Book Reviews: Racing Through the Dark, The Secret Race
I must admit to not having read most of the cycling memoirs in the Works. I may eventually but the local public library doesn’t carry any of them and never will so I’ll have to buy them or ask Frank to tote everything he has to Hawaii. I did get off my wallet and buy these two and it was money well spent. David Millar and Tyler Hamilton have produced two excellent cycling books, parallel stories in very general terms and times. The contrast of how two people in similar straits handle the truth and the divergent roads it puts them on is compelling.
Doping in professional cycling is still secretive enough that it is best told from someone all the way on the inside. Journalists will be lied to by cyclists. Federal grand juries do better at getting the truth but we usually don’t hear it. Cyclists who lived the lie and need to unburden themselves make a good conduit. I can’t begin to explain it as well as Tyler or David did; their inner world of professional cycling is nothing we hear much about. In the 1990s it was the wild west where the law was absent. Spanish “doctors”, syringes and mini-centrifuges ruled the day. It’s such a huge subject, too interwoven with passion and pressure, so much grey area. For a person like me who likes to talk about doping in black and white, I’ve learned how institutionalized and insidious it was (past tense, I hope). It’s not so simple. It’s tragic. To feed the young ambitious athlete into a system where there is no choice but to accept the drug system is criminal. When money is at stake and the UCI is complicit, as is team management, those are some criminals.
Racing Through the Dark-by David Millar. I’ll also admit to being a long time admirer of David Millar. He has always been well- spoken and not afraid to confront, two qualities I admire and personally lack, but they make a good writer. Millar is a military brat who found his cycling talent in the 10 mile British time trial club races. He ended up living his dream, riding on the Cofidis team, France’s well- funded but dysfunctional squad. He spent his first few years with Cofidis riding clean, yet watching how others “prepared”.
“In my youthful exuberance, I was telling anybody who would listen that I’d won in De Panne and broken the course record with a hematocrit of only 40 percent. I went to see Casagrande and his roommate, whom I refer to as L’Équipier (the teammate), so that I could show Casagrande the test results.
I stood there, a big grin on my face, expecting Casagrande to congratulate me and say something morale boosting. But he didn’t. After a pause, he handed the results back to me and then turned to speak to his roommate in Italian.
“Perché non é a cinquate?” Casagrande asked L’Équipier, puzzled, Why isn’t he at fifty?
No one talked about doping and no one talked about not doping. Eventually, after VDB self-destructed and Casagrande was busted, Millar became a team leader. And with that mantle came the responsibility to produce results, be a professional. And eventually he was implicated by a teammate, evidence was found, he was out of cycling, deeply in debt, and drinking his way to the bottom.
For some interesting video here is a recent Spanish documentary from the inner ring.
The Secret Race-by Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle. Tyler Hamilton and I grew up in the same end of Massachusetts, he went to the same prep school @rob and I dropped out of, so I always felt slightly connected to him. So I was a fan boy and stood by his fantastic excuses for too long.
The whole wretched story of doping in cycling is right here. Tyler Hamilton cheated and lied for so long, it took until 2011 before he could tell his parents the truth. And despite his decade of lying, this book rings true. His reward was getting out from under the lie. I think he would have written the book for free just for the unburdening. He states many times the lightness of being after testimony and though he knows it’s very unlikely, hopes Lance can feel the same lightness that comes from telling the truth. This book is Tyler Hamilton’s story but it is closely linked to part of the Armstrong saga.
Like Millar, Hamilton was unaware of systemic drug use until he had joined the professional ranks. US Postal drugs were at first team- provided and paid for. Once you proved yourself as one of the best riders on the team, as someone who could help Lance win the Tour, you earned the right to use EPO. It is fascinating reading, it’s horrifying, it’s depressing. Most unsettling is Lance Armstrong’s behavior. There are many revelations regarding Armstrong’s psychotic need to win. I’ll share just this one.
Tyler was eased out of US Postal because he was too strong a rider and perceived as a threat to Armstrong. So Tyler left and signed with Phonak in 2004. There was a time trial up Mont Ventoux in the 2004 Dauphiné Libéré weeks before the Tour de France. Tyler beat Lance in the TT. Later during the Tour, Floyd Landis, who was still riding for US Postal rode along side Tyler.
