Floyd Landis and Beer

I just got back from the Town Hall/Auction/presentation/autograph session/beerfest that was put on by the Floyd Fairness Fund. It was a great event and I think it allowed for Floyd to make his case in a clear and direct fashion. He's doing exactly what he needs to to clear his name, and I applaud him for it.



The event was put on at the Brooklyn Brewery , home to many a fine beer. The taps were open and a-flowin' for this event, which made it all the better.

When Floyd came in, the place erupted. obviously this place was filled with more supporters than skeptics. And that's fine- this event was meant to allow people to 1) Be properly informed, and 2) ask him questions.

One of the people in the crowd Asked Floyd to look him in the eye and tell him that he never used performance enhancing drugs. Point blank, in front of all those cameras.

Floyd did just that. without hesitation. This was him as his most genuine- there wasn't any legal-ese or any run around questions. He looked everyone straight in the eye and told them what he believes to be the truth.



Arnie Baker gave a great presentation on the various flaws the regulators and powers-that-be had made in taking on Floyd. I won't bore you with the details- you should read it, and it can be found on Floyd's site. That presentation gives enough scientific, empirical, and logical arguments that should satisfy even the most jaded skeptic. However, it's up to you (the jaded Internet troller) to read it. It's obvious that we can no longer look to the media for objectivity in cases like this, where sensationalism is what sells.

It's obvious that the doping-related accusations and scandals in that past year have turned many a starry-eyed aspiring bike racer into jaded and dismissive elitists. It's a defense mechanism. If you just brush off any great rider in cycling by saying he/she probably dopes, it prevents you from hoping for the person- from believing in them. It's not surprising, but it's still sad.

Yes, sometimes cyclists have doped. However, to believe all or most of them do is to adopt an attitude that is destructive to the very sport that we love and believe in.



Afterwards there was an auction and an autograph session. I had designed some "Free Floyd" T-shirts on my own (inspired by the "Free Wynona" T-shirts that were made when she was caught shoplifting). I gave one to Floyd, who seemed to like it- i think told him where I got the inspiration from.

"Oh, great. That's exactly who I want to be associated with- Shoplifting celebrities!"

I got him to sign an extra I had, shook his hand, and told him thanks for everything. He then asked how in the hell I ride up here when it's this cold. I said I don't! That's what a trainer and rollers are for (even though I'm starting to get some serious cabin fever).



All in all, a great night. It was great to see, hear, and converse with a fantastic athlete and a great guy, and I'm sure that more than a few skeptics had their questions answered.

There's no doubt in my mind that Floyd will have this case overturned. At least that's where my hopes will lie. Maybe we all need to take a chance and believe in someone again. And I think Floyd's our man.