Lance: Columnists never learn...

Gary Medley

2004-07-27



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Sorry, I had to reply this yahoo...





Mike,



Join the club of ignorant American sports columnists who have no clue about

the physical and skill demands of professional cycling.



Could Lance take an NFL hit? Maybe, maybe not. But this is fact: There

isn't one NFL, NBA or MLB player who could hang with at the back of the

peleton in the Tour de France for one hour, let alone one day or three weeks.



Sorry, it's just too specialized a skill, with physical and cardio demands

way beyond the capability of gridiron, hoops and diamond players.   An NBA

player probably has the aerobic capacity to pull it off, but not the

muscular endurance or bike handling skills.   As for NFL and MLB

players? No chance. I mean, the typical NFL game has, what, 15 minutes of

"action"? And baseball players have the physical performance stature of,

what, golfers?



Still, comparing sports is a fool's game (no wonder you tried..) At their

highest level all sports, all are demanding and specialized. But

belittling cycling while being ignorant of its challenge is so

typical. You see, most American columnists pray to the U.S.- based God of

Stick & Ball sports. It's unmanly for stateside writers to understand and

respect such Euro-based sports as cycling, Formula One racing, track &

field, and the mother of all wussy sports, soccer.



As for you, I suggest you borrow a bike, find a steep hill and coast DOWN

at 30 mph. Then imagine riding that speed ON THE FLAT for five hours a

day, every day for three weeks. I'll even spare you the climbs.



As for Ricky Williams, there's one more reason he'd never make it in the

Tour de France: He wouldn't pass their drug testing either.



Gary in Portland







Gary Medley

Medley Communications

704 NE 43rd

Portland, Oregon 97213 USA

503/239-3948 tel & fax

gmed-@easystreet.com



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<font size=3>Sorry, I had to reply this yahoo...<br><br>

<br>

Mike,<br><br>

Join the club of ignorant American sports columnists who have no clue

about the physical and skill demands of professional cycling.<br><br>

Could Lance take an NFL hit?  Maybe, maybe not.  But this is

fact:  There isn't one NFL, NBA or MLB player who could hang with at

the back of the peleton in the Tour de France for one hour, let alone one

day or three weeks.<br><br>

Sorry, it's just too specialized a skill, with physical and cardio

demands way beyond the capability of gridiron, hoops and diamond

players.   An NBA player probably has the aerobic capacity to

pull it off, but not the muscular endurance or bike handling

skills.   As for NFL and MLB players?  No chance.  I

mean, the typical NFL game has, what, 15 minutes of

"action"?  And baseball players have the physical

performance stature of, what, golfers?   <br><br>

Still, comparing sports is a fool's game (no wonder you tried..)  At

their highest level all sports, all are demanding and specialized. 

But belittling cycling while being ignorant of its challenge is so

typical.  You see, most American columnists pray to the U.S.- based

God of Stick & Ball sports. It's unmanly for stateside writers to

understand and respect such Euro-based sports as cycling, Formula One

racing, track & field, and the mother of all wussy sports,

soccer.<br><br>

As for you, I suggest you borrow a bike, find a steep hill and coast DOWN

at 30 mph.  Then imagine riding that speed ON THE FLAT for five

hours a day, every day for three weeks.  I'll even spare you the

climbs.<br><br>

As for Ricky Williams, there's one more reason he'd never make it in the

Tour de France:  He wouldn't pass their drug testing

either.<br><br>

Gary in Portland<br><br>

<br>

<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>

Gary Medley<br>

Medley Communications<br>

704 NE 43rd<br>

Portland, Oregon 97213 USA<br>

503/239-3948 tel & fax<br>

gmed-@easystreet.com </font></body>

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