VeloCast - Latest Comments

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - The Problem with Brad.

John Galloway — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 04:01:17 -0000

Some good points Willy. Most of which are thoughtful enough to move you from the "unthinking" category. We'll have to agree to disagree on the interpretation of some of criticism of Team Sky though.
I am equally critical of a number of other pro teams and in no other case do I see the nationalistic, divisive, fervour apparent in fans of those teams. The closest I've seen is Garmin-Sharp and that at it's worst is a mere shadow of the storm of protest any, even implied, criticism of Sir Bradley or Team Sky calls forth.
The point was, as the postscript explicitly stated, not to infer that Team Sky were doping. Your comments in response suggest that the postscript was necessary.
The point is that my worries about blind faith are spread far wider than than just Team Sky, hard as that may be to see.
The entire peloton must re-earn our trust.
We've been lied to for years.
Team Sky are not exempt from that.
The upcoming conclusion of the Padua Investigation, the frankly terrifying Tuttobici interview with Benedetto Roberti hinting at what's to come, will once again rock our sport to the core. Puerto could end up looking like a minor distraction by comparison.
Bearing all that in mind it is my personal opinion that there is no place for simple fandom in our sport as it stands which is, if I'm being generous, what I see in the reactions of that subset of Team Sky fans in particular. We need to approach the sport with measured scepticism. That saddens me, but to do any less would be to ignore history. That in no way prevents us from enjoying the dramas that play out on the road, it just offers the best chance of not being fooled again.

Another p.s. ;o) I'm done arguing about the knighthood. It's been pointed out to me so often and convincingly that there is so much "commerce" and nepotism in the honours system that, whilst it can mean a huge amount to "ordinary" folk receiving a gong for their good works, it's essentially anachronistic and indefensible in it's current guise.

p.p.s. I am indeed left wing AND a blogger AND part of the Twitter community. There's no hope for me. ;o)

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - The Problem with Brad.

Willy Trencher — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 22:50:21 -0000

Risking being labelled a rabid follower of Team Sky, although not in any way condoning abusive responses to your tweets, I shall none the less take issue with you on this.

Firstly if it is true to say there is a blinkered fanatical Sky following it is also true to say that there is a healthy dislike for Wiggins and Sky among the left wing cycling blogger/tweeter community where every achievement/announcement/news story seems to be treated with varying degrees of scepticism/cynicism. It's as if Wiggo & Sky are viewed as the Tory Party on a bike.

I don't believe for one minute that you are naive enough to think you could make a "throwaway" comment on twitter regarding any breaking news story and not get a stream of responses that no doubt reflected the full spectrum of twitter users. Irrespective of the rights and wrongs of the honours system it is what it is and you chose to use Wiggins as an example for a general point about sporting honours being awarded during a career. If Wiggins honour is primarily for his Olympic career then he has most likely satisfied the bookend criteria you suggest, as he is no certainty to go to Brazil. In this respect he is no different from his fellow Knight Ben Ainslie so Wiggins is not the best example of the point you were trying to make anyway. Hoy would have been more relevant or you could have made a general point without referencing any individual.

Now for the metaphorical throwing arms in the air passage at the end where you sadly note the necessity of your postscript. You warn us against repeating a historical mistake where someone was allowed to cheat their way through a career because of an unquestioning following and then tell us we should not take this as a direct reference. I'm sorry but what is the point you are trying to make with the "we've been down that road before haven't we" comment if you are not implying cheating is on the cards otherwise? What benefit has the reference to your point if it is not implying the provision of the opportunity to cheat? If you've no intention of implying Wiggins or Sky are in any way doping why infer unquestioning support of them could lead to a repeat of the Armstrong USPS debacle? I'm struggling to understand what conclusion you were expecting the reader to reach from your comments if not these and am left to think it's kinda sad you chose to draw the comparison in the first place if you were attempting to make an entirely different point.

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - The Problem with Brad.

OwenP — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:39:39 -0000

This sort of rabid fandom is what you see in football and might be what you'll see in cycling if you get 'franchised' teams and a reduction of the reliance on title sponsors for financing. Not saying it is a good thing, but with increased fan loyalty can come a decrease in the ability to see any faults or take negative criticism of their own players/riders.

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - The Problem with Brad.

John_the_Monkey — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 13:56:03 -0000

People are fanatical and rude about nearly anything - I don't think Mr. W is an exception, really, so much as the rule. Get to a certain critical mass of fame, and there are people who will leap on any perceived slight to the object of their admiration.

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - The Problem with Brad.

stdomingo — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 04:04:01 -0000

My sentiments entirely on seeing the news. You some it up very well John and you have every right to your opinion.

