Question for the active racers

[spade2you]

No, not trolling. I do request responses from those who have raced at least in the last 2 years or plan on starting. Not that I don't appreciate non-racers.....

Has this incident made you not want to race? Would you boycott sanctioned races?

There is zero change to my plans and I don't plan on racing any less. I heard some local guys claim they were going to only do unsanctioned races, but I don't know how likely they were to race USAC since I didn't really see them much before that.

[woodys737]

No. Still going to race. I work my ass off and it's kind of my outlet from the insanity at work. I have a pretty wide network of guys I know who don't plan on doing anything different either. I just heard a rumor that our region (Arizona) is considering paying $6000 to fund 10 random drug tests. I don't have any other details but I hope they fund it and fully support the effort.

[spade2you]

I kinda wonder if Nebraska will do any testing. I kinda doubt it, but don't really think anyone is using EPO. Possibly testosterone as much as the TV suggests replacing "low t".

Hopefully if they do testing, they'll allow me to pee before the race when I have nervous bladder. ;)

[woodys737]

I kinda wonder if Nebraska will do any testing. I kinda doubt it, but don't really think anyone is using EPO. Possibly testosterone as much as the TV suggests replacing "low t".

Hopefully if they do testing, they'll allow me to pee before the race when I have nervous bladder. ;)

I bet there's more guys on testosterone and maybe steroids than people want to believe. I've heard of too many down here and it really pisses me off. I simply can not understand why they do it? Fing douchbags.

[Fireform]

I hear rumors of every kind of substance use down here in south Florida and it pisses me off too. I wonder if some of the brawling that goes on in the pelotons of cash races are t-fueled. No effect on me, as I ride strictly paniagua (and caffeine).

[wesb321]

Yep I have raced and am doing it in 2013. Nope I'm not bothered in any way about the possible testing. Ha I don't even drink, bring on the pee cups!

[moskowe]

Have raced for the past 3 years, more seriously last year, and I don't plan on stopping. It would be a shame if this whole situation kills amateur racing in the US.

[kbiker3111]

Supposed testing in NYC next year! I'm psyched! I can't wait to see which douchy 40+ doctors stop showing up.

I would have raced either way. Doping is what it is and you kinda assume certain people aren't on the straight and narrow. I've had my success and my failures don't have a lot to do with how doped up someone else is. Heck! I even beat that David Anthony creep a few times.

[AndrwSwitch]

I'll go ahead and be Mr. Clueless.

Which incident?

For me, racing is something I do because I enjoy it, it gives some rhythm and meaning to my season, and it gives me something specific to try to be better at. I like to think that I'm not lining up with people who are cheating, but it's hard for me to imagine something other than, say, a lot of locals getting caught that would really demotivate me.

[rydbyk]

I race and I will continue to race regardless of the current situation in pro cycling. I don't think there is much that the amateur racer is going to be able to do now to change the sport to make it cleaner in the Pro Peleton. The whole idea of not purchasing a license like Greg Lemond recommended is just plain silly. I am NOT going to punish myself because of others wrong doings.

[kevhogaz]

I bet there's more guys on testosterone and maybe steroids than people want to believe. I've heard of too many down here and it really pisses me off. I simply can not understand why they do it? Fing douchbags.

It's easier than working for it, and you can get faster, a lot quicker!! I bet I get pulled to be tested, since I have that kind of luck!! You racing the "Valley of the Sun" stage race in Feb.

[wesb321]

I know a female racer with a pretty decent mustache. Wonder if they will test her.:shrug:

[username]

I race in oregon, don't need a USA license. Would love to see the US cycling authority shaken up given their connection to Armstrong

[pulser955]

No but I race mostly mountain bikes. And my races are mostly not sanctioned. I do want to do mountain bike Nats. next year so I guess I will be beeing in a cup. Im no pro I don't think dope is a real problem at my leveal. Im vary compedtive with all the guys I'm racing with. Any one of us can win on any given day.

[metoou2]

this incident[/B] made you not want to race? Would you boycott sanctioned races?

By "this incident", you mean the investigation by USADA? and all of the other fall out?

I can't begin to fathom how that would make me / make us not want to race locally in sanctioned races. So I'm to punish myself for the misdeeds of the pro's?

Is there some underground movement that is going to rise up against the local race promoters?
And the objective would be what? Try and cripple USAC?

