Lance is doing TDF 2009!!!

[kelownagirl]

Apparently, he just finished doing an interview with API. He's doing the TDF 2009!

[7rider]

yaaaaaawwwnnnn.......:cool:

[Aggie_Ama]

Yeah but first he did the Rocky Hill Roundup and I saw him thisclose. :p Truly he bores me to tears but I wonder what this means for Contador? Are they going to try to do a two prong attack, we have seen how great that always works out for teams.

[kelownagirl]

yaaaaaawwwnnnn.......:cool:

Thank you for going out of your way to make me feel good.

[obie]

I'm glad he's doing it for cancer and all that, but I still can't stand what I've heard about him personally. And, the Tour was really boring when he was winning, except for 2003.

[wackyjacky1]

Am I alone in being a fan of Armstrong? :o :)

[Aggie_Ama]

Am I alone in being a fan of Armstrong? :o :)

No but those of us who don't like him or find him to be a bore aren't alone either. His cancer initiatives are admirable for sure but when he was riding and dominated it was boring and mechanical. Contador was a shock in 2007 to fly onto the podium and what about Levi?

[wackyjacky1]

but when he was riding and dominated it was boring and mechanical
I know what you mean. I was never a fan of Pete Sampras for the very same reasons when he was dominating the tennis world...or the Patriots of the NFL. But for some reason I have always rooted for Lance.

[Pedal Wench]

Am I alone in being a fan of Armstrong? :o :)

Not at all. Cancer survivor who didn't give up, who is raising awareness and fighting it head on, all the while dominating in a sport that I love. What's wrong with that? Personality be damned -- I love watching him ride.

[Aggie_Ama]

I have always liked the underdog, I should be happy with my Aggies new status in the basement of the conference. :p

[wackyjacky1]

I have always liked the underdog, I should be happy with my Aggies new status in the basement of the conference. :p
Ooooooh, don't even talk about that! Groan! (At least the t-sips are getting gypped out of the BCS, though. :D )

[Veronica]

I find it hard to believe that he was racing clean given that nearly all of his close compeitors have been implicated in drug scandals. Yes, I know he has never tested positive.

Veronica

[Aggie_Ama]

Ooooooh, don't even talk about that! Groan! (At least the t-sips are getting gypped out of the BCS, though. :D )

LOL! We always have basketball and baseball. I was pleased to see the season end, it was a long 12 games!

V- You have to wonder dontcha?

[squirrell]

Having just become a cyclist this year, I never followed Lance's career (or any cycling news) prior to this April. I'm excited about now being to get a chance to see him ride again. I've read stories about what a jerk he is, etc. etc. but I don't watch for his personality. I watch to be inspired! It was watching the Tour de France this year that really got me hooked on cycling. Until then, I was just "riding a bike for exercise." After watching the Tour, it became a passion. I WANTED to get out and ride!!! Ride far, ride fast, push myself as hard as I could!! So, I'm really looking forward to the Tour now!

As for Lance himself--I know the struggles I have riding with my medical problems: Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, overweight. It's been a very hard struggle to juggle all this while cycling. And, I've "just got" Diabetes--this guy had the "Big C"! I admire anyone who has overcome medical issues to ride. To me, it just shows a passion for a sport that I, too, have come to love.

[Kalidurga]

It's official, alright, according to VeloNews (http://www.velonews.com/article/85513).

I have mixed feelings about this announcement. I've always enjoyed watching Lance ride. His intensity on the bike is what got me into watching the Tour a few years ago. But all the "will he/won't he" hoopla over the last several weeks really became tiresome. And, honestly, the concerns he voiced over the possibility of someone attacking him on the roadside sounded like he was looking for excuses not to do it. So I'm not terribly excited right now, but I'm sure I will be when July 2009 rolls around.

[DebTX]

Big Lance fan here - both as a cyclist and a political activist.

I reached out to the Lance Armstrong Foundation after my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and they are a HUGE part of our survival story.

I'm new to cycling and watched my first TdF last year (loved it!) I have no insights about the allegations and gossip that surround him.

But I admire him for giving back.

[ilima]

Meh. I hope Lance races the Giro and rides the Tour for Contador.

[spindizzy]

But all the "will he/won't he" hoopla over the last several weeks really became tiresome.

It's the media which has a HUGE role in why we get tired of all of the speculation......

[denny]

Gosh- I wasn't aware that there was a debate over whether he would or wouldn't ride in the TDF. I assumed that it was a given that he would ride this year! I've never watched the tour until this year and enjoyed the small portions I got to see. I just completed his book "It's not about the bike..." (or something to that effect) and it was like getting a play by play of the TDF which I actually understood this time. It just made me want to be there cheering him on. As a cancer and "funk" survivor myself I can totally relate to cycling or most athletic activities for that matter, helping to overcome disease processes that threaten the body, mind and spirit. I'm glad he's used his experience to benefit others.

I can't say his post-divorce dating has boosted his Brownie points with me (thinking of a very waiffish,elfin actress here) but I don't have to date or marry him myself (unless he really begs me of course.:D ) I say Goooo Lance!

[kelownagirl]

Meh. I hope Lance races the Giro and rides the Tour for Contador.

Sounds like he is riding for Contador.

[maillotpois]

Urg. We pretty much just decided we can't afford to go this year. We'd put down deposits on a trip with Backroads. (We did that in 2003 and it was amazing.) Anyway with the economy and our jobs and mortgage and etc. (oh and the new motorcycle :rolleyes: ) we have almost decided to back out.

almost.

Urg.

Thanks for spreading the news, though. It will be interesting and fun regardless of whether we're there. It always is. (I swear I should just take the month of July off.)

