as possible during that period so we won't have to move it. There will be great deals on remaining bikes, clothing, helmets, shoes, and much more. Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers.

 In order to give time for the word to get out, our Saturday morning rides will continue on the current schedule through September. That means this Saturday, September 2nd and next Saturday, September 9th, we will meet and leave from the Wildcat store. Thereafter, we will always meet and leave from County Line. Different and/or alternate routes may be adopted based on your suggestions.

 Thanks for your understanding and continued support.

 Ed

 

Now go and buy something from Pedal’r!

Good Luck Ed.

José "Ace" Azevedo leaving Discovery Channel

Disco announced that José “Ace” Azevedo is leaving the team at the end of 2006 to race locally in Portugal.  While this is clearly a big loss, a couple of questions come to my mind.

• First, do you think we will get a quote from Lance along the lines of José Who?
• Second, do you think this is an indication that Ace doesn’t think that Disco can win?

I am concerned that Disco has become nothing more than a hype machine.  Until Johan/Dirk/Sean/Lance hire a No. 1 and treat him that way, we are in for a period of celebrating 9^th place finishes.

Jan Ullrich goes english

Tooling around the internet and I find Jan Ullrich in English.  This means one of two things:

1 – Americans and their ethnocentric view of the world has required that everything bend to our will and be in English or;

2 –The power of the internet is driven by The Divine.

No wonder then that Redlight swam across the Rio Grand, evaded the federales and studied hard just to become an American……You can take Redlight out of Holland but you can’t take the Euro out of Redlight.

 

New Theme Song

Red Hot Chili Peppers paying homage to ME!!!!!

Forgiveness?

Filip Meirhaeghe cheated. He used EPO and got caught. Today Velonews had an interview with this guy who has recently returned to international mountain bike racing. The following is a quote regarding whether or not fans have "forgiven" him.

A conversation with Filip Meirhaeghe: 'You make a mistake, you get punished and then you start again': "People in Belgium forgave me. A lot of people were disappointed, of course, but they forgave me, which is good. They have settled so they have forgiven me and they are back behind me. At the World Cup in Spa in Belgium I had so many supporters. It felt good to be wanted back. It's only about five percent of the people that are booing me, and I'm okay with that."

I find the notion of forgiveness in this case curious. First, what does forgiveness really mean? Does it mean that you are OK with the dude racing again? Or does it simply mean that you can understand why he did it?

Without question, the use of EPO is cheating. It is no different than taking a short cut through the woods during a race. It is no different than using a motor on your bike. In effect, cheating takes money from competitors but more costly is the disenchantment of fans. This in turn reduces the "cycling" marketplace. Ask Ed Sussman, the owner of Bicycle Pedal'r who he feels about selling one less bike.

For me, forgiveness stops at understanding. I understand why a guy would cheat. But I also think they are no different from Ken Lay or Jeffery Skilling in that they are thieves and can't be trusted.

Discovery Channel is not the same without Big Tex

We all expected the races to be different without Lance Armstrong running the team. But I find it interesting that more of his aggressive traits do not seem to have worn off on the remaining team. Check out Tom Danielson's comments on Discovery Channel's performance.

Danielson happy with team's TT: "We weren't that smooth at the start, and the first left-hander we kind of got bottle-necked, got split, and it took a little bit to get back together. There was a little confusion on the rotation. We started the wrong way and then had to get going the other. Then there was a policeman in the road who wasn't there in warm-up, so we all hit the brakes and we had a big hesitation there. When something is there that wasn't there when you preview the course it changes your rhythm. "

Doesn't this seem an odd response? Big Tex was always about preparedness. There was never any confusion in the team. We have always thought he was a great rider. What might be true is that he was an even better team leader.

And Redlight, no, he wasn't a great doper in that he never got caught.

Cycling School

How do you know your kid has a shot at getting a good grade?  When you learn that their teacher just rode the triple by pass. 

Last night was “back to school” night at the local Jr. High where we learned that Miss M’s language arts teacher is a cyclist and a spin instructor.  Pretty bitch’n I say.

As I have written/said many times in the past, compared to the mainstream cyclists have a very different view of the world.  Consider Bob Roll.  A cyclist understands his humor where as the sedentary don’t.

With this in mind, Miss M has been raised in house with a cyclist and therefore has a keen understanding of how we think.  As such, I believe that she is better equipped to understand her language arts instructor.

How’s that for pressure on a kid!!!

Vuelta a ETTTña

On Saturday, the Vuelta a España kicks off with a 7k flat TTT.  Seven Ks Team Style!!!!!  That is about the distance from my TV to my fridge.  That means that teams will be on the course for around 7 minutes.

 

In other news, I have heard that Jan Ullrich will tow the line for the Vuelta for his new team……Equipo Puerto.  Dude will have to wear full body armor as Vino is still pissed about getting hosed in the Tour.

Brasstown Bald Beaver

Am I the only one snorts with sophomoric glee about the name “Brasstown Bald”?  It sounds to me like code for a dirty joke.  Maybe it is just ubiquitous porn on the internet, but I can’t help but think the great climb in the Tour de Georgia could just as easily been called Brasstown Bald Beaver.

Hammerson's New Company

Apparently our Hammerson has started a real estate development company and forgotten to tell anyone.  Check it out.  I would have figured that the dude would have started a bike manufacturing company rather than stay in real estate.

