Cycling

[Reg Smeeton]

Definately getting a bigger profile year on year.

Could really be something it wasn't up against a grand tour

True, but the Vuelta is such a climber's race, that it means there's a bundle of riders who just can't really do it comfortably.

There's a TT coming up that will have Wiggins, T Martin, Dumoulin and Rohan Dennis to name but 4.

I do like the Vuelta, it wins because it gets stages like Sunday, but loses because it is so grimpeur dominant.

[horlock07]

Good grief http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-37288210 It was interesting to compare the good natured atmosphere between drivers, cyclists and the police at the ToB on Monday with the ever rising blood pressures of those getting caught up in the periphery!

[Not that Nice If I'm Honest]

Any of you lot having a trip out to the Tour of Britain this year, rode up to the top of Kirkstone Pass yesterday and watched them finish the struggle, t'was a good day out although visibility was nearly zero!

No but I've had a few pints in the Kirkstone Inn (I think that's what it's called) on a lunch break in the middle of an all day walk.
I have ridden Hardknott and Wrynose a couple of years ago as part of the Wasdale half Iron Man, and I rode Whinlatter as part of the C2C.

Great crowds out for that leg though, I've been impressed with the crowds for all the stages actually

[Bennett]

I really hate that Tiernan-Locke is the go-to source for rubbish cycling reporting.
I'm not linking it for you as he's bitter and come across as a nob.

You're welcome!

[michael]

Pretty much word-for-word what Lance Armstrong and his fans said about Floyd Landis

[horlock07]

Pretty much word-for-word what Lance Armstrong and his fans said about Floyd Landis

And pretty much what can also be said about Paul Kimmage sadly.

I have no idea of the wrongs and rights of Wiggins case, but for some context it would be interesting to see who else in the peloton is using TUE's and when?

This has illustrated how crap the cycling media is as much of it seems to only come alive when they can talk about doping and secondly to what an extent many cycling fans actually don't seem to like the sport and only get excited when doping comes up.

[Bennett]

Pretty much word-for-word what Lance Armstrong and his fans said about Floyd Landis

I don't particularly care for Wiggins, but can't tell if this was aimed at me or a general comment!

re horlock's point - Johnathon Vaughters has put forward the idea of all TUE's being in the public eye for scrutiny.

[RedRag]

I don't particularly care for Wiggins, but can't tell if this was aimed at me or a general comment!

re horlock's point - Johnathon Vaughters has put forward the idea of all TUE's being in the public eye for scrutiny.

Cycling and medicine aren't my bag but I think that would be absolutely correct for cycling and probably for tennis and all sport.  We have Serena and Maria in the news in the last few days and Dan Carter and Joe Rockococo too.

This is about "fair sport" rather than "clean sport" (professional sport will always have its cheats) and if all participants can be made aware of what TUEs are given for and what treatments for what problems are acceptable then that is fair

The "medical confidentiality" counter argument is weak.  Either don't take otherwise banned substances and soldier on regretting that your asthma has flared up at an inconvenient time just before the Tour de France or waive your right to confidentiality in so far only as the exemption is concerned and take a TUE-permitted banned substance openly, innit?

[horlock07]

Just registered for the Tour of Flanders Sportive this morning, its next April so gives me some time to get fit. Only doing the 130km option so it won't completely kill me and mean I can enjoy the beer and frites whilst we are over there!

[Bennett]

I would have entered some of the Belgian classic sportive's, but have a week in Majorca booked.
I bought a 2euro raffle ticket to get into http://www.maratona.it/en/ for July!

[Bennett]

If anyone wants a referral code for trainerroad (1 free month), all you'll need is a turbo trainer, laptop and ant+ dongle, plus:
1. a powermeter
2. cadence and speed senors

let me know, innit.

FYI - trainerroad is ace, a lot less gimimicky than zwift

[Bewster]

Do you definitely need a power meter?

[Bennett]

If anyone wants a referral code for trainerroad (1 free month), all you'll need is a turbo trainer, laptop and ant+ dongle, plus:
a powermeter
OR
cadence and speed senors

let me know, innit.

FYI - trainerroad is ace, a lot less gimimicky than zwift

ahem

[Bewster]

It's there any time limit?? If not I'll have it for when the world stops spinning

[Bennett]

pm me your email address dude