Fifty Plus (50+) - Deadly Nedly turns 50

Ned Overend celebrated his 50th birthday by placing fourth in the Mt. Washington hill climb yesterday and taking 18 minutes off the previous 50+ record (and 5 minutes faster than previous over 40 record).

Tyler Hamilton who is banned from sanctioned racing won the event with a time of 51:11. Ned tailed off the 3 man chase group at the finish to take fourth at 55:21. The record is 49:24 held by Tom Danielson.

http://www.velonews.com/race/dom/articles/8727.0.html

Ned was always one of my hero's of mountain biking, but I did not realise he was that young.He has always looked old to me, but I was beginning to wonder why he never seemed to look any older. Well done Ned on being able to subscribe to this forum.

If you'r reading this Ned, any hints on how to beat the youngsters up hills, as I see that you are still doing it?

Isn't Tyler's final appeal to be ruled on this Sept.?

The article mentioned that he was appealling his suspension.

The Tyler Quandary. Did he/didn't he? Nice guy, nice dog, nice wife...fierce competitor. Nobody wants to think he doped, but his "ghost" defense caused many to sort of avert their eyes. They were going to make a movie of his life (maybe still are) until this....actor Toby McGuire would have been perfect.) Anyway, his final appeal I believe is this September. At 34, a 2 year suspension could well end his career. He's been training fiercely by himself in the Rockies I understand. From Mt. Washington, apparently he still "has it". I'd like very much to think him innocent. Would make an even better movie.

The Tyler Quandary. Did he/didn't he? Nice guy, nice dog, nice wife...fierce competitor. Nobody wants to think he doped, but his "ghost" defense caused many to sort of avert their eyes. They were going to make a movie of his life (maybe still are) until this....actor Toby McGuire would have been perfect.) Anyway, his final appeal I believe is this September. At 34, a 2 year suspension could well end his career. He's been training fiercely by himself in the Rockies I understand. From Mt. Washington, apparently he still "has it". I'd like very much to think him innocent. Would make an even better movie. If you read the articles about his case it seems to be more like they didn't prove he was guilty without a reasonable doubt. IMHO

Certainly one of his 3 judges disagreed and voted innocent....and I would prefer to believe in some heroes and resist cynicism here. I'll look forward to the movie.....I still fantasize myself as an aging Dave Stoller from Breaking Away. Ciao, Papa!

I've been following this fairly closely, and it looks to me like the test (fairly new) was being applied in a manner that it wasn't designed for. The test identifies in minute amounts blood that is not your own - it wasn't clear but the last story I read seemed to say that they detected traces less than .5 percent - that doesn't make much sense at all as far as enhancing performance. He tested positive at least once with this test, one of his team mates tested positive, and no one else in the peleton has failed it (or they have quit using it). I'm with Tyler.