I know what happened to cycling from 1999 to 2005. I saw its growth, I saw its expansion.

My cocktail, so to speak, was only EPO, but not a lot, transfusions and testosterone.

If there is a defining characteristic of a man as opposed to a boy, maybe it's patience.

Two things scare me. The first is getting hurt. But that's not nearly as scary as the second, which is losing.

I still don't get golf.

Nothing goes to waste, you put it all to use, the old wounds and long-ago slights become the stuff of competitive energy.

I realize that there are many variables outside my control in my quest, but focusing on the big goal down the road really motivates me. To help me stay focused, I set micro-goals such as races or training achievements that bring me one step closer to being at my best for major goals