Comments on: Fatty Interviews . . . Fatty

By: All Gear No Idea

All Gear No Idea — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:40:56 +0000

Hi Not So Fatty (180 lbs is not fat unless you are 5′4″)

having recently discovered your blog and the amazing things you do for very good causes I would like to make 2 observations:

If Armstrong hadn’t doped, he might not have won the 7 TDF titles, which would mean that Livestrong might never have happened (difficult to raise money as a 7 time unplaced rider in TDF) with many people not getting the help they received so in my opinion there is no need to apologise as you focussed on the positive (if we want negative there are a plethora of tabloids).

It seems to be a common view that doping and substance abuse was commonplace in pro cycling in that era, how many other riders escaped testing, the sport has done a lot to clean up so how long are we going to continue to discuss the past (I am sure there are not too many debates over disqualifying USSR and East German track and field athletes from the 1970s).

Thanks for the great blog and keep up the good work,if you have time check out another great charity http://www.songo.info/

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:41:25 +0000

Thanks Fatty, for this. Not needed, but always nice to hear your opinion.

I wrote my opinion on the matter here: http://aerochick.com/2013/01/the-lance-effect/

By: yossarian

yossarian — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:34:18 +0000

Interesting interview Fatty. You are a good person. You give logical persuasive arguments and reasoning. But, of course, over the years you have been part of the “problem”. Apology accepted.

But is it actually acceptable to say “Lance doped” now? Are you sure?

You’re point has always been “I presume innocence until proven guilty”. So, where is the proof now? You are going to take the word of Armstrong? A self-confessed serial liar and drug cheat? I think he’s playing you still.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 18:24:15 +0000

Oops. Second to last sentence. You know what I meant. Bike on the brain.
Outtie
Jenn

By: Jenn

Jenn — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 18:23:25 +0000

Don’t have time to read all the comments just now (headed out on my bike! In January!), so forgive if I’m repeating anyone, but my thoughts are as follows:

“Do you feel like you owe your readers an apology?

I do.

Readers, I’m sorry I was one-sided about Lance. My inclination is to talk publicly about the good people do, and to keep my reservations about people to myself. That was a disservice to you.”

Apology not necessary, because that last sentence? Pretty much follows a rule with which many people could stand to become a little more familiar…If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

Ride on, Fatty.
Best,
Jenn

By: Why I no longer Livestrong | Life. Not terribly ordinary.

Why I no longer Livestrong | Life. Not terribly ordinary. — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 16:02:54 +0000

[...] about his kids? He told one big-ass whopper. What lesson does that teach his children? Fatty has a similar reaction to mine. He will continue to raise money for Livestrong; I will not. Does it matter? Not to [...]

By: Beth

Beth — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:53:13 +0000

Hi- I enjoy your blog and your passion for helping people. I know you are good friends with Levi and I watched your hour video interview with Levi. It’s great that you stand by your friends. But I want to know if you think that GROWN men made the choice to dope (Levi, George, etc) and are now blaming Lance. In my opinion – they are all GROWN men and ALL of them were wrong. How can they blame Lance? Yes, their jobs were on the line – but many people quit their job instead of doing the wrong thing. I think ALL of them were wrong and I am frustrated that many people are saying ‘Lance made us do it’. And I agree with you that the Livestrong foundation is amazing – was very helpful when cancer came to my family. I still wear my Livestrong band proudly. Thanks for all your blogs!

By: englishstu

englishstu — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:15:34 +0000

Hey Fatty – thanks a truly heartfelt and honest post. You have nothing to apologise for and don’t need to beat yourself up on this one. You believed in Lance and I find it hard to believe that his empathy for you and Susan was anything but genuine – we should all believe the best of people and look for the good in them until we know otherwise. I tell my kids to always look for the good and positives in people, if we are always looking for the ‘catch’ or defect in other people the world would be a much poorer place.

By: NancyP

NancyP — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:12:55 +0000

I’m over Lance and doping and even professional cycling (sorry, but it’s true). I wouldn’t tune in to see him race again, I can’t imagine why anyone would or why he thinks anyone would.

I do appreciate the way you continue to focus your energy on doing meaningful good in the world and will support your efforts, particularly with World Bicycle Relief.

I also appreciate the joy you find in cycling – that I relate to (and I wish it would warm up a bit and the snow and ice would melt so I could go out for a little ride – maybe Saturday!).

So, onward and upward and enough about Lance. He doesn’t deserve anymore attention.

By: Ekimq

Ekimq — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:08:11 +0000

My grandma always used to say “If you haven’t got anything good to say about someone, don’t say anything at all”.

I think you just showed that side of yourself to everyone. You want everyone to be good all the way through, unfortunately very few live up to that hope.

That said, don’t give up; because it’s that optimism in human beings which puts a smile on your face every day.