We have local dopers, everyone knows who they are. Their time is coming.

[waldo425]

No, not at all. I will still be racing all the elite level races I raced last season and plan to add more on. I will not boycott USADA, WADA, or USAC for going after dopers.

Ive raced against past dopers. I have no use in suspecting that they are doping now. I don't want to become cynical and suspect everyone that is winning a race over me is doping. If they get caught Ill then get pissed at them. Becoming cynical will only succeed in ruining the sport I take so much joy in.

Sh!tty god awful stuff happened. Lets learn from it, improve the sport and move on with our lives.

[woodys737]

It's easier than working for it, and you can get faster, a lot quicker!! I bet I get pulled to be tested, since I have that kind of luck!! You racing the "Valley of the Sun" stage race in Feb.

I can't understand why in terms of the long term negative health aspects...

If you are pulled to test that means you won, so if clean more power to you! I don't think random means pick any entrant and test. Only the winners I assume.

No to VOS. I was selected to be a chaperone for my kids 6th grade trip to Catalina Island that week end. Hopefully TBC and some other out of state races fit into my schedule though.

[durianrider]

Ive raced in the same races as guys that tested poz for test here in Radelaide Australia and in Belgium.

Doesnt piss me off at all cos its a choice everyone has. I don't even race with caffeine. I race for health and fitness vs thrashing my adrenals.

[zone5]

Bring on the piss cup! What page is the banned substance in the handbook?

[spade2you]

Which incident?

Some n00b named Lance or something. I think he rides a Trek

I bet there's more guys on testosterone and maybe steroids than people want to believe. I've heard of too many down here and it really pisses me off. I simply can not understand why they do it? Fing douchbags.

In their defense, I think the medical community seems to be pushing it. I'm a hospital pharmacist and part of my job involves medication histories. I'm seeing a lot more supplemental testosterone use than I did 4-5 years ago. Granted, I can honestly say that the guys aren't racers. Seems to be a lot more common on guys 50+.

[Dwayne Barry]

I don't race anymore because there aren't any races where I live but...

I came to the (correct) conclusion years ago about what was going on in cycling and it didn't impact my desire to race one iota.

[yosarian9]

It's easier than working for it, and you can get faster, a lot quicker!! I bet I get pulled to be tested, since I have that kind of luck!! You racing the "Valley of the Sun" stage race in Feb.

I though the only way they "get faster, a lot quicker" is by working harder and more often, which the drugs allow them to do, but you seem to imply that they dont have to work for it.
Hows that?
Are you saying that drugs automatically make users "faster, quicker:" because I though drugs give users the ability to work more and harder... which makes them faster, quicker.

Do drugs not "give you the potential, what work you do with it is up to you."?

[Cableguy]

I though the only way they "get faster, a lot quicker" is by working harder and more often, which the drugs allow them to do, but you seem to imply that they dont have to work for it.
Hows that?
Are you saying that drugs automatically make users "faster, quicker:" because I though drugs give users the ability to work more and harder... which makes them faster, quicker.

Do drugs not "give you the potential, what work you do with it is up to you."?

Is this some PED user sympathy I hear? DRUG TEST THIS MAN AT ONCE! *raises pitch fork*

[AndrwSwitch]

Some n00b named Lance or something. I think he rides a Trek

Oh, that guy.

He and I race on totally different circuits. Facetiousness aside, he and I do race on totally different circuits. I guess I do wonder some about the degree of drug use and justifiability of the prescriptions going on in my region, but I also wonder if getting into a lot of drug testing in amateur cycling will just blow up USAC. I guess I don't care for USAC per se all that much, but I'd be sad if it killed my local racing scene.

[Fogdweller]

I hear rumors of every kind of substance use down here in south Florida and it pisses me off too. I wonder if some of the brawling that goes on in the pelotons of cash races are t-fueled. No effect on me, as I ride strictly paniagua (and caffeine).

Funny you should bring up caffeine. I'm mentoring a friend's son who just started high school and joined the mountain bike team. He says that riders are routinely searched at races (backpacks, jerseys, saddle bags, etc) for anything caffeinated as they consider it a banned substance that kids can buy.

Oh, and by "mentoring", this means I allow him on the Sunday ride, allow my crew to beat the crap out of him with pace, yell at him and make him buy the coffee at the end. We all have to start somewhere... ;o)