Go Floyd Go!!!!

[Geonz]

go... go... go... (now I wish I could see it, except I'm not sure I want to... downhill is so SCARY!!!! )

[limewave]

What an awesome race!!!!!!
Go FLOYD!

I hope they have cable at the campground I'm going to be at this weekend. I can't miss the TT now.

[Grog]

That was pretty impressive. I've been reading the live coverage online. Wow.

[Denise223]

What a GREAT DAY FOR FLOYD!!! :D

Inspirational effort :)!!

[Kano]

So, now I'm bummed: totally hooked on this race, and going home -- no coverage at home for the end!!!

Karen in Boise

[tprevost]

Floyd is my HERO!!!

What an inspirational guy he is!!!! Many people would have mentally given up, what a fabulous day for him!

If its possible, Floyd has even respect from me now!

T~

[Beth-Ro]

Not since Mayberry RFD have so many voices united as one, reverberating the lands with chants of...

FLOYD! FLOYD! FLOYD!

Merciful Heavens! What a tour!

[betagirl]

Holy crap, he's back in it. I need to watch the rebroadcast later. Wow.

[bcipam]

This really has been an interest Tour - from one day to the next you have no clue what's going to happen. I truly thought after yesterday Floyd was out and today, a totally inspired ride and he just made win this thing. The Time Trial is going to be so exciting. Geez, almost like this was all planned to build excitment!!!

Floyd obviously has some greatness in him. Here's wishes him the best on the TT.

[chickwhorips]

must agree what a tour!

its addicting, not knowing what's going to happen next. :eek:

[Kalidurga]

I had a feeling at the beginning of this Tour... Everyone I talked to went on and on about George and Levi and what great riders they are. Yes, they're both great riders, as are many of the European members of the peloton. But to win the Tour you seem to need something more than just talent or ability. You seem to need hunger and rage. Floyd himself has said that he's "a fist of rage" and he proved it today.

* Kali does a little "I told everyone, I did!" dance and hopes no one will smack her for being obnoxious *

:D

[jobob]

This is fuuunnnn !!! :D

I think it's great how much respect & admiration Landis and Pereiro have for each other.

I was hoping Sastre would get the yellow jersey today, since he's not a particularly good time trialist. So it goes.

[dobielover1]

I was practically hyperventilating at the end of the race while I watched the clock to see what the final times were!

GO FLOYD!!

At the beginning of the race I was rooting for Levi,...but after a perfomance like today, Floyd deserves this tour!

[Bike Goddess]

I'll look at the videos tonight when I get home. Neighbors watched it live and were so excited (they are cyclists too!).

Landis obviously had some kind of breakthrough in his mind between yesterday and this morning. My cut on it is he left yesterday on the road and began today as a new guy ready to do what it took to get the job done. AND what an inspiring recovery! Congrats to him, his coach, his team. I'm sure they all had something to do with this comeback!

[Nanci]

You know what, if Lance had been eight minutes behind, no one would have doubted his ability to come back.

[GLC1968]

DH and I both kind of anticipated this. Our theory was that Landis is no idiot...he knew yesterday was not in the cards for him and that today's stage was more difficult. We both think that once he realized that the day was 'off' for him, he just backed off to conserve as much as possible both for today's stage and for the TT.

I'm so excited to see that he did well today! I can't wait to go home and see it for myself!! :D

[slinkedog]

Go Floyd! I'm so excited to see him come back like he did! Can't wait for Saturday!!!

[Jones]

What an awesome race. I was so bummed yesterday when Floyd lost the lead and today I had tears of joy as he made his great break. Floyd rocks!!!
Jones

[mimitabby]

This guy is AMAZING!! how can you catch up against the best riders in the world in the blistering heat right after you "blew yourself out" the day before?!?!?!?!!!

[snapdragen]

Stolen from the "boys forum"

The chief export of Floyd Landis is pain.
Floyd Landis does not sleep. He waits.
Floyd Landis doesn't have hair on his testicles, because hair does not grow on steel.
Floyd Landis doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

and

"Floyd Landis is the father of every kid in this town!"

"His poop is used as currency in Argentina."

"He sweats Gatorade"

"He once breast-fed a flamingo back to health."

"I once saw him scissor kick Angela Landsbury."

"I once saw him eat a whole live chicken."

"He once punched a hole in a cow just to see who was coming up the road."

"He did all the makeup on the 'Planet of the Apes' movie."

"He once inhaled a seagull."

"He killed Wolfman Jack with a trident."

"He uses the Shroud of Turin as a golf towel."

"He once ate the Bible while water skiing."

"He drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls."

"He has dandruff the size of mice!"

"He jogged with a fridge on his back!"

"He's a ten foot tall beastman who showers in vodka and feeds his baby shrimp scampi."

"Did I ever tell you about the time Floyd Landis went hunting? Landis decides he's going to hunt down all four of the Banana Splits. He stalks and kills every one of them with a machette. They all begged for their lives...except Fleagle."

"Landis once hosted the Grammys and gave every award to Corey Hart."

"Landis' family crest is a picture of a baracudda eating Neil Armstrong."

"If you drop a phonograph needle on Landis' nipple, it plays the Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds.'"

[Nanci]

Snap, that's awesome!

[Eden]

DH and I both kind of anticipated this. Our theory was that Landis is no idiot...he knew yesterday was not in the cards for him and that today's stage was more difficult. We both think that once he realized that the day was 'off' for him, he just backed off to conserve as much as possible both for today's stage and for the TT.

I'm so excited to see that he did well today! I can't wait to go home and see it for myself!! :D

Nah -even he admits he was riding at his personal limit yesterday and hurting bad. No one loses 8 min on one stage as a conservation strategy, because you never know if you can get that time back - it would have been way to risky. He did what he did today as a last ditch effort to save his tour - to do anything else would have been rolling over and admitting defeat. Brave - heck yes - gutsy - you bet, but the plan - no way. That bad day could still cost him the win. It will probably all come down to the TT and whether or not he has sufficently recovered - then again its been crazy enough that someone might go out on the attack on tomorrow's stage too, who knows? In any case good for Floyd - a lot of other guys would have given up and gone home and I can admire that he decided to stay and fight.

[maillotpois]

Wow, Snap those are hysterical!

[GLC1968]

a lot of other guys would have given up and gone home

I don't think Landis knows what the phrase 'giving up' really means. It's just not in his vocabulary!

Did he really admit to being spent? I missed that! Either way, I'm glad he is as stubborn/resilient as he is...it's making for one hell of a Tour! :D

[betagirl]

LMAO Snap!

I'm watching the rebroadcast now. It's freakin' amazing.

[hsmpcycle]

He is a true example of a fine athlete!!!

Hey, is it me or does he look like the American Bad *** of Music (Kid Rock). Maybe his is the American Bad *** of Cycling? :cool:

[Nanci]

We could have used some of those phrases when Running Mommy was doing her Ironman...

[snapdragen]

Found another article: More Floyd (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/01/AR2006070101109.html)

[jeannierides]

Floyd rocks!! Wooohooo! What a race this is!

