Viagra on the doping list?

Will the chaperones have to check for Viagra soon?

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is currently examining whether or not the potency pill Viagra has a performance-enhancing effect in sports. The medication, which was initially developed for special heart diseases and is now mainly used to alleviate erection problems, could then be included in the list of forbidden substances.
"There have been statements to suggest that [Viagra] is performance-enhancing," said WADA president John Fahey to the press after a Foundation Board meeting on November 23. "That is being evaluated. Before any decision to put it on the prohibited list, there has to be a rigorous examination that allows the Committee to make a recommendation. No decision has been made."
The WADA president added that there was "no likelihood that there will be either a positive or a negative decision when examination is ultimately concluded."
The result of the study is expected in February 2009. The drug could be banned from use in high-level sports in September 2009.

Riders using Viagra for altitude?
By Laura Weislo
The story of Gerolsteiner rider Andrea Moletta's father being detained by the Italian anti-doping police in a car with a large amount of Viagra might have simply been the source of many dirty jokes had it not led to his son's withdrawal from the Giro d'Italia.
Natalino Moletta was stopped by the Italian Guardia Finanza as one of three passengers in a vehicle travelling from Padua to the Giro d'Italia which reportedly contained 82 packages of Viagra, along with a disposable syringe hidden in a tube of toothpaste and a refrigerator with other unidentified products. The search was reportedly part of a wider investigation into doping at gyms in Padua, but reports also indicated the car, and thus the products on board, were headed to the Giro d'Italia. However, there is no indication that the police action was aimed at the Gerolsteiner team.
"It was a targeted police action," Gerolsteiner director Christian Henn told dpa. He said Andrea Moletta could not explain why his father was caught up in the incident, and agreed to leave the Giro. "If they were looking at Moletta, why wasn't there immediately a raid in our hotel? So far everything has been quiet," Henn said.
Doping is rife in fitness clubs worldwide, and Viagra is a widely used as a recreational drug, so it is possible that the products in question have nothing to do with cycling. Still, the Gerolsteiner team deemed it serious enough to remove the rider from the race. Do we have yet another Willy Voet on our hands? Was the car bringing drugs to riders in the Giro? And if so, why Viagra?
Viagra, or sildenafil, is normally used to treat erectile dysfunction, but a 2006 study published by the Journal of Applied Physiology (JoAP) and reported in Science Daily claimed that the drug can significantly enhance performance at altitude in some cyclists. At the moment, the 'little blue pill' is not on World Anti-doping Agency's prohibited substances list.
WADA's spokesman Frédéric Donzé confirmed that Viagra is not banned in competition, but said that the agency is looking into the matter. "WADA is aware of the high altitude study presented in Science Daily. WADA monitors this substance, as it does with many other substances, and is currently funding a research project on the performance-enhancing potential of Sildenafil at various altitudes."
But is Viagra a performance enhancing drug outside of the bedroom? The JoAP study tested ten trained cyclists at sea level and in an altitude chamber simulating 12,700 feet (3870 m) above sea level (or about 1,200 metres above the Giro d'Italia's Cima Coppi). The results were remarkable: while no benefit was gained at sea level, the Viagra group improved its performance over a six kilometre time trial at altitude by 15% over the group given a placebo.
However, the average numbers were deceiving, because the Viagra group was split into "responders" and "non-responders". Four of the subjects had shown a more marked decrease in performance at altitude than the others with placebo, and when they took Viagra, the difference went away.
Another study from a group in Belgium from 2007 tested the drug on "healthy subjects" before and after acclimatization to altitude (5,000m) and saw the performance benefit of Viagra vanish once the subjects were adapted to the low oxygen environment.
The impact of altitude on exercise capacity varies widely from person to person, depending on physiology and acclimatization. Some adapt quickly at high altitude, while others can have severe reactions such as mountain sickness or pulmonary edema - which typically show up above 2,400m.
Whether or not the drug can give a benefit to riders at altitudes below this level remains to be seen. With Monday's mountain time trial from San Vigilio di Marebbe to Plan de Corones heading from 1,200 up to 2,273 metres above sea level, will we see riders popping Viagra to get up for the race? If they do - and if the drug is not banned by WADA, and only the riders who have the unfortunate physiology to have their blood vessels seize up in hypoxic conditions can get a benefit - is it doping?

