Winter Coming

The ride this morning was warm and humid with a steady southeast breeze that kept the pace high on the way out. The other thing keeping the pace high was John T. who apparently placed 20th recently at an Ironman in Australia. Since the group was smallish today we turned around at the dip instead of going all the way to the end of the bike path, but considering the steady headwind all the way back, we still got in a good workout. Today was probably the last day of warm weather we'll see for a little while, because Winter is coming back this afternoon. We're expected to go from a high of 75F today down to a low of 39F tonight, accompanied by the usual WNW winds at 20-30 mph and a 60% chance of rain. Once it's all moved through, though, it should be nicer for the weekend.

Anyway, I know I shouldn't complain. I just checked the weather up in Iowa City where it's 17F right now. The recent USADA action with Genevieve Jeanson is pretty telling, I think. How do you go from a lifetime ban for EPO and a missed test to a retroactive 2-year suspension? Perhaps the lawyers and scientists have poked so may holes in the "infallible" urinary EPO test that some damage control was in order? The official statement was "Both parties acknowledge that they are not changing their respective positions by agreeing [...] but seek to end this matter without further process." Hmmm. An out-of-court settlement to save face? BTW, I think I found what I want for Christmas! (The cyclepassion.com calendar would be nice too.)