LMAO Snap... :D

[snapdragen]

I sure like this guy, have for awhile; for a very bizarre reason: he reminds me of an old friend of mine. The only difference was Joby has dark brown hair. Otherwise, appearance, personality, off center sense of humor - it's my friend Joby disguised as a bike racer.

More Floydisms:

Floyd Landis grinds coffee with his teeth and boils the water with his own rage.

There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Floyd Landis lives in San Diego.

While urinating, Floyd Landis is easily capable of welding titanium.

The latest edition of Webster's Dictionary defines "victim" as "one who has encountered Floyd Landis".

Floyd Landis doesn't bowl strikes, he just knocks down one pin and the other nine faint.

It takes Floyd Landis 20 minutes to watch 60 Minutes.

Floyd Landis has a deep and abiding respect for human life... unless it gets in his way.

Floyd Landis once ate an entire bottle of sleeping pills--they made him blink.

Floyd Landis played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.

When Floyd Landis sends in his taxes, he sends blank forms and includes only a picture of himself, crouched and ready to attack. Floyd Landis has never had to pay taxes--ever.

Floyd Landis can win a game of Connect Four in only three moves.

Police label anyone attacking Floyd Landis as a Code 45-11, a suicide.

Contrary to popular belief, France is not a democracy, it is a Floydtatorship.

Floyd Landis recently had the idea to sell his urine as a canned beverage. We know this beverage as Red Bull.

Some people wear Superman pajamas. Superman wears Floyd Landis pajamas.

Floyd Landis once worked as a weatherman for the San Diego evening news. Every night he would make the same forecast: Partly cloudy with a 75% chance of Pain.

When Floyd Landis does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing the Earth down.

Floyd Landis does not own a stove, oven, or microwave , because revenge is a dish best served cold.

The Sherman tank was originaly called the Landis tank until Floyd decided it wasn't tough enough to be associated with him.

Floyd Landis does not "style" his hair. It lays perfectly in place out of sheer terror.

There is no such thing as global warming. Floyd Landis was cold, so he turned the sun up.

Floyd Landis brushes his teeth with a mixture of iron shavings, industrial paint remover, and wood-grain alcohol.

Floyd Landis doesn't play the lottery--it doesn't have enough balls.

When Bruce Banner gets mad, he turns into the Hulk. When the Hulk gets mad, he turns into Floyd Landis.

They once made a Floyd Landis toilet paper, but there was a problem-- It wouldn't take sh't from anybody.

[Lise]

These are so fun, snap!

There is nothing like unleashing a formerly religious person on the world...pain does not matter to them!

[Kalidurga]

Found another article: More Floyd (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/01/AR2006070101109.html)

Great article, snapdragen, thank you for posting it!

Prophetic quote from one of Landis' former teammates, Will Geoghagen: "Get Floyd emotionally involved and there's no way he'll back down. He will go until his heart literally explodes" (from Lance Armstrong's War by Daniel Coyle). The guy has had this ride in him from the first time he picked up a bike. I think the best way for Floyd to finish out this Tour would be to cross the finish line in Paris doing a wheelie, just like he did in one of his first mountain bike rides. Now that would be badass!

[KnottedYet]

I'm just stunned that he's doing all this with avascular necrosis in his femoral head! I mean, jeez louise! The joint capsule, all those muscles, they are wrapped around a hunk of dead bone! And what that dead bone/dead synovial lining must be doing to his hip socket with every pedal stroke just makes me cringe!

Amazing!

and I love his attitude. I so badly want him to win. And I worry how he'll do with the hip replacement.

[Kalidurga]

I kept thinking about his hip yesterday, too, Knotted. What if that ride had caused some sudden damage to the joint or what's left of the femoral head? I half expected him to come across the line and be unable to walk. Did you catch Schmalz's comment a couple of stages back about how if Floyd gets a new titanium hip, the UCI will make him lower it to avoid an unfair advantage?

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how far Rasmussen rode solo on Wednesday compared to how far Floyd rode by himself yesterday? It was interesting how they each came across the line charged with totally different emotions. Another example of what a roller-coaster this Tour has been. As much as I can't wait for Saturday's TT, I really don't want to see it end!

[Lenusik]

I guess I am the only one on this board who does not like Floyd Landis. It's too bad that my favorit bike shop has the same name "Landis". Don't get me wrong, I have full respect for what he did on Thursday. That was a great push. But there is something about him that just creeps me out. It's the way he looks, speaks, he always talks about himself as if his team does not exist. Maybe it is because he looks like Kid Rock and I certainly don't care for that guy. Just wanted to share my opinion. There is no need to jump on me for that.

[snapdragen]

Just wanted to share my opinion. There is no need to jump on me for that.
Get her girls!!!!:eek:

:D POUNCE! POUNCE!:D

Of course you are entitled to your opinion L - just 'cause it's wrong......:D :D I always thought FL gave his team the credit they deserve, he strikes me as a very humble guy. Oh well, vive le difference!





*snap hoping all can see the humor in this post.......*

[Lenusik]

He still looks like a Kid Rock - not too attractive, and his bottom is too big! :D

[Eden]

.....and his bottom is too big! :D

Those ridiculous green and yellow stripe across the butt shorts don't help in the sightest. Ponak has the worst kit - poor old Landis looked like a funky little elf in his green leg warmers up there getting that clashing yellow jersey. At least when he's wearing the yellow jersey they let him wear black shorts - they used to fine guys for wearing anything that wasn't strictly the same as the regular team kit - Cipo changed all that.

He's not been my favorite rider in the past, but I have a lot of respect for the tenacity he's shown in the past couple of days. Many people would have conceeded defeat rather than fight the way he has. Its improved my view of him immesurably.

[mimitabby]

Floyd really touches my heart. I think he's awesome. He grew up doing farm chores and taught himself to be a champ.

I like his face. and he's distantly related to my husband's family through the Landis line.. who were mennonites 100 years ago.

That intense-looking foto of him in the last article reminds me of my own son, his coloring and determination (but my son got a big Italian nose from me!)

This guy is real and fun.

I'm so glad he's doing so well.

[Lenusik]

poor old Landis looked like a funky little elf in his green leg warmers up there getting that clashing yellow jersey.
He's not been my favorite rider in the past, but I have a lot of respect for the tenacity he's shown in the past couple of days. .

No question about it. The guy has some gutts and as I said I have respect for him. But, oh boy, he is probably one of the worst looking rider I've seen. He could be a good troll in some movie. :D

[mimitabby]

I think the best way for Floyd to finish out this Tour would be to cross the finish line in Paris doing a wheelie, just like he did in one of his first mountain bike rides. Now that would be badass!


God, that would be great, wouldn't it!!

and his parents in their mennonite clothes holding a little white sign that says
We support Floyd Landis !!!

gotta love it.

and some of my relatives look like elves too.

[Eden]

Not that the elf thing is his fault - its all about the ugly kit. I'm kind of glad they've got a new sponsor next year.

