Arkansas Blog

Be real for a minute: All cyclists at that level use drugs. Some are just better than others at getting away with it.

It doesn't hurt that the French hate American cyclists, either.

You had to see this coming after the French not being successful at nailing Lance Armstrong with a needle in his leg. They were going to make damn sure another American wouldn't take their title without being busted.

As an avid cycling fan, this is a great disappointment. However, it is not an open and shut case.

Officials are going to test his "B" sample to see if the first test was accurate.

Lets wait and see what happens before we conclude that he is guilty.

This was as predictable as anything ever could be.

The French couldn't even get anybody CLOSE to winning their own race so they fall back on the "American must be on dope" strategy they tried to pull on Lance for seven straight years.

Who cares about professional bike riding.

Let 'em dope up, smoke up, shoot up, snort up anything they want. Quit fighting it. Drugs are part of the culture. Just accept it. We will never win. The war is lost. If athletes want to take risks with theirs bodies, that's their right. So be it.

Anon 10:06...I agree with you...Also let me add: Dorkie helmet bikers are a danger to motorists here in LRock. They think they own the road...and don't pay any road use tax. JUST STAY OFF THE STREETS & HIGHWAYS. All that work and what are the advantages of "cycleing"?..They might live two months longer than the rest of us in a nursing home. That's all. I'd just as soon set on my fat ass in the seat of my pickup!

Disappointing. If indeed "everybody does it" then doing it well is part of the competition and apparently Landis didn't do it so well.

I just hope others get tested just as thoroughly as Landis.

We can still out-bike the rest of the world, even though the rest of the world rides bikes a lot more than we do.

That cick in the RiverTop party pic is hot. I wanna lick her.

Conspiracy theories aside, there is no connection between the alleged French frustration with Armstrong's past dominance and this story. It is a nice talking point, but no real connection.

Anon 10:06 - Under what circumstances do bicyclists present a danger to motorists?

Anon 10:17

Please explain why and how the cyclist do not pay taxes.

Maybe they know something we should.

I meant to ask Anon 10:17 to explain how bicyclists are a danger to motorsists. I need to come up with a name, sorry. New blogger here.

Let the attacks begin. They went after lance Armstrong last year and Floyd this year. If you battle back from any adversity they assume you were doped up, too bad for cycling.

Let the attacks begin. They went after lance Armstrong last year and Floyd this year. If you battle back from any adversity they assume you were doped up, too bad for cycling.

How is a positive drug test an "assumption"? Don't they test the winner regardless of nationality? If he used drugs, he used drugs. And from what I understand, the French actually liked Landis pretty well.

Who pays a "road use tax" other than trucking companies? I imagine that each of us pay most of that when we fill up our tanks. Most folks that you see biking also do their fair share of driving, I'd imagine. You can't say bikers don't pay the road use tax just because, every now and then, they ride a bike. Silly.

Anon 10:30...The danger to motorists is you could hit one of them and it could hurt your bank accout from a frivilous lawsuit..

I want to lick the Carroll's..does that make me weird?

And by all means attack the French. WWIII has started in Lebanon and it's still all about attacking the goofy French. If this drug charge holds it will be just another black eye for the US. Remember when we used to look good to the rest of the world? Remember when they wanted to be us?

Maybe this whole thing is just a stunt to take the world's eye off the Middle East and give Israel a few more weeks to work their ethnic cleansing. It's real hard not to wish they all kill each other and we make the whole Middle East the 51st state of the union.

It sure appears we are the new USSR and we have Bush-Cheney, the Republican Party and weak Democrats like Pryor and Lincoln and Lieberman to thank. Maybe we should all drug out, it will make the end go easier.

Anon 10:30...addition ...This happened to a friend of mine in Roland, Ar in 1999. He hit one of the Dorkie helmets and ended up in court and he is still paying ! The bikers should not ride on the highways and county roads. Let them ride on County Judge Villines' Folly..."The Bike Bridge to the Poor House"

I'd just as soon set on my fat ass in the seat of my pickup!

Posted by: Anonymous

Excuse me, I hate to tell you, but you are sitting on your brain. It may be fat but it's empty.