BTW – Don’t bother googleing Redlight because you only get a bunch of filthy porn.

Happy Ending?

Hammerson is heading in to have his back worked on today. Somebody (Julie I think) he works with recommended this Thai Massage Parlor down on east Colfax. Supposedly they are running a special this week on lower back massages when you buy the "Happy Ending".

Phonak down in flames

Did you hear the one about the pro cycling team that couldn't stay away from cheating? Yeah, well, apearantly so did iShares when the pulled the plug on Phonak. Can't say that I blame them. This team had some problems with the rules and I would be willing to be that Floyd was victimized by his own team.

How Far

Disco is very excited to announce that George Hincapie finished 9^th at the Classica San Sebastian.  Note to Johan: Wake me up when you can win a race.  9^th is a sad finish.

 

Yes Hammerson, I do know that Disco is a stage race team.  But please.

Faster Than Gravity

Did you know that on December 26, 2004 you rode faster?

Gravity

 

 

Floyd to MLB

News report out of Denver that Floyd Landis will join the Colorado Rockies for their stretch run to get into the playoffs.

Floyd's statement. "Dude, like the dope testing proceedures in the Majors are totally lacking compared to cycling. With my chemistry skills, I can bulk up and crush 475 foot bombs to help my beloved Colorado Rockies win the World Series."


PS - Floyd, I still love you but I am totally bummed out.

Damn Right

Loved this broadcast regarding Floyd.

Floyd Landis on the Today Show

Matt Lauer interviewed Floyd this morning on the Today Show regarding THE story.  I am not sure that this really helped him.  Floyd states that he didn’t put anything in his body but doesn’t know why he failed the test.  He also stated that the “isotope test” is a subjective test.  Sounds like he isn’t doing his homework.

Floyd Interview

 

 

 

What am I supposed to do with this?

Memo to Floyd Landis: Your fans are really bummed out. We are the jury in the court and the prosecution has just laid out some very strong evidence against you. We can buy the fact that your T/E ratio was high. We can agree that your hypothyroidism may have generated a whole lot of testosterone. Hell, we are all drinking Amstel because you told us it makes you faster. But dude, they weighed your carbon atoms and they are too skinny to be natural!

Its time to give up the pooch. Slide over to your medicine cabinet and take a look at the ingredients for all the crap that you take. I am sure you are going to find a micro ingredient in your pills that you hadn't previously noticed. Mind you, ignorance wont get you cleared with WADA or with your fans. Call the press conference and get it over with. Remember Robert Plant "Lying wont do you no good."

Meanwhile, what the hell am I supposed to do with the fact that Pro-cycling is a chemistry parade? How am I to enjoy amazing feats of human strength when all I can think of is: what chemical must be running through their veins? I guess that we will all become much more euro in that we will instantly decry the winners as the "best dopers".

Nothing Shocking

As we have predicted here at Banshee Cycling, Floyd Landis' 'B' Sample came back positive, Phonak sacks him and the Tour will undoubtably strip his title.
Landis's second sample confirms original finding
I spoke with Redlight on the issue last night. I think this incident is forcing me to believe that ALL of the studs in the pro peleton are doping. What I mean is that I can't believe in a guy who has a spectacular ride.
Very Sad.

Is cycling too hard?

As many of us consider the plight of Floyd Landis and the continual barrage of doping allegations, one wonders if these pros are forced to “dopage” in order to combat the rigors of a sport that demands too much on the body.  Is cycling too hard?

We all know how much it hurts to ride fast up one hill.  The grand tours are three week affairs.   Add to that a 9 month season of training and racing.  Could it be that the “un-enhanced” human body can’t take the abuse?

More Fun with Carbon Isotopes

Update your online subscriptions to the New York Times to read their article on Landis.  It is pretty interesting.  Here are some quotes:

The results of two types of tests have thrown Landis’s status into doubt. One of them, a sophisticated measure called a carbon isotope ratio test, will be difficult, if not impossible, for Landis to refute. The test examines the atomic makeup of testosterone in the urine and can determine if it is natural or synthetic.

Landis failed that test, according to a person inside the International Cycling Union with knowledge of the results. Landis’s personal doctor, Brent Kay, confirmed the finding.

Followed up by this more positive note:

But Kay said the B sample could come back negative.

“The carbon isotope was only mildly elevated,” he said. “We know, from a statistical standpoint, that the first result could have been a false positive.”

 

 

How do they know?

Check it out.  According the New York Times, scientists can tell whether testosterone in the body is synthetic (cheater) or natural (stud).  Scientist can measure the atomic weight of the of carbon atoms in the naturally occurring substance in the body then compare the atomic weight of the carbon atoms in the testosterone.  If the weights are the same, then dude is a study.  If they differ, dude is a cheat.

New York Times link

Get out your atomic scales and brush up on your periodic tables cuz we’re gonna boogie.

Memo to UCI; What the hell are you doing?

I don't understand the logic of destroying a man's career/legacy without definitive, conclusive, irrefutable proof.

UCI source says some Landis testosterone exogenous: "Some of the testosterone found in Tour de France winner Floyd Landis' 'A' sample is from an external source and not his body's, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, quoting an unidentified UCI official."

What is wrong with taking the time and the steps to do the test correctly and release the results then?