PTW

Yes Anthony, it is me with my first posting on our beloved clubs website.
While I sit here with a chest infection, I felt inspired to write something to make a contribution to the forum. After a little help from 'Titus' (Well actually a big help) here it is. I felt that Alf in a previous posting brought up an interesting subject when he said that he felt that Inurain was his choice. My opinion is that all must have had great qualities (Obviously) but (Sorry Alf) Indurain was surely the most boring. Yes, he was a great time trialler, but when he climbed he just limited his losses untill the next TT where he destroyed everyone. Like Alf I joined the club when big Mig was in his prime and sure enough I got inspiration from him, but when I look back I cannot think of anything much exciting or really controversial from that period. Plenty has happened since, some good and some bad but cycling now seems to have a higher world profile.
Anquetil :- Only read a bit about him, seems he had to battle against his own confidence as well as good opponents.(Enlighten me)
Merckx :- Has got to be the best for trying to destroy everyone at every opportunity and his famous battle with Ocana.
Hinault :- A monster of the peleton who fought with strikers blocking the road (Or anybody really that didn't agree with him). His controversial relationship with Lemond. Ruled the peleton like Mugabe rules his government (Sorry, don't want to get too political)
Indurain :- See about 1000 words back for him.
Armstrong :- Love the texan or hate him, one thing for sure, there have been plenty of things to write about since he won his 7 tours. Riding across that field after Beloki crashed (Couldn't see Indurain doing that). When he got up after being brought down, then pulled his foot out of the pedal and destroyed everyone on that climb. His relationships with Pantani and Ullrich. The French trying to nail him for drugs. Him just being from the USA. The list could go on.
O/K are you still with me. Promise any future postings will be shorter.
Be kind to me if you can be bothered to reply.
If I can't be a PT Wheeler then I don't want to cycle. I'm fully paid up for this year!

North sea spinner wrote

Riding across that field after Beloki crashed (Couldn't see Indurain doing that).

Indurain was a man of the soil. He would have planted a neat row of potatoes whilst cycling across that field.

Mind you, the Badger (also a man of the soil) would have kicked Beloki whilst passing, ridden across the field whilst planting potatoes, crossed the gap and then headbutted anyone at the tete de la course.

Nice one Alf. Merckx would have run over him, reversed and run over him again just to make sure that good old Eddie was the only winner.