“You need to know something”
I pulled in closer. Floyd’s Mennonite conscience was bothering him.
“Lance called the UCI on you,” he said. “He called Hien, after Ventoux. Said you guys and Mayo were on some new shit, told Hien to get on you. He knew they’d call call you in. He’s been talking shit nonstop. And I think it’s right that you know.”
This little story is amazing for many different reasons and the only good one is Floyd Landis telling it to Tyler. I’m guilty of saying some negative things about Floyd, mostly because he was such an idiot liar. But at a point, when he has nothing to gain and he has lost everything else and he starts telling the truth, he gains back my respect, just like Tyler Hamilton has.
I ended up reading these books one right after the other. As I said before, I recommend them both. David Millar is a better writer. He actually has more demons to battle than Hamilton so his story of redemption is inspiring. Tyler Hamilton’s story is more depraved (in a doping sense) but both books are important. A lot of people in cycling are now admitting to past deeds in very unspecific terms. These two authors are both shining lights into some dark corners and making the inevitability of drug use in cycling more human and understandable. Also, in reading these books back to back, it highlights the contrast in how these two people dealt with their fates.
Both had the bad luck to be nearly singled out as dopers when a large percent of the riders were dopers. Millar realized it was the doping that killed his passion for even riding a bike. He took no joy in his EPO-assisted victories, only a temporary satisfaction that the task at hand was completed. He decided to come clean and to become an advocate for clean racing and changing the corrupt system.
Hamilton could not admit to anyone but his wife (who already knew) that he had been a cheat. His lie was so crushing he couldn’t even see a way out. He then spent all his money and energy protecting the lie for years, for nothing, obviously. It was the threat of perjury in that finally broke open the dam. It’s a cruel lesson to learn; the truth will set you free, even if it takes forever.
@Marcus
Agreed that the Feds are a lot less likely to go after LA for perjury in a civil deposition. If it was to a grand jury or Congress, yes. Moreover the Feds’ recent track record with sport & other public figure/perjury trials (Bonds, Clemens, Ted Stevens) has not been good. Big picture, there’s not a lot of appetite for more of them. Floyd’s qui tam/false claims case is another story.
@G’phant
A. FUCKING. PLUS. FUCKING. ONE.
I am going to fucking read ‘Tomorrow we ride’ again, because I am fucking done with all this fucking doping crap.
@Marcus
You boys need to learn what fighting blind means… I HAVE NOT CLAIMED ONCE THAT LANCE NEVER LIED UNDER OATH. Also, the fact that he did changes nothing I’ve said anywhere else here as it was not even peripherally related to any of my points. So… I don’t know what “fight” you think is happening but nope, not realizing he had already purjured himself doesn’t mean I’m fighting blind. Nor does it mean he’ll do any jail time… Barry Bonds purjured himself, McGuire perjured himsefl.. ZERO jail tiem between them. So… who’s blind exactly?
@G’phant
1. The part that said @Leroy is what made me believe it was directed at me… If it wasn’t than I apologize for assuming otherwise.
2. As I’ve already said, I disagree… I don’t think the sport is dirty today with or without these revelations. I think there are still dopers out there but I believe they act alone and in the dark today instead of the coordinated effort it was. So, in as much, these “revelations” have done nothing to change the reality of doping in sports today and only serve as punitive effect. I’d have rather seen Lance carry on fooling the ignorant masses and cycling bring on MORE sponsors than have Lance get what he deserves at the expense of the sport, I don’t agree with current cyclists being made to pay for this ‘victory’. I love cycling more than I hate Lance and any desire to see him punished is far outweighed by the reality that it’s bad for the image of the sport, it’s that simple.
