Doping in Cycling: Then and
Now
In his interesting
book, We
Were Young and Carefree, Laurent Fignon points to a time around the early
1990s when doping changed from the sporadic and marginally effective use of
amphetamines, to a systematic and scientific team approach based on improving
performance by increasing oxygen delivery. Although doping had a long history
in cycling, it was now a game changer. About this time, EPO and blood
transfusions came into widespread use. Jeremy Whittle, in his book Bad
Blood, mentions the same. Both authors refer to the increases in average
speed during the Tour over
the last 15 years, and Whittle states that a 10 - 15% increase in average speed
over the champions of the recent past is not likely, and too big to be caused
by improvements in training and bike technology.
Amphetamines boost performance, but only temporarily, and
are easily detected with testing. On the other hand, autologous blood
transfusions and EPO
microdosing are hard to detect and can increase a cyclist’s hematocrit dramatically
over the normal of about 45%. Since power output in cycling tracks hematocrit
closely, as long as the blood doesn’t get too thick, it is difficult for the
clean cyclist to compete against a guy that is blood-doping effectively. What’s
worse is that after a couple weeks of a tough tour, hematocrit normally falls
due to exercise-induced
hemolysis . For the final tour week, the clean athlete may be running a
hematocrit of 39% while the doper remains close to 50% due to blood boosting
during the race. It’s like racing an old Rambler
against a new Mercedes
SLR McLaren .
As we all know,
there is an ongoing effort to clean up cycling, but some are still pessimistic
about the future, and some of the experts are claiming that genetic
doping is on the horizon. Dave
Albecker
A
Big Bike Story
Okay, you are a bicycle thief and walking
along looking for a score. There it is,
a special hand made one leaning against the wall of a coffee shop. You creep up slowly looking around for anyone
who might be watching. Seeing no one,
you grab the bike and jump on intending to ride away. Suddenly you are singing (screaming) a song
in high soprano as you dangle on the top tube unable to find the pedals. Wee, the thief did not pay real good
attention to what he was stealing. The
bike belonged to Shawn Bradley, a former NBA center who stands at 7 foot, 6
inches and rides an 80cm frame road bike.
Utah police found the bike not long after the theft and returned it to
Shawn. They are now looking for the
thief: Attention: on the lookout for
average size guy, walking really funny and talking in a high voice.
Submitted by: Mike Perry
West Virginia Family Goes Green
You may have
already seen this article, but it is worth repeating. It comes from the Charleston Daily Mail.
“In an effort to simplify her
family’s life, Stacy Bisker doesn’t just walk the walk -- she rides the
ride. When she and her husband head out
the door for a family trek to school, or the store, or the park, it is most
often under their own power and usually by bicycle.”
This
is no small feat with four children, the youngest still in diapers and another
who doesn’t know how to ride a bike yet.
Like ducks in a row, the family proceeds with Bisker on a special cargo
bike that holds baby Oliver in a seat on front.
Avery sits on a padded platform on the back of the bike, which has a set
of handlebars he grabs for security. The
cargo bike also has space to tote gear, bags that can be stuffed with extra
clothing, diapers, and snacks.” The Bisker family has now downsized to one van
instead of two, saved enough money in three months to pay off the loan on the
remaining van, and now have a financial cushion in their budget. They have gotten untold benefits from this
new adventure ranging anywhere from becoming more healthy and sleeping better
to getting to know their neighbors. Once
they got used to not having a second vehicle (which they fill up about once a
month now), they could see other things they could give up, things that society
kept pressuring them to have as necessities.
They gave up things like paper towels, sandwich bags, caller ID,
voicemail, etc., and now enjoy a much simpler happy life. Submitted
by: Mike Perry
Just a Note from yours truly (Kim Wright)
You may or may not
know, my son Hunter and I race BMX, (one reason we have not been active cyclist
w/ WW). Wanted to let everyone know how
we finished up this past year. My first full year of racing, and Hunters 5th (I
believe).
VA BMX state
series: Regional
series:
Hunter: 14 cruiser
1st : 14 challenger 3rd Hunter:
14 challenger 5th
Kim: 40-44 cruiser
3rd : 35-40 challenger 1st
(cruiser is 24”, challenger is 20”) National series:
Hunter: 14 cruiser 14th
: 14 challenger 23rd
Kim: 40-44 cruiser 8th
: 35-40 challenger 2nd
Winchester
Wheelmen January 2012 Ride Schedule 
Weekly
Ridng or Events
(Sunset times: Jan 1st: 5:00PM, Jan 5th: 5:03pm, Jan 10th: 5:08pm,
Jan 15th: 5:13pm, Jan 20th: 5:18pm, Jan 25th: 5:24pm, Jan 31th: 5:31pm)
Up to date posting- Remember to check WW Google
Group, http://groups.google.com/group/wheelmen for any last minute changes to rides. You can read all of the postings without
joining the group.
Monday
Night Mountain Biking - Meet
at the spring on Rt 55, spring located approximately 1 mile before you get to
the WV line. Meet at 6:30
PM. Ride leader is Robert Golightly 540-535-9986. Lights
are required. Robert may have some extra lights to lend, if you are
interested in the ride.
Tuesday Night Road Ride is off until March,
2012
Wednesday Night Road Ride is off until March,
2012
Thursday Night Road Ride - White Post, VA. This ride
is a "go" unless there is rain or snow. Ride starts from White
Post Restorations. Ride departs promptly at 6:30P.M. Average
speed is 15-17mph. Buck Hefner is leading. (White front light and red rear flashing
light are required for this ride.)
Thursday "NO MERCY" Paceline Ride
is off until March, 2012
Friday Retired/Day Off Rides
All rides are in the 20-30 mile
range. For those wanting we will have lunch at or near the starting
location of the ride. Ride does not go
if it is raining or snowing. No ride leaders, just advisers! The Friday
Retirees/Day Off ride schedule for November is as follows, all rides start at 10:00A.M.:
January 6th - Meet at the Italian
Touch in Middletown, VA (park in the back).
January 13th - Meet at the Daily
Grind on Jubal Early Drive in Winchester, VA.
January 20th - Meet at Focaccia
Grill at 15 Crow St. in Berryville, VA.
January 27th - Meet at Big
Daddy’s BBQ at 181 Warrior Drive in Stephens City, VA. (park
across the street).
Winchester Wheelmen
January 2012 Event Schedule
Weekend
Rides/& Individual Led Rides
Saturday,
White Post – Start time is TBD. Casual ride will be only as weather
permitting and if I am not participating in a hike (which seems to be more
do-able in cold weather). For further info and/or direction contact Susan
Walker 540-247-7706 or susan.walker@lcps.org.
Saturdays,
Every Saturday in January – Mountain Bike Ride - Meet at 11:30 AM at Andy Guest State park at lower parking lot. Go to bottom of hill to tee, turn right, then take first right.
Rides are easy to moderate pace, with some short steep climbs and trails
are mainly smooth. For further info
and/or directions contact Robert Golightly 540-535-9986, please call and check
if weather may be an issue>
Winchester Wheelmen, Inc.