US Forest Service Aknowledges bicycling as non-motorized activity

See the link or read the article - good step forward. Thomas, any comments???

For Immediate Release 11-11-08 Contact: Mark Eller, IMBA Communications Directormarkeller@imba.com303-545-9011
The U.S. Forest Service is taking important steps to differentiate mountain biking from motorized use. Fresh revisions to administrative directives include important new language clarifying bicycling as a non-motorized activity. This comes on the heels of a landmark internal memo on the same topic, announced at the IMBA World Summit in June.
With more than 130,000 miles of trails, the Forest Service provides some of the best riding on both coasts, and nearly everywhere in between. "Mountain biking is incredibly popular in national forests and we believe it's appropriate to clarify the distinction between mountain biking and motorized use. Better policies will foster improved partnerships and riding experiences," says IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel.
For several years, IMBA has asked the Forest Service to further document its mountain biking policies. While most national forests understand bicycling is a quiet, non-motorized activity, a few have implemented rules rendering bicycles akin to motorized travel. IMBA believes the new revisions to the Forest Service Handbook and Manual-the primary basis for control and management of agency programs-represent an important step in standardizing mountain biking management at the field level.
"We're extremely pleased the Forest Service is taking these steps to formally recognize bicycling as low-impact and human-powered. Embedding this information in their employee handbooks will promote better understanding and practices in all 175 national forests and grasslands," says Van Abel.
Trail Construction Standards Also Improved
Updated construction standards will assist Forest Service staff when building new routes and determining appropriate uses on existing trails. Notably, bicycling joins hiking as a potentially suitable use on all trail classes, from the most primitive of designated routes to more developed paths. While decisions regarding bicycle access remain at the local level, this national change is further recognition that the environmental impacts of bicycling are similar to hiking and less than other uses.
Scott Linnenburger, IMBA's director of field programs, says the revised directives also provide valuable information for national forests faced with difficult trail maintenance decisions. "It's a positive step forward in actively, responsibly managing recreation on the 193 million acres of Forest Service land," says Linnenburger.
IMBA and the Forest Service have been formal partners since 1994, and have renewed their third consecutive memorandum of understanding through 2010. Mountain bikers are an important volunteer constituency on many national forests and the volunteer National Mountain Bike Patrol works to inform, assist, and educate mountain bikers and other trail users on Forest Service lands across the country.
For more information, including a copy of the interim final directives, please visit the Forest Service website. The deadline for public comments is Dec. 16.

CRACKED!

Sampson Frame Cracked! Looking at the Raliegh 2009 Team frameset, sold as a frameset only, includes:-ACE Evolution Direct Connect Carbon Frame-Easton EC90 Fork-FSA Headset-Alloy Seatclamp-Easton EC90 Seatpost - built with SRAm Red and Cosmic Carbone wheels it weighs just over 13 lbs. I will however be using Campy, because there is no substitute! But no dinero for a while so left sucking right now!

Fountain of youth

A while back we went to Maine for a death in the family, while there we had a chance to go for a nice hike in Gulf Hagas. Stopped by this brook that Mary's dad and I fished earlier in the spring for a dip. I can put up with cold water but this damn thing was so cold it made my balls ache. We were jumping from a rock about 12 feet above the pool and that confused Hunter so much so that he came down to a rocky point and started swimming UP the brook to see what was going on. Oh yah Frank Schlek was a customer of Eufemiano Fuentes. Peace out!

Got a bad case of masterbaters elbows.

I cant stand anything with two wheels at the moment. Today I had both elbows injected with steroids to get rid of this focking tendonitis. I have tendonitis in both elbows probably from too much masterbating and not enough riding. That sheet focking hurt man.

Thomas

Rocky Mountain Special Edition Slayer

Pics of the Rocky Mountain!

