A bit dangerous giving out too much info on a forum, innit? Nope, not a strider, but I was a Mummer for 7 years.

davidmcn:

A bit dangerous giving out too much info on a forum, innit? Nope, not a strider, but I was a Mummer for 7 years.

i agree, but genuine question as i live nr you and run with st albans striders.

one of the member was an x-olympic cyclist, so i thought it might be you?

 whats a mummer?

 

i would pm but i dont think their is one.

kw, Sorry, I thought I was replying to someone else. Mummers go around the town on Boxing Day performing a play about St George and the Dragon, I was the Turkish Knight. We stop at several pubs and drink too much.

I was more of a sprinter (100 yards in my day, and a bit under ten seconds), so long distance ain't my cup of tea.

I'm neither a strider or a mummer (although I often stop at several pubs and drink too much but not in the context of a play sadly), can't sprint or run long distance, don't watch Corrie and think you've all made fair points about Contador and Armstrong....group hug anyone?

LOL!!!!

I think we found our board peacemaker!

Beebsy,

Ref my earlier message......."So how generous is Lance Armstrong? Can I suggest that all sceptics take a look at Page 39 of the current Issue (Summer 2009) of Cycling Plus. This is the real Lance Armstrong, when there are no cameras, away from his bike, in his own time and when someone was in need. This is the side that's not normally seen, but is rather more important than what is said in the heat of competition."

and yours.....

"Sorry to be a pedant but I assume this is a pic or story of Armstrong. And published in a magazine? I know he does good work and I have no problem with him publicising it. He knows that anything he does is going to get attention - he's a very famous man and he uses that - on the whole - for very good reasons. He doesn't do low profile and if he didn't want his work to be known, he would make sure it wasn't. Not a dig, honest."

 perhaps I need to copy the letter from Cycling Plus; I'm sure they won't mind. A letter was published on the letters page, unsurprisingly, concerning a person who had an incurable brain tumour. "18 months ago when the specialist gave him his diagnosis he told him that someone would give him a ring to have a chat and to give him some counselling. True enough a couple of weeks later the telephone rang and the person on the other end, to give him that counselling, was none other than Lance Armstrong. He spent about 10 to 15 minutes chatting and then proceeded to telephone him again once a month - again chatting for around a quarter of an hour each time. ...."

The author went on to say that whilst Armstrong is much maligned and with a very busy schedule, to find time for a dying stranger is very commendable to say the least.

In fact it's quite extraordinary and shows a side that is neither seen nor advertsied, until leaked by the letter writer.

Thank you for the context. I've heard similar things about him but this is a nice one.

I have absolutely no problem with Armstrong using his experience and his profile to this end at all. He really doesn't need to do this kind of thing but, again from my work in a hospice, I know how a cancer diagnosis - well, I suppose any serious illness - inspires an almost evangelical response from those affected.

For all his faults, he has done a hell of a lot of good for cancer awareness. And honestly, I guess I don't really care all that much about his motives regards this aspect of his life - if being aware of Armstrong's battles saves a life then it's worth it.

He is incredibly - INCREDIBLY - driven. I can't think of many other people with that kind of strength of character. It would be ridiculous to suggest that he turns that drive off if it might offend others.