[FreshNewbie]

I personally really like Floyd, especially after I read an interview between him and Zabriskie in Bicycling magazine ( aug issue). If you didn't read it yet I really recommend to pick it up. However, I sort of was dissapointed with his reaction when he crossed the line. I thought that it would bring him more joy than it did. But then maybe he just is not an expressive person :confused: In any case I really hope he will be on the podium and hopefully in YELLOW

[Kalidurga]

He still looks like a Kid Rock - not too attractive, and his bottom is too big! :D

My turn to pounce... I've said it before in another thread: Floyd does not look like Kid Rock, Kid Rock looks like Floyd!

And, yeah, Floyd's chunkier than most of the peloton but that's because he's obviously got a bigger engine. The wattage he was displaying yesterday was average for him. He needs a bigger body to contain all that power! Personally, I love the shot of him heading down one of the descents, slung low over the handlebars and nothing but his big bottom (http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tour06/index.php?id=/photos/2006/tour06/tour0617/DV95019) showing. Floyd should e-mail that shot to every one of his rivals and everyone who ever chose not to believe in him.

If those are really your main reasons for disliking Floyd, be sure not to look too closely at the rest of the peloton. ;)

[mimitabby]

Thanks for the great picture Kali!

[FreshNewbie]

" I like big butts and can't deny it " just like in that song, nothing wrong with some extra meat especially if it's all muscle :D

[Kalidurga]

I sort of was dissapointed with his reaction when he crossed the line. I thought that it would bring him more joy than it did. But then maybe he just is not an expressive person

If you can find any post-race video, you'll see a very different Floyd. He literally raged through that ride and it showed as he crossed the finish line. Frankie Andreu interviewed him later when he was waiting for the podium and by then Floyd was nothing but one big grin. OLN also showed a sweet moment of Amber Landis sitting on Floyd's lap giving him a big hug and kiss. Once the rage faded, I think Floyd was pretty close to ecstatic.

[Kalidurga]

Thanks for the great picture Kali!

Isn't that a great photo? I-Shares must be loving that shot, seeing as how they're taking over sponsorship of the team next year. It'll be interesting to see if they have a better color scheme (thought the gold'n'yellow makes for some cool marketing).

[Lenusik]

If those are really your main reasons for disliking Floyd, be sure not to look too closely at the rest of the peloton. ;)
Well, his big butt is just one thing. I also think that he is unattractive, plus his squeeky voice. Ugh ... That Sastry guy is cute!

[mimitabby]

Lenusik,
it does seem odd that you continue to disparage Floyd Landis on a thread someone started to cheer him on.
:(

[Lenusik]

Lenusik,
it does seem odd that you continue to disparage Floyd Landis on a thread someone started to cheer him on.
:(
I said, do not jump on me. I do not diparage him as a rider, I just don't like his personality. But I have no problem stopping. I keep my opinion. That's all.

[tprevost]

well, I just think he's kinda cute... in a dorky kind of way. My respect for him, however, is HUGE, to continue giving one's best against those odds... I hate to say it, but I would have probably given up. I am SO cheering for him tomorrow!!!!!

Go Floyd GO!!!

T~

[slinkedog]

Seems like most of the guys in the peloton are kinda dorky looking, but who cares!! They are some of the strongest athletes on the planet!! :)

That being said, I think Oscar Pereiro is a total hottie. :D

[Kalidurga]

Well, his big butt is just one thing. I also think that he is unattractive, plus his squeeky voice. Ugh ... That Sastry guy is cute!

I don't want to offend Lenusik or anyone else, but I gotta say this:

It's not the Tour de Cute Guys. It's the Tour de France, one of the toughest bike races out there. I mean, heck, Rasmussen looks like a chicken, Boogerd has horse teeth, and if I weren't posting this while I'm supposed to be working I could think of a lot more examples. But they can all ride with a vengeance and that's the whole point of it. These guys, especially Floyd, should be admired for their talent, strength and guts, not their appearances. If they've got a personality quirk of some kind or happen to be cute, sure, that makes things more interesting, but it's just not what the race is about.

*Kali steps off her soapbox and pretends to get some work done*

[Deanna]

I loved how Floyd kept looking over his shoulder as he approached the finish line, like he kept expecting SOMEBODY to be there. Did he short out his headset with all the water he poured on himself?

[tprevost]

Seems like most of the guys in the peloton are kinda dorky looking, but who cares!! They are some of the strongest athletes on the planet!! :)

That being said, I think Oscar Pereiro is a total hottie. :D


I'm tellin' Blaine!!!!

Hee hee hee... couldn't resist!

Trac'

[maillotpois]

I loved how Floyd kept looking over his shoulder as he approached the finish line, like he kept expecting SOMEBODY to be there. Did he short out his headset with all the water he poured on himself?


Yeah - what was he thinking??? Maybe he was looking for his team car to say something to Lelangue as he came into the finish.

[Veronica]

Habit, maybe.

V.

[snapdragen]

well, I just think he's kinda cute... in a dorky kind of way. My respect for him, however, is HUGE, to continue giving one's best against those odds... I hate to say it, but I would have probably given up. I am SO cheering for him tomorrow!!!!!

Oh good, I'm not alone.....I kinda like his looks; a bit quirky, not pretty. Mind you, he's no Tom Boonen or Georgie H.....

[maillotpois]

Oh good, I'm not alone.....I kinda like his looks; a bit quirky, not pretty. Mind you, he's no Tom Boonen or Georgie H.....


... or Mario...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j285/maillotpois/cipo.jpg

[snapdragen]

Kali - this reminds me of an incident last year on "another board". A woman posted a "Who's the cutest guy in the peloton?" thread in the ProCycling forum. You have thought she announced she ate babies for breakfast. The men were howling. This from a board that also has a Podium Girls forum!

[tprevost]

Oh good, I'm not alone.....I kinda like his looks; a bit quirky, not pretty. Mind you, he's no Tom Boonen or Georgie H.....


Yup, see I knew I liked you Snap! There's some sort of boyish deviousness (is that a word?) in that face; especially when he smiles... just kinda cute :p I tend to like the guys that are a bit quirky... especially when they can ride a bike like Floyd can!!!

... but you're right, for 'classic' good looks, George and Tom are right 'up' there! :p

T~

Oh goodness, just saw Sarah's pic of Mario.... YUMMY!

[Lenusik]

[QUOTE=maillotpois]... or Mario...

[QUOTE]
Comon ladies, this is a women's board. Where is the problem in talking about looks? None of us will probably ride behind them to observe their rear end. so why no brag about them for a bit. I thought it would be fuuny. I wish I had more spear time at work. ;)

[slinkedog]

I'm tellin' Blaine!!!!

Hee hee hee... couldn't resist!

Trac'

Har har har!! :) I think he suspects already.

My favorite part of the whole World Cup thing was when they would trade jerseys at the end of the games. I would always be there during the last 2 minutes of regulation, going, "Okay, you can start trading jerseys now." OT's were a real bummer at times. :)

[vicvroom]

During an interview he did for "All Things Considered" on NPR yesterday he said that he shorted uot his earpiece aout halfway up the last hill, so he had no idea where anyone else was.

[Dogmama]

I sure wish they'd ummm, do something about the front view. Know what I mean??

