my letter to lance
 

off the record

Disturbing....

And if you haven't submitted it, a spell check is in order also.

Koffee

It is a little over the top...

no wonder he has so many body gaurds.

is this for real? seriously?

Love that one Stubacca!!!

I'm wondering when the restraining order will be initiated?

Sure, Lance is a great cyclist and he's rewritten the record books which is really good for those who care about such things, but if you want a hero, a 'role model' when it comes to dealing with $hit in your life let me introduce you to the hundreds of kids with cancer and their parents I have met while working in a children's hospital. The way they cope, not in dealing with cycling really fast up a mountain stage, but with the months and sometimes years of dealing with their sick child slowly dieing. And keeping it together so as to provide a nurturing environment, food, and shelter for their other children. No sponsorship deals, no podium finish, no fan mail, no glory, just gut wrenching pain, day after day, week after week, month after month, and the prize at the finish line is (usually) burying their child. Even lance has stated that his biggest achievement was winning his fight against cancer and that's what he'd rather be remembered for.

You think you have problems? you think Lance is a hero for his cycling?

Er, am I the only one who thinks you guys are riding Giorgios a little too harshly?

Yes, I know he asked for your opinions, but geez...

He's just a big fan of Lance and is exuberant.

If you walk into the restaurant he works at, expect him to say, "No soup for you!"

Exactly, I agree. Everyone needs a hero/role model to look to for guidance, support and motivation. Giogios here looked to Lance as an inspiration to live and motivate him in his journey towards becoming a better cyclist.

Um, he tattooed Lance's slogan on his body. That's borderline freakshow. The letter-writing campaign is probably just step 1 in his grand plan to do away with Sheryl Crow and take his rightful place at Lance's side.

Yeah, but there's "fan", and there's "obsessed". This kind of worries me. Calling someone a "savior" and tattooing something permenant on your body is beyond seeing someone as an inspiration and motivation. It's like seeing someone as an idol... but not in a good way at all.

Koffee

Reminds me of that Eminem song - "Stan"

Now, I don't listen to much rap, but had to google the lyrics to Stan. Pretty dang good and certainly casts an eerie shadow over the topic at hand, even if I'm still not going to jump on Giorgios just yet.

Hey, Giorgios, why don't you clarify?

Spell check. Also, why mention how many bikes and the cost of your bikes? Just let him know he inspires you to keep living and pushing your limits. What was the reason you were suicidal? Was Lance the one who helped/inspired you to "see the light"?

As Koffee said, "Disturbing", may be a rewrite is in order. The way it is now does make you sound like one of those weirdoes out there. As for the tattoo, I am sure there are others who have done that but be sure you have a yellow band all the way around the arm with the "Live strong" on it.:p

Cheers:beer:



p.s. You sound to have an addictive personality. In cycling that is a good thing as well as a bad thing ;)

Cycleholic is so right. You can't be a hero if other people in the world have done something more impressive or more heartbreaking than you have.

Maybe you can help me out, dude. I've been trying to figure out whether Alvin York or Audie Murphy was a hero. I know one of them was a real hero and the other one sucked, but I can't quite decide which was which. But we know they couldn't both be heros 'cause you can't be a real hero if somebody else did something bigger than you did. I guess I'd have to say York was a hero, because after all, he took some prisoners.
I suppose that makes Audie Murphy and Lance Armstrong the sissies. Somebody should be writing this down.

And, I'd say Mother Teresa makes then all pale in comparison.

No wonder I see all those Mom tattoos.

And God makes everyone pale in comparison! Bow before my Higher Power!

:D ;)

(top that one, Lance Armstrong!!!)

Koffee

What if I get a beer tattoo?

I can't believe all the negative feed back I am recieving! Keith you are the only one that is getting it. thanks man... We all have to draw our inspirations from somewhere, and Lance has touched many folks throughout the world, including me. Lance has become the stuff of legend and I think that history will reflect his influences on cycling, fitness, mental toughness and perseverance. The tatoo it self is a replica of the band; same color, same lettering style and it goes all the way around my arm at my bicept. It's not like I tatooed I love Lance inside a heart! The fact that Lance can positively 'influence' people likeme, puts him in a different category than the normal sports hero. :)

Gee Koffee, I could only find two words misspelled. That wasn’t too bad in my grade school. Though “iron man” should be two words I think.

Bikeforums.net, where people young or old, come to behave shamelessly like a jack @ss teenager, and loving it. :D

I think that letter's fine, A-OK. People write much mushier ones to Nascar "heroes", baseball and football players, etc., and are not sick, they just need something or someone to believe in, "if they can make it, I can make it' kind of thing, and it honestly helps them out. The OP went from a depressed, probably out of shape, mopey person to a guy who races and has 7 bikes. That's great! Is having "LIVESTRONG" tattooed on your leg somehow dumb while all the other stuff you see in tattoos, not? Give the guy a break! Lance is a good old fashioned role model and those are rare these days.

Giorgios,

While I sympathise with Koffee et al who think you're a little o.c., I see it from your point of view as well ... and if it took this man to change (and save) your life, then so be it. Many caught up in depression didn't have a role model to save them.

If doing something permanent like this to keep you constantly aware of which direction you should be steering your life is what you need, then more power to you. Just remember that you're an individual, and ultimately you need to find the inner strength to motivate yourself, not to rely on external factors to get you out of bed each day.

Hope all goes well for you.

Gary

show us a picture of this tattoo....

Two words misspelled is too many. For people to take you seriously, you have to at least have good grammar and diction. Just my two cents. He asked for an opinion, and I gave it.

Koffee

A man must stand for something or he will fall for anything....

George, you find strength in whatever you need to.

Coffee, you quoted "And God makes everyone pale in comparison! Bow before my Higher Power!"

Doesn't God teach us to love one another and to reach out to our fellow brothers/sisters instead of bashing him over the head for two mistakes and a passion for something which could easily be porn or something as such.

I would suggest that George maybe over the top, but who am I too judge him for his passion. I could only hope that others on this board would take that energy and put forth the effort to be the best they can be.

my two cents...half price till Noon.

Jason

I think lilHinault's response is also fine and right on target. Congratulations for a sensible and thoughtful response.

First let me begin by saying that I do respect Lance's accomplishments. He has set some records that will stand for atleast 7 more years at a minimum and probably alot longer than that. But do not sell his team short here. Do you think that if Lance were a member of the last place team for those 7 years that he would have accomplished what he has?

As far as Lance being a savior and idolizing him. Koffee had it right. Everyone pails in comparison to God. Christ is my Savior. After all he gave his own life for my salvation. And while God does teach us to love one another he also commands us to have no other 'gods' before him.

And and "old fashioned role model". I am sorry but any man who can leave his wife after she has stuck by his side during the most trying time of his life, is not someone I can look up to. And is definately not old fashioned.

Again I respect his accomplishments and he could kill me in any bike race. But I do not feel that he is deserving of anymore than that.