[Zen]

I watch to be inspired!
Look no further.
There are plenty of inspirational women right here on this forum.

I find everyday people more inspiring than someone who has, in effect, become a rock star. I know he's overcome a lot and it takes a strong determined person to do that but there comes a time to retire with grace and dignity.

[arielmoon]

Am I alone in being a fan of Armstrong? :o :)

I am a big fan. He's human- he's not perfect but I believe he has done some very positive things. I will be rooting for him.

[redrhodie]

I know he's overcome a lot and it takes a strong determined person to do that but there comes a time to retire with grace and dignity.

I wonder how much this has to do with it?

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/armstrong-invests-with-sram-18729

[ilima]

Sounds like he is riding for Contador.

Well, I think he said something to the effect that he'll be riding for the 'strongest rider' and for 'Astana' during the tour. Given his 'no gifts' ethics, I don't think we'll know for sure whom Lance is riding for until around July 11 or so when the race hits the Pyrenees. ;)

[KeepingUp]

i like him! i dont know much about his history but I think hes a good role model for people to look up to. His perseverance to never give up is something very commendable in itself!

[squirrell]

Look no further.
There are plenty of inspirational women right here on this forum.

I find everyday people more inspiring than someone who has, in effect, become a rock star. I know he's overcome a lot and it takes a strong determined person to do that but there comes a time to retire with grace and dignity.

I am aware that there are inspirational people everywhere. I was not referring to watching Lance personally either but referring to the Tour as a whole.

And, yes, while surrounded by inspirational people (I told someone via PM yesterday about a 79 year old guy I know who rides Centuries like they're candy and grins the whole time) I gain something different from professional events like the Tour.

It is simply that the people in professional events have pushed and trained and risen to a level that many can only dream of and probably will never be able to achieve (I know I won't ever be able to ride my bike at speeds like they get). BUT, it doesn't keep me from wanting to know just how much I AM capable of achieving. So, I view it as inspirational by way of being a challenge--they can do "this" so can I achieve "that" by virtue of also pushing and challenging myself. (And, I won't get into a the whole doping thing--but it's cheating. Rather Lance has/hasn't is yet to be proven but I don't think he'd be stupid enough to try to dope up now anyway)

And, why retire if he feels he can still do it? Even if he doesn't win, he's trying, and that's to his credit in my book. I don't care if his name was Lance or Homer or Elmer or Tom, ****, or Harry. Anyone who gets out there and tries is a winner to me and thus, an inspiration. That 79 year old guy I mentioned isn't the fastest on the block but he's riding and riding thousands of miles a year at the age of 79--may God bless us all enough that we can say that when we hit 79.

This quote by Theodore Roosevelt was on my high school gym's wall. Some think it trite but it has "haunted" me for lack of better words my whole life, and I've always striven to not reach the end of my days and find myself a "cold and timid soul."

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

[Aggie_Ama]

Well one good thing, I live in Austin and they actually care when Lance rides, it was all oveer the local media today. The rest of the time I just have to choke on as much longhorn stuff as they can find. Last year the entire month of July was spent with the local paper shoveling fluff about the college football practice. Give me yellow all over the paper over burnt orange. :):p

[Trigress]

I'm most dreadfully sorry to hear that Armstrong couldn't keep out, but has to pester not only one grand tour but two next year.

I got away with only two Armstrong tours, and was thrilled to see him go, the tours having been so much more exciting after he left. He is by far the dullest rider close to the podium, and just as I was getting used to having an interesting TdF to look forward to he's back. >Sigh<

I suppose I'd better find another mountain to climb during the summer.

[katluvr]

I DID/DO like watching Lance. I am a bit torn...because all the hype. But I am impressed by him. Yeah, he is egotistical...but I think a lot of really good professional atheletes are...they have to be...they have to think they are the best and will win all the time. He just comes off a bit more than most.
Maybe I am gullible--that he is and has always been clean. I had hoped when he left pro biking we would see him go back to Tri's and I did like seeing him do marathons. If I have his potential and money....I would do many of the same things.
I don't pay any attention to who or what he is dating.
I am excited that he will do more than just the TDF. And it does add an interesting mix/twist to all the other competitors on the team..Contador, Levi...makes you wonder what will happen.
I just like watching the racing....it is such a let down when the 3 weeks of the tour is done and I don't have that to look forward each day!
K

[TxDoc]

Am I alone in being a fan of Armstrong? :o :)

Nope.
Add both my boyfriend and myself to the group. I can't wait to see him race again!

[Flur]

I have to say I'm intrigued. I am a huge supporter of Lance in his efforts for cancer awareness and plan to ride one of the Livestrong rides this summer, even though that means putting my bike on a plane....

BUT, I've never believed that he rode clean all those years. Maybe some of them, but not all of them. I personally don't think he should go back and ride this year, because if I'm right and he wasn't clean, and he does really poorly in 2009, there might be a lot more people thinking he wasn't clean before and it might hurt his charity. But still, I'm intrigued. If he does really well, with all the extra testing that he's stated he'll do, then maybe it will be me that changes her mind...

...does that even make sense to anyone besides me? ;)

[sundial]

I'm more interested in Landis.

Lance has concerns about threats. :(

[jesvetmed]

I am a big fan. He's human- he's not perfect but I believe he has done some very positive things. I will be rooting for him.

Me Too! I'm a sucker for a great story and he is that!
I actually found him kind of fun to watch! :o)

[Aggie_Ama]

I'm more interested in Landis.

Lance has concerns about threats. :(

Me too. OUCH is such a fun team to be interested in, way more fun than Astana. Plus Landis will be on a Cannondale, just a bit biased. :p