Landis' descent yesterday was so graceful - like a beautiful ballet. I couldn't take my eyes off of the screen. He makes it look so easy!

Lenusik - I feel the same way about Lance as you feel about Landis so don't take offense. Every so often I make a disparaging comment and get jumped on. Keeps things lively!!

Bottom line - if I was on the side of the road, I know my TE sisters would stop and help! (especially if I had chocolate...)

[luv'nAustin]

It makes me sad to think that being good looking, or not, is even taken into consideration when one determines if they like a racer, or not.

He is an amazing athlete, and a sight to behold when he is racing his heart out, whether it is charging up a hill or flying down one. I couldn't care less what his face or his ears look like while I'm watching him on a bike.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy seeing good looking men too, but it really dosen't determine how I feel about them. I have friends that turn heads, others that look ordinary, and some that could be considered down-right ugly by most other people. Who cares? It really isn't what counts, especially for an athlete. It is their ability I admire and respect, not their looks...If I wanted to see good looking men I could just pick up an Esquire mag. I watch athletics to see talanted people...who cares what they look like...they can do amazing things!!!

Sorry, just couldn't help myself...I had to say something, after all this a discussion Forum.

[jeannierides]

What I saw in yesterday's race was Floyd's heart... he put it right out there on the finish line...

WoW! Mario is preeety...:p

[FreshNewbie]

While I completely agree that an athlete should be admired for being talented in what he/she does, athletes also have personalities and ways in which they carry themselves. So, I think that a lot of people who follow the tour will pick their favories and not so not only based on their performance but also how they see that person/athlete reacts to certain things, responds, talks, smiles, etc. So I don't think that we should eliminated the fact that admiring somebody as an athlete also means like him as a person and liking who they are outside of sports world. A lot of people don't like Lance because rumor goes that he is an errogant guy.

[KnottedYet]

I have to admit I have a beef about Lance. Dunno if he's arrogant or not. But I have a hard time with a guy who dumps his wife for Sheryl Crow (who looks exactly like Kristin Armstrong, but has more money and hasn't had 3 kids) and then dumps Sheryl Crow the week she finds out she has breast cancer.

Kinda gets up my nose a bit.

[Eden]

I have to admit I have a beef about Lance. Dunno if he's arrogant or not. But I have a hard time with a guy who dumps his wife for Sheryl Crow (who looks exactly like Kristin Armstrong, but has more money and hasn't had 3 kids) and then dumps Sheryl Crow the week she finds out she has breast cancer.

Kinda gets up my nose a bit.


I don't know what happended with Sheryl, but I've always heard the first divorce was Kirsten's idea. She didn't like that he was gone so much and I don't think that being married to a celebrity agreed with her. I can more than understand it. When they were married was before he made his comeback and subsequent rise to celebrity so I don't think she could have known what she was getting into.

[FreshNewbie]

From what i understood from an interview with Sharol she said that her and Lance wanted different things. He wanted family and get married and she thought that marriage might not be for her. Then again we never know

[chickwhorips]

you know living out in the bush i miss all the good gossip. i never know whats going on in the "real world". i'm so far behind.

[snapdragen]

SWOON


... or Mario...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j285/maillotpois/cipo.jpg

[Deanna]

I kind-of feel like I shouldn't be looking at that picture at work. I keep expecting to be reported to the HR department for inappropriate materials.

[snapdragen]

I have to admit I have a beef about Lance. Dunno if he's arrogant or not. But I have a hard time with a guy who dumps his wife for Sheryl Crow (who looks exactly like Kristin Armstrong, but has more money and hasn't had 3 kids) and then dumps Sheryl Crow the week she finds out she has breast cancer.

Kinda gets up my nose a bit.

Now, now knotted, calm down. I read an interview w/Sheryl C. She said LA wanted to come to Los Angeles to be with her when she found out about the cancer.

Yeah, LA is probably an arrogant so and so. I still like watching him ride, and appreciate what the LAF does.

I'd rather have a beer with Floyd. :D


Oooh - forgot to add: Kristen and Sheryl Crow both look like Lance's mom...........

[mimitabby]

I kind-of feel like I shouldn't be looking at that picture at work. I keep expecting to be reported to the HR department for inappropriate materials.
ME TOO! and what about those red shorts photos! I about died the first time THAT got forwarded to me AT WORK :eek:

[chickwhorips]

I kind-of feel like I shouldn't be looking at that picture at work. I keep expecting to be reported to the HR department for inappropriate materials.

makes two of us. good think i'm the only one here still, otherwise i may be in trouble!

[Deanna]

ME TOO! and what about those red shorts photos! I about died the first time THAT got forwarded to me AT WORK :eek:

I just about shut my computer down in a panic when that one popped up!

[KnottedYet]

Yeah, Snap, you hit the nail on the head!

Have a beer with Floyd, watch Lance ride, and be grateful for the LAF.

I'm all over that! (but I still have a beef with Lance, anytime he wants to he can have a little chat with me and tell me cyclist-to-commuter what he was thinkin')

FWIW, I think Floyd is cute in a goofy-elf kind of way. He's not bland-looking, that's for sure!:D

[latelatebloomer]

The whole tour, I've been cheering Floyd, raising my arms and screaming "Pennsylvania!!!!!!" Pennsylvanians do not tend to be glamorous but they're made of tough stuff. Back in the Revolutionary War, sometimes the British troops would just turn tail and run when they found out they were going to face Pennsylvania regiments - who may not have had uniforms or even shoes - but were VERY fierce fighters.

(The artist in me has to add a note about looks. Lighting is everything. Lance can look great, or he can look like the What, Me Worry? Kid, depending on the angle. Floyd looks quite fine on the cover of Outside.)

I really like that Floyd let himself have one bad hour after his terrible ride, and then got back in the game.

A cyclist I know told me about a girl she saw in Mennonite country near here - in a Mennonite dress, prayer veil (the net cap) - and bike gloves ( and I think shoes, too.) She was leaning against a wall in a tough-girl way, eating a sausage sandwich. The back wheel of her bike was covered to make it aero. Jeanette said she could tell by looking that the girl could have dropped her in a flash, and then the girl gave her a look that said the same thing. hmm, Floyd's cousin?

[KnottedYet]

I am housesitting again for the weekend, and got to see a little OLN. The guys were interviewing Floyd's coach, and he said Floyd used 70 bottles of water yesterday. Dang! They played a little footage from y'day, and I was loving it. wish I could've seen the whole thing.

[salsabike]

GO FLOYD GO!!!!! Great time trial!

[jobob]

Jens Voigt is at the top of my "guys from the peleton I'd like to have a beer with" list. He seems like a hoot.

What a great race ! It was a lot more exciting than anyone could have imagined.

[slinkedog]

Jens Voigt is at the top of my "guys from the peleton I'd like to have a beer with" list. He seems like a hoot.

What a great race ! It was a lot more exciting than anyone could have imagined.

Yeah, sure, Jo. We all know you're secretly in love with him. ;)

[Geonz]

Did you know "Anselm" means "divine helmet?"
I always figured he'd be a good patron for cyclists...