SRAM x.0 Derailer & Cassette and shifters, XTR Cranks and Front Derailer, Avid Juicy Carbon, FOX RC2 Fork and RPs rear shock with Pro-pedal, and Carbon FSA Bars!

Also Chris King Head Set and Hubs! Rides well and only 7 oz heavier than the Specialized!

Not bad for 3 more inches of travel front and back!

My new Rocky Mountain Bike!

Here is the link to my new Rocky Mountain Slayer. I pick it up Monday. The only difference is that it is a Special Edition (1 of 6) frame that Mark got on special order. Lighter than the stock SXC 90s and in black similar to the picture below.

Tommasini - San Diego

Since Chad is building up an older Tomassini frame, I thought I would pimp the modern product line as well...

tommasini

Deadly Crash in Mexico - Coked up American at the wheel

Deadly bike crash in Mexico June 2, 2008

As a cyclicst, one thing I’ve never worried about is a coked up motorist who wants to run me over. After seeing this set of photos, however, I might have to reconsider.
Jesse Campos, a 29 year old American, was arrested after hitting the cyclists, who were competing in the third annual Matamoros-Bagdad Cycling Tour in Matamoros Mexico on Sunday. One American rider was killed in the incident, while five others (including a 14-year-old) remain in a critical condition in hospital.

Check out these pics!

Boonen the Bad Boy! - very bad boy!!!

Boonen caught with cocaine?


Belgian super star sprinter, Tom Boonen has allegedly been caught in an out of competition test for cocaine, according to Belgian newspaper HLN.be. The out of competition test allegedly occurred three days before start of the Tour of Belgium, where Boonen won the final stage.
The Belgian paper also reported that the homes of Boonen's parents and girlfriend in Postel and Lore respectively were searched last night. The non-negative test has also not yet been confirmed by the UCI. Boonen's Quick Step team was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.
This is not the first time that Boonen has been linked to the drug. Last December, his good friend and cyclo-cross star, Tom Vanoppen was caught by the Flemish doping controllers with cocaine. During questioning Vanoppen allegedly named Boonen as his dealer, a claim Boonen later denied. Following the claim, Boonen's parent's house was searched.
Boonen's brush with the law does not stop there however. Just last week, he lost his drivers license for the second time in six weeks. On Tuesday night he was pulled over by the police travelling at 180-km/h in a 90km/h zone on the Mol ring road. He had a blood alcohol reading of 1.0.
Six weeks earlier he lost his license for 14 days for travelling 120km/h in a 70km/h zone. In 2006 Boonen was the face of the Belgian roads and traffic Authority, promoting safe driving.

Excellent Link for Cycling Deals

I got this from a buddy who used to work at Bicycle Village... The concept here is you get EP Proces, but only on 1 product at a time until it sells out, then a different product is opted up. Check it out: http://www.chainlove.com

Looks like a good way to check out some good stuff...

SAMPSON Deal and new Road Groups!

I know most of you don't care, but Eric Sampson has come out with his own road group and has received significant praise for his group. He also has a full Tintanium Silverton Frame with Carbon Fork on sale for just over a grand. Includes the Ride Dampening SAS system.

Worth a look. Here is also a link to review of his SAS system!

need tools

I finally got my new sweet blue Industry Nine hubs laced to some mavic 823's and I want to put them on. What tools do I need to get the job done? I need to transfer the cassette over and the brake rotor..brake rotor, I can handle. But would like some tips on the cassette transfer, tools, things to keep in mind when doing it, anything you got would be VERY helpful..yes, I'm looking at you, NATE. Gracias.

Sedona on my mind

Excellent Trip! Had a lot of fun with all the Navy guys! You too Nate (Army-type)! As you can see by the pic, we did a little biking too!!!

Oh nice.

So I was at my LBS picking up my new special order small celeste helmet that has been on backorder since January. Anyway I also walked out of there with this frame (look at the pictures) I haven't dated it yet but will soon figure out it's age even if I have to e-mail Tomasinni the serial number. It's not super fancy but still a sharp bike. For 250.00 it was well worth it. Can't wait to build it!!!!