Um...call me dense, but if you ACTUALLY HIT the biker, who according to my traffic education notes is as much a vehicle operator on the road as you, and he sues you because you ran him over through careless driving...

How is that lawsuit "frivolous"?

Oh, and besides the tax and the exercise and saving gas money, the bikers also produce less greenhouse gases. If you care about that sort of thing. So there are 4 benefits, right there, or 3 if the tax thing is (shock! horror!) bullshit.

He also has no showed at two other cycling events in Europe in the past few days. Organizers of one said that they paid for the flight and travel for him and he completely no-showed -- no phone call or anything.

Plus, his corporate sponsors are not returning phone calls to these bike race organizers.

When a bike rider can navigate with the flow (speed) of traffic 35mph or more then they will have the same rights. I NEVER see a bike rider stop at stop signs, or yield or anything that cars are expected to do. In my life I have had two very close collisions with idiotic bike ridres who were not paying attention. They were cruising along at 10mph and didn't bother to look over their shoulder when they wanted to go somewhere else and nearly crashed into my car. Had they been injured it would have clearly been THEIR fault, however, I can imagine a scenario in which I would have been sued or jailed - had the bike rider died.

Do this to the bike riders who want-to-be-treated-like-everyone-else. HONK at them when they're being idiots --- weaving, etc. The looks you'll get are hlilarious! There's no "sorry" or friendly wave. NO! You get a look of disgust -- HOW DARE YOU!

Do it, I'm serious. Honk at 'em. And roll your window down and say, "Welcome to the club, asshole."

I see that the anonybashers are out today.

Is there any clean sport nowadays?

At least bicycles are quiet, and they don't use gas. Other the other hand, people who ride Harleys are basically saying "fuck you" to the people who have to listen to them.

I was looking at the Eureka Springs blog a while back and people there were worried that motorcycles were beginning to drive off the other tourists.

It's getting where you can't go anywhere pretty without having someone assert their independence by making so much noise so that no one else can hear.

I want to lick the Carroll's..does that make me weird?
Posted by: Deathbyinches

They say the eyesight is among the first things to go, DBI. But I'm sure if you took out a mortgage with them they'd feel somewhat accommodating. If Colbert can get a congressman to say he loves cocaine, anything's possible!

/crazy liberal/ Bush did it. Its Bush's fault!! /crazy liberal/

You guys are absolutely correct. These bike hippies really get on my nerves. They don't pay for gas, they're healthier, they get free parking, there's no expensive auto maintenence... The list goes on.

Its all "ME, ME, ME" with those people.

Get a Truck (or at least an SUV) you dirty Hippy!!!

The problem with the bikers is they impede traffic to wait for them even though there's sidewalks AND a bike path in Rebseman Park. Why do they feel they are special to hold everyone else up, seriously, why not have folks out on roller skates holding them up in their long lines. I wonder how that would go over. Stay on your bike path, that's exactly why it was built.

I agree, these idiots on bikes have such a chip on their shoulder they endanger everyone's lives. Especially when they think it's ok to coast at around 10 miles an hour down the middle of the major road. What ever happened to "staying with the flow of traffic?"

Get off your high horses, and GET OFF THE ROAD!

ANYBODY ELSE SEE THE EDITORIAL TRASHING BEEBE AS A LIAR IN TODAY'S DEM-GAZ

I agree. Honk at these bike riders. HONK FOR ROAD SAFETY! Let me know they can't get away with their selfish attitudes on the roadways. Maybe after getting the horn a dozen times or more they'll think twice about coasting around aimlessly in and out of traffic at their pleasing.

And please, just wear shorts and a t-shirt when you ride your bikes. These bike riding outfits are hilarious and hideous! You're not a pro! Quit dressing like one. And lose the water bottles, stopwatches, aerodynamic helmet and padded gloves. Just ride your bike on the path where you belong and try to look like a normal human being while you're doing it and we'll all be happy.

If you are in a car and a bike rider endangers your life, then maybe you should think about riding a bike because you don't need to be driving a car.

