No Right Answer

My name is Bobby Walthour. Actually, it is Bobby Walthour IV. I am the heir to the Walthour legacy, dating back to my great grandfather (Bobby Sr.) my grandfather (Bobby Jr.), and cousin (Jimmy) – all members of the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame. We hold, undoubtedly, the longest American family tradition in a professional sport.

I have been a professional track cyclist for the past 27 years; am a former member of the United States National Cycling Team; have won many national titles and professional races; and currently hold a Masters National record for my age group. I am proud to say that I have been drug free for my entire career, and am honored to carry on my family legacy in this manner.

Drugs in cycling was a major topic of conversation last week, with Lance Armstrong acting as the unofficial MC. I was asked how long drugs have been in bicycle racing, and my answer may surprise you. Since day one. We are talking back to the 1800’s here.

I have personally witnessed drug use in the sport of cycling. I have witnessed pills handed out by coaches. I have also witnessed athletes admit to drug use. After some athletes test positive, they receive a slap on the wrist and then hop on a plane – to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, for example.

This angered me when I was in my 20s, and I became very bitter. I thought about my own career. Do I take steroids and become a world and Olympic champion, or do I take a character check and travel a path to less glory and financial reward?

It has always been more important to me to carry my name – my family’s name – with dignity and good ethics, than to risk it all for fleeting popularity and monetary gain. I have never been approached by anyone to take drugs, nor have I sought them out. This was a no-brainer for me, but it was still incredibly difficult over the years to watch others obtain rewards for cheating.

By sheer coincidence, I received an email from the USADA the same week, if not the same day, the whole Armstrong thing broke out. It said I had passed my test. No surprise there. With athletes and scientists staying one step ahead of the testers, I foresee this whole situation going on and on. And on. That is why we as parents, teachers and coaches, need to educate our kids about character and choices. The right choices.

I have made up my own kind of ‘test,’ and I take it often. I call it the Child-Mirror test, and it is both simple and inexpensive. I just look into my eight and 12 year-old daughters’ eyes and then into a mirror. Am I okay with the choices I have made? If the answer is ‘yes,’ I am totally cool with it.

As an athlete, coach and parent, this is a tough call. If ‘everyone is doing it,’ do we only punish the ones who get singled out or caught? Is there a clear right or wrong answer here? I would love to hear from you.

Bobby Walthour is the owner of Rocket Fitness Sports and the co-owner of Dixie Flyer Bicycles. You can contact him through his website, Rocket Fitness.