My Recommendation for the next Mafia Outing!

Just pick one...I have ridden at Coopers Rock. Imacculate views and outrageous single track! Plus close to the Hundoft in-law complex and less than an hour from my family! Camping is excellent and beautiful views of the Cheat River along the trails. Can ride different trails for days! But, pick one...they are all awesome!

My Recommendation for the next gathering!

Off-Road ExcursionsWest Virginia, named the Number One Mountain Biking State in the country by the International Mountain Bike Association (2004) , is known for its challenging, rocky single-track and its mountainous views. Aside from Coopers Rock , hotspots include Big Bear Lake in Bruceton Mills, Snowshoe Mountain in Snowshoe, Elk River Touring Center in Slatyfork, Canaan Valley Resort State Park and Timberline Four Seasons Resort in Davis, Kanawha State Forest in Charleston, Ace Adventure Center in Oak Hill and the Seneca Rocks/Spruce Knob areas near Elkins.

Now this is a noble idea! Even for crude-oil-loving, right-wing-conservative, Rush-Limbaugh-wanna-be types!!!

The Bamboo Bike Project is a collaboration between Scientists and Engineers at The Earth Institute at Columbia University, and a bicycle builder at Calfee Design. The project aims to examine the feasibility of implementing cargo bikes made of bamboo as a sustainable form of transportation in Africa. The ultimate goals of the project are:
1.To build a better bike for poor Africans in rural areas.
2.To stimulate a bicycle building industry in Africa to satisfy local needs.

In Africa bamboo is common, but carbon fiber, or hemp, that’s used to join the bamboo tubes, isn’t. So after a bit of research Craig Calfee found a locally grown substitute, the sisal fiber.
“They use it for insulation in their buildings," he said. "It comes from Northern Africa. We’ve tested the fiber compared to a hemp fiber, bamboo fiber and jute fiber. The sisal is surprisingly strong but it’s a coarse fiber so it’s not as easy to work with, but it’s functional so it does the job and it’s really cheap over there.”
Dropouts, head tubes, bottom bracket shells and epoxy resin will have to be imported. Calfee’s project depends on its ability to get these items to the local builders.

the pics here are of the sisal fiber and a working bamboo bike.

Health Net Insurance just got Served!

The Health Net Cycling Team is primarily sponsored by the giant "for-profit" insurance company Health Net (Duh) Inc. One of the largest insurance companies in California. The Company grossed over $2 Billion last year alone. But, as it seems that the company is a shitty provider for those it insures who develop illness.

Patsy Bates, who was a a 52 yr old Hairdersser in 2004 when she found out she had breast cancer in 2004. she thought she had reliable health insurance but she was wrong. Health Net, dropped her coverage while she was in the middle of breast cancer chemotherapy, leaving Bates with $129,000 dollars in unpaid medical bills and no choice but to abandon her lifesaving treatment.Angry and sick, Bates sued her insurer. And now, four years later, she has won a significant victory.
Not only did she receive a $9 million punitive damages settlement against Health Net Inc., one of the largest for-profit insurers in California, but the company also announced Friday that it had stopped the controversial practice of canceling sick policyholders' policies.
In the ruling, the outraged judge wrote: "She had valid health insurance … when the rug was pulled from underneath, and that occurred at a time when she is diagnosed with breast cancer, one of the leading causes of death for women."

Read the whole artice by clicking the title.

Anyway, I hope that they don't bail as a sponsor for cycling becuase the cost of aluminum spikes, or that they have to pay an import tax now that Cannondale is Canadian! Or worse, the Spandex market jumps and uniform costs go up!

New Look to the Blog and other stuff

Hey all,
I cleaned up the blog format a little to snazzy it up. Not many posts lately, but wanted to try to keep up with it now for the remainder of the winter until Sedona at least.

Sorry Kevin, wish you were coming to ride!!!

