Alberto Contador Tests Positive for Clenbuterol

Image by murphy-R via FlickrFrankly, I am fed up with all the professional cyclists who keep on doping to be able to get ahead in their cycling career, and to make millions of dollars. It is sick and embarrassing that some pro-cyclists are so wimp they cannot finish in first place in the Tour de France if they are not cheating.
Lance Armstrong always denied doping, he was never proven guilty with positive laboratory results, but I wonder: if Jan Ulrich, Ivan Basso and practically the rest of the peloton were doping, how is it that Lance Armstrong beat everyone for 7 consecutive years? However, these are only speculations since he was never proven guilty and he has never admitted to it.
Now it's Alberto Contador the one in question, and I am not surprised at all. I never liked the guy anyways. Hated his handgun signature when crossing the finish line and his poor sports attitude. But now he was tested positive for clenbuterol, and he told a news conference in his home town, Pinto, Madrid that:  "It is a clear case of food contamination,"...meaning that the meat he ate had clenbuterol in it...mmm...oh please!

“There are other, very, very incriminating suspicious facts against Contador. Other values have appeared that are ten times over the higher value from so-called plasticizers [such as di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) – ed.] which are used in blood bags. These values were measured one day before the positive dope control. These blood bag softener values could indicate that autologous blood doping may have been performed.” -Velonation reported

That means that Contador may have received transuftions of his own blood when he was doping with clenbuterol, most likely days before the Tour de France. In the meantime, Contador has been temporarily suspended by the UCI.

What a cheater and a liar he is.

Cyclists Pull-Out of Commonwealth Games 2010

New Delhi is hosting the Commonwealth Games this year, but the preparation and construction of the installations has been more than deficient. The athlete's village is filthy with feces on the floor and flooded.
Several athletes have pulled out from the games over concerns about health and security.
Cyclists Welsh rider Thomas, Peter Kennaugh of the Isle of Man and England’s Ian Stannard and Ben Swift made individual decisions to pull out of the games, British Cycling said.

India’s health minister, Gulam Nabi Azad, said that monsoon-caused construction delays have resulted in pools of stagnant water near facilities that are to be used for the Games and created “breeding grounds for mosquitoes and posing a serious health risk.” -VeloNews reported

Cyclist Pooley Best World Timetrialist

Briton cyclist Emma Pooley, 28 years of age, wins the Women's World's Time Trial title today. She pedaled furiously for 32:48:44 minutes along the 22.9 km road course in the port city of Geelong. Pooley finished  15.7 seconds faster than German cyclist Judith Arndt. Linda Villumsen of New Zealand took bronze.

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Alcohol Cycling and Living Longer

There is a new study that was published on the US National Library of Medicine and the  WILEY Knowledge for Generations, regarding alcohol and living longer.
It says that moderate alcohol drinkers live longer than non-drinkers. The study was not made using medical, biochemical nor pharmacological scientific methods. The research was conducted by psychologist Charles Holahan of the University of Texas at Austin, and used 1,824 participants over 20 years.
This kind of study only reflects statistics and does not prove that alcohol consumption actually extends life-span. Although I agree somewhat that drinking alcohol (mainly wine) moderately could help some people, some others might not benefit at all from drinking.

I am an amateur competitive fanatic cyclist and I do have 2 or 3 glasses of wine a month with my food; especially if I'm having Minestrone soup and Cacciatore for dinner. I find no harm on that. However, I cannot admit the statement that total alcohol abstinence shortens life-span, simply because my medical practice over 27 years has shown me that people who avoid stress, keep themselves healthy thin and exercise regularly do live longer, especially the ones who never drunk alcohol or did it very very lightly and NOT regularly.

One has to be very cautious about agreeing with this kind of "studies" that the main stream media loves to report. Sometimes I ask myself if this kind of report is paid for by the alcohol/beer industry...mmm...just wondering.

It is always better to ask your personal physician before taking in consideration any alcohol drinking.