3. I don’t know what the fucking problem is you with dimwitted dumbfucks about “condescension”… Maybe it’s a language barrier or maybe you’re just a bit insecure and any opinion not in line with yours comes off as condescending. I don’t much give a fuck… I’m entitled to my opinion as much as you’re entitled to yours so fuck you if you don’t like my fucking opinion….. Is that the style you prefer? To me it seems far ruder than simply disagreeing as reasonable adults and debating our opinions but if that’s what you’re looking for, I can tell you to go fuck yourself all day long whenever you disagree with me. I don’t much see the point but hey, if that’s how you rolll… I’m the obliging type.
@Leroy
I am simply referring to your ill-informed (yes – because you clearly haven’t read his testimony. Have you done so yet? If not, stop posting and go read it.) statement that Armstrong’s statements “impossible toprove lies”. They are clearly not.
Oli’s “fighting blind” call was a throwaway line – now getting Close to Lexicon worthy – on the basis that you have made far-reaching comments and very long posts without reading what just might become the Magna Carta of a new age in cycling. Ioli said fighting blind I say speaking from a position of ignorance.
It is very rare for Oli, Minion, Gphant and me to agree on something – but you may hava achieved it
Not sure where it was but I read that Skoda have pulled their sponsorship of the Tour.
@Marcus
I have read the majority of it and haven’t refuted any of it… so exactly what the fuck am I fighting that I’m fighting blind??? I’ve said he’s a doper, a cheat, a fraud, and I’ve agreed that he did everythign in his power to keep it from coming to light. Please… explain what’s blind about that or how that disagrees with anyone? The only two points I seem to disagree on with anyone is whether Lance masterminded doping peloton wide or whether he’ll do jail time… Nothing I’ve said has been “far reaching” and, as I’ve said several goddamn times now, I’ve read the huge majority of the report, I don’t need to read another 40-50 pages to know he’s dirty and he cheated and he intimated witnesses… What the fuck are you even on about? Nowhere have I defended Lance as innocent… I’ve only stated my opinion on the value of proving his guilt for all to see and my opinion on the likliehood of him doing jail time.
Perhaps you don’t understand the American criminal justice system and how hard shit like this is to prove, even WITH a mountain of evidence…. Fuck, just look at OJ… dude chopped his wife’s fucking head off and managed to go free. Michael Jackson, molested kids for decades without any criminal charges… You’ve got to be a slackwitted fucking retard or a foreigner to not recognize that the US criminal justice system is heavily balanced in favor of people with money. If OJ can get off for murder and MJ can get off for molesting kids for decades… Do you honestly think that Lance is going to jail for something that, no matter how big a deal to you or I, the majority of the American public flat out doesn’t care about??? If so… I’m afraid I’m not the one who’s blind here mate.
@Leroy now I remember you. Weren’t you the one who challenged someone (possibly me) to some sort of ride-off? Months ago?
@Marcus
Not that I recall… I actually haven’t been around in probably near upon a year. Was traveling overseas for work and had limited connectivity outside the office, which is heavily firewalled and won’t allow me to access much of anything. Gave up trying to use my cell phone pretty quick.
…that, and I’m neither a particularly fast nor particularly fit rider so I doubt I’d be challenging anyone to any races unless I was drunk and feeling bold.
I believe carbon craplet would be the appropriate term…
@Leroy When you showed yourself not to have any functioning knowledge of Armstrong’s SCA hearing you betrayed yourrelative lack of knowledge. When you made comment to the effect that Armstrong wasn’t any worse than other dopers. When you made theludicrous comparison of Armstrong to the likes of other powerful men like Obama.
Put all them together and your 3000 words of drivel – at some point along this journey I came to the conclusion that you are insane
@Marcus
LMAO… Yeah, that’s reasonable… someone has a different opinion than you so they must be insane. What a fucking joke. I’m aware of the SCA case, lacking the specifics of Armstrong’s testimony IN A CIVIL COURT has no bearing on anything else I’ve said and really only shows your own ignorance to American law. If you take issue with me comparing Armstrongs intimidation tactics to the tactics employed by powerful as long as America has existed, then you’re flat out fucking dillusional and just WANT to see Armstrong as worse than the rest. It’s that simple… America was founded on the manipulation of regulations and the intimidation of those who stop you. If you would argue otherwise, it’s only because you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking aobut.