I may not have known what queefing was but I do know stupid trivia!

[RoadRaven]

Um... what can i say that doesn't echoe everyone else?

WOW
AWESOME
AMAZING
INSPIRING
GUT-WRENCHING


Go. Goofy-Elf Man... (LOL Knotted)

Go. Goofy-Elf Man... you're my hero!

[Geonz]

He's such a GEM!!!
(Goofy Elf Man)

[slinkedog]

Did you know "Anselm" means "divine helmet?"
I always figured he'd be a good patron for cyclists...

I may not have known what queefing was but I do know stupid trivia!

Heh! Pretty cool, Geonz!! :) Thanks for the info!

[caligurl]

He still looks like a Kid Rock - not too attractive, and his bottom is too big! :D

the point is... THIS is a PRO floyd thread... it's not cool to come in THIS thread and state your opinion if you don't like him... make your own floyd bashing thread....

sometimes you need to THINK before you post... and it has NOTHING to do with not wanting you to post your opinion... just THINK about WHERE you are doing it....

:rolleyes:

[caligurl]

I have to admit I have a beef about Lance. Dunno if he's arrogant or not. But I have a hard time with a guy who dumps his wife for Sheryl Crow (who looks exactly like Kristin Armstrong, but has more money and hasn't had 3 kids) and then dumps Sheryl Crow the week she finds out she has breast cancer.

Kinda gets up my nose a bit.

YIKES! completely WRONG facts here!

he didn't dump kristen for sheryl! as someone else said.... it was supposedly kristin's idea... and sheryl came along well after...

and he didn't know sheryl had cancer... they broke up... then she found out!

this is how bad rumours get started! :(

[caligurl]

Lenusik,
it does seem odd that you continue to disparage Floyd Landis on a thread someone started to cheer him on.
:(


http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/110.gif

ya.... i don't get it either????????????

[caligurl]

wasn't floyd just TOO cute on the podium yesterday? holding that lion... he just looked like he wanted to jump up and down like a little boy! TOO CUTE! lol!

[salsabike]

What I like about him, too, is that he just seems to be such a regular guy. I was really pleased to see him to do this. And his bottom looks pretty good to me...

[mimitabby]

He looks good all over to me too. We were watching him last night and my husband said, you know who he looks like? my nephew 20 years ago!
my response:
yeah, I told you, your whole family looks like elf-boys!

[miffy'sFuji]

GMA interviewed Floyd this morning. Robin Roberts asked what Floyd's family said about his win. Floyd tried to call them twice, but hadn't been able to reach them. I liked then, when Roberts asked Floyd what he'd like to say to them, Floyd responded, "I love you. You are great parents..." (Not, "Hi mom and dad! Look what I did!...")

I am a fan of Floyd too. :)

[mimitabby]

I think i read that they don't have a phone they have to ride their bikes to get to a phone...

[bcipam]

I've always liked Floyd and have followed his career. It's interesting on my ride yesterday my friend and I were arguing over how arrogant my friend felt Lance is and how humble he thought Floyd is and I reminded him that without a great belief in one's ability to win, to be better than the rest, there is no greatness. I think someone like Lance (whom I greatly admire) and Floyd are alittle arrogant but in a way necssary to be successful. They know they're special and act on it - we call that arrogance - but whatever it truly is it also makes them winners.

So glad Floyd was able to come out of Lance's shadow and show the world he had heart as great or even greater. His performance during Stage 17 was awe inspiring - I cried when he finished because I believed I witnessed an incredible, probably once in a life time feat.

Floyd is a worthy champion. I wish him well on his hip surgery and hope he comes back next year to defend his title. Love the fact an American made this Tour once again, fun to watch!

Also kudows to Robby McEwen, Cunego and Rasmussen for their victories.

[limewave]

A "belief in oneself" is a necessary tool for success, especially at that level.
Lance does seem to come off as arrogant at times. But, I think its because he has been constantly attacked in the media and he has had to defend himself so much. He's had to be a rock.

[snapdragen]

Whoa Cali, who lit the string on your tampon? No need to get riled up and attack. Some like Floyd, some don't - it's OK to discuss both in the same thread.


the point is... THIS is a PRO floyd thread... it's not cool to come in THIS thread and state your opinion if you don't like him... make your own floyd bashing thread....

sometimes you need to THINK before you post... and it has NOTHING to do with not wanting you to post your opinion... just THINK about WHERE you are doing it....

:rolleyes:

[caligurl]

Whoa Cali, who lit the string on your tampon? No need to get riled up and attack. Some like Floyd, some don't - it's OK to discuss both in the same thread.

hmmmmm funnny... but there are a couple other posts in here saying this ISN'T the place to bash floyd... and you didn't say squat to them.... and i find YOUR comment highly offensive.. (the tampon reference) especially as a moderator....

[mimitabby]

Whoa Cali, who lit the string on your tampon? No need to get riled up and attack. Some like Floyd, some don't - it's OK to discuss both in the same thread.

that wasn't the point. this thread is called Go Floyd Go and one person had to come back and say something negative every time someone else said something positive.
I too thought she needed to pay attention to what and where she was saying it. Imagine if we'd been at a GO FLOYD GO party ... I am sure everyone would agree that her kind of comments; which i thought were actually mean spirited.. would NOT have been considered appropriate.

[latelatebloomer]

Actually, Floyd had the smallest butt in Pennsylvania. Got tired of being stared at and being asked all the time to stand on the hood of the firetruck for parades, so he moved to CA.

Been thinking of changing my posting name to "Floyd's Fat Aunt Lynda." Nah, I'll save it for when I need a snappy comeback to someone on the road.

We don't have a tv and I really wanted to see what a time trial looked like - esp. THIS one - so Sat night we went to the local bar and actually convinced the bartender to turn off the ballgame and put on the Tour. I still can't believe we got away with that one.

In the local paper on Sunday, there was a nice story from a reporter who watched the Sat. stage with the Landis family (at a friend's house - no tv at their house, either) and Floyd's dad wept twice. Once when an announcer described Floyd's dad calling his cycling "pointless" and again when Floyd won.:o

[mimitabby]

latelatebloomer, which newspaper was that? I would love to track down the article. i have been fascinated with this guy since i first saw his name on the lineup and every article i read made me want him to win even more.
He's a real human being; proof that people can be great. A hero for every poor kid, you know?

[RoadRaven]

He still looks like a Kid Rock - not too attractive, and his bottom is too big!

the point is... THIS is a PRO floyd thread... it's not cool to come in THIS thread and state your opinion if you don't like him... make your own floyd bashing thread....
sometimes you need to THINK before you post... and it has NOTHING to do with not wanting you to post your opinion... just THINK about WHERE you are doing it....
:rolleyes:

So... do Knotted and I get told off too for calling him goofy and elf-like?

[mimitabby]

what's wrong with looking goofy and elf-like? You haven't met my husband!
:D

[caligurl]

road raven... you need to fix your quote.. "I" never said he looked like kid rock... "I" was quoting what lenusik said...

