0 Two views...

So, here is the slightly insane Cameron 'Cam' Zink attempting an 80ft cross-canyon jump at the Zion Park Red Bull Rampage, in the U.S.A. If you can bear to watch, you will be rewarded with seeing a largely unscathed Zink being blessed with not have his head pop off as his spine is rammed out between his shoulders, or having his hips permanently fused to his shoulder blades.

The first video is spectator footage, the second from Zinks helmet camera. In the decision between bailing or clinging on to the bike, I think I would have just stayed in the bar and enjoyed the feeling of having intact limbs...

It's nice that in the second video the ominous crunching sound is followed by the words "I honestly think I'm OK!"

0 Damned if you do...

So USADA have published the findings of the USPS/Lance Armstrong investigation on their website and the fallout appears far reaching. Given that the evidence is not simply hearsay and testament the case against Armstrong looks fairly well sealed now. The other, perhaps unsurprising, factor that seems to evince itself more than ever is Armstrong's arrogance and manipulation, using his brush with cancer as a trump card to escape prosecution. A good summary of the findings and the potential repercussions here in The Guardian.

Dave Brailsford, boss of Team Sky, speaks to Sky Sports here, and includes some comments on Michael Barry, recently retired Canadian Team Sky rider. Barry revealed himself to have been involved in doping whilst riding for USPS - although claims to have been clean, and an anti-doping advocate, since 2006. Barry's website has a statement and apology relating to the findings here.

0 From drugs to cold (and wet) turkey...

Here's a smashing atmospheric film, by Geoff Waugh, from this the 2012 3-Peaks Cyclocross race. There's nothing quite like sitting indoors in the warm with a hot cup of coffee watching other peoples' weather and physical-endurance related pain.

World's Hardest Cyclocross Race from Geoff Waugh on Vimeo.

0 The Full Dope...

So, as 11 of Lance Armstrong's US Postal team mates line up to testify, USADA state the team engineered the "most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen" - Now there's an endorsement, if ever I've heard one.

More information is available here, with some additional info from George Hincapie via his personal website.

0 First week back in the promised land...

Relocation is slowly sinking in. The legs are realising that the flat days of the Cheshire Plains are far, far away. Every journey in Sheffield is either down and up again, or vice versa (perhaps with repartitions).

So whilst I slowly acclimatise, her's an inspirational video that shows you, like snowboarders vs skiers, it's not the vehicle, it's the will to do exciting stuff...