Guilty as charged, I'm afraid. Sorry, but there are times when that seems appropriate.

However, I believe that you are right on in your post. And while there are many who, for many reasons, legitimately fit in the "SC" category, I think too many are there because of an excess of the (percieved) "good life". That, in part, is due to being able to take the easy way out in our society. Marketing for the lazy doesn't help either, and we are also very good at that.

As for me, I have not had enough time on bikes yet to be able to claim a diary as interesting and illustrious as yours. But next year it is le Mont Ventoux (all three ways, I hope) and l'Alpe d'Huez. And I can't wait!

Cheers...Gary