[RoadRaven]

latelatebloomer, which newspaper was that? I would love to track down the article. i have been fascinated with this guy since i first saw his name on the lineup and every article i read made me want him to win even more.
He's a real human being; proof that people can be great. A hero for every poor kid, you know?

seconding Mimi...
I'd be interested in the article too...


I'm with you LateLate... a hero for all of us :)

[RoadRaven]

road raven... you need to fix your quote.. "I" never said he looked like kid rock... "I" was quoting what lenusik said...

Fixing now... sorry!

[caligurl]

thank you!

[luv'nAustin]

I'm so proud of Floyd and very happy that he won the tour. He has a beautiful spirit and the kind of determination that I only dream of having for myself. I hope his hip replacement is a success and that I will get to see him race again next year!

[tprevost]

Um... what can i say that doesn't echoe everyone else?

WOW
AWESOME
AMAZING
INSPIRING
GUT-WRENCHING


Go. Goofy-Elf Man... (LOL Knotted)

Go. Goofy-Elf Man... you're my hero!

So... do Knotted and I get told off too for calling him goofy and elf-like?

Road Raven,

I don't see your post as negative. I guess the point is that yes, everyone has thier own opinions and obviously are entitled to them. HOWEVER, I just don't see the point of coming into what is a generally positive thread about someone and making only negative statements. If you had something that you really liked and were proud of and someone came along and said your "thing" was ugly and stupid and they didn't know why you would even want something like that.... how does that sound? a little mean spirited? Maybe what you had wasn't what they'd choose, but one could choose to say "Great", not my thing but I'm so glad you are happy with it... rather than bashing it.

sorry, I guess I just needed to add my .02

Trac'

[snapdragen]

This is the last I will say on the subject.

Some of us took offense from a different thread where Lenusik voiced her opinion. I believe those feelings are being used to attack her in this thread. Yes, there were others calling her on it; there was no need for Cali to attack way after the fact.

Yes, I'm a moderator. I'm also a human being, and a participant on this board. This is the way I talk. I'm sorry if you cannot accept that.

[RoadRaven]

OK... for the record... I think Floyd is kind've cute... thanks to Knotted his own acronym (well for me and Knotted anyway) is GEM...

I was just responding to the criticism of Lenusik, thinking it was a bit long and harsh, and trying to make my response in as light a way as possible...

I did consider a PM but thought that Lenusik needed some public support - I wondered if it was a carry on from the ribbing given in another thread - which is not at all what this forum is about.

So, for the record

I think Floyd is awesome

I do not believe you have to be stunning to look at to be awesome - there is no ONE shape/look to be a cyclist at any level

I value Cali on this forum for wise and supportive comments - as I value the way this forum operates...

I didn't mean to offend or upset anyone

I stand be what I said a page or two back

"Go Goofy Elf Man - you're my hero!"

[Eden]

For the record - sheesh some of you take something in your teeth and shake and just won't let go! - I made the elf comment about the KIT not the man.
I stand by my comment that the Phonak kit is the worst in colors / design and wouldn't look good on anyone. IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH FLOYD PERSONALLY so let it go already.

[tprevost]

For the record - sheesh some of you take something in your teeth and shake and just won't let go! - I made the elf comment about the KIT not the man.
I stand by my comment that the Phonak kit is the worst in colors / design and wouldn't look good on anyone. IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH FLOYD PERSONALLY so let it go already.


I don't think anyone took any issue with that comment at all... certainly not what I was referring to...

[Lenusik]

Some of us took offense from a different thread where Lenusik voiced her opinion. I believe those feelings are being used to attack her in this thread. Yes, there were others calling her on it; there was no need for Cali to attack way after the fact.
Yes, I'm a moderator. I'm also a human being, and a participant on this board. This is the way I talk. I'm sorry if you cannot accept that.
Snapdragen,
I appreciate this comment. I really quit taking these attacks seriously any more because some people cannot see pass thier own insecurities. I actually said in my comments that I respect Floyd for doing what he did, he is a great rider, ect. But I think that I can express my personal taste. I don't like the way he looks, so what?! But for some people it sounds like I said something bad about their dearest relative. What am I supposed to do, lose my sleep because of that? I don't think so. The fact is the same, Floyd had a great tour but still would not consider him to be attarctive because of that.
Again, thanks for the support.

[mimitabby]

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - Floyd Landis may have been standing atop a podium in Paris on Sunday, but many family members and friends were cheering in Farmersville.

The crossroads village in eastern Lancaster County was Landis country over the weekend — beginning with his taking the lead in the Tour de France bicycle race late Saturday and ending with a party Sunday night after Landis was declared the winner of the epic 2,272-mile race.

Family, friends and well-wishers converged on the town to sign posters, decorate the curbs with chalk and eat Arlene Landis’ cake amid the green and yellow balloons of Floyd Landis Phonak team colors and the glare of television cameras.

Visitors — many of them arriving on bicycles — just started showing up, said Tammy Martin, a friend and neighbor of the Landises and a long-time supporter of Floyd’s racing career.

She had invited 15 to 20 people to her home, where east, west, north and south Farmersville roads meet. On Sunday night, there were about 150 people there.

“I have no idea who most of these people are in my yard, but I don’t care. I love a good party,” Martin said.

Landis, the 31-year-old Conestoga Valley High graduate who has claimed headlines on the world’s sports pages for days, roared into Paris Sunday to receive the accolades of bicycling fans as the newest holder of the Tour de France crown.

His win capped a dizzying run. After a stunning come-from-behind show of determination and skill on Thursday, Landis pedaled to victory in the world’s most prestigious bike race.

Floyd Landis’ parents, Paul and Arlene, had come to the Martin home Sunday night to watch a rebroadcast of the final stage of the 23-day tour. The Landises do not own a television.

Instead, Arlene barely made it inside. Paul stood near the edge of the party crowd, greeting people as they arrived.

The couple did not watch their son take the overall victory on Sunday morning. Instead, they rode their bicycles to church.

At least one newspaper reporter and a television truck followed them there.

Arlene said the exposure they have received in recent days has been overwhelming. People who have recognized them have been walking up and talking to them. Strangers have been coming to their door just to congratulate them.

“People know us by name, and we don’t even know who they are ... so, life is getting pretty exciting,” Arlene Landis said.

Capping that may be a meeting with President George W. Bush. A French reporter told them Sunday she had learned that Floyd and his family had been invited to the White House.

“I don’t know why the president would take the time to do that, but I would be thrilled,” said Arlene, a supporter of Bush.

When that trip could occur depends on when Floyd returns to the United States.

The Landises don’t know when they will see their son and they haven’t even spoken to him in the recent rush of events. He called both Saturday and Sunday evenings and left messages. They were at Martin’s house watching the Tour at those times.

Also waiting for Floyd’s return — and word from Ephrata officials — are plans for a parade in Landis’ honor.

Mike Doupe, event director for local bicycling race promoter RedRoseRaces.com, is hoping to organize a parade of bicycle riders from Farmersville to Ephrata. Floyd Landis could then address the crowd, Doupe said this morning.