If motorists are so concerned about cyclists, then maybe you should lobby for more money for bike paths.

It is illiegal to ride your bike on the sidewalk.

Is it my imagination, or are 90% of all anonymous posts by assholes?

It really is a slow day if the trolls are trashing folks for trying to be healthy...

I mean, c'mon...do you need to drive that big ol' SUV that fast? Are you really going to get into trouble for being late to your kid's soccer practice? If so, then maybe you should leave the house or work a little earlier...

Sheesh...

Honk For Road Safety....I couldn't have said it any better myself. They try to look klike the kids in the France Race...also how do they stand to have their ass poked all day by that stupid tiny seat? !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah the Floyd thing is sad. Everyone not living in a cave, cyclist or not, has to know about drug testing in the tour. It's done after every stage on every cyclist whether they are first or last. So Floyd is either arrogant or ignorant to know he won't be tested and I don't think he's either. I think personally he has been taking something for his hip to help it along and minimize the pain as much as possible and that this is what showed up. It will be unfortunate if this was the case that a drug meant to minimize pain ended up giving him a perceived advantage. Anyway that's what the Beta sample is for. Enough's been said about Floyd and I've nothing more to add. But, I will take the opportunity now to help the bicycle bashers make further ignoramuses of themselves.

Motorists are more a danger to each other than cyclists are a danger to motorists.

As a cyclist I admittedly see more cyclists not stopping at stop signs than ones that do. It bothers me to no end. But, I see a greater percentage of cars not stopping at stop signs than the ones that do. Also troublesome to me are the cyclists dashing between parked cars, along sidewalks, blowing past a now angered pedestrian, back down on the street and turning across several lanes of traffic without signaling. Except maybe for driving along sidewalks, it's pretty much the same reckless things we all see motorists do who exist by the way in larger number. The only difference is nearly 2 tons of steel operating recklessly is more of a hazard to others than a similar wayward cyclist. Either way neither party has a right to lambaste the other for infractions. Each is entitled to the road. Deal with it, inventory your own traffic abiding skills and take responsibility for your own faults before you complain about another legal road user.

Size or speed differential are not valid arguments.

If you are a motorist concerned about large speed differences then stick to controlled access highways that have minimum speed limits where slow moving vehicles suddenly appearing out of nowhere won't take you by surprise. Personally, I will not ride a road that has a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph if I can help it. I can do 15 mph on average and that's only a difference of 20 mph if the motorist is not, dare I say, exceeding the speed limit. If a motorist's reaction time can't handle what happens at 20 or even 30 mph then they should turn their license in at the nearest state police department because they sure don't belong behind the wheel of a car.

Also on speed. If slow speed was an honest issue for some, then we'd prohibit farm machinery from poking along roads. But, you say "Well that's different. The tractors have a need to be out there and have somewhere to go. And that road is the only way to get there" We've already established cyclists have a right to be there regardless of speed or size and who's to say the cyclist has not somewhere to be? Believe me, if a road or some other avenue of travel existed nearby that had less volume and pretty much got to the same place a cyclist would use it.

And about that size thing; The same motorist who demands their size gives them right of way over bicycles is the same motorist who insists 18 wheelers stop hogging the road and not tailgate them because they're going slower than the truck and refuse to move over the right lane. Otherwise, they'll set Peter Miller after them and serve up their own frivolous law suit.

Therefore, it's not the lack of speed and small size of bicycles that drives a motorist to think bicycles do not belong on the road. It is more an individual level of selfish behavior that is the problem. "Anything that gets in my way and doesn't follow my rules is stupid and shouldn't there! "

It reminds me of a scene from the 1981 movie, Stripes. The arrogant Captain Stillman played by John Larroguette trips over something and tells his subordinate "Have that removed!" Captain Stillman wasn't watching where he was going and tripped over a surface that probably hundreds of others use without fail everyday. After tripping he passes blame away from himself onto the sidewalk demanding it be removed. Didn"t think such a small scene had broad meaning did you?

TJ...the only a--hole on here today is you, little feller !!!

hey TJ, Why are you on this blog right now? Why are you not out working and paying taxes. Why do Republicans have to fund this country and not have any help from you lazy Demlibs?

