General Cycling Discussion - Face to Face with Greg Lemond

What would you say do or ask ?
I have the opportunity to meet the man tomorrow evening and I'm just stumped.

I'd say nice to meet you and I know you're a badder MOFO than any of those wannabes on the bike forums could ever be!:D

Oh yeah, nice bike too!:p

Great rider, but seems to be a putz since then. I wouldn't ask for real estate advice.
I'd probably just say "Nice to meet you".
I think he's got some real problems, can't handle that LA has more TdF's than him.
Reports have him far too eager to testify in front of the grand jury.

If it were me, I'd ask about longtails, but that's my personal thingy.

I dunno, lojack for bikes?

Latest episode of Mad Men?

I'd ask him why he thinks LA is a doper.

I would kidnap him and have him make me a custom lugged steel bike at the u-lock point. Then I would keep him and see if any of you wanted one made. What can I say. I'm a nice guy.

He seems to have a nice life - why waste his time dumping on LA? Kind of makes one think of Floyd. Maybe ask him if he & Floyd hang out together?

I would compliment him on his fight to clean up pro cycling and tell him to keep it up.

Its like the financial meltdown and Wall Street. Ultimately pro riders need to understand that their decisions are moral ones. In all the fancy MBA schools this country has, I would say its moral relativism that's taught. Ask Greg Lemond what he thinks about moral relativism. If he's stumped on this and doesn't really know this area of decision making, just email me and I'll give you some more ammunition.

I'd ask if he was going to start making bikes again.

I wouldn't mention Armstrong or doping at all.

I don't know if you can say this, but I personally would tell him how astounded and excited I was when he came back from being shot and beat Laurent in what was the most exciting Tour ever. The whole world was smiling, and despite riding many miles harder than ever, I never got tired. I was like a chimpanzee on amphetamines.

Also I'd ask if he and the Badger speak at all. I'd like to think that those two champions can have a beer and a chuckle about the drama and hormones of their youth.

And thanks for being the first pro rider in the tour to introduce helmets--Despite the initial b-wording, I wonder how many careers (and possibly lives) have been saved because of helmets?

I'd ask if he was going to start making bikes again.

Damn, I'm late to the thread, and you've probably met him already, but I really hope you asked him about this...and about his relationship with Hinault!

So, what's the report? Did ya?

I used to admire and respect him, until he started with his baseless, jealous rants.
I would act clueless, and say, "oh you were a pro cyclist? Were you ever in a race with Lance? I heard he is the greatest American cyclist ever!"

I would not mention bike manufacturing either. Big fight and sour spot on that as well.

I would compliment him on his impressive cycling career and tell him what a pleasure it is to meet one of cyclings legends. No frills, no embelishment and no confrontation. Everyone walks away happy.

I don't know much aout this guy, but it sure seems like every aspect of his life is a sour spot!

And, if he was such an honorable guy, and concerned about cleaning up professional cycling, why did he not make a reel statement a few years ago, and walk away from LA and his team. That would have really made an Impact!

:( Well Greg was a no show at The Loft of Bend , I heard something about food poisoning, we did have a great time watching stage 4 of the Cascade Cycling Classic (the twilight criterium) in downtown Bend :D

He probably read this thread & realized he might not be loved by all. People might not throw soft cheeses at him.

"How'd those wheels I build for you back in '78 work out?" :)

I would tell him you will tell thousands of bike nerds on the Internet's biggest cycling forum how awesome he is if he gives you one of his old race bikes.

i'd ask him "why are you so angry and insecure"?