Doupe said he does not know when or if that could occur, but he’d like it to happen soon. He hopes Landis will return to the United States next week — and he also hopes the new Tour de Paris champion will stop on the East Coast to appear on television programs before returning to his current home in Murietta, Calif.

“Ideally, Lancaster would have the ‘Today’ show hosted from Farmerville,” Doupe said.
Cyclingnews.com, an Australian-based Internet cycling journal, reported that Landis would compete in two short criterium bicycle races in Europe this week. The criteriums, where he will likely not try to win, are done as a promotion for the Tour de France.

He is also scheduled to race near Chicago next month, although there was some speculation that he may skip that race to hasten his hip replacement surgery.

Landis disclosed earlier this month that he has a degenerative bone condition in his right hip stemming from a hip fracture he suffered in a training ride crash in 2003. He plans to have an artificial hip inserted soon, so he can begin training.

Landis told the press in France that he plans to defend the race leader’s yellow jersey at next year’s Tour de France.

In Martin’s backyard, people gathered from the chapters of Floyd Landis’ early life.

Eric Gebhard, a friend of Floyd’s since childhood, recalled how they first started riding bicycles. The mountain bikes were a two-wheeled means of escape at first — down to the Conestoga River where they played with matches, shot at squirrels and occasionally fished — and then as a type of challenge.

Gebhard said there was a steep dirt path on a hill above town that they tried again and again to ride. And there was the road circuit around the town. Each week, they would record their time and try to ride faster than the week before.

Later, after Gebhard and Landis won local mountain bike races, the pair traveled the western states, competing in races by day, sleeping in the back of Gebhard’s truck at night and eating with money from their winnings.

“It’s just nuts when you think about how far we’ve come,” Gebhard said.

Mike Farrington, the owner of Green Mountain Cyclery, the Ephrata bike shop where teenagers Gebhard and Landis used to hang out, spoke of Landis’ stunning comeback on Thursday. The race — in which Landis surged up four Alpine mountains from eight minutes back to again be in contention from the overall victory — is already being called the stuff of cycling legend.

In trying to explain the feat to a customer on Thursday, Farrington put it in terms of NASCAR.

“What Floyd did today was like coming back from four laps down in the last 20 laps to win,” Farrington said he told the man.

“That’s impossible,” Farrington said the man replied.

“Yes, but Floyd did it,” said Farrington.

After overheating in the Alps the day before, Landis took 70 water bottles from his accompanying team car during that climb. Many of those he poured on his head to cool himself.

Even with the mountain climbs — at grades of as much as 26 percent — Landis averaged 25.34 mph over the 89 hours of racing in the Tour.

“He’s just amazing. His will and his determination to follow his goals is an inspiration to everyone,” said Dan Garrett, who is now a magisterial district justice in Warwick. He had been Landis’ economics teacher at Conestoga Valley High School.

Garrett, whom Landis has called his favorite teacher, recalled again the high school senior who projected that he would be earning $100,000-a-year within five years.

It’s not the money that is important, Garrett emphasized, but Landis’ conviction at 17 that he would be a world-class cyclist.

Paul Landis, Floyd’s father, took Sunday as an opportunity to shift attention away from his son to another hero.

He posted an invitation and directions on the door of his home Sunday to his church, Martindale Mennonite.

He hoped some of the people following his son would become interested in his upbringing and be led to follow Jesus Christ.

“If they are brought though Floyd, that is an extra special blessing ... and I think it’s already happened, because we’ve already gotten some very good response,” said Paul Landis.

Paul said one man told him Saturday that he should be in Paris to watch Floyd stand atop the podium. But the father believes he and Arlene were where they belonged — in Farmerville.

“We could have gone, but we would have missed all this.’’

[miffy'sFuji]

Thanks!

[mimitabby]

Docs: He can ride again
By Cindy Stauffer
Lancaster New Era

Published: Jul 24, 2006 1:54 PM EST

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - Is it even possible?

Can an elite athlete recover from a painful and debilitating injury?

Can Floyd Landis return to France next year after major surgery to scream up and down the Alps, chase down other cyclists in time trials and once more vie for the podium in the Tour de France cycling race?

Here’s a little hint: Hope he likes the color yellow.

Landis, a Conestoga Valley High School graduate from Farmersville, won this year’s race even though he was competing with a badly deteriorated right hip, which he broke in a 2003 fall from his bike.

During the race, the 30-year-old cyclist revealed the joint was in such poor shape that he would have to undergo hip replacement surgery, likely sometime this fall.

Landis has several factors in his favor as he looks ahead to future races, local orthopedic surgeons said today.

Normally, surgeons counsel hip replacement patients to avoid contact sports and activities such as competitive tennis after surgery.

Golf is OK. Walking is, too.

Turns out, so is biking, because it involves a repetitive motion, but not pounding or twisting moves like ones used in baseball or basketball.

Translation: He won’t suffer the same fate as Bo Jackson, a professional football and baseball player who never fully recovered after hip replacement surgery.

“He’s picked the right sport for joint replacement,” said Dr. Gerald Rothacker of Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster.

Landis has another major advantage as he heads toward surgery: he’s a freak of conditioning, so well-muscled and oxygenated that his power, measured by sensors mounted to his pedal cranks or wheel hubs, actually increased in the past year even with his injury, according to a recent story in the New York Times.

“He’s a world-class athlete,” said Dr. Thomas Westphal of The Westphal Group. “He’ll probably be on the road within four to six weeks (of surgery).”

Also consider this: it’s Floyd Landis we’re talking about here, the man who can barely walk due to his injury, who competed in constant pain, who even developed a strange, hunched position on his bike, nicknamed the “praying Landis,” to get the maximum bang out of his failing hip.

“His job is biking and he’s dedicated to that,” said Dr. Mark Perezous of the Lancaster Orthopedic Group. “I would have trouble ruling him out. Seeing his hip (in published X-rays), it’s amazing what he did.”

After his victory Sunday, Landis said he will do “whatever it takes” to return to the Tour next year.

“I’m a bit more relaxed (about the surgery) now with this victory,” he told Cycling News after the race. “It would have been much worse if I hadn’t won the Tour because of an accident or whatever. I certainly know that I’ll fight as long as it takes to come back next year, or the following year. Whatever it takes, I will do it to be here again, because it’s a dream to me.”

After falling from his bike while training in 2003, Landis developed a condition called osteonecrosis. Basically, that means that the hip joint starts to collapse as a result of the loss of blood supply to the bone, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

It’s a painful condition.

Perezous said patients describe the sensation as “catching, grinding or burning. It can be pretty severe.”

Landis initially had pins put in his hip and then had holes drilled into the bone, to replenish the blood supply. Hip replacement is the treatment of choice for the late stages of the condition, which Landis has developed.

Landis recently has said he’s “shopping” for a new hip. And he has several choices when it comes to hip replacement hardware, including the standard stainless steel ball/plastic cup. Other options include a ceramic ball/plastic cup, as well as all-ceramic or all-steel replacements.

Because of his activity level, whatever he chooses could last anywhere from three to 25 years, the surgeons said.

