text: POET IN RESIDENCE : They're already at it again!
  They're already at it again!
  A doping scandal on Tuesday is overshadowing the Race to the Sun (Paris-Nice).
  What is it about doping and cycling? Is it something to do with the price of bicycles? A decent racing bike such as one's hero rides can cost as much as a cheap car. Or perhaps more.
  Then there's the kit emblazoned with the hero's team logo. Cycling is a real money spinner.
  Last year Le Tour began in Yorkshire. I happened to be there a couple of weeks before the event. Roads, which had probably been full of potholes for years were being resurfaced. I tried to get Bed & Breakfast at a rural inn for two nights. Out of the question. I finally found a place on the west coast, in Lancashire!
  There is much disturbance and inconvenience to daily life as a result of the massive logistical challenges involved in getting Le Tour on the road; but why do we also have to have the doping? It seems to be an almost contagious disease.
  Top doping expert Lance Armstrong may have the answer. He says it's impossible to win Le Tour without doping and he should know, having won Le Tour a record number of times.
  So let's take Lance, my long time sporting hero (I went to France twice to watch him) at his word. Where does it leave us?
  Tonight it's football on TV.
  Posted by Gwil W at 19:32
  The Weaver of Grass 12 March 2015 at 20:35
  Gwil - if you come to Yorkshire again and can't find anywhere to stay then let me know via my blog - you can stay here any time.
  Gwil W 12 March 2015 at 22:25
  Well what kindness. The barn will do fine!
  Rachel 12 March 2015 at 20:53
  Let all riders use EPO and have a level playing field I say. If you come to Norfolk and cannot find a bed I have a single mattress and duvet in a spare quarter of the house without heating. I am not sure how I would explain your presence to Peter though but I expect I would get around it some how.
  Gwil W 12 March 2015 at 22:28
  Another kindness. Phew! Without heating. That's tough. I'd sh-i-v-v-v-e-r to death. At least Pat has straw! You . . . could say it's a ghost. I didn't get to see the footie. We watched a film about the Beatles in Austria when the came to make a film in the snow 50 years ago
  Rachel 12 March 2015 at 22:38
  yael 12 March 2015 at 21:49
  I also watch the Tour every year but last summer i could not because i had to watch the channels that gave me missiles alarms in real time...
  Gwil W 12 March 2015 at 22:31
  Maybe they could start Le Tour in Israel. They've started it nearly everywhere else. Then you could get to see it live.