Rock Racing got dissed related to Sevilla, Hamilton and Botero due to the Spaniards re-opening Operation Peurto and Michael Ball is fighting back. Looks like Cipollini is riding in ToC and he has been training a little, not just hangin with the ladies in Monaco! - Operation Puerto isnt even about the riders this time around - only doc Fuentes...and the national federations cleared all the riders - but the WADA idiots and the UCI are trumping the national federations...

In other news of the even stupider variety, the ASO (Tour De France organizers) are banning Astana from all of their races due to the damages te team has caused the Tour. Now the team spent greater than half-a-mil to the CSC anti-doping guru to fix their problem and went out and hired all new staff and riders so as not to look the same as last year. Telecom changed the name of their outfit, but same management, Slipstream has a few dopers (ala confessed ex-dopers) in their midst and there are several other teams that have had riders (Caisse d'Epargne - you know, the old Liberty Seguros) that were worse than the new Astana Team...Perhaps Bruyneel should have changed colors and got a fake "lead" sponsor so as to look like they were different like High Road did. Or maybe he should donate money to lobby L'Equippe as they run the tour and all of ASO's events anyway and get all the leaks from the labs, which in my opinion discredit all the french lab results anyway - otherwise, why would they leak them?

regardless, I am out riding in the snow and shit and happy to be spending less time following the pros in France!

Did someone say Freedom Fries???

Sedona for new members and rememberance

Yeah, Dan Rielly is right about Thomas being forgetful. Let us not forget one member won't be able to be with us so we must take many photo's and post up. He is now a contributing member of the blog. Yet hasn't posted. Anyway MARCH 27th HURRY UP ALREADY!!!!!

Sedona Mafia Outing

Thanks to Thomas and the 7 minutes of his life wasted trying to find the dates for the trip to Sedona, I have decided to post them!

27March-01April! That is right ladies, April Fools Day.

Deepest and sincerest apologies to Thomas for the traumatic loss of precious minutes!

I do remember some time ago though that I sent all the info in an email, so I only feel bad in a shallow superficial - on the surface - kind of way!

And he rides a Canadian Bike Now! Damn Canuck!

Shut Up & Ride!

The Ridge on Sedona Golf Resort - Fact Sheet

The Ridge on Sedona Golf Resort
55 Sunridge CircleSedona, Arizona 86351 United States
Phone: +1 928.284.1200Fax: +1 928.284.1777
Directions Arrival Information Accessibility Services Recreation
Airport Resort Details Guest Room Restaurants

Directions
General

Driving: From Phoenix airport take I-17 northbound for about 110 miles. Take exit 298 Sedona/Village of Oak Creek. Turn left onto Highway 179 and continue 7 miles to Sedona/Village of Oak Creek. Turn left at the traffic lights onto (Ridge Trail Drive). At the top of the hill turn left onto Crown Ridge Road. Turn left onto Sunridge Circle and the parking lot is directly on the right.

Airport
Main Airport

Airport Name: Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)

Directions to Resort: From Phoenix airport take I-17 northbound for about 110 miles. Take exit 298 Sedona/Village of Oak Creek. Turn Left onto Highway 179 and continue 7 miles to Sedona/Village of Oak Creek. Turn left at the traffic lights onto (Ridge Trail Drive). At the top of the hill turn left onto Crown Ridge Road. Turn left onto Sunridge Circle and the parking lot is directly on the right.

Distance to Resort: Approx. 125 miles


Arrival Information
Check In/out

24 Hour Front Desk
Check in Day: Any day check in
Check in Time: 4:00PM
Check Out Time: 11:00AM

Express Checkout
You Need To Know

Prior to Checking In: Please contact the resort for any special needs or requests where our friendly staff will assist you.

When Checking In: Please be prepared to present a form of identification upon check-in.


