I'm over the whole melodrama. Don't care anymore. It revealed inarguably that pro cycling has always involved doping and cheating. The only arguable bit remaining is whether Armstrong coincided with the most exciting era of the Tour de France, or whether the Sky method of dominating through overwhelming financial backing and a programmed approach is more interesting.

As a fellow Texan, while I wouldn't have done what Lance did I can understand why he did it. The ruthless, robber baron approach to success is bred into the Texas psyche. You end up being one or working for and being exploited by them. Not much in between. He's said he didn't want to end up as a plumber from Dusty Flatte Prairie, Texas, so he found a way out by perfecting and systematizing the doping and cheating that had existed for over a century.

I haven't met Lance but he participates in some events here. Many of my cycling friends have ridden with him. I haven't heard many negative comments. I think most Texans understand, even if they don't necessarily approve. We're also quick to forgive successful scoundrels. He was good at what he did, and he's still good at what he does now. He's outspoken, opinionated, entertaining and a bit arrogant, maybe even a bit of an *******. He's just a guy like many I know out here. I'd ride with him and drink a beer. I wouldn't join him in any business partnerships.

For that matter, I wish Floyd Landis well too. Floyd lacked the ruthlessness of a Texas iconic powerhouse like Lance Armstrong. But after watching the video of riding with pros up mountains for that fixed gear bike company, dang it... I think I'd like Floyd. He seems like a lot of guys I know. He seems like a likeable smartass and fun guy. Not the whiny waffler he seemed to be when he was caught doping. That Floyd just wasn't mentally prepared to cope with an overweening guy like Armstrong, who was certainly a bully in his pro career... just like any highly motivated businessperson.

I hope Floyd's cycling team does well. And he sorta indirectly caused me to reconsider my opinions on medical marijuana and even tried CBD several times this year for chronic pain. Didn't really help me much, maybe a bit of a mood booster but more like coffee than anything else. But it caused me to relax my negative stance on drugs in general. Coming from a large extended family with our fair share of alcoholics and druggies, I'd developed a rigid, condemning attitude toward druggies in general. But I've modified my opinions on the medical marijuana and therapeutic uses of CBD and THC after chatting with local friends who use these to cope with stress from head injuries, chronic pain and post-war PTSD.