Both Westphal and Rothacker said they would do the minimally invasive type of hip replacement surgery on Landis.

“The hardest part would be that this man is so well-muscled that you would have to be getting into his hip joint and pulling all his well-developed muscles out of the way,” Rothacker said.

After the surgery, which generally lasts about two hours, Landis likely will stay in the hospital two to three days. He will get on his feet the day after surgery, using crutches at first, and could be walking on his own two to six weeks later.

He could get on an exercise bike as quickly as two weeks and be out on the road on a bike within four to six weeks, they said.

Perezous said Landis will have to work hard to get ready for next year’s Tour, something he’s shown an incredible willingness to do this year.

And working without the pain that has been his constant companion will make life that much easier for him.

“He’s shown phenomenal grit this year,” Westphal said. “He will come back and, barring some unforeseen circumstance, he could come back and win.”

Said Rothacker: “He’s not the average person. He is an elite athlete and they can do things the average person can’t do.”

[mimitabby]

http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/24282

you can even see a photo of his parents

[Bike Goddess]

Thanks for the picture! Now if we could only persuade Floyd's parents to wear helmets. :( :( :( :( :(

[latelatebloomer]

The article I was talking about was in The Morning Call (www.mcall.com) and is titled "Their Son: Cycling Hero" I will leave it to someone with a more agile computer to post - thanks for those other articles. One of the photos is of Floyd turning to point behind him with his handsome, genuine smile. Can we get that up, pleeze? We could turn it into a kind of "Uncle Sam Wants You" poster, 'cept that Floyd wants you - on yer bike!

mimi, if you can't get the article online, pm me and I'll send you the whole thing snail mail. You can paste it in your diary.;)

And now we get to take all this glorious momentum on our own bikes. I had a lovely 40-miler with my hubby on Sat. My legs just kept turning and turning, and my big PA butt was very, very strong.

[chickwhorips]

We don't have a tv and I really wanted to see what a time trial looked like - esp. THIS one - so Sat night we went to the local bar and actually convinced the bartender to turn off the ballgame and put on the Tour. I still can't believe we got away with that one.

i'm still impressed that you got the bartender to change the channel. i've tried to get them to change sometimes and.... NOPE! its like pulling teeth.

i'm just glad to hear nothing happened to his hip. i must admit i kinda cringed when i would see him stand up and sprint. my bf has a bad leg (broke his femur in an accident and has a rod in it) and i know that buggs him when he stands up.

keeping my fingers crossed the replacment goes well!!

[Lise]

"In the glare of the media spotlight, Landis has exhibited Mennonite values of hard work, determination and modesty." --from the LancasterOnline article.

Thanks to all of you who've posted stories about Floyd. I've never known too much about the world of bicycle racing, and you've opened it up to me! Floyd is my hero now. All day I would think, "He won the Tour de France with a dead hip." Wow. I know we'll have a Floyd-watch here when he goes for his surgery! :D

[ChainsOflove]

Alright you guys, I have to tell somebody this.

On the Thurs nite before the tour I was driving home from work and NPR announced about Ulrich and Ivan B. getting thrown out, and at first, I SHREIKED in horror, NO! NO! IT CAN"T BE!!! NOT my IVAN!!!

Then when I calmed down I said to myself one word: "FLOYD".


I shoulda entered the contest. Of course no one will believe me, but I really did call this one!:p

[chickwhorips]

http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/24282

you can even see a photo of his parents

his parents are so cute in that pic! he looks like his dad.

[KnottedYet]

Hee hee, I thought he looked like his mom! The chin and mouth, especially. OLN showed pics of him as a kid, and boy you knew right away it was him because of the chin and the ears!

I have one ear like Floyd's (the left) does that mean I could be a good rider? SKnot has two ears like that.... and he just learned to ride.

I am so interested (aka worried) about how the hip replacement goes. We see so many total hips, some are great, some just so-so. I'm betting he gets the best surgeon and the best hip hardware. A plastic cup would probably not last long with him. I'd love to know what hardware they are looking at. All titanium? All ceramic? Dunno if stainless would hold up to the huge amount of friction he'll be generating. Friction issues will be more important than weighbearing as far as the engineering is concerned. Plastic would soooooo suck!

If anyone finds an article about what hardware he's planning, please post it to me! Thanks!

[DirtDiva]

Surely an elite cyclist would want titanium..? :p

[ACG]

You ladies are all so entertaining! And thanks for the great information.

I am hoping Floyd's surgery goes well, I'd love to see him in 2007 Tour. At work I told everyone FROM THE BEGINNING that Floyd was the one! Now I'm viewed as a sports expert! I am also glad he won in that it keeps Americans interested in cycling, a sport that doesn't get enough attention here.

[mimitabby]

In one of the articles that someone else posted here last week he was discussing his hip replacement and he was talking about titanium, yes. But then in another article that i found yesterday some expert was talking about the choices and he never DID say Titanium.

m

[Triskeliongirl]

I read him quoted as saying it would be titanium. Also, he is working with surgeons to do a procedure that at least considers his after surgery cycling goals. One issue is not just the hip replacement, but the long term consequences of cutting through muscle, but depending how they do the incision they may be able to minimize the post-surgical muscle weakening. My husband, after having his own hip surgery, predicts he won't be able to come back, but I think if he could win the tour on a bum hip, who know how he'll do with a good one, albeit artificial. He'll be the first bionic cyclist!

[aka_kim]

My roommate has had both hips replaced, and he doesn't think Floyd can come back either. But I think that's more his cycling-ignorant orthopedist talking, who warned him against ever riding again. :(

Personally, I think Floyd will come back better than ever since he'll be pain free.

[mimitabby]

My roommate has had both hips replaced, and he doesn't think Floyd can come back either. But I think that's more his cycling-ignorant orthopedist talking, who warned him against ever riding again. :(

Personally, I think Floyd will come back better than ever since he'll be pain free.
You mean his hip will be pain free. what about all those lovely muscles they have to push/stretch/cut through?!?!

[chickwhorips]

i think floyd will come through easily with his attitude (aka stubborn). i believe its all about what you think of things.

my dad (very stubborn) had his hip replaced and he was up the same day walking around. bf (even more stubborn) broke his femur in 3 places. dr told him he may not walk again, or if he did it would be years. he's completed and won tris after the accident. though he did start cycling again before he could really walk and that wasn't long after he got discharged from the hospital.

[mimitabby]

wow, Chickwhorips,
That is VERY cool!

[Dogmama]

In one of the articles that someone else posted here last week he was discussing his hip replacement and he was talking about titanium, yes. But then in another article that i found yesterday some expert was talking about the choices and he never DID say Titanium.
m

I'll be it is titanium. My neck fusion is titanium. My bike is steel. Hmmm....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

He should get a lugged steel hip joint.

[Dogmama]

With Campy bits?

[Denise223]

I believe that Floyd will be just fine with his upcoming hip replacement operation, and that we will be seeing him again next year. It's quite clear that his will is extremely strong!

FYI -- Floyd will be on Leno this Friday night (7/28) :D ! Just wanted to be sure that everyone knows.

Have a great day.

Denise