Dudelsack 

Now that I'm afraid to go back to my own thread...

I had no idea that my ill-considered comments on another thread would incite such passion. As a non-racer, I don't have any "skin in the game" when it comes to the pursuit of speed. However, if I dedicated myself to racing and trained conscientiously to be the best I could possibly be, I now realize I would be totally offended by flippant accusations of "doping".

It occurred to me that doping is an accusation that you can never totally clear yourself from, even with numerous negative tests. "Do you still beat your wife?", I was asked. No, but of course I can't prove that. Point well taken.

I acknowledge my own comments were flippant, and I sincerely apologize for them. You racers continue to have my utmost respect.

Now go out there and crush some souls.

chasm54

Fair enough. Big of you to apologise. For the record, I didn't take it personally - were I doping you'd only have to watch me race once to know that whatever I was taking didn't work.

OldsCOOL

I wasnt offended in any way. Surely appreciate your integrity of character to post an apology, though.

gregf83 

Kudos for the apology!

CraigB

I'm not a racer. I wasn't even a racer back when I raced, in my 20s. The closest I can say I come these days is that I aspire to become a racer wannabe. I doubt that I'll ever get there.

As far as doping is concerned, though, I do admit to ingesting caffeine, in tea. There. I've said it, and it's out in the open and I feel better about it. Coffee, though, no way. I don't go near the hard stuff. I've seen too much misery and devastation in my lifetime.

GeorgeBMac

I agree -- it shows a lot of integrity and fortitude to be willing and able to apologize...

I merely wanted to point out that there are many instances where the accused is guilty until or unless he can prove himself innocent as soon as he is accused -- and often it is impossible to prove innocence...

I remember my mom coming home from being on jury duty very frustrated. The trial she was on ended in a hung jury and had to be retried because, although 11 jurers said the person was innocent one said: "If he wasn't guilty the cop would not have arrested him"...

r, in my case, as a student nurse I really enjoyed doing an internship at our local children's hospital. But, I was afraid to apply there and work there because, as a male, all it would take to destroy a career is for one parent to say: "He touched my son wrong....."
... If that happens, it doesn't matter how many times you prove yourself innocent. In the eyes of the world you are guilty.

... It's not just doping where being accused is the same as being guilty...

AzTallRider

Accepted... thanks Dudel.

Doohickie

What does it mean if cycling is like dope to me?

B. Carfree

cyclinfool

Nice apology.
I read the thread, it was pretty outrageous. One "offended" poster called anyone who does not train regularly lazy, I doubt you will see an apology there. You may or may not be correct in that there is at least one poster who is a die hard racer who uses some substance to "help", however the odds are in your favor. But there is no reason to insinuate that there is someone here who dopes except if you want to get a reaction, i.e. are doing a little trolling. Just let it go, but if you want MHO "The lady doth protest too much, methinks".

chasm54

LOL. You do know the meaning of the word "insinuate", I suppose? And are able to apply that understanding to your concluding sentence? Maybe not.

Kurt Erlenbach

Doping is really a loaded term. I got some EPO (Aranesp) years ago when doing chemo, and I can affirm that that stuff is magic juice. A few points on the hematocrit can make a big difference in how you feel when your red count is low, and I can imagine that when you're feeling good, a few points could really give you an edge. I fully understand the lure of doping, and why those who don't do it resent those who do.

Dchiefransom

I actually thought that thread would be a humorous take on how many medicines could be found in the medicine cabinets of 50+ forum members.

BlazingPedals

I know how terrible I feel if I try to ride after giving blood. I can only imagine being that much BETTER than normal by way of a few extra red blood cells!

JanMM

Just now read the thread in question........
Dope? Who, me???
I've been known to carry a small can of Starbucks Double Shot Expresso on the Hilly Hundred - they don't serve coffee at any of the SAG's.

Gravity Aided

Sorry, just flashed back to college in the 70's.

AzTallRider

Wow... talk about contradicting yourself within the span of a short paragraph. And has been pointed out, statistically it is far more likely that there are those guilty of far more gievous offenses posting on this part of the board, than it is there is a doper on the racing sub-forum. Truly pathetic that an apology thread gets polluted by a post making additional accusations. Sheesh.

johnnyrt

UMMMM i don`t want anyone opening my ''Drug Drawer''.... Nothing in there OFFICER but ummm...... How`d that get in there.?? All Natural stuff and thats my only answer

Rick@OCRR

But wait CraigB.

Caffeine is legal with the UCI. No worries! Good thing too since I drink lots of coffee and even save the occsional Red Bull for consumption at about mile 170 on a double century!

Rick / OCRR

cyclinfool

Sheesh is right - I did not accuse anybody of anything other than making the same sort of outrageous statements - i.e. if you don't train you are lazy.
Stating that the odds are in the OPs favor is not an accusation, it is a simple statement of statistics. The sad thing here is that it really doesn't matter one rat's rear end. As I stated the OP made a nice apology and the way I see it he is not the only one who has some'pologiz'n to do.

AzTallRider

That's the first thing you've gotten right.

cyclinfool

Hmmm - somebody didn't take thier narcissitic medications today. I guess they would be considered PEDs.

chasm54

Have you never heard the expression " when you're in a hole, stop digging" ?

Seriously, intervening in someone's apology to repeat the allegations he's apologising for shows a certain lack of social skills, even by my pachydermous standards. And defending that error pf judgment with insults isn't necessarily strengthening your position...

Phil85207

I think I will hold a grudge on this till the cows come home.



Wait, the cows came home a long time ago.

Artkansas 

Me too. When I saw that thread title, I was thinking about....