veloman

Well Armstrong continues to divide opinion and I still think it will be damned hard to prove conclusively either way. At the back of my mind though, I would suggest that he was fairly unpopular in France and they seem to have been driving all this. (I am certainly not anti-French btw). He made comments to the effect that the French should remember how the U.S. helped them during WW2- this before a stage to Avranche(IIRC). When he made his speech in Paris after winning 7th tTdF, I think he should have spoken in French (Boardman used to) and this didn't help either. LeMond - he also accused Eddie Merckx of attempting to ruin his bike business. I didn't know about that 'wattage' business- that is odd. I thought wattage was very much tied-in with physical size and Wiggins is much taller than Lance. re. football and drugs; would suspect that if players provide a positive test it is more likely to be for recreational than PED's (except Jaap Staam !)

The alternative; well I guess it is Comprehensive schools !

Would it be reasonable to suggest that the main argument against Grammar schools is the fact that, (when the Olde King was alive),the division was made at age 11. That ,I think, is pretty young for such a momentous event which, in my opinion , can affect the rest of your life. If one went to a Secondary Modern but developed sufficiently to sit 'O' Levels it was still possible by going to a College but this set you back 2 years c/f Grammar school pupils. I don't think social status/affluence comes into it. As an aside; are people aware that when preparing a 'Personal Statement' when applying to University, to be able to use the expression 'First in Family' (to go to University) is regarded as an advantage.

I'm not sure that I can :oops: I'm just off to watch WARKS thrash Yorkshire with another cyclist mate so we will send wives to the bar chew it over in the interval. I take your point though.

You may be interested to know that, when the Olde King was alive, this event was called 'Devil Take The Hindmost'. Used to be a popular race at Salford Park when there was a track there. Actually, you probably ain't interested at all.

OK - nearest Velodrome to B/ham is Manchester and there is one in Newport (Wales) too. I think you have to take some sort of "test" to ride on wooden boards and you need a proper track bike - cranks have to be short enough not to catch on the banking. You can hire a bike there I think. Nearest open track - so tarmac surface - is Halesowen or Wolverhampton. I think you are allowed to ridr on W/hampton on a road bike at certain times. Big news in the cycling world is that they are going to build a velodrome in Derby so that will be good,

Isn't that 'heightist' ?

Well the "lap out" business is common in road racing on small circuits like ,say, Curborough near Lichfield or Mallory Park - both are motor racing circuits. I don't think you gain any advantage from a lap out 'cos you lose impetus and momentum - but I see what you mean. re. your MTB - mine is hard tail too so no problem there. So -18 gear means six speed cassette or block on rear wheel and triple chain ring. So suggest bigring on front and 4 th and 3 rd sprocket for regular riding. The idea is to 'spin' the gear until you build up power to push on a bit. The number of people you see on the biggest chainring and smallest sprocket trying to get the gear over ... not good in the long run. Hope that helps. Oh and always take a drink with you.

Hmm - again not a real expert would suggest a couple of possibilities. First - you are using muscles that you ain't used for a while and I reckon it will improve. Second - yep stretch before a ride - possibly that one where you stand on a stairstep on your toes and lower and raise (see YouTube) Third (and poss the best) make sure you aren't pushing too big a gear - so large sprocket on the back and high(ish) cadence (like Lance Armstrong ) Are you on Mountain bike or road bike?

[quote="codaThere's one tomorrow called the Omnium, think that's the points race. Ah - I forgot about that. Again, I think that the Omnium is a multi-discipline race and there is a Points Race within the event.

I think that is The Points Race or it could be The Madison - that is where there are teams of 2 and they "sling" each other in and out of the race. Not sure if either are Olympic events this year. Pretty sure it is the Points race.

Agreed ! Hugh Porter - was damn good cyclist in his time - World Pursuit champ a number of times but ............. he is from Wolverhampton. Yep - rely on the cyclists to deliver Thought there was a feel-good Wiggins factor just after he won Le Tour; when I went out last Monday, a number of drivers seemed to give me a bit more room and a rather tasty MILF in Cannock smiled at me !!(she couldn't see the poor old bugger under the glasses and helmet). It has evaporated by today though - judging by the old moron in Rugeley who almost took my front wheel and thought it was funny. Girl from Halesowen - Jess Varnish- due on velodrome Thursday/Friday.

Well just when I didn't think this egregious bunch of rocket polishers of a Gov't couldn't get any worse, I read that they are going to remove the need for Academy teaches to have the formal teaching qualifications(BBC Teletext). I have no idea which moron thought this up or thought it was going to help raise standards in schools. However, would it be cynical to suggest that it will enable these Academies to pay less ??

If you are old enough (this is not meant to be condescending) to remember his father playing you may recall his somewhat "suspect" temperament. Albeit - a good player on his day. But never as consistently good as say ... let me pluck a player out of the air..... IAN BELL !!

Well that's amazing ! Thanks very much Snowy. The bet I wanted was:- GB women to win team pursuit AND Australia to win the mens team pursuit (is that called a double ?) Looking at the odds in your link, it doesn't seem worth it. I as said , the women in Bet Fred (I think it was) made a phone call and said try later. Wife and self were thinking of really lashing out on this -- £5 between us !

Tried to put a bet on today - I know nothing about betting and have never placed one before. It was on the cycling ('natch) but they said that they couldn't accept it until the end of the week .It's not an obvious one like Wiggins or Cav but they said come back on Thursday. Couldn't understand that.

Agreed ! Glad to see Sir Ian played well today. Couldn't believe Warwickshire lost to Somerset - that could cost 'em the County Championship. On the County scene the best news was Worcestshire thrashing Lancashire In fact I would support a retired German S.S eleven against Lancashire - bread stealers !!

Yes you are right. I am not sure how to set up a link to another article but you might like to Google Gary Wiggins and look at the article from PEZ.

From Tamworth as you probably knew; his dad, Neil Martin, an ace English rider, married to Stephen Roche's sister.

I didn't realise that he was speaking English - I thought it might have been Albanian. I can't understand a word he says ! I've just come back from La Belle France - thought their interest was somewhat muted - it wasn't even on TV in the little bar-tabac that we go in (much to wife's amusement). Can't see a potential French winner for some time. You do all know that both Duffield and Porter are from the West Mids ? Duffield was in a B/ham based club called The Beacon Road Club and Porter in W/hampton Wheelers.

Spot on there Jezza what has been wrong with him do you know ? We will need a full squad to take on South Africa and he is a damned good addition. Supposed to be going to Warks this evening - not looking good at the mo' !

Blimey - so they have ! My source has given me duff gen ! He also told me that Cav was getting one of those road-going McClaren thingies to replace his Audi R8. He damn well deserves it though.