Why wouldn't we ?

Maybe, as part of this whole thing, we should also want to know who else was behind this. If it was able to be covered up for so long, that says some of the officials were involved in the scheme.

Although I don't believe it is proper to do what he did ( use the steroids while competing ), be sure and take a broader look at the good he has done. He raised millions for the cancer fund .... that is what I will remember him for.

I think we should welcome him. Everyone makes mistakes no matter how big they are. He supports a great cause and by not supporting him we are not supporting cancer

Well from what I've heard, I feel he made some very bad choices, and he is paying dearly for them, as have I. As a recovering Drug addict, I know first hand you never now what the drug will do for you, just outlines, Now for his case it is like was he addicted to the drug or knew it was giving him an upper edge, Or was it vitamins, who knows why but him. I also agree with all the good he has done, he has inspired people to exercise, he didnt promote the use of drugs. Possibly to teamates though, the competiveness of sports, the adrenline rush of being the best. Well yes he went a little overboard to reach the top. But Ragbrai Ban. Really????
Can he use the restroom at Denny's, Walmart, HyVee? Freedom, Consequences, they are part of America. If you don't want to be by him then walk........But Don't be God!

No they shouldn't welcome him back. Talk to those involved in competitive cycling and, yes, they will tell you that it's well accepted the top riders all take part in this. Their team support staff definitely assist them in doing so.

But some people say Armstrong's work with Livestrong makes-up for his 2 decades of cheating, lying, breaking laws, ruining careers, etc.

Ok, so of those people, how many would say the same thing if you found out your spouse had been cheating on you for the past 15-20 years? Tell me you would stand back and say "Yes, he/she had those 7 major affairs, and then dozens of small affairs, and yes he/she lied to me and everyone else any time and every time anyone ever asked about it... And yes they swore hand on heart that they were telling the truth... But hey, they picked the kids up from dance class and basketball.... And they always remembered my birthday.... So I guess it's ok"

Gotta love his attempt to minimize by saying it was 'ONE big lie'.... No it wasn't. It was countless big lies.

How many other cyclists have started foundations that have floundered and failed, in-part because they don't have 7 Tour de France victories to post as a footnote when asking for a check to be signed?

The guy's a liar and a fraud and tried to ruin the lives of others to perpetuate his own charade. I'd ride extra this year on RAGBRAI to avoid him. Let's recognize and honor folks who deserve it: military, first responders, teachers, etc.

I feel he should ride in Ragbrai. He screwed up. But Ragbrai is a journey from river to river - an opportunity to cleanse, share and begin again. I think he should ride as a part of his journey back home to his roots and source. I don't think he needs to be the star but an ordinary guy like all of us. One who falls from grace and skins his knees but gets back on the road to life.

Lance should be allowed to ride to we can chuck ears of corn at him as he whizzes by.

No I don't think he should be allowed to. It would be setting a very bad example for teens who would think its ok to do drugs and get by with it if they get caught. He knew the chance he was taking when he decided to do it in the first place. He needs to learn the lesson and set the example for future generations.

I have to agree with TJ. It is not a competitive event, he should not be banned. Should he choose to ride however he would have to face the opinions of a lot of people. Might be interesting to watch. Probably doesn't have the stomach for it.

Has RAGBRAI banned anyone else? I think not.

It's a bike ride across the state of Iowa. Let the man bike across Iowa if he wants.

I don't think RAGBRAI can ban him, and TJ said he'd be welcome. In my mind, the question is whether Iowans should welcome him. It's always been a bit of a sideshow in the past (and at times dangerous w/ people riding dangerously to get close to him). But, at that time he was raising awareness for cancer and was a positive role model. Now, it's much different.

TJ said, "from an organizational standpoint..." Lance should not be banned from Ragbrai. That's true. Ragbrai shouldn't start a reputation of banning folks with the exception of participant misconduct. TJ was careful not to interject his personal feelings. As far as Livestrong is concerned I believe that while Lance was heading up the orginization (he resigned from Livestrong in October) they were capitolizing on the popularity of the ride. It is purported Livestrong only forwards 40% of their donation receipts to any cancer fighting cause, leaving 60% going to administrative expenses (and Lance's pocket). I would be surprised to see the Livestrong bus on the ride this year and certainly not Lance.

Who are we to judge? We are all human & we have all made mistakes. Anyone who has never lied or made any mistakes can throw the first stone.

Allow, of course! Welcome, NO. He's just a guy.

Right on. I think he should be allowed to attend. If we think back to some of the other cheaters that are out there ...aren't they still doing what they want ? (except for Pete Rose, who gambled...not cheated. But this can be considered a form of cheating, except when the state does it ). What about Tiger Woods and Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire? Aren't they able to continue their lives in a "normal" fashion. Some might argue that Tigers cheating had nothing to do with golf, but what about that time a golf ball went into a drainage ditch (concrete drain pipe) a few years back and mysteriously bounced back out a few seconds later. And, of course, it ended up in a very nice position in the rough ). And that "loose impediment" that was at the Phoenix Open? That thing weighed about 50 pounds. He was allowed to move it. It was a small boulder !

I still think the Lance Armstrong thing would not have happened had there been no support from the others involved. He was supposedly given over 500 tests to detect any misuse. Why weren't these finding the steroids? If the "blood doping" was the thing he did mostly, someone had to be on the other end of the needle, both during the removal and the re-installation. And, someone had to know there was something improper being done. Who else up the ladder is helping to cover things up? As in most issues like this .... it is not just one individual ....it is an infrastructure. Like the Clinton/Lewinsky thing. Everyone welcomes Clinton now.

Why not? I don't think a guest of honor invitation should be extended, but if he wants to ride he should be able to ride just like anyone else. Would RAGBRAI exclude people convicted of drunk driving? Are politicians excluded? Lance has done nothing worse than those two groups. If you're really upset about what he has done, the best thing you can do is to ignore him and he'll soon go away.