Resort Details
Business Center Copier Fax Voice Mail Wireless Internet Email

Guest Room Information

1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom Lockoff
Studio
BATHROOM AMENITIES
Amenity Kit
Hair Dryer
Walk-in Shower
Whirlpool Jet Tub

GENERAL ROOM & UNIT AMENITIES
Air Conditioning Alarm Clock Balcony / Terrace
Balcony or Patio Some Rooms
Ceiling Fans Color TV W/ Remote
Fireplace Iron and Ironing Board
King Bed Laundry Facilities - Washer/Dryer
Patio Queen Bed Sleeper Sofa
Telephone Voicemail Answering Service
KITCHEN AMENITIES
Blender Coffee Maker Cooking Utensils
Dishes Dishwasher Dishwasher Detergent
Full Kitchen Microwave
Oven Toaster
ROOM ENTERTAINMENT
Basic TV
Cable / Satellite TV
DVD Player

On-site Services
24 Hour Security
Activities Dept.
Concierge Assistance
Gift Shop
Laundry Facilities
Parking On-Site
Spa
Gas Grills

On-site Activities
Barbeque
Game Room
Movie Rentals
Picnic Area
Pool Table
Spa
Swimming
Outdoor Heated Pool

Outdoor Hot Tub

Regional Highlights
Regional Activities Rich in colour and resplendent in the Native American history of the Hopi, Navajo and Pueblo culture, the Southwest presents intriguing red rock formations, 225 million-year-old fossils and the multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert. The ancient Petrified Forest, stretching from New Mexico to Arizona, is just steps from one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World- The Grand Canyon. Encompassing the Colorado River and the adjacent uplands, the Grand Canyon provides visitors with breathtaking scenic landscapes.

The Las Cruces Crud!

Well, I went to Las Cruces last Thursday through Monday (10 hr drives on the 1st and last days!) to ride my Mtn & Road Bikes with my buddy Aaron. We did Fri/Sat Mountain Bike Rides. My first 2 since September if you do not count my homemade studded tire rides in the snow around the neighborhood. We did approx 9 miles on Friday in the Desert and yes I got bit several times by cactus and bled out a little from the right leg...Saturday, we rode in a different area (again nothing there but desert) and put in a grueling 18 miles of singletrack with about 1900 vert of climbing - seemed to me and my fat ass like 18000 ft. I avoided the cactus, but on a particular down-hill run, Aaron was leading and kicked up a rock about the size of one of my calfs and it hit me on the right Shin and created an instant bubble the size of a raquet ball. Hurt like a mother too!

Anyway, being the glutton for punishment that I am, I committed to a road ride on Sunday to the White Sands National Monument - great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand engulfing 275 square miles of desert creating the world's largest gypsum dune field. Aaron told me it was about 40 miles from his house. Now I have not been on my road bike since August and knew I would suffer, but I said ok. It turned out to be 50.3 miles - mostly flat, but a gradual uphill for the first 13 miles (10 miles @ approx 1% and 3 miles at avg 4% with 7% sections. ) Then a long (and I mean Long) gradual downhill. Then it was flat to rolling - mostly flat the rest of the way with a little cross wind at our back at first, but as we turned to the north, we took it from the front. We averaged right at 19, and my HR avg was a huge 157. I was spent but felt good and exhausted. We rode sleds on the sand dunes, ate a picninc lunch with the families and drove home a few hours later....
Aaron and his father (60+ yrs old and strong) have applied for the Leadville Lottery. If picked, we will be doing the leadville 100 this year. Wish the Mafia was going to be better represented! Anyway, I started to feel tightness in my chest on the ride home. I coughed up a storm Monday night and Tuesday. I believe I have Bronchitis - and since I get it every year, I am glad to get it early and out of the way! I have been training in the gym and have gone from 211 lbs on Jan 1st, to 202 now. So hopefully, I keep dropping the weight and can hang with you guys in Sedona!

Speaking of Sedona, I would like to get a head count at some point in time. My inflatable mattress got busted, so I am hopeful Thomas can bring his. Aaron may join us but is unsure as he may be going to Moab the same week...Anyway, remember, we are staying at the The Ridge on Sedona Golf Resort 55 Sunridge Circle, Sedona, Arizona 86351 United States Map and Directions.
I will provide the fact sheet on my next posting! Happy Riding!