Is Lance pedaling forward?

"If I don't make those mistakes, then I don't learn the lesson."

In a mid-August blog posting titled "Lance, let it go!," I wrote about Lance Armstrong still conversing as though he had never been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, and how it was time for the Texan to continue down the bike path of honesty — after admitting to doping — and to finally acknowledge he wasn't the recognized winner of the world's top Grand Tour stage race.

Recently, I happened to come across a 42-minute interview involving Lance that took place in Dubai in late October. While there were no questions on the particular point mentioned above, I came away with the impression that the former professional cyclist is leading a more enriched life, taking cues from the mistakes he has made and applying them to become a better person. The quote that opens this posting is a statement expressed by Lance during the conversation in Dubai, and I actually replayed it four or five times to make sure I had heard it correctly.

Meeting the big Texan was a big thrill.

Another admission revealed had to do with any regrets Lance might have dealing with the past. He chatted about not having an "off" switch when it came to competition, whether it was while on the bicycle, training, or facing question after question from the media or others when it came to possible doping. He took time to recount the lies, but, more importantly, he now feels a great deal of guilt for attacking those who were cross-examining the legitimacy of his sport and his outstanding performance.

Two more things. Firstly, I'm still a big fan of Mr. Armstrong, and, secondly, for some reason it was probably the best interview I've seen on him since his world came tumbling down in 2013. I'm certain there are those who would dismiss the interview as just another "con job" delivered by a very clever and deceitful person. But I felt otherwise, and I choose to believe that Lance is moving forward … at long last.

The dialogue with Lance was presented on #ABtalks, a YouTube interview show hosted by Anas Bukhash that, according to its producers, shines the spotlight on the raw side of celebrities, influencers, and achievers as human beings. Each guest is known for being an inspiration and for being influential as experts in their respective fields.

Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fcbsUo6r_s if you want to check out the interview with Lance Armstrong.

Finally, a date

There's been an important development involving my Maine-to-Michigan "Reunion Tour." A date has been selected for the Ithaca High School Class of 1971 50th reunion celebration. It is Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.

So, with that in mind, I can see myself possibly commencing my cycling journey sometime in late August or early September, depending on whether or not the route takes me through part of Canada, which I'm planning on doing. At the moment, because of the pandemic, Americans do not have access — other than for essential travel — with our neighbors to the north. Hopefully, that will change.

More details in the future. It should be a fun ride and I'm really looking forward to it.