If basing my opinion firmly in reality and disregarding my emotional attachment makes me insane, if saying seeing cycling succeed is more improtant to me than seeing Lance fail… then yep, I’m fucking full blown bonkers buddy!!! That begs the question though… what does that make the lot of you who are so consumed by your hate for Lance that you the basic realities of the situation and are apparently happy to see the sport of cycling suffer to sate your bloodlust for Lance?
I’ll tell you what, I’ll go read the last 40-50 pages of the reasoned decision if you’ll go read some American history… then you can come back and tell me about how fair and polite the captains of industry throughout history have been to their competition… and if I find anything in the remaining pages that changes my opinion I’ll own up to. Deal?
@Leroy
“I don’t know what the fucking problem is you with dimwitted dumbfucks about “condescension”… Maybe it’s a language barrier or maybe you’re just a bit insecure and any opinion not in line with yours comes off as condescending. I don’t much give a fuck… I’m entitled to my opinion as much as you’re entitled to yours so fuck you if you don’t like my fucking opinion….. Is that the style you prefer? To me it seems far ruder than simply disagreeing as reasonable adults and debating our opinions but if that’s what you’re looking for, I can tell you to go fuck yourself all day long whenever you disagree with me. I don’t much see the point but hey, if that’s how you rolll… I’m the obliging type.”
Just so’s we’re clear, that isn’t a profanity laden tirade directed at other community members, is it. I mean, coz that might make you a hypocrite as well as condescending. To be clear: I have accused you of nothing more than being wrong on some points (which is what your purportedly cherished disagreement between adults is all about), having an opinion that was barking mad (which was meant in jest and apologised for when it seemed not to be received that way) and being condesending (which your patronising rererence to ‘cute names’ manifestly was). I have not told you to ‘go fuck yourself’, I ave not said ‘fuck you’ to you, and I have not called you a ‘dimwitted dumbfuck’ . And neither, despite the temptation, do I have any present intention of doing so. Because I am a grown up, and am able to distinguish between (i) robust debate infused with a passion born of a love of the sport and spiced with a good dose of humor, and (ii) personal attacks which add nothing to anything. If you don’t get the distinction, go for a ride to clear your head and come back when you’ve calmed the fuck down.
@Marcus I’m getting nervous about this continuing. Isn’t there a Speech just for these situations?
@Marcus
Nooooooooo….!!! Fucking Armstrong – another thing to hate on him for.
@meursault
An excellent suggestion.
http://pvcycling.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/the-coming-confession/
An interesting prognostication. Watch this space?
@G’phant
Still need to read Pedalare! Pedalare! (purchased) but heard here that it is not such a good read.
@G’phant Apologies G’phant.. I never intended to be condescending with the ‘cute names’ remark nor did I intend for my last post to come off as a personal attack. I genuinely do not swear much in written or verbal communication so I’m a bit bad it… My last few posts, I’ve tried to avoid sounding condescending and have intentionally added some ‘colorful’ language to that end. If it’s coming off poorly, it’s only because I’m not good at it. Apologies to you and anyone else who takes it personally. I honestly am quite reasonable and obliging and meant no offense.
I think the reality is, we all recognize Lance to be a huge piece of shit… we just disagree on how remarkable it is that he’s such a large piece of shit, how realistic it is that he’ll really be ‘punished’ in a criminal sense over it, and whether or not everything being drug back into the light of day is worthwhile for the sport as a whole. Like I said, I can’t stand Lance… and I’ve never been under any impression that he was clean, honest, or decent. But my love for cycling greatly outweighs any desire I have to see him hung out to dry like the washed up piece of shit that he is.
@G’phant
Thanx. And good to read a piece that articulates a clear bottom line — outcome-fallout-ruined-waste.
@G’phant
Nice find… that was a good read on the situation. Will be interesting to see if he does come clean.
@Leroy I would consider this a *controlled burn* to get better growth in the long-term.
@unversio
Very well put… and I agree.
@Leroy
LA was supposed to have a public appearance at a Livestrong event today. There was a lot of speculation about what he might say.
