It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....Oh Hai, Governor!

Apologies are in order for my long absence.  Or, if you read this and hate it (which many of you apparently do), I hope you enjoyed a nice respite.  I wish I could explain my lack of posting because I was training in the Dolomites for the upcoming Mario Cipollini Gran Fondo.  (I've heard rumors that the MC Gran Fondo will be more of a cyclocross event which will actually involve carrying nude women over barriers in the midst of the ride.)

But alas, the real reason I've not been able to write more is because of my day job.  I will spare you the details, but let me try, instead, to depict what I've been going through at work in a more illustrative manner.

At any rate - I wanted to send a heartfelt thanks out to Off Track events and the organizers of the Pedaler's Jamboree.  The COMOCYCO GEEC, dog and I took part in the Jamboree this weekend.  Not ever having attended a jamboree before, I had to look up the definition prior to embarking and was interested to learn that according to Merriam-Webster, a jamboree is "a noisy or unrestrained carouse".  Not knowing what a 'carouse' was, I again had to look up a definition to learn that it is "a drunken revel."  Yes, yes, true enough as we encountered many a drunken reveller starting in Rocheport as one cyclist came into town toting a life-size plastic Spuds McKenzie and a plastic sac full of booze.

Needless to say, good times were had by all, including the approximate 1.2 million mosquitoes that sucked upon us over the course of the two days.  The heat, humidity and voracious appetite of the bugs lead the GEEC and me to wonder if we had taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in Borneo.  But alas, a little good phlebotomy never hurt a committed cyclist, and in actuality can help to offset a hematocrit that has mysteriously crept too high.

But as much as I don't want to discuss scandal, I couldn't help but recently be taken aback by what has become the Zapruder film of the pro peloton:  Davide Cassini's video depicting the practice of mechanical bike doping.  Beyond just demonstrating how one can equip a road bike with a motor hidden in the seat tube, the video also implicates Fabian Cancellara's use of the motor in his victories at Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.

Yes, in the wake of the Landis-Lance revellations, it appears as though the conspiracy bandwagon has grown large enough for everyone and anyone to jump aboard.....even the super-sized ones...

Entitled "Cankles Go Home" seen at the wonderful

Cycling Inquisition blog.

And speaking of detractors of cycling, for those of you keeping up with our Governor and his recent act of allowing the cancelling of the Tour of Missouri, this is how he justified his decision:

“The real things that turn dollars in tourism are things that stay. We’re excited about the 175th anniversary of Mark Twain, the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express, the 50th anniversary of Silver Dollar City. Those are things that are going to be there, not just passing by at 29 mph and being there 24 seconds.”

Wow...I can practically feel the vibrations of the onslaught of toursists beating down the doors to Missouri's gates to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express.

Well since the Governor appears to be such a fan of Mark Twain, I wonder if he's familiar with this quote, "You can't depend on your judgement when your imagination is out of focus."

Cycling in Missouri: Meet your Governor, meet your neighbor

It's Friday and the day before the Pedaler's Jamboree - a celebration of cycling in Missouri.  I should be posting the typical "Friday Mail" segment, but in light of the cycling festivities about to go down this weekend, I thought I would instead shed some light on the amazing cycling atmosphere that Missouri has become by highlighing a couple of news stories from the week. 

Here's what Cyclingnews is reporting on this morning in our state:

Chris Aronhalt, Managing Partner of Medalist Sports was quoted as saying, "Yes, we have pulled out of the effort.  Clearly the Governor is not supportive, which means the Tour will not be successful.  In our opinion the Tour will be canclled because you don't expect a change of heart from the Governor."

Thanks Governor Nixon.  Thank you for shutting down an event that established the following:

• Direct economic impact of more than $80 million over three years
• Attracted 1.5 million spectators
• Resulted in $38 million tax revenue
• Was telecasted to viewers in 173 countries

And thank you for shutting it down without having the decency to even meet with the organizers to discuss it after they requested repeatedly to talk about it with you.  Pure class.  By the way, what will now happen to the $1 million that was earmarked for the event and approved upon by the Missouri General Assembly?

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And thanks to the reader who tipped me off on this story which appeared in the Columbia Daily Tribune on Tuesday, May 25th.

If you've not read the article, it essentially highlights some of the dangers that riding on Route K poses because of the increasing development and traffic and lack of shoulders.  Predictably, the article wasn't nearly as enlightening as the comments that followed it.  Here are some of the people that are behind the wheel of the car behind you.....

alpha5 says....

"I can tell you crazy bikers, if I run over you cause you do not have enough sense to not ride on these types of roads and you expect to get a dime out of me... then it will be a cold day in He** and don't hold your breath, cause while you are laying in a hospital in pain because you caused the crash, I will already have my attorney start the lawsuit againist you. I can tell one thing for sure, if comes to my life or safety over yours, YOU will lose and will not lose any sleep over it."

BoCoMo says..."I also feel bikes should be banned from two lane county roads that do not have a shoulder.

Simple, the needs of the many outweight the wants of a few.
Too dangerous, you'll not convince me that we need to "share" the roads, and the tax dollars to build those roads came from drivers, not peddlers."

NotApplicable says.....
"Only homicidal/suicidal idiots ride bikes on roads like Rte. K.

Eventually, one of you will manage to kill someone, all in order to demonstrate your 'rights.'
Hopefully, a long jail sentence will ensue.
Go find a safe road. Better yet, go ride on the trail."

Daryl_Licht says....
"Here's a thought - Let the bikers share the road and ride the non-shouldered roads. Let cars share traffic with bikes on the MKT. Give guns to everyone else and we'll all be happy!"
Kurt

vsmurray says....
"Riding for transportation is a LOT different than what those Spandex clad booties are doing on Rt. O. I live close enough to work to ride my bike, but that means I would have to ride on Clark Lane. Hell no! I don't have a death wish. The only logical conclusion for me personally is that Mr. and Mrs. Spandex need to stick to safer roads and trails."
"I'm not so sure that bicyclists use these rural roads because they are scenic. There are many bike trails that are just as pretty to look at. They use them because they are hilly and good to train on. So, these bikers are putting everyone at risk to get a tight ass, firm thighs, and maybe win a race. I prefer to go to the gym for that, less stress. Oh, I do like to drive my car to Rockbridge and walk the trails out there, get all muddy and stuff. My kids like it too. Then I drive to the store, pick up some sugar and salt, and drive home to pig out. But I don't partake of tobacco. Yucky stuff. "

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For some time, I've been contemplating the notion of this blog giving out awards for various acts to recognize their efforts in one area or another of cycling.....and I've actually been collecting names of potential recipients all along.  So today is a rather big day as I've got two individuals running neck and neck for the COMOCYCO Ass-Clown Award (or CA-CA).....Our two finalists?  Governor Nixon and Daryl_Licht......We took a vote here at COMOCYCO headquarters with the GEEC, intern Ricky, the COMOCYCO dog and me all casting our ballots and it was 3 in favor of the Governor winning the 2010 CA-CA award (the dog abstained...he's a forgiving soul).  So big congrats to our recipient!

At any rate, I hope everyone has fun at the Jamboree this weekend, or wherever your two wheels take you.....try to keep the rubber side down (ahem).  And if you are on the Jamboree ride, watch out for Daryl_Licht above who seems fairly committed to driving down the MKT with his car and guns.

CCPB