Is it worth watching the Tour anymore?

With two top contenders thrown out and a few more not allowed to start again, it seems like the cycle of doping or doping allegations will never end. It's been getting worse and worse the past 2 years and it's starting to wear on me.

I started at 27th and Vine in 1999 about 5 months before Lance won his first Tour. I remember Gast getting all excited about the Tour and I had no clue what was going on. We watched videos of the previous day's stage on a little TV by the BMX section and he explained to me what was going on. Back then Phil Liggett just asssumed everyone watching knew what was going on and didn't dumb it down quite as much so I needed help understanding what was going on. Over the years I came to enjoy this sport and now I love it. Reading about it and watching new and old races is great and exciting. I don't know if I can deal with all the top guys getting constantly thrown out cause they keep getting caught cheating. The sport is grand and elite but really it's the stars that I want to see, not just a bunch of no-names riding around. What if this inquisition had happened a few years ago? I wonder if Lance would have faced more scrutiny than he did. Who knows, he may have been booted for his relationships with questionable doctors.

Everyone seemed so damn sure all the riders were clean now. I wonder if any of them are. They talk about Frank Schleck and Contador being a "breath of fresh air" because they are young riders. What does that prove? (As a side note, how come Barry Bonds gets to keep playing baseball even though he doped?)

A clean break wouldn't be too hard for me. It's not like I grew up watching cycling. It's not bred into me like Husker football was. What business does a Nebraska boy have watching this stuff anyway?

Me and the Girls

We got a professional photo done for the website that Mitch Kline is building for me. He does nice work.

Boring Flat Stages...Huh?

I can't believe Robbie came back up through the group to take Stage I after that crash ~25K out. His accelleration could not be matched by anyone. I've never really liked the guy but I'm starting to come around. And how about the way David Millar stayed at the front of the peloton after he got caught. He was making the pace so he could get across the points line in 2nd and take the polka dot jersey in the U.K. Nice!

4th of July

Elaina trying to get dad a beer.

Here is an interesting picture. On the left is a shed that has the Mount Rushmore fireworks being projected on it. On the right are the actual Mt Rushmore fireworks. I'm about 30-35 miles away from Mt. Rushmore in this picture. You can see the light patterns match. OK, OK, so it's not that cool. I'm never trying night photography again.

The Hounds

Violet and Daisy hanging out by the landscaping project in the front yard. Violet says "hi" to uncle Icon.

Allison and Kirsten

Allison and Kirsten did the Mickelson 1/2 marathon. Good job ladies.