Reasons to Love Cycling

There is something about cycling that makes me feel complete, happy, exhilarated, free...alive!
Although I like many sports, specially running, jogging, tennis and swimming, road cycling is the one for me.
These are my best 10 reasons why I love biking -not in a special order.

1. I build muscles all over my body without lifting weights.
2. My brain gets oxygenated so much I feel sharper after a hard long bike ride.
3. Cycling keeps my heart rate and cardiovascular system in perfect conditions.
4. My lungs feel and breath better.
5. The skin of my face looks younger and

6. Since I started amateur bicycle racing my self-esteem went to the roof!
7. I get to wear cool jersey outfits and show off my muscles.
8. I love it when people who see me cycling along the streets wave at me and cheer me on.
9. It encourages me to not give up and to continue my journey of healthy living.
10. In my worst and saddest moments of my life I still have this one sport to look forward to, so I don't despair and have faith for a better tomorrow.

I could have made this list way longer, but I thought it could be boring if you are reading this post and you are not a crazy cycling fanatic. But feel free to comment and let me know if you like cycling and why.

Viva le cyclisme!

Infant Milk Formula with Beetles being Recalled

US infant milk formula known as Similac, was found with beetles in their products. That is why Abbot Laboratories decided to recall 5 million containers of the mentioned formula.

The contamination does not pose any immediate health risk, Brotz said. However, there may be a possibility that infants who consume the tainted infant formulas could experience gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat the food, she added.

"The contamination does not pose any immediate health risk" ... Are we supossed to believe what people who don't know how to make decent milk formula for our children TELL US?! Food Consumer Article

Texas Could Lay-Off 9,800 People

Trying to balance the budget of different states might cause massive lay offs all over United States of America.

The University of Texas, for instance, has said 600 jobs could be eliminated if a full 10 percent cut is required. At Texas A&M University, the number of affected jobs would be 400.
Because of the recession, there are also fewer vacant positions to scuttle without affecting a person, said Andy Homer , government relations director for the Texas Public Employees Association.

Proposed state job cuts*
More than 9,800 state jobs could be eliminated next year as Texas prepares for a potential shortfall of $21 billion for the 2012-13 budget. Here is a look at agencies that have put the most jobs on the chopping block.

Agency Jobs cut

Dept. of Criminal Justice 7,353
Youth Commission 460
Comptroller
of Public Accounts 315
Dept. of State Health
Services 276
Health and Human
Services Commission 246
Department of Insurance 186
Agrilife Extension Service 140
Department of Public Safety 120
Agrilife Research 116
Alcoholic Beverage
Commission 94
* Includes both layoffs and the elimination of vacant positions.
Source: 2012-13 Legislative Appropriations Requests submitted to the Legislative Budget Board

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US NYC Niketown Shutdown due to Bedbugs Infestation

US (United States) is becoming a cesspool with,
1. A poverty ratio of 1:7,
2. Constant food recalls (due to E. Coli, Salmonella, you name it), eggs, pet food, etc.
3. And now, bed bugs all over the US. It is disgusting, simply disgusting. Before this, I had never heard of an infestation of this magnitude, I mean, a whole country polluted with bed bugs -chinches-?!

All 50 US states have reported outbreak infestations with bed bugs, which can give the patient bitten by them the Chagas Disease.

Many furniture stores, bookstores, clothing stores, shoe stores -NIKE STORE shutdown in New York-, restaurants, hotels, theaters and media transportation have been over-taken by these very difficult to get rid of critters.

Oh, but there is more, a lot more:

Homelessness in NYC -New York City- jumps by 50%

The number of homeless in the borough of Manhattan was up 47 percent in the past year, according to the count. The 2010 count had 1,145 people living in the streets. Read More

US homes foreclosures up 25% in August 2010

Concerns are growing that the housing market recovery could stumble amid stubbornly high unemployment, a sluggish economy and faltering consumer confidence. U.S. home sales have collapsed since federal homebuyer tax credit expired in April. Read More

Wisconsin Johnson Bank Closing Branches

The Johnson Bank in Wisconsin announced yesterday that it will be closing two branches and one drive up site. Read More

I wonder if bank closings will continue to increase in the US through out the year.