There is a little thing called quaility of life that is added to a city's value by being bike friendly. This is a proven fact. Cities that have a high support rate for cycling are voted accross the board as being top ranked communities to live. Personally, I think is because communities which are supportive to cycling and other outdoor activities actually have nice people living in them who are actually happy with their lives. It's a shame to see so many posters whom are obviously in a hurry to drive home so they can sit on there couches, watch TV, smoke up and yell at there spouses and kids. If they have to be vendictive and uptight about a little bike rider I feel sorry for the other people in their lives. If you don't like bike friendly communities and want a worse quality of city to live in just move, we wont miss you. Sorry we bikers are here to stay on paths AND roads. Good luck to the bike haters with your anger management issues.

Get on a mountain bike and get in the woods, pansies.

And don't flip me off like I'm the asshole when you're flying down Lookout Drive in the middle of the road in your spandex shorts and shirt.

hey rizzardi,

good points, but you still look like a fairy in the spandex and stupid looking hat! I mean, jesus, how many seconds does all that crap save you on the time sheet that probably doesn't exist?

I've gotta do something between waiting on my dole check, trading my food stamps for drugs, and waiting for The State to wither away, thus issuing in a communist utopia where anono-trolls will force-fed to geese for foie gras. Now pass that bottle over here, and make it snappy, gramps.

From Conservatives without Conscience:

No question hovered at the front of my mind more, reading through Altemeyer's studies of authoritarian behavior, than, why are right-wingers often malicious, mean-spirited, and disrespectful of even the basic codes of civility?

Social science has discovered these forms of behavior can be rather easily explained as a form of aggression....Altemeyer discovered that the aggression of the right-wingers seems to be not merely instrumental---that is, expressed for some political purpose----but engaged in for the pure pleasure of it.....he found it difficult for most right-wingers to talk about any subject about which they felt strongly without attacking others.

Right-wing authoritarians, are motivated by their fear of a dangerous world, whereas social dominators have an ever-present desire to dominate. The factor that makes right-wingers faster than most people to attack others, and that seems to keep them living in "attack mode," is their remarkable self-righteousness.

They are so sure they are not only right, but holy and pure, that they are bursting with indignation and a desire to smite down their enemies.

(quoting DBI quoting CwC)
When something as low on the totem pole as bike riders gets this kind of reaction, the kneejerk has indeed replaced the calm walk, or even the well-placed kick.

Lyrca, its called Lycra with specially placed padding that serves more of a purpose in comfort and function than the size 36" tighty whities stretched around some 40" waists planted in car seats.

I'm an avid cyclist - now into mountain biking not road riding - and I understand how drivers can get frustrated with us.

Cyclists want to be treated as "vehicles" when they are on the road. However, somtimes they only want to be "vehicles" when its convenient - so they run stop signs, etc. We cyclists can't have it both ways.

If we want to be treated with respect on the roads, then we need to behave like all of the other vehicles.

I wear boxer briefs, i have a 33" inch waist, and i don't care what material its made from, you still look like a douche bag. GET OFF THE ROAD AND OUT OF MY WAY!!!!! The city has spent mucho cash to build your precious bike paths, so stay on them. I don't think you would appreciate me driving my 4runner down a bike path at 35 mph, so keep your little bicycle off the road.

"good points, but you still look like a fairy in the spandex and stupid looking hat! I mean, jesus, how many seconds does all that crap save you on the time sheet that probably doesn't exist? - msmith"

The thing on the head is called a h - e - l - m - e - t, not a hat and I believe faries wear leotards not spandex. Of course I don't wear spandex either (see my comment about lycra above).

That's right, the time sheet does not exist so make another guess why I ride a bicycle and wear all that crap.

Plus, I love the Freudian slip from one of the anonyassholes...How exactly do you equate bike riding with ass-poking??? And you think the liberals have issues...

Over the past few weeks I have observed that the Anon poster(s) are merely trying to provoke a reaction to just about any topic. I mean, really, no one is that stupid or hateful.

