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In Depth Product Reviews
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Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
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Cycling’s defense has always been that they do the most testing, so they catch the most cheaters. That’s only true to an extent, though – I think that percentage-wise, they sure seem to have more cheaters than other sports.
But then, it’s a Euro thing. There’s been cheating for as long as there’s been cycling. It’s just that now there’s a huge financial incentive to do so.
It’s true Cycling has always been rife with doping, but I’m not sure it’s limited to a “Euro Thing”. I’m not sure a certain 7 times winner of the tour was clean. Also look at the fairly recent positive testing of many US track and field athletes. It’s a world wide problem not just a European problem.
Its sad, but this is the first year I really haven’t watched the tour. I’m just TOO disenchanted at this point to be able to appreciate it anymore.
I am with you wondering how they even begin to think they’re going to get away with it. Stupid, stupid, stupid heads. The druggies are ruining their own careers but also disappointing fans of the whole sport. I hate that the jerks who think they are above the rules have the power to erode support for the entire sport of cycling.
A friend reminded me what a business the Tour is for all those involved. As far as teams go – this is their job. To win. Apparently at any cost regardless of whether the athlete is clean or not. I find it rather disconcerting myself. I too am rooting for Garmin-Chipotle since I watched the little special on them last week. How they are trying to keep the team clean.
As for Olympians. Are we really surprised? I was but am not anymore. I just hope 10 years from now we don’t find out Dara Torres was doping. She’s an incredible athlete with an incredible amount of drive and determination.
The Tour will go on. More will test positive. I guess we’ll never know whot he best is anymore since inevitably someone is doping.
I share your frustration with the doping… it just seems so futile.
I also now want a steak burrito really bad. Thanks, DC Rainmaker.
Yeah, I heard about that guy. I had the same reaction – “WHAT A FREAKING DUMBASS!!! HOW DID HE THINK HE WOULDN’T BE CAUGHT? ESPECIALLY WITH EPO, OH MY GOD HOW STUPID CAN YOU POSSIBLY BE?!?” and so on I ranted.
It is dumb. But it’s sports. Everywhere, in every sport (just about), it exists. Because for some reason, at that level, many of these athletes feel the need to do it. So they can win. So they can stay with this sport at this level. It is disenchanting. But it also makes us that much more appreciative of the athletes who don’t (like Dara Torres, I hope I don’t eat my words, but I really believe she isn’t).
I just wish they’d legalize it and have two fields – one for dopers and one for the clean athletes. Fine, you want to take steroids and possibly screw up your body down the road? Go ahead. Do as much as you want. You can be in this category.
I know that’s not really a possibility, but I’m just to the point where I’m so over it that I feel like throwing my hands up and saying “FINE! GO AHEAD!”
In 20 years we’ll start seeing some real-long term effects if they exist, and hopefully that will also discourage people.
But money makes people do a lot of things they might not have previously considered. Money, fame – a chance to be known as the best of the best. We haven’t been in these peoples’ shoes…I’m sure it isn’t easy when you get to that level. Just look at us – “well maybe if I tweak this and that…I can shave a couple minutes here and there…” – and what do we do it for? Ourselves. So take that pressure and multiply by 1,000. Or more.
Anyway, I’ve written way too much for a comment, but it’s a hot issue for me. Cycling is such a beautiful sport and it does make me sad that these guys continue to hold themselves above the rules, but I still have hope. :)
Doing EPO period is stupid.
Seriously, that stuff scares me.
A friend told me that in the early 1900’s the riders used to power smoke cigarettes before doing hill climbs, believing it helped their lungs.
Apparently anyone will do anything stupid so long as a coach tells them it will enhance performance.
Yeah, Slipstream’s big thing is they are supposed to be drug-free. They’re my favs too.
if somebody offers me EPO next sunday…i make NO PROMISES!!!
well, i can’t really think of a sport that has a completely clean record. i still love watching the tour.
I hear ya. All around. I’m on your team.
I haven’t watched or paid much attention to the race this year. I am kind of becoming a non-believer in it which is so sad. I now prefer to watch the elites race locally. Feels like it’s more “real”??
i credit those chipotle guys with really trying to clean up the perception, but it looks like they are swimming upstream without fins
I tried smoking a joint one time while riding a bike………but I didn’t inhale!
Garmin-Chipotle …what a pair of names! I’ve not followed TdFrance at all. Somehow, without our Texas hero LArmstrong, it’s no longer interesting.
The drug stuff no longer surprises me – I’m tired of hearing it – it’s sad that many athletes have turned to it.
Truely what cycling has come to really stinks. Is it that hard to hope that cycling will be clean again?
Oh yes, I forgot. I am passing on a bloggy award to you for being awesome. Head over to http://www.wasitforthis.blogspot.com to pick it up! Enjoy.
Different year…same story!
Like you Janathan Vaulters (sp?)Team GC seems to be setting the standard.
Not sure I agree with Donald when he says it’s specific to Europe though, last time a looked Landis and Hamilton had a US passport!
Hi this is sujita in some case only this type of ruffer we are seing but the cycling is the best for our body. cycling is the excise to the body. by using this the hole country also save by pollution.
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