Deep Thoughts w/ Somethingclassic... the Tour de France

(Note: The following represents a slight departure from a typical somethingclassic post. But don't worry, posts emphasizing style over substance will resume shortly.)

I'm very ambivalent about pro bike racing.

I think they're all doping and that really bum's me out.

Music

• The Velvet Underground, 'Heroin'

I didn't used to be like this. But i'm getting more jaded in my old age, plus i've been following the sport for about 5 years now and it seems that the more you know about it the more obvious it becomes that lots of these people, (i.e. everyone) are using performance enhancing drugs. Add to this the recent Floyd Landis stories (which i believe) and it becomes too obvious... to me at least. i hope I'm wrong, but my brain trumps my heart on this one.

So i'm ambivalent about it.

But i'm still watching the tour. About a week ago i was thinking i didn't care one bit... but once it started i couldn't not watch.

It's exciting.

So some adjustments have been made in my world-view of pro bicycle racing. Now it's more about entertainment then inspiration. i used to get inspired by watching this old vhs tape i have of chris horner almost winning a stage in his first tour. i used to get motivated thinking abut Jens Voigt (i even tore out a magazine page of him and taped it to my wall). i used to get motivated watching Sammy Sanchez bomb down a mountain.

Now instead of being motivated and inspired by these performances, i'm simply entertained.

i've been going thru an emotional evolution on this one and i no longer get upset over what i view as widespread drug-use in pro bike racing. The world is too complicated and intertwined to even know where to direct the anger, unless it's really simple... human nature.

Wouldn't it be cool if the winner of a bike race was the person who trained the most, had the most skill, was smart, and had a little luck too. Then if you witnessed an amazing performance you could sit back and say, 'wow, what a bad ass'. Instead, for me at least, every great performance is laced with a lingering doubt that prevents any kind of emotional connection.

But i don't get angry, and i don't get too excited either. i don't look to professional bike riders for inspiration, and i don't hate them when they test positive.

i turn on the Tour to be entertained, and that's about it.

What do y'all think? Am i the last guy to realize they're all dopers or am i way off base here and actually it's just a case of a few bad apples?

i'd love to hear your thoughts.

Anyway... in other news, tonight i hit the coffee shop and then rode my bike around KC, including a swing by Knuckleheads. And thank god for Quick-trip hot-dogs (mustard only.)

Peace