@Leroy aw shucks – the best part of breaking up is the making up, ain’t it? It’s like Marcus and Minion all over again. Only less, I dunno, icky. No worries from my perspective – we all fire up on this topic, and that’s a testament to the love we all share for the sport. THAT, at least, is something we can all agree on. I think. With respect. And with no offence intended…
@Marcus
The world has turned upside down, what was up is now down, all that was right is now wrong. It’s terrifying.
@Leroy You keep repeating yourself more hysterically every time, but I do understand what you’re saying. I’ve even agreed with you on some points, which you seem to have missed. But I still think your opinion is weak when you clearly don’t understand that what has been uncovered has ramifications for all the sport, even teams today.
To write the whole thing off as us being Lance haters really irks me, as I have repeatedly stated I was one of LA’s biggest fans until last week. The last thing I wanted to do was hate a guy I’ve idolised for twenty years, but my current position is derived from reading all of the Reasoned Decision and much of the peripheral evidence and affidavits, and I don’t think you can grasp the magnitude of his behaviour and what’s at issue without having done the same. I also don’t think it was just USPS either, but this is the first real look under the lid of this cycling-wide culture that USPS was a major player in.
Regardless of your mainly irrelevant comments about how the rich wield their power, there is much more to this evisceration of our sport than just trying to punish Lance – he is just the conduit for an expose into how the whole sport was run, and in some quarters is still run. The collateral damage is of course very sad, but better that and a chance of a cleaner future than just pretending it didn’t happen – what good would that do?
Anyway, I expect you to rebut this post and/or suggest that I think you aren’t entitled to your opinion; of course you are, but we are equally entitled to pull you up on it.
Shit, while I was writing that last post you guys were getting all lovey-dovey? Yet again my timing is crap…
@Oli I still think you are a wanker cunt from a nation of wanker cunts
@Marcus Fuck you, you convict wankspanner son of a motherless goat.
@Oli
Shit Oli.Nevermind doping I always thought you were in Jan’s camp.How wrong was I?Why?What made you like LA?I simply never liked him because of the way he was sitting and riding on a bike.As if there was absolutely no connection between him and his machine.Absolutely obnoxious style like they could never dial his set up right.I know you might laugh hard at this but there you go.
@TommyTubolare Never question a mans religious beliefs. Suffice to say I did but now have discovered my idol has feet not of clay, but putrid dogshit. Also, I was never anti-Ullrich but I wasn’t a big Jan fan because he just never did enough with what he had, and that was before I realised that they really “were all on it”.
I thought of Bianchi and all that.But well that’s a fine and cool answer.Cheers.
@Marcus
@Oli
thanks, chaps. Feel much better now.
P.S. ‘wankspanner’? A special neologism just for Frere Marcus, or a regrettable previous lacuna in my vocabulary? Either way, have no idea what it means but think it a fine contribution.
@unversio @Leroy found the article linked here – http://www.thebrowser.com . My favourite website. It not infrequently has articles on cycling – including, if you can bear it, a whole collection on Armstrong (though that is NOT the reason it is my favourite website …). The perfect site if you have a magpie brain. Which is not the same thing as a bird brain. Though regrettably, in my case, the two are not mutually exclusive…
@Oli Apologies if you got the impression I was still calling you a Lance hater, after saying that intiially and hearing what you had to say, I can totally see where you’re coming from now. No worries though, I think we’re all on the same page now even with our disagreements on the finer points.
@G’phant I need none more. Although I just opened the Nov VELO and read a good closing article from Andrew Hood who covered all seven Tour victories and the comeback Tours. Good and hard-hitting to read, but says now that it is (practically* almost*) done. For us it is done.
And there was an ad for KMS X10SL Superlight chain in the issue. Good and hard-hitting ad too.
KMC KMC KMC chain!
@Leroy
Now there is no need to use an offensive term like retard.
@girl
Um, yeah. I’m going to protest this word as well because it is highly offensive. I don’t give a flying fuck if you all characterize yourselves as assholes (I am one!), or dumbasses, etc. And as much as I live/understand our community’s irreverence. This characterization has extrreme and I abhor it.