BANK FAILURES IN:
2007.......3
2008.......25
2009.......140
2010.......119 en counting...

Viva Mexico Bicentennial Freedom Celebration

Mexico City and the whole United States of Mexico is having a huge bicentennial celebration. Today, we are all preparing for the "Grito de la Independencia" tonight; some people will celebrate at the Angel de la Independencia in Mexico City, others like me will celebrate it at home with family and friends, a delicious dinner with carne asada, guacamole, different hot salsas, potato salad and refreshments.

Tomorrow, September 16th, is a holiday, nobody works, except restaurants and theme parks. Hopefully, this important bicentennial will make all Mexicans even more proud of who we are, and in the near future we can make out of Mexico a more prosperous country where all, Mexican citizens, Mexican residents and all those who visit us, can feel joyful, peaceful, where everyone setting foot on Mexican territory can feel free and safe, and where everyone who works hard and honestly can see their dreams come true.
I am happy to be Mexican and I am glad I was born in this country. With all its problems, Mexico still stands and moves upwards. I wish for Mexico and all human beings living here, to have happiness, love, health, wealth and peace...for ANOTHER 200 YEARS!

Congratulations, Mexico... QUE VIVA MEXICO...SI SEŇOR!

My Cat is a Cyclist

Nope, I'm not kidding. My cat, Bitsy, loves anything related to cycling. Bitsy loves bicycles, helmets, gloves, jerseys, and she's happy when I am working out on my indoor cycling trainer. I have thought that if she could go out with me to the road, she definitely would.

Attack on Leningrad Weekend Movie

If you like history, drama, excellent acting, great screenplay, you have to watch this movie: Attack on Leningrad.

Funny Medical Joke of the Day

Stress,Tension and Panic:

Q= What is the difference between stress,tension and panic?

A= Stress is when the wife is pregnant,
    
      Tension is when the mistress is pregnant;
   
      Panic is when both are pregnant...(OUCH!)

Levi Leipheimer Takes Part in the Dempsey Challenge

Three of my favorite pro-cyclists (I really admire all cyclists -pro or not- who profess a deep love for cycling)  Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie and Chris Horner will take part in the second annual Dempsey Challenge in Lewinston, October 2 and 3, 2010. This event will benefi the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center.

The Dempsey Challenge offers 5K and 10K run/walks on Oct. 2 and cycling routes of 10, 25, 50 and 100 miles on Oct. 3. All events will begin and end at Simard-Payne Police Memorial Park.

Levi Leipheimer

Txema Gonzalez Dies Team Sky Quits La Vuelta

Cycling Team Sky pulls out of La Vuelta due to the death of Txema Gonzalez,  massage therapist of the team. The reason: a bacterial infection that went to his bloodstream causing sepsis and death. Other cyclists of the team were affected as well, Juan Antonio Flecha being one of them.
The cycling team medical doctor says it was not food the cause of the infection, which makes me think it was water the source of it.

David Millar writes a great tribute to Txema Gonzalez.

Exert from the article:

"Txema Gonzalez and I were hugging only a week ago, happy as ever to see each other. It was in Seville in the foyer of the hotel that Team Sky and our team were sharing for the start of the Vuelta. We only saw each other in passing these last couple of years, before that we saw each other all the time when the two of us were with Saunier Duval, and even before that we knew each other from simply striking up a friendship on the racing circuit, while he worked at Euskaltel and I was on Cofidis. Txema was that sort of guy, he transcended cycling and it's fickle tribe-like behavior, what team you were on didn't matter to him"

My prayers and thoughts go out his family, friends and to all Team Sky cyclists, workers and officials for this terrible loss.