Off Topic - We did it!

[kiwi]

Enough of the squabbling about Lance! Some like him, some do not. I know plenty of folks in the US who don't like or respect him and plenty who do. Arguing, even politely, about it in a boatbuilding forum is not going to convince anyone otherwise.

It is about boat building - some can, some can't...

JimW can!

[CET]

Enough of the squabbling about Lance! Some like him, some do not. I know plenty of folks in the US who don't like or respect him and plenty who do. Arguing, even politely, about it in a boatbuilding forum is not going to convince anyone otherwise.

Jeremy - I can’t say I’ve EVER heard of an American who didn’t like Lance Armstrong, but if you say they exist, I guess they must. I hear there are a lot of sasquatch up there in WA State, too. Know any of them, Jeremy? Can your sasquatch friends build boats?

[jeremy]

Hmm, don't know any sasquatch personally. If I do run into any, I'll be sure to ask them whether they prefer garveys or skiffs.

[JimW]

Lance is Lance. HE was a complete brat in his early years, but very strong. Too strong for his own good. HUGE chip on his shoulder but it was understandable. I remember his rookie year in the early 90s he won the freakin' world championships after crashing no less than three times in the race. He was as shocked as anyone in late 1998 when he finished well in the Tour of Spain. His weight loss made him a new rider. He grew up a little but he still has personality flaws like the rest of us. Certainly the race was interesting for the entire three weeks this year. I can imagine it got a little old for the locals when Lance would start the final week 7 minutes ahead each year. Lance was extremely focused and he manufactured his own fantastic luck and ability to fight back when stuff happened. Because of this his team would absolutely bury themselves to help him. I am a Lance fan but can certainly understand why some are not because of some of the things he's done and said having nothing to do with whether he used any illegal performance enhancing methods. Many skeptics believe that the riders need them to win now. I do not. But mediocrity enjoys company a lot. That is a universal truth in every endeavor. Folks always try to drag the top dog down, so I purposely try not to. There's enough of that without my help. Those are my thoughts. Floyd is so different from Lance. I hope his hip replacement goes well.

As for how does a floridian learn to climb? It's pure physics, like shallow draft, fuel efficiency, etc. Power to weight ratio. We have some great climbers here. I lost 30 lbs this year and that is huge in the mountains. At a heavy weight all the climbing practice in the world is useless. And at a light weight, specific climbing training isn't worth the gas money to drive north for. Diet and consistent miles of any kind can get it done.

[ArizonaBuilder]

It has nothing to do with his nationality but a lot to do with his attitude and his personality.

more like the perception of.

Like watching him on TV for 7 years Terry?

Tony

The only people I judge is myself because they are the only shoes I have walked in.

and everyone is entitled to an opinion.

[Dark Horse]

Congrats Jim

Jim

[woodbike]

Congratulations .I know the feeling ,riding in Florida and then trying to go up hills .That why we look for windy days just to get to fight the headwinds .The only substitute for hills down here .I am getting ready, for a long week-end this fall,in the hills of the south west corner of North Carolina (near franklin).I get to ride my single speed off road and my road bike .Here I get out on our tandem with my son on a local weekly ride .
Much fun and he's getting stronger every time we go out.I guess we would be in the 50 to60 group .Maybe something to think about in the future.
Happy trails .
Eric
I found that I can solve many boat building problems during a bike ride great way to think.

[JimW]

I found that I can solve many boat building problems during a bike ride great way to think.

You got that right!