@unversio
My favorite chain = the KMC X10SL DLC chain
I haven’t ridden Campy but the KMC is head and shoulders better in shifting performance than any Shimano or SRAM chain I’ve used. Highly recommend.
@niksch *is extreme and I abhor it. To many Colorado Native Lagers affecting the typist skill set.
@girl
@niksch
1000% agree
@Leroy
I brought up the subject of the genuine Campagnolo C10 chain tool (expensive) at the bike shop. The recommendation came back with replacing the Ultra-Narrow (5.9mm) Chorus or Record chain with KMC and use a good reliable chain tool (when simply changing not cleaning). KMC is around 65.00 and Campagnolo Record around 55.00. But the Campa tool is at least 150.00. Which comes first, the chain or the tool?
Back to the original topic, I’ve just finished Tyler Hamilton’s book, from start to finish in 24 hours. A great read, at times with excruciating honesty but as he says in the book, ‘the truth will set you free’ .
Millar’s is also a great book and well written, though mainly focused on himself, dealing with his guilt and inner torment, and he mostly seeks to avoid dragging others into it by naming anyone, (which is understandable given the context, as Frank says above..).
But what I enjoyed about Hamiltons was the broader sweep of perspective and context it provides about professional cycling during the EPO era as well as telling his personal story together with plenty of specifics about the methods, doctors, other riders including of course Lance. As Frank and others say, he does come across as a decent guy. Of course it’s written from his perspective, but it reads true and whilst he explains the context, he doesn’t seek to blame anyone else for the choices he made, even Lance. I take my hat off to him for taking personal responsibility. Redemption is earned.
If you haven’t read them do so (especially Hamilton’s)!
@unversio
I find my Campagnolo Record 10 works and shifts much better using original Campagnolo chains.I usually use Centaur chains but Record chain worked perfect as well.If you don’t want to buy Campagnolo UT-CN 200 chain tool you can still use Campagnolo 10 speed chains and connect them using KMC Campagnolo 10 speed specific power links.Plus any good 10 speed chain tool can be used.For 11 speed it’s different though.
I find KMC chains to wear out much faster and do not recommend mixing chains eg.Shimano chains on Sram group.Plus you’d lose your guarantee if you used different brand chain on a given groupset.
I know the place in Europe that at the moment have this chain tool for around 100$.The very same place have Simplex DT shifters I believe you wanted way back so if you want to pay one shipping for these two items it’s a good chance.Both items are brand new and I bought lots of shit from this store so you’re good to go.Plus they have lots of old Campagnolo NOS parts that if you see them you are going to want to buy them.Shipping should be around 20$.If you are interested let me know how to contact you or get my email from the Keepers.Cheers.
@unversio
The KMC’s use a tool-less “missing link” so you don’t have to worry about using any tool at all. You can find the regular KMC X10SL chains on ebay for like $40 all day long, a few $$ more if you want the gold colored TiNi version… The DLC versions for about twice that. If you’re in good with your shop guys or can otherwise get things at or near cost, it’s like $38, $45, & $65 for the SL, SL TiNi, and SL DLC respectively.
As much as I’d like to, I haven’t ridden Campy anything so I can’t give an honest review between their chains and KMC but I run the X10SL in one variety or another on all my bikes; bike #1 is Red, bike #2 is 105 levers & Ultegra D’s, and then I run a SRAM X0 1×9 with a dura ace cassette on my DH bike, 2×9 SRAM X0 on the park bike, and 2×10 SRAM X0 on the 29’er… works perfectly with all of those so I’d be willing to bet on it working well with Campy also. I’d spend the money on the chain over the tool if it was me… Although there is certainly something to be said for the way a nice Campy chaintool classes up a toolbox ;)
Lezyne make an affordable Campa 11-speed chain tool…
@TommyTubolare
Okay. I am gonna trust my feelings* and let go* — and keep running Chorus and Record chains. My feeling is that 2010 Centaur became a Chorus chain with Athena going 11 speed. So Centaur is the right choice these days. I will find a Campa tool eventually or Pedros makes a good tool that is adjustable to 9 – 10 – 11. I may follow you up on the store. Thanx