I'm guessing that by now you've had members/friends/family/co-workers who recognize your passion for cycling and have asked you; "so what do you think/feel about Lance Armstrong?"
They obviously don't have to explain their question any further... you already know exactly what they're talking about.
My response has been; "it's complicated... do you have a few hours to discuss it?"
Not knowing where to begin, I'm inclined to start by explaining my need to separate Lance Armstrong the fallen man, from Lance Armstrong the idea and the effect Lance Armstrong the idea had on me and millions of middle aged men like me.
Lance made the idea of identifying ourselves as a cyclist cool. It gave us (40-60 year old men) an activity we could do together... and feel good about it. It became acceptable to wear brightly colored cycling kits (without feeling like a dork) and form-up on regularly scheduled group rides. Occasionally we even communicated - that is when we could breathe.
The idea had us focused on our fitness, largely because we dreaded the thought of being dropped by our group. Many of us came off the couch and completely changed our lives, in pursuit of the idea.
The idea gave us a chance to compete. As men, many of us have innate need to compare ourselves with others through competition. Sure, we knew there was no way we could every ride in the Tour de France, or even hang with the "A" group, but the idea gave us the motivation to try. We signed up for bicycle races by the thousands and trained our hearts out... with the idea we could beat someone. It didn't matter who... just someone. When that wasn't enough many of us expanded into multi-sport racing and although we probably can't remember where we placed at the finish, we can explain in great detail the catching and passing a few in our age-group during the bike leg of a triathlon or who we stayed ahead of at the end of a field sprint in a Cat 4 Crit.
Am I disappointed that it appears that Armstrong cheated? Absolutely. Do I find myself suppressing some admiration that it took so long to catch him? Yes, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
To paraphrase the title of Armstrong's best seller; It's not about Lance. My perception is that the idea has grown so large, has so much momentum, that what's happening to Armstrong today really doesn't matter. Millions of men around the world have adopted the idea completely. The recent events surrounding Lance Armstrong have become little more than a footnote.
Beyond that, expressing any more of this in writing exceeds my ability to type fast enough to keep up with my thoughts.
I'd be very interested in what your response would be in this situation.
John
Originally posted 2012-10-24 12:59:53.
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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First my thoughts about your post. Great doesn’t even begin to be compliment enough. Lance inspired a generation and yes made it cool to walk into the coffee shop in our brightly colored kits. Thank you for expressing this.
My own response has been a bit more directed at those who were so ardent followers and devout Armstrong fans that have now turned on him with their “how could he do this to us attitude.”
Yes I admire – in a certain haha kind of way – that it took so long to catch up to him. (pun intended) But that goes to my argument that for the TDF (and other events he entered) he showed up, they tested him and declared him clean. He raced, he won and he did it against many who had tried to get an edge in any way they could.
Why do we all talk about this like it is NOT in the nature of human competitiveness to find an edge over your opponents? I saw it coaching middle school wrestling for goodness sakes and it did not surprise me. I saw it in the kids, parents and other coaches. Middle school, supposedly the first bastion of sportsmanship and learning fundamentals.
This whole omertà thing is making my Italian ancestors roll over in their graves. This is a team sport. Who would not want to be Lance’s domestique? Of course, they helped a legend get built and now they say they were forced to take drugs and were sworn to secrecy as if they would sleep with the fishes if they refused. Is Lance going to be indicted for attempted murder next?
I’ve been saying, let he or she who has not taken an Advil or Tylenol before a ride cast the first stone… Lance showed up for the race. They tested him. They declared him clean. He won.. Some have said, put and asterisk next to his name in the record books. I happen to think that is a great idea, Lance won seven in a row. Seven asterisks in a row will get noticed.
I think I’ll go put on my LiveStrong Kit.
Interesting reflections from one side of the gender divide. I don’t think Lance Armstrong had the same impact on women. In fact, judging by the reactions in my classes over the last few years, I would say that he likely turned many women away from the sport as participants. On the other hand, there’s no question that he increased the female viewership of the TDF and in the end that’s a good thing. I have my own ideas about why his ‘winning‘ persona as opposed to his ‘defensive‘ persona seemed to repel many women but that’s another topic.
I was intrigued that I received four emails from women in my 6:30 am class on the morning after the USADA report was issued. They formally requested that we discuss Lance. (Luckily, I had been wasting time in advance of a deadline so I had already read the 200 pages.) They were active participants in the discussion that ensued. Most of the men were silent. So I think you’re on to something.
Christine you caused me to remember how appalled I was when LA dumped his wife (she’s local) and young boys.
Haven’t been asked about this at all. However, if it cropped up, I’d offer the opinion I’ve had for a few years now…….i.e. if you think the current state of affairs is *bad*, wait until genetic manipulation starts to rear its head. The Doping Days will start to look like the Good Old Days.
Have to confess that this isn’t totally my opinion, mind. Back in the Spring of 2004, Science (the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science……pretty much equal with Nature for high impact status) had a whole slew of articles pertaining to sport and exercise science in general. It was the run-up to the 2004 Olympics and the 50th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s record-breaking 4 minute mile race) A whole slew of studies etc on everything from materials science (“slippery” hulls on boats and swimsuits) to exercise phys., psychology, pharmacology and genetics.
Citing evidence going back to the early 1900’s of marathoners using strychnine, that well know poster of cyclists smoking as a performance enhancing tool and Eddie Merckx’s documeneted use of amphetamines etc., the concensus seemed to be that, moralising aside, the only downside to PED (if, in fact, they do EP…..which might not be all it seems BTW)was that they “might” encourage the use with non-pro athletes (i.e. high school kids)
Vivienne