Hank, I hate to tell you, but some people are that stupid and hateful. They voted for Bush and they're voting for Asa, I guarantee you.

I used to ride bikes a lot, on some of those long bike treks. I've ridden across Arkansas twice. Then I started experiencing "penial numbness" from riding so much. I sold my bike the afternoon of the diagnosis and haven't ridden since. But sorta explains those neon duds some of them wear. They literally are numb nutz.

Ron Riz-

You make some great points, however I feel the need to point out that all roads have minimum speed limits (of sorts), although not all are posted or set.

On any road in Arkansas, you can be ticketed for impeding traffic, I have nothing against cyclists, heck some of my best friends are cyclists, but when I am coming down Cantrell Hill or up Cantrell Hill and make a corner only to nearly plow into a cyclist, I can see where some of the animosity comes from.

"I wear boxer briefs, i have a 33" inch waist, and i don't care what material its made from, you still look like a douche bag. GET OFF THE ROAD AND OUT OF MY WAY!!!!! The city has spent mucho cash to build your precious bike paths, so stay on them. I don't think you would appreciate me driving my 4runner down a bike path at 35 mph, so keep your little bicycle off the road - msmith"

I wasn't asking about your waist size in particular or undies but thanks for sharing with us.

I'll assume you know what a douche bag is so you'll note they clearly don't have appendages or a head nor can they ride bicycles.

If you're going to be taken seriously you have to use metaphors that are accurate.

Cars can't ride on bike paths or what you are referring is probably the Multi Use Purpose trails. These are used by walkers, runners, roller bladers and some cyclists. But LR for example has some specific ordinances that prohibit reckless speeds on these trails of which a bicycle can easily exceed. In which case they are expected to use and allowed to use the road.

LR ordinances do not allow cars on trails. Gee, I hope you're not someone's attorney.

Back on topic...just heard a snippit on NPR about Landis. He is obviously going to request a 2nd test, which is apparently common (A & B), and the commentator said any number of things could contribute to a higher concentration of testosterone.

Apparently, Landis and the team coach went out for a beer the night after his horrible 16th stage (the testosterone was found after the 17th).

Anyway, according to this guy the higher than usual testosterone levels are pretty regularly fought by riders and commonly land on the side of the rider...

That is hilarious. Just a few points here. 1). i didn't mean douche bag in the literal sense, i meant it in the "that is dumbest looking outfit i have ever seen" sense, 2). I definitely do not want to be taken serious (ill agree with some of the other posters that if you can get "serious" about this topic, you really need to examine your priorities) and lastly, and definitely most amuzing, 3). I actually am several people's attorney, though i have never litigated a cyclist v. motorist rights case.

Lonnie,

Agreed there are some times and some places that it is not in a cyclist's best interest to ride a bicycle regardless of their rights to be there. A competant cyclist makes these decisions based on a lot of factors I'm sure you've heard from some of your cycling friends.

Often times I've ended up in situations that I would rather not be in but once there I make the best of it and make a note to avoid a particular place at a particular time and so on.

For those cyclist's that are riding as an alternative means they mitigate the risks best they can. All I can do is wear something bright in the day, something reflective at night, use lots of lights, always ride predictably and follow traffic signals so motorists see me early and know my intentions .

For the 5 years I've been using my bicycle and car both as means of transpotation I've only been hit once. Short story it was from behind along an avenue that sees lots of cyclists. Of all bicycle accidents, only .7 % (point seven percent) involve a rear end collision. As it was the car driver was blinded by the sun. Honest mistake really. Preventable? Yes, they could have driven slower than the posted speed limit if they had an obstruction to their vision (that's the law) and I can avoid a route at a time of day that puts me in that situation. So I learned from it. Also, I use a rear view mirror now. With it I can see a car approaching from behind. If I see and hear the car slowing or see it even begin to favor the center line I know I have been seen and that's half the battle right there. If I think they are on a collision course or will pass me too close I will be glad to have ample room to my right to use at the last minute if need be.

As far as the minimum speed limit I am not so sure I agree there is a default minimum limit on all roads. One is not allowed to impeded traffic true, but a slow moving bicycle is not necessarily impeding traffic like a car intentionally driving too slow when indeed they can operate at a faster speed.

