mixed feelings

I was first introduced to cycling through my love for mountain biking. I initially enjoyed cruising through the woods, but the pain and suffering of road cycling was not something I appreciated.

A few years ago, Anna and I completely fell in love with cycling. I have learned to appreciate the "sweet pain" of riding, and you actually begin to crave the necessary effort of a nice long ride. We found watching the pro rider's competitive spirit amazing. I remember seeing Armstrong crash after a spectator hooked his handlebars with a bag, and some of the lead riders actually held up for him. Cycling is such a pure competition that most of the riders would rather not win because of a crash or mechanical problem. They would prefer to have a true battle of ability, strategy, and the will to tolerate all of the punishment the other riders can dish out. This is the nature of the cycling that we love.

So in the wake Vino, Rasmussen, and the Cofidis squad getting booted from the Tour, I am disappointed and happy at the same time. I was fooled into complimenting Vino's heart and desire along with Rasmussen's amazing climbing ability, but they stink as professionals and as people. There is no room in cycling for someone with such a lack of moral fiber and lack of heart. I think to truly clean up the sport, all of the teams will have to adopt the Slipstream model of policing your own athletes. All in all, we are happy to see a few more cheaters out of the sport. I have held back on posting a more lengthy rant, and I intend to leave it at this. We look forward to cycling enduring this tough time and rising back to a sport we can trust as fans.

Anna is doing quite well, and we continue to anxiously await the arrival of our son.

-jeff