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - The Problem with Brad.

Fuzzy — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 03:25:22 -0000

Well said John. Twitter is great at something's but it also has its downsides. Of course not helped by my own inability to make the best use of it as for example I don't have a scobby how to review as you suggested your timeline. Ach I'm off to annoy the neighbours and play some guitar for a bit :)

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - The Problem with Brad.

norbs — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 02:51:24 -0000

Too right. Give that postman a knighthood!

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - The Problem with Brad.

Eclair55 — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 02:02:03 -0000

Nice post John,

I agree about the knighthood thing, I always felt that about Chris Hoy knighthood in 2008 so what do you give him in 2012 after more Olympic success.

My problem with a lot of the tone of the tweeting last night was it was personal and abusive to quote on "does this mean Cath will have to behave like a lady" which has hee-haw to do with Brad's knighthood. On the other hand you are right that any questioning of Brad and Sky is seen as anti-patriotic.

While I may be in the minority of sports fans I like the best competitor / team to win regardless of nationality or team.

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - The Problem with Brad.

Boxhead — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 01:27:55 -0000

Good on you John.

If Wiggo is knighted for a very successful 2012 what do they give him if he has another great year? How do you acknowledge the achievements of a knight?

Our society has a similar problem with the term "hero". A hero used to be someone who risked their lives for little or no personal gain. Now we have sportsmen labelled as heroes.

I blame the PR machines.

PS. That "with us or against us" mentality is encouraged by the zero tolerance policy. It's not healthy, it's not intelligent but it is simple and easy to apply without thinking it through.

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - Twitter? Good God Y'all! What is it Good For?

John Galloway — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:51:50 -0000

Ah, a kindred spirit. ;)

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - Twitter? Good God Y'all! What is it Good For?

Mark Florence — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:38:35 -0000

Twitter is bad for it, even email really. Pub, brew, bad food, or a long bike ride is the best place for nuanced discussion. Nothing like common suffering or slight intoxication to help see both sides.

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - It Just Got Real.

norbs — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:47:32 -0000

These are exciting times John. I wish you and Scott all the best with your venture. I for one am on board.

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - Introducing Steve McCaw: How Deep Should You Go?

John Galloway — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:22:23 -0000

That's just my accent. ;o) It's http://www.wheelroom.co.uk/

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - Introducing Steve McCaw: How Deep Should You Go?

Luvlysmiler — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:31:20 -0000

I think you may have given out the wrong link http://www.wheelrim.co.uk/ just goes to a for-sale holding page

Re: velocast cc - Post Peloton Transcripts - Useful Idiots Transcript

Guest — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:00:44 -0000

Tidy article, cheers. Interesting bowels you've got there, mind.

Re: velocast cc - Post Peloton Transcripts - Useful Idiots Transcript

Terence Magennis — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:38:14 -0000

He was right about BMX though.

Re: velocast cc - Post Peloton Transcripts - Useful Idiots Transcript

Stephen — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 08:45:38 -0000

Great article Scott.

Re: velocast cc - Post Peloton Transcripts - Useful Idiots Transcript

Martin — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 08:01:22 -0000

Nice piece Scott.

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - Getting Us for Le Tour.

Nick Arthur — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:14:47 -0000

I'm probably being a bit of a berk, but I can't find the vuelta rss feed address - any ideas?

Re: velocast cc - Sofaboy Chronicles - Getting Us for Le Tour.

Jaimehedges — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:11:48 -0000

apparently I am computer challenged today! What is the Vuelta feed address I need to type into itunes?

Re: velocast cc - Website Login

Pgunning71 — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 14:01:10 -0000

Back from hols & have signed up for vuelta podcasts. All gone swimmingly. However I'm trying to download onto iPod touch & all I can seem to do is stream. Is there any way of downloading and keeping on device. Thanks people.

Re: velocast cc - Website Login

dv — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:31:28 -0000

Couple of thoughts. Wonder if Bert is concerned about Froome in the time trial, hence some urgency to drop him.

What are the chances of the top Spanish riders ganging up on Froome later, presumably in favour of Bert, there is form?

Re: velocast cc - Website Login

RODRI_12 — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 16:50:15 -0000

I figured it out. The link is in the email with the password.

Re: velocast cc - Website Login

Henry_m1 — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 11:55:17 -0000

there is a link somewhere on the site but essentially it doesnt seem to work, will try to contact the velocast guys and see whats up

Re: velocast cc - Website Login

RODRI_12 — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 06:44:07 -0000

Hi, I'm a meathead. There is a way to open this directly in itunes podcast using a password, but I don't remember how to do it. Anyone have the link?