That is not to say a bicycle on a two lane road with minimal passing room for cars following is not is good form and will probably gain the attention of police and the ire of motorists. On the contrary I would say the cyclist ought to find a route that cars have room to pass on or wait till rush hour has subsided before starting out. Riding a bike up Allsop park from Cantrell to the heights at 5 PM is not where I would want to be on a bicycle. Then again there are ample other routes for cars to take. Either way the options are limited for both. If I lived right there in the heights I would be hard pressed to take the long way around though. I'd just wait till 6 to go or be off that road by 4:30 where possible.

Response to Honk for Road Safety

Would you tell tennis players to wear penny loafers while they play tennis?

Would you tell the basketball Razorbacks to play basketball in wingtips?

Bike riders have their equipment designed for their sport also.

Your statement shows you are commenting on a topic that you know nothing about.

Do you always spout off with so little knowledge?

Bike shorts make long rides possible (saddle sore), and gloves and helmet are safety equipment for when cars disregard the STATE LAW and honk and run bikers off the road.

I STRONGLY suggest you keep control of that vehicle of yours or you could end up on trial like that one fellow that killed Jason Pratt last year.

You are right it can get REAL EXPENSIVE in lawyer fees and jail time.

Just what is it about people that if someone is doing something healthy, they have to tear them down?

Huckabuck loses 100 pounds and he is ridiculed.

"Honk for Road Safety" probaly ridicules all of us who keep our yards mowed and trash picked up because we make him aware of his lazyness.

"Honk for Road Safety" probably bitches about people with jobs because it reminds him of the fact he is sitting in his Momma's trailer and blogging on her computer. But his Momma tells the neighbors that she doesn't mind her 50 year old son sponging off her because he is a good boy and just having a 40 year string of bad luck.

Momma thinks that "Honk" will keep a job if he can find a reasonable boss unlike the last 10 that just don't understand ole "Honk" and keep laying him off.

msmith,
I knew you were not literal. The bicycle riding clothes, helmet included, is not necessarily attractive I know. Someone told me once I looked like that robot on the 1970's Buck Rodgers series - Twigy?

But the helmet is light, facilitates air flow and referring to my post above to Lonnie did save my skull. The back 1/4 section was cracked off probably when my head hit the curb.

The tight shorts. I wish I could go for something more loose and baggy because frankly it took some gettiing use to showing off my butt in public. But the tight fabric prevents it from bunching up under the seat and pinching the skin in some of the worst places. The shorts are padded which accentuates the hiny. That padding is absorbent and wicks the sweat away from the skin thereby preventing diaper rash. It's meant to be more function than form.

ten four ron,

in actuallity, im not sure i can envision an aesthetically pleasing helmet, and you would be an idiot not to wear one. As far as the tights, thanks for the explanation, i have actually wondered why yall where those duds on several occasions. I still think they look goofy, but, believe it or not, i am often a proponent of function over form.
In all seriousness, i pretty much agree with Lonnie's comments.... do i get irritated in a situation where, as you described, i am in line of cars on a two lane road being held up by a cyclist? Definitely. Do I think it is worth infringing on the rights of the majority of cyclist who obey the laws and are curtious? Hardly.
Also, because i believe in Karma, I just know a cyclist v. motorist case is going to find its way into my office in the near future.

citizen - learn to spell before expounding on your wonderful attributes and worthless insights. Idiot.

Hey, anon3:17--you dismiss citizen's argument on the basis of one (as far as I could see) misspelled word, "probaly"--obviously misspelled in typing haste?

You were home-schooled in debate, weren't you?

2:30 post..I am refering to the ass poking that that tiny seat does to the rider when he (she) is pumping up and down on the pedals... Jeeezzz. Why does everything have to be explained to you liberals. Dummies.

If you found one incorrectly spelled word then that makes you an idiot too.

Hey Anonymous,

Questions require question marks.

Learn punctuation before you pick nits on spelling.

You cons sure love to point out other's faults.

Floyd Landis apparently failed the A test for high levels of testosterone. I'm not surprised... anybody who has the balls to do what he did on Stage 17 of the Tour last week is bound to have blown the top off of the testosterone analysis.

Frm this week's "RoadBikeRider" newsletter:
Let's look closer at Floyd's epic ride last Thursday. The 200-km (124-mile) alpine stage made Landis an instant legend. After bonking bigtime the day before -- losing 10 minutes in the final 10 uphill kilometers and dropping from first place to 11th in the overall standings -- he charged back to 30 second from the lead.

Talk about shock and awe! You know the story of those two stages by now -- race director Jean-Marie Leblanc called Floyd's comeback "the best performance in the modern history of the Tour" -- so let's look at the numbers behind it. These come from PowerTap information provided by Allen Lim, Floyd's training advisor:

---Landis rode the mountainous stage in 5 hours, 23 minutes, 36 seconds for an average speed of 37.175 kph (23.049 mph).

---His average cadence was 89 rpm.

---He averaged 281 watts for the whole stage and 318 watts for the last two hours.

---While pedaling, he averaged 324 watts overall and 364 watts for the last 2 hours.

---When he attacked to break away early on the stage's first mountain (of five), he generated 544 watts for 30 seconds, then settled into a 10-minute average of 431 watts. His 30-minute average was 401 watts, which put all 10 riders ahead of him in the overall standings well down the road.

---He averaged 373 watts on the 8.5% ascent of the 11.7-km (7.3-mile) final mountain, the Col de Joux-Plane, rated the hardest climb of the entire Tour.

---On the descent to the finish line in Morzine, he reached a top speed of 83.7 kph (51.9 mph).
---

Now that's ridin'...

"If you are in a car and a bike rider endangers your life, then maybe you should think about riding a bike because you don't need to be driving a car."

Tell that to the dead truck driver's family after the "little" car cut him off.

Hate to hear this about Landis. I would like to hope he's innocent, but that's just my eternal optimism.

I've never seen quite so much hatred toward a relatively benign group of people - bikers. I've been in Colorado most of this week, and it's totally UNBELIEVABLE how many bike trails they have. And, even the road (like an interstate) between Denver and Boulder allows bicycles.

One reason people have to ride on highways in Arkansas is due to the lack of trail systems. I just can't get over how wonderful the cities here in Colorado toward both cyclists and pedestrians. TONS of folks ride their bikes, and I noticed that most city buses have bike racks on the front. People are really encouraged to ride to work in some form other then their own car.

Today I took my family on a bike ride in Garden of the Gods park. The entire park has a bike lane on all the pavement. It's good fun; it's healthy; it's a great way to take in the scenery when you aren't worried about cyclist-haters like some of the trolls on this blog.

I really wish our Arkansas towns/cities would learn a thing or two from Colorado. Maybe our recording-setting unhealthiness would begin to curb.

If you found one incorrectly spelled word then that makes you an idiot too.

Whatever, dude. Finding one misspelling makes me an idiot, and every opinion you have espoused and "argument" you have made makes you an idiot. I guess we're even.

Just to be sure I wasn't dreaming, I ran citizen's post through the spell check and found that in addition to "probaly," "lazyness" popped up--again something easily understandable by the fast and loose nature of blog responses. Certainly no argument killer, to anyone who is not grasping at straws and desperate for any reason to dismiss someone because he can't come up with counterpoints or even a single cogent and intelligent thing to say.

I can only assume that since anon is NOT one of those people (after all, how can he be an idiot when everyone else is the idiot?), I assume that he has merely mistaken some correctly spelled words for misspellings. Maybe he's using the wrong Word spell check dictionary file. Or maybe he's just joking. Since he doesn't feel the need to grace us with a display of his superior intellect by pointing out the errors to which he so nebulously refers, nor to decimate us with the sheer destructive power of his argumentative prowess, I suppose this, too, must remain a mystery.

Maybe I don't NEED a spell-check dumbass. Obviously you DO because you're the idiot who had to use a spell check to find out what the hell I was talking about. You just